Anyone notice anything unusual abouy Peavey's Power Slide?

Terry Barnett · Post by **Terry Barnett** » 20 Jul 2010 7:38 pm

I sat down with a friend's Peavey Power slide....nice affordable guitat but I was surprised to see what I think is a design flaw. If you look at the fingerboard marker pattern you'll see that the second design pattern starts at the eleventh fret instead of the twelfth. If you are using the pattern as a guide you will be a half step out when you go into the second octave...annoying. Just a simple mistake? I enjoyed playing the guitar...sounded good, tuned up, wrapped itself around me,loved that and the price was right. I wonder if they know and were hoping nobody would notice or say anything. Anyone else notice this?

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 20 Jul 2010 7:52 pm

I see what you mean, but I wouldn't consider it a design flaw. They've probably thought most players will use the dot markers to navigate around the neck, and the "sails" are purely 'artistic design'.
The way they are now they kinda overlap, with the first ending at the 12th fret and the second starting at the 11th fret, same thing happening at the next octave by the end of the fretboard,- the way I see them they're more in balance, visually, this way.

I'm sure you'll get used to it pretty fast.

Tamara James · Post by **Tamara James** » 20 Jul 2010 8:11 pm

on the other hand, if you use just the points created by the pattern the 3, 12, 15, and 24 are well marked on the melody string. Even though the design is different sizes, it does point to the same frets in each octive on the highest or smallest string we just about wear out playing.

Travis Hillis · Post by **Travis Hillis** » 20 Jul 2010 8:18 pm

Hmm, I never even noticed. I always use the dot and fret markers no navigate.

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 21 Jul 2010 1:51 am

Tamara, what on earth is a "Melody String" ?

Mike Harris · Post by **Mike Harris** » 21 Jul 2010 5:19 am

I really like my PowerSlide, but the fingerboard designs are highly reflective and distracting as can be.

Roger Palmer · Post by **Roger Palmer** » 21 Jul 2010 5:40 am

Tamara, what on earth is a "Melody String" ?

Whatever it is...can I get one?

Travis Hillis · Post by **Travis Hillis** » 21 Jul 2010 8:15 am

Maybe one would help my playing?

Peter den Hartogh · Post by **Peter den Hartogh** » 21 Jul 2010 8:36 am

You would think that these guys would get it right.

Travis Hillis · Post by **Travis Hillis** » 21 Jul 2010 9:11 am

Epic design flaw...

Gene Warner · Post by **Gene Warner** » 21 Jul 2010 9:13 am

I wish they would make an eight string version of this instrument!
Gene Warner

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 21 Jul 2010 9:33 am

Peter den Hartogh wrote: You would think that these guys would get it right.

That's the same position marker layout National always have used on their tricones:

Peter den Hartogh · Post by **Peter den Hartogh** » 21 Jul 2010 12:09 pm

Yes, I know. I have seen that on some dobros also.
But on the National the neck joins the body at the 12th fret, which alleviates the problem.

The Fender however joins at the 14th fret.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 21 Jul 2010 12:28 pm

The later National single cone resonators ('35-'41) all joined the body at the 14th fret.

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 21 Jul 2010 1:07 pm

The dots cover up screwheads. My 1935 Dobro M-32;

Tamara James · Post by **Tamara James** » 21 Jul 2010 1:22 pm

basilh wrote:Tamara, what on earth is a "Melody String" ?

Sorry if that is the wrong term. The reference is to the highest sounding string or the smallest in size. It's a term I was taught when I was first learning. It was a way to tell the difference if you were counting strings from the top or from the bottom. Folks tend to do that different. When someone said start at the melody string, every one knew which side was being refered to. Got everyone on the same page, so to speak. Old habits die hard.

I have a powerslide and I like it very much.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 21 Jul 2010 1:35 pm

It's where you're supposed to play the melody! Surely you knew that, Basil, yes? Don't tell me you've been playing the melody elsewhere...

John Drury · Post by **John Drury** » 24 Jul 2010 2:39 am

I always thought my Gibsons had a weird fretboard.

Sasha Kostadinov · Post by **Sasha Kostadinov** » 29 Jul 2010 10:50 am

I recently bought a used Power Slide and haven't played it much yet, but I have found the design on the fretboard to be distracting while playing. Also, the cutout forces a specific orientation of the instrument to the player's body, which can't be altered too much. For the money, though, the tone is pretty good and it looks wicked. I think I'll learn to get used to it.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 29 Jul 2010 1:33 pm

Terry Barnett wrote:...I was surprised to see what I think is a design flaw...

I don't think it's a design flaw. The position dots are in the usual 3,5,7,9,12 locations. I think the artwork was not created by a musician, and was just intended to be just that... artwork. After all, the body wasn't designed for convenient playing. What makes it look so attractive is the unusual design. You just have to ignore what's painted on the fingerboard and only pay attention to the position markers.

Travis Hillis · Post by **Travis Hillis** » 29 Jul 2010 2:32 pm

Alan Brookes wrote:You just have to ignore what's painted on the fingerboard and only pay attention to the position markers.

+1 to that...

Keith Cordell · Post by **Keith Cordell** » 29 Jul 2010 9:04 pm

I hadn't ever noticed that on mine. I always navigate by the dots.

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 29 Jul 2010 10:10 pm

I still can't get passed the spaced out design but I keep hearin how good they sound. As far as the "flaw"? I never noticed it before and like others I'd use the dots for reference anyway.

Keith Cordell · Post by **Keith Cordell** » 29 Jul 2010 10:14 pm

As far as the design goes, it is a ergonomic as it could be for standing and playing; I was a serious critic until I actually played one- then I bought it and plan to get at least 1 more. If not for my "bubble up front" it would be perfect. It's great for sitting too.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 30 Jul 2010 6:46 am

How high is the nut ? Is it set up for steel playing ? Does it have real frets ? Can it be played as a regular guitar ?

The Steel Guitar Forum

Anyone notice anything unusual abouy Peavey's Power Slide?

Anyone notice anything unusual abouy Peavey's Power Slide?

Power Slide Markings

Re: Anyone notice anything unusual abouy Peavey's Power Slid

Re: Anyone notice anything unusual abouy Peavey's Power Slid