Need some direction

[Mark D Carter]

Greetings all!

First let me say that I am really enjoying the website and all the information that is available! Thanks for putting it together for all of us to use.

I have been playing the lap steel now for about 4 months and have been getting a little better, just need to practice more. Anyway, I am paralyzed and in a wheelchair (which is not a big deal). This spring I picked up a Peavey Powerslide at the recommendation of a friend of mine. We tuned it up to open G and I could play it and make it sound like an acoustic or electric guitar, but it never had that twang that I loved from country music.

Two weeks ago, I came across a "how to play" dvd by Scott Grove for the tuning of C6th. We retuned my guitar and it now has a beautiful sound. I love playing again. The only problem is I absolutely detest the powerslide. Being in a wheelchair with arms, it doesn't fit my lap too well. I have another buddy with a '50's Supro lap and I kind of like it, but I'm not sure which direction to go. I am planning to purchase another steel this fall, but would love some input from those of you who know more than I do.

My current set up is:

Peavey powerslide tuned to C6th
Vox VT50 amp
Rocky Mountain Slides Ouray Astro Dog slide

Any input will be appreciated. Another side note, I am playing mainly in church or country music.

Thanks guys!

[Mark Roeder]

Welcome Mark
You are on a slippery slope when you enter the lap steel world. I have been playing about 4 years and wasn't long before I had 3 or 4, now I have 9. They reproduce. Having played a good variety now I have come full circle and found that so much of the sound I was after was in my skill as a player not the instrument. That being said there are some basic differences, like the sound of single coil pick ups seem to have more of the sound I like, more classic. I wouldn't over think your choice too much.

[Ray Montee]

Not one to suggest a particular style for someone else, I'd be amiss if I failed to suggest that you atleast visit the JERRY BYRD - FAN CLUB.com web site.

I'd urge you to read over the entire web site, listen to the music posted there and study the JERRY's GUITARS page.

Jerry's instructional manual is one of the finest, regardless of what style you might ultimately select as your own. It will take you thro' a logical series of TUNINGS and techniques that is guaranteed to make your learning process more meaningful and thus more beneficial to you.

All too often, a student is plopped in the middle of confusion and stirred vigorously until well stewed. There's so much more that affects the sound coming from your g'tar rather than a brand name but unless you are exposed to and fully understand what those items are, you're going to be hopelessly lost.

AVOID this and go to the internationally recognized and undisputed MASTER of TOUCH & TONE....JERRY BYRD.
Good Luck to you.

[Mark D Carter]

Thanks for the tips guys. I will check out Byrd's page.

[John Mulligan]

I'd say you're already going in a direction, away from the PowerSlide! There are a lot of good choices and there are a lot of people on this forum who know way more than I do. I'd start by looking on ebay to get a feel for what is available and what the prices are running. Keep in mind that a lot of stuff on ebay can be overpriced. Decide ahead of time what your budget can be. Ask questions and look around locally, too. Keep an eye on auction sales. Congrats on getting onto C6th tuning, there are lots of instructional materials available.

Happy hunting! Happy playing!

[Ron Whitfield]

Mark D., considering your unfortunate situation, you may be able to answer a long held question. I've always wondered what the degree of acceptance to being introduced to the steel would be from others found in similar conditions. It seems a perfect answer to the angst of 'what now'? A great distraction from the myriad of negatives and possibly give a whole new direction is life instead of depression. Am I off base, or could it be worthwhile to seek wheelchaired folks to introduce to the world of steel?

[Kekoa Blanchet]

Is the problem with the Peavy Powerslide that the body gets in the way? I know that this idea is a bit wacky but...

You already have a Powerslide.
You like the way the Powerslide sounds.
It's not like you'd be wrecking an expensive, rare antique.

A few minutes with a table saw, and a few more minutes with a rasp to round off the edges...

Before:


After:


Okay, maybe "a bit wacky" understates it. But you get the idea.

[Brad Bechtel]

While the Peavey Powerslide is a fine instrument, it does not have the shape or sound you're seeking. Consider one of the other inexpensive lap steels such as the Rogue Jersey Lightning, which has received good reviews on this same forum.

I would also recommend a different type of Stevens bar such as the Dunlop Lap Dawg - a tone bar made of metal rather than ceramic will give you a very different sound.

Your Vox VT50 amp should be fine for your purposes.

[Chris Walke]

Is the problem with the Peavy Powerslide that the body gets in the way? I know that this idea is a bit wacky but...

You already have a Powerslide.
You like the way the Powerslide sounds.
It's not like you'd be wrecking an expensive, rare antique.

A few minutes with a table saw, and a few more minutes with a rasp to round off the edges...

Before:


After:


Okay, maybe "a bit wacky" understates it. But you get the idea.

That's definitely an improvement, IMO.

[Mark D Carter]

The thought of taking the saw to this guitar has crossed my mind a time or two. However, I feel that it would make someone a very nice instrument that has a flavor for its appearance and sound. It will get me by until I can acquire something a little more form fitting.

I have been watching ebay, guitarcenter.com, and musiciansfriend.com for used steels. I am leaning toward an older magnatone or supro as a guitar shaped, but I am also considering a console style lap. The consoles look to be shorter, but still offering 2 full scales. Whatever I get, I am looking for something with very good sound.

I have tried other tone bars and found that most are very difficult for me to hang on to. The ceramic bar I'm using now is very comfortable to use. Maybe its time to get a chunk of steel and the grinder and see what I can make.

As far as introducing the steel to those in wheelchairs, I think its a wonderful idea. Being paralyzed has come with a LOT of depression over the last few years. For the main reason that people look at you like you are incompetent and unable. That could not be further from the truth. Most of the guys that I know in wheelchairs with a spinal cord injury, MS, or MD are the toughest and smartest people you'll come in contact with. The world will tell me that I can't because I'm "disabled". I tell you I can, I just have to find another way to do it. Sorry to get preachy, but I think wheelchairs and lap steels are a perfect combination. Now if I could just figure out the pedals......

Thanks for the input guys!!

[Steve Lipsey]

And check out Melbert steels, bob Allen can probably build you whatever shape you want with a great sound, for less money than you wold spend elsewhere....

http://www.musonmt.com/index.html

Give Bob a call, he will have some ideas for you, I'm sure...and his steels are first rate (do a search and you will be showered with praise for his work)

[Ron Whitfield]

As far as introducing the steel to those in wheelchairs, I think its a wonderful idea. Being paralyzed has come with a LOT of depression over the last few years. For the main reason that people look at you like you are incompetent and unable. That could not be further from the truth. Most of the guys that I know in wheelchairs with a spinal cord injury, MS, or MD are the toughest and smartest people you'll come in contact with. The world will tell me that I can't because I'm "disabled". I tell you I can, I just have to find another way to do it. Sorry to get preachy, but I think wheelchairs and lap steels are a perfect combination.

Tell it, Mark, tell it straight! Thank you, sir, you are indeed an inspiration.

OK, guys, look's like we've got us an entire nation of folk with the potential to match Mark's determination and beat physical/mental injury by becoming steelers. Litterally, just sitting there waiting for us to tap into it, and yet another way to change lives positively.

[Don McGregor]

Isn't there a wheel chair attachment that holds a lap steel?
There should be. Some kind of clamps?
Also, I like consoles better anyway. I ain't got a lot of lap, and a console is more stable. I would definitely take some measurement of the chair arms total width and height, and reconnoiter the web to see if a console could fit.

[Tom Pettingill]

Great attitude Mark!

For a nice little steel you might contact forum member Sonny Jenkins. I don't know if he is still building them, or maybe has one around, but he was doing some very nice compact keyless steels a while back.
In any event, it might be worth a shot http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/profile. ... ile&u=2146

.

[Ron Whitfield]

Just like your stuff, Tom, I've been considering one of Sonny's guitar's for purchase. And the size was always in my mind for the wheelchair bound folk. I'd bet Sonny would go for a round of production should someone step up with a plan to generate use.