Apprised Of The Road To Stardom

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 27 Jul 2010 10:42 am

Every now and then this thread takes off and it moves into points of interest. Stardom is more elusive than great riches. Someone once said, " If you have something good, people will find you." I believe that to be true. This would be particularly true in advertisements. Millions of dollars are spent through commercials and posters. Word of mouth probably travels the fastest of all others. If someone produced a steel guitar that featured various improvements over current models, you can bet your last dollar the word would travel fast. Publishers looking for stories to print are on top of their game 24 hours a day. Computers, phones, and radios have made it possible to start the ball rolling. If you have something good, that ball will
make its rounds. Their have been several rushes to glory through hearsay. California, and Alaska gold rushes are good examples of human nature, when it explodes into a first come, first serve situation.
Black Friday is a great example of how determined people are to be first in line. I think some call it reaching out.

Archie Nicol · Post by **Archie Nicol** » 27 Jul 2010 12:25 pm

The dirty deed has been undone, Bill.

Here's Heather on the window `chillaxing`. You should try it. But perhaps not on the window ledge!

Arch.

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 27 Jul 2010 12:54 pm

Arch,don't worry about it, ES or BS it's all the same.When Mr. Bill puts you down you KNOW you are doing something right.

YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 27 Jul 2010 2:38 pm

Archie,

I know that some pets are drawn to the sounds of the pedal steel guitar. I wouldn't say that your relaxing cat has made plans to vacate it's perch. That lazy leg hanging down tells the story. A nice picture of a contented pet.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 27 Jul 2010 3:49 pm

Joe Miraglia,

For the record, of course I'd like to know your setup. I've discussed different aspects of tuning in some of the earlier threads... as I recall. Innovations are a dime a dozen. You really need the 4 and 8 lowers, as well as the 4 and 8 raises. Their's no getting around not lowering the 2nd either one half or a full tone. Instead of both lowers on one knee, opting for two independent levers would work fine. Some players pass up the 1st. and 7th raises. What a waste of two important changes on the 9th chromatic tuning. They are most definitely very useful basic changes. The 5th, 6th, and 9th, strings lowered, pull more melody, and chord options into the picture. Some players bring the 2nd string up, one half tone. Many players have the courage to chase down a few additional changes.

Joe Miraglia · Post by **Joe Miraglia** » 27 Jul 2010 4:08 pm

Bill Hankey wrote:Joe Miraglia,

For the record, Of course I'd like to know your setup. I've discussed different aspects of tuning in some of the earlier threads... as I recall. Innovations are a dime a dozen. You really need the 4 and 8 lowers, as well as the 4 and 8 raises. Their's no getting around not lowering the 2nd either one half or a full tone. Instead of both lowers on one knee, opting for two independent levers would work fine. Some players pass up the 1st. and 7th raises. What a waste of two important changes on the 9th chromatic tuning. They are most definitely very useful basic changes. The 5th, 6th, and 9th, strings lowered, pull more melody, and chord options into the picture. Some players bring the 2nd string up, one half tone. Many players have the courage to chase down a few additional changes.

Bill it's a secret,you need top secret clearance.

I will say I use most of the standard set up. but play a 12 string a hybread U12 and or extended E9th.(what ever), the rest of my set up is a SECRET Joe

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 27 Jul 2010 4:47 pm

Joe M.,

I notice your bar is held flat from end to end. You may have noticed some 12 string players do a lot of lifting the lower end of the bar. It would be difficult to play wide-grip chords if that habit was deeply rooted into a playing style. Do you have anything on that consideration?

Joe Miraglia · Post by **Joe Miraglia** » 27 Jul 2010 5:01 pm

Bill Hankey wrote:Joe M.,

I notice your bar is held flat from end to end. You may have noticed some 12 string players do a lot of lifting the lower end of the bar. It would be difficult to play wide-grip chords if that habit was deeply rooted into a playing style. Do you have anything on that consideration?

Yes, WHEN PIC. WAS TAKEN I MIGHT HAVE HAD A PAUSE IN PLAYING. Playing a steel guitar in a 6pc. band you don't play all the time. When playing I move the bar all over the place. I don't know why you are asking me about simple playing techniques? What are you getting at?

Joe Miraglia · Post by **Joe Miraglia** » 27 Jul 2010 5:24 pm

Joe Miraglia wrote:
Bill Hankey wrote:Joe M.,

I notice your bar is held flat from end to end. You may have noticed some 12 string players do a lot of lifting the lower end of the bar. It would be difficult to play wide-grip chords if that habit was deeply rooted into a playing style. Do you have anything on that consideration?
Yes, WHEN PIC. WAS TAKEN I MIGHT HAVE HAD A PAUSE IN PLAYING. Playing a steel guitar in a 6pc. band you don't play all the time. When playing I move the bar all over the place. I don't know why you are asking me about simple playing techniques? What are you getting at?

I may have jumper a little,it is sometimes hard to understand your point.A 12 string grip I don't think so

Joe Miraglia · Post by **Joe Miraglia** » 27 Jul 2010 5:54 pm

Joe Miraglia wrote:I'm starting to debate (call it arguing if you prefer) less and less with people who are older or younger than me. They seem to know much more than me. Bill, when it comes to you I don't even come close.

Boy did I fall into Bill's spider web

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 27 Jul 2010 8:57 pm

THAT'S FUNNY,DON'T CARE WHO YOU ARE.

YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 28 Jul 2010 5:46 am

Paul F.,

I studied the animated movements of the EMMONS pitch changer, known as the split pedals arrangement from 1963. In a friendly way, Buddy (according to sources) tired of Shot's refusal to hone in on his new ideas, went on to form The Emmons Steel Guitar Co. Buddy's design that essentially changes dominant tones to subdominant pitches by splitting pedals has become the steel that BOBBE SEYMOUR has taken under his wing. Bobbe has a very sharp eye for quality, and he may deem certain models as "junk", and rightly so. Even so, one man's "junk" may very well be another's "bread and butter". If the Emmons push/pull delivers after a series of adjustments that are best left to be left to mechanical geniuses...(slightly exaggerated). I shudder at the thought of keeping the back bent while trial and error settings have been worked out. Striving for practicality and simplicity to obtain the same results, could make a great deal of sense. Buddy knew for example, that he couldn't work without SPRINGS in his new design formulated in 1963. I can't imagine when he decided the idea of using slimline hardened wires to actuate the pulls. It's a toss up, I would imagine. I would assume that they too sort of jumped out as if to fulfill his dream of developing a better changer. There are basically more ideas in older typewriters than all steel guitars combined. Springs, and hardened screws of every design can be found in those discarded machines. My point is that generally speaking, the entire push/pull changer system would collapse into a nonfunctioning heap of metal, if the springs were removed. All changers to date, as far as I know, are spring loaded. Without the use of springs, they are totally useless, I'm sure you will agree. These characterists found in the common spring, changes the parameters of aircraft CABLE usage. Not musically, but mechanically, I feel confident that I may be able to come through with an abundance of "horse sense" on the technical application of cables at their best. The "cat is out of the bag", so to speak. Numerous options will always be available to the development of new ideas in changer mechanisms.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 28 Jul 2010 6:20 am

Bill, you know you want a cable guitar, so get on out there and get one!
Now that I see what this thread is really all about, Bill, you could have saved us all a lot of words.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 28 Jul 2010 6:32 am

Barry,

Nothing could be further from the truth. The character you are describing would require good health and vitality. One who could race in the wind, or jump hurdles of every sort. Don't I wish! To be the man you are alluding to, he must race to the thick of battle, and express his intentions by a show and tell method of letting it all hang out. He would realize the very moment things are not worth the effort, and move on. Again Barry, I can't fill that bill, and I'm very much aware of my limitations, thank you. BTW, My steel guitar is cable driven! The changer required over two years of concentration, before arriving at a foolproof method of overcoming the problems common to many other changer assemblies. Total simplicity is the relevant key.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 28 Jul 2010 6:56 am

He would realize the very moment things are not worth the effort, and move on.

Bill, you are in such a fog. As instructed, I'm moving on now .....

Ross Shafer · Post by **Ross Shafer** » 28 Jul 2010 7:33 am

My steel guitar is cable driven! The changer required over two years of concentration, before arriving at a foolproof method of overcoming the problems common to many other changer assemblies. Total simplicity is the relevant key.

Pics please...a simple request that needs no lengthy verbiage in reply. Any pics you have of the various pedal steels you've built would be great to see.

As they say, a "picture is worth a thousand words"...We've already got the thousand words (and then some!) so some pics that speak for themselves would probably very welcome by more than just me.

Ross Shafer · Post by **Ross Shafer** » 28 Jul 2010 7:34 am

My steel guitar is cable driven! The changer required over two years of concentration, before arriving at a foolproof method of overcoming the problems common to many other changer assemblies. Total simplicity is the relevant key.

Pics please...a simple request that needs no lengthy verbiage in reply. Any pics you have of the various pedal steels you've built would be great to see.

As they say, a "picture is worth a thousand words"...We've already got the thousand words (and then some!) so some pics would probably very welcome by more than just me.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 28 Jul 2010 7:35 am

Barry,

Speaking of fog, not a single soul has the foggiest notion what tomorrow will bring! Total justice from our maker to every form of prejudicially opinionated entities. I'd look there first, before consulting lesser sources of common refractory personages. Hopefully, you would allow me to maintain the thread's purpose.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 28 Jul 2010 8:03 am

Ross,

A quick check to acquaint myself with how your mildly abrupt demands coincide with your correspondence efforts, shows a slow beginning. The numbers reveal clearly that something doesn't jibe with your demands. 141 responses in over 4 years doesn't spell out the zeal and tenacity expected of a member as a rule of the thumb. That is, you could be very musically inclined, with all sorts of goodies where you hang your hat. I don't know anything other than your mildly abrasive request. My son has a great digital camera. If he shows, I'll try to fill your request. The entire scenario is based on the use of cables. Like the Model A Ford, they were replaced by less durable manufactured goods. Those little rumble seated cars are worth a fortune today. It goes to show who is "truly in the fog."

Ross Shafer · Post by **Ross Shafer** » 28 Jul 2010 8:24 am

Hi Bill,

My earlier post was just a simple request (I even labeled it as such and included "please"...no demand was made) from a forum member who doesn't often feel the need to expound about my knowledge (lack of steel knowledge is probably more accurate for me). I'm sorry you found it "mildy abrupt" and "mildy abrasive".

I'm a machinist/fabricator kinda guy who's been designing and making all sorts of things for public consumption for 35 years (www.six-ninedesign.com). Hence the desire to see how you've overcome the challenges of a cable drive pedal steel.

I had no idea I had to have more credentials than honest curiosity to make such a request. Don't put yourself out trying to get pics of your work. Maybe I'll work on my posting numbers and get back to you when I'm more worthy to ask such things....then again, maybe not.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 28 Jul 2010 8:46 am

Ross,

Thanks for the consultation. Nothing can be gained by viewing pictures, even at close range. To benefit in your studies would be something I would encourage. This cable drive instrument can be formidable under the influence of significant foot and knee pressures. It's had 30 years of proven test driving. I'm not about to turn tail and run at this point in time, whenever a frisky cat shows his whiskers.

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 28 Jul 2010 10:01 am

Ross,Don't hold your breath buddy when you ask this man to either put up or shut up. You will NEVER get anything but BS.

YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

Joe Miraglia · Post by **Joe Miraglia** » 28 Jul 2010 10:16 am

Bill Hankey wrote:Ross,

Thanks for the consultation. Nothing can be gained by viewing pictures, even at close range. To benefit in your studies would be something I would encourage. This cable drive instrument can be formidable under the influence of significant foot and knee pressures. It's had 30 years of proven test driving. I'm not about to turn tail and run at this point in time, whenever a frisky cat shows his whiskers.

Bill, YOU SURE DID WITH MY PHOTO!

Joe Miraglia · Post by **Joe Miraglia** » 28 Jul 2010 10:21 am

Bill Hankey wrote:Joe M.,

I notice your bar is held flat from end to end. You may have noticed some 12 string players do a lot of lifting the lower end of the bar. It would be difficult to play wide-grip chords if that habit was deeply rooted into a playing style. Do you have anything on that consideration?

SEE! I might wrong but I'm beginning to think you are a know it all.

Joe Miraglia · Post by **Joe Miraglia** » 28 Jul 2010 10:34 am

Joe Miraglia wrote:
Bill Hankey wrote:Ross,

Thanks for the consultation. Nothing can be gained by viewing pictures, even at close range. To benefit in your studies would be something I would encourage. This cable drive instrument can be formidable under the influence of significant foot and knee pressures. It's had 30 years of proven test driving. I'm not about to turn tail and run at this point in time, whenever a frisky cat shows his whiskers.
Bill, YOU SURE DID WITH MY PHOTO!
(sorry double post)