Why is the Bottom Open?

admin · Post by **b0b** » 13 Apr 2009 8:46 am

I have an old Rickenbacker pedal steel. One of its classier features IMO is a cover on underside of the body, hiding the mechanical linkage.

People looking up to a tall stage can see the ugly mechanical underbelly of our instruments. It seems to me that a removable cover is a pretty nice feature. What do you think?

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 13 Apr 2009 8:56 am

b0b wrote:... the ugly mechanical underbelly of our instruments... What do you think?

I think you're starting from a faulty premise, that's what I think!

Michael Stover · Post by **Michael Stover** » 13 Apr 2009 9:01 am

No kidding...if there were room onstage, I'd mount a camera under my steel and small monitor next to me!

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 13 Apr 2009 9:02 am

Way back when, after receiving my BIGSBY, I used to hang a bright red felt curtin-like thingie concealing not only the ugly underside of my g'tar but the pedal rods too.
It also concealed my knobby knees!

Jaclyn Jones · Post by **Jaclyn Jones** » 13 Apr 2009 9:43 am

I worry at outdoor venues about dust, salt air and what ever else is flying around. It would seem like a cover under there would make sense.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 13 Apr 2009 9:45 am

b0b wrote:It seems to me that a removable (bottom) cover is a pretty nice feature. What do you think?

I think that's practical only when you don't have knee levers!

Bill Terry · Post by **Bill Terry** » 13 Apr 2009 10:17 am

Ray wrote:Way back when, after receiving my BIGSBY, I used to hang a bright red felt curtin-like thingie concealing not only the ugly underside of my g'tar but the pedal rods too.

I think I saw a video of Barbara Mandrell playing PSG somewhere and she had a similar 'modesty' drape, but for different reasons...

Dick Wood · Post by **Dick Wood** » 13 Apr 2009 10:45 am

I always wondered what they were looking at.

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 13 Apr 2009 12:49 pm

When the last of the 86 screws fastening the cover plate to the body have been removed, you will realize you have removed the wrong coverplate.

jim flynn · Post by **jim flynn** » 13 Apr 2009 1:46 pm

I've often thought of a dust cover, but gave up after
trying to make one that would allow the knees to clear and also be movable. I still think a thin maple cover would enhance the sound.
Jim

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 13 Apr 2009 2:08 pm

There is no cover underneath, so folks can see how complex a pedal steel guitar really is. Makes us players look smarter--we need all the help we can get.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 13 Apr 2009 2:45 pm

There's no bottom so people can tell that it's not a keyboard. Obviously they can't tell from the topside...

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 13 Apr 2009 3:41 pm

Maybe if we disquised it people would think it was a new kind of instrument and it would become more popular.

John Drury · Post by **John Drury** » 13 Apr 2009 3:58 pm

It would be a PITA to lubricate, and a LKV would not be do-able. Added weight would be a minus. It would also alter the tone somewhat and might vibrate?

I don't think I would care for one.

John McGlothlin · Post by **John McGlothlin** » 13 Apr 2009 4:08 pm

I am continuesley having to turn mine over and make adjustments so a coverplate on mine wouldn't cut the mustard.

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 13 Apr 2009 4:54 pm

There is no bottom so that the cheese has a place to fall through after it has been sliced....

John Phinney · Post by **John Phinney** » 13 Apr 2009 5:52 pm

I would put a cover on the underside of my GFI, but for some reason I get slightly different complaints when I play my steel wearing a kilt!!

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 13 Apr 2009 6:07 pm

Notice that you rarely see non-pedal console steels with an open bottom.

Having the rods pass through apertures in the bottom would complicate the set-up process, unless the bottom were hinged in some way.

The other question is why they don't make hinged lids on steels like on pianos. My PSGs get very dusty. I have some of Bobbe's vinyl covers for them but I'm usually too lazy to use them.

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 13 Apr 2009 6:32 pm

Jim Cohen wrote:There's no bottom so people can tell that it's not a keyboard. Obviously they can't tell from the topside...

Jimbeaux, Funny!....al.

:)

Tommy Young · Post by **Tommy Young** » 13 Apr 2009 6:58 pm

I LOVE lookin at NAKED BOTTOMS myself --some are so shiny and pretty

Dave Horch · Post by **Dave Horch** » 13 Apr 2009 7:12 pm

Please don't judge me, but...

I started putting a grass hula skirt, about a foot long, around the front of my steel. That seems to hide the mechanics from the gawkers, and looks kinda cool too. Like I said, please don't judge me!

Ben Elder · Post by **Ben Elder** » 13 Apr 2009 7:54 pm

ZBs need a paper bag.

Robby Springfield · Post by **Robby Springfield** » 13 Apr 2009 8:19 pm

Just got a Mullen G2 a few weeks ago...wouldn't want to cover that beautiful work up!

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 13 Apr 2009 8:25 pm

Well, If ya can't cover it up, just SHINE it up!!

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 13 Apr 2009 8:39 pm

The underbelly of a pedal steel is anything but ugly (not butt-ugly). Actually most people find it pretty fascinating!

BTW James, nice looking 'Bud!

The Steel Guitar Forum

Why is the Bottom Open?

Why is the Bottom Open?

Re: Why is the Bottom Open?

Taking a clue from Speedy.................

Re: Why is the Bottom Open?

Another of Murphy's laws...

steel guitar underwear!!??