"Desert Rose"

Norman Potts · Post by **Norman Potts** » 21 Jul 2010 5:27 pm

Hi all, Just want to let you know that I'm the guy who purchased the "Desert Rose" through Chuck Back that was advertised last month. I received it last week. (http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=185640)

I'm a complete novice as far as the Pedal Steel goes,in fact I had never even seen one in the "flesh before and had never used picks before and I can see there will be quite a few challenges ahead.

Never mind, I'm well pleased with the "Desert Rose" and can't speak highly enough of Chuck. I also would like to thank all the guys who post information on the SGF, I browsed the internet and the SGF for a couple of months before I decided to buy, thought I better find out what is what and what I was getting myself into, still finding out of course but I think I have absorbed an awful lot of information in the past couple of months.

Thanks guys and the SGF website.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 21 Jul 2010 5:38 pm

You made a good choice in purchasing from Chuck Back. He's a highly reputable indivdual who builds a great product.

Bernie Gonyea · Post by **Bernie Gonyea** » 21 Jul 2010 7:29 pm

Norman: I've never owned one of these guitars but a good friend of mine from Alaska does own and plays a " Desert Rose " Guitar. I am certain he would be tickled to advise you about this make of guitar. His name is Stu Stulman and is a member of the steel guitar Forum. Stu, if you happen to read this, please contact norman, would you..Thanks..Bernie

Elton Smith · Post by **Elton Smith** » 21 Jul 2010 8:01 pm

Welcome from E. Texas.There's an awful lot of info in this forum.

Norman Potts · Post by **Norman Potts** » 21 Jul 2010 8:40 pm

Thanks everyone. As I said I browsed the GSF for a few weeks before I decided to buy, I thought this guitar looked beautiful and it appeared that Chuck had a good reputation. - And Bernie I seen posts by Stu on more than what you could say numerous occasions, he's an avid contributor.

I thought I had posted a photo of the guitar as the box says upload picture but when I do and send it doesn't seem to go any where? Also there does not appear to be a "save" for the post you are drafting for instance if you have to click out of the box for same reason the draft is not saved it just disappears (Where to?).

Thanks again and cheers

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 21 Jul 2010 9:09 pm

Bernie good to see you up and around my friend! Norman you bought a great guitar from a great guy,There are some really fine guitars being built these days by some great people Kevin Hatton,Jerry Fessenden,Frank Carter Etc.My Desert Rose is the best steel guitar I've ever owned,I'm waiting on Desert Rose #3 I try not too bug Chuck to much.N-Joy

Bernie Gonyea · Post by **Bernie Gonyea** » 22 Jul 2010 7:45 am

Stu : Good to hear from you, too.Thanks for coming to the aid of our Aussie friend. A small world, indeed. We steelers have to stick together, right ? Any other problems, just holler and someone here will come to your assistance with good advise[ most of the time.] Hee, Hee.. Good luck with your new Desert Rose; Looking forward to seeing a pic of same..Enjoy..cheers..Bernie

Joseph Meditz · Post by **Joseph Meditz** » 22 Jul 2010 8:27 am

Hi Norman and welcome to the world of steel guitar,

About 4 years ago I did exactly what you did. I bought a brand new professional S10 without knowing how to hold the bar or even tune it!

I got Winnie Winston's book and tried to play the first tune, "Red River Valley." The result was unrecognizable! Even by me! Nevertheless, I worked very hard at it for a year. (Actually put in more effort than any other instrument I have played) Put it down for a year. Then practiced hard for year. Put it down again for a year before picking it up again.

I'm pretty comfortable at this point. My point is that it took me 2 years to get comfortable. While I wouldn't brag about that, especiallty considering the number of hours of "seat time" I put in, at the same time, I am satisfied with my progress. There are a myriad of issues that one most cope with when learning steel guitar.

So, for me it has been a slow process. But my steel guitar does yield that beautiful tone that attracted me to it in the first place.

Have fun!

Joe

PS: Regarding uploading pictures, there is limit on the size. When I tried to upload a picture that was too big, the SGF software did not complain. It just did not upload.

Norman Potts · Post by **Norman Potts** » 22 Jul 2010 4:46 pm

Thanks for your support Joe, I also have the Winnie winston book as well as the Anyone can play DVD. I tried Red River Valley a couple of days ago and at this stage i couldn't recognise any tune at all never mind the one I know. Any way I'm just concentrating on getting the various basic chord positions into memory at present, well that is besides some fiddling around with other bits and pieces.

Thanks again to every one who has responded.

I'll have another go with the photo as well

Elton Smith · Post by **Elton Smith** » 22 Jul 2010 6:17 pm

That is one nice guitar!What I do is practic,read the SGF,as dumb questions ,then practice some more.Been workong so far.

Norman Potts · Post by **Norman Potts** » 22 Jul 2010 11:01 pm

Elton, Its better to ask a dumb question than to make a dumb mistake!

Bill Bailey · Post by **Bill Bailey** » 25 Jul 2010 10:35 pm

I wondered what happened to the "Ghost Rider Steel" You Sir have a collector guitar there, I saw it's creation from start to finish.

Brendan Mitchell · Post by **Brendan Mitchell** » 26 Jul 2010 1:52 am

Beautiful looking guitar you have there Norman .OZ needs more steel players !

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