Cover for pedal steel

John Botofte · Post by **John Botofte** » 5 May 2015 10:40 pm

I was looking at the vinyl covers for sale in www.steelguitarscanada.com. What's the general consensus about the usefulness of such a cover to help keep the pedal steel in tune longer?
Thanks
John

Jeff Metz Jr. · Post by **Jeff Metz Jr.** » 5 May 2015 11:23 pm

I use my D2F cover to keep dust from settling on my guitar. Its a pain to clean dust from the pickup cavity and under the keyhead while strings are on.
I never heard anything about keeping the guitar in tune... Other than keeping wandering hands off the keyheads lol.
I'd like to hear other members answer this one.

Don R Brown · Post by **Don R Brown** » 6 May 2015 7:45 am

I never heard about keeping it in tune but maybe someone can say with authority. I have a cover from Sharp Covers Nashville, looks great and keeps the dust off, I'm quite happy with it.

Larry Bressington · Post by **Larry Bressington** » 6 May 2015 8:09 am

I just received a DF2, it is a fantastic fit, it wont blow off in outdoor windy conditions, it's sized for individual steels, just email them what model you have....Great service!

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 6 May 2015 8:17 am

My guitar is often set up for weeks on end in a venue and the backstage environment can be a little hazardous. (There's still a demt in my C6th fretboard which I'm sure was caused by someone dropping a tool of some sort on my steel.)

I have D2Fs for my Carter and my Emmons and they're tailored to fit specific guitars. They're a firm fit, too.

I think they're a little bit pricey for what's involved but it is a good product.

Keeping a guitar in tune, though? I'd doubt it but I could be wrong. Temperature changes are the chief culprit with tuning and I wouldn't think a cover would influence that.

Morton Kellas · Post by **Morton Kellas** » 6 May 2015 8:42 am

I have used D2F covers on all of my equipment for several years. You can't beat the quality and protection these covers provide.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 6 May 2015 8:47 am

I meant to add that I wouldn't want my steels sitting there with no protection and the D2Fs are, literally, tailor-made for the purpose.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 6 May 2015 9:56 am

I remember seeing a steel cover made out of a reflective material. It was great for covering up a steel when it had to stand out in the sun on a hot stage.

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 6 May 2015 10:18 am

In my experience covers do more harm than good. They make the steel look just like a table to drunk people.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 6 May 2015 10:24 am

I love my Lynn Sharp stuff, but I wouldn't cover a steel at a gig since it starts looking like a place to put stuff.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 6 May 2015 11:16 am

I do cover mine at gigs. But my guitar is usually not within reach, unless they come on stage. But that is a legitimate concern. But I have had people try too put their drinks on my guitar, both when I was still sitting at it, and at break. So, I am not sure that it makes a difference to someone who is intent on putting their drink on it. I do it to prevent curious people from running their hands across the string, or even sitting down at it. I feel that ifi they can't see it, their curiosity won't be as high, and maybe they will leave it alone.

But then, for the last few years, I was rarely playing gigs that were 2 nights in a row. And now that I am out of the live music business, it doesn't matter. I do cover it here at home to help keep the dust off of it.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 6 May 2015 11:20 am

When I got my Zum from Bruce, he included a cover.
I bought a denim leg bag a few years ago and it was a combination leg bag and guitar cover, very slick!

Quentin Hickey · Post by **Quentin Hickey** » 6 May 2015 1:51 pm

For at home use they are great to keep the dust off your steel. Its surprising how a few weeks will dust a fret board up. If you know a good sewing machine operator, just buy a piece of upholstery vinyl and have them make you one for alot less than merchants sell them. I just put a cloth on mine at home.

Edward Rhea · Post by **Edward Rhea** » 6 May 2015 2:47 pm

As for tuning...
My wife made a cover for my Marlen. I never had a tuning issue after I started using it. Shortly before she made It though, I would come home after being away from home for five days, to find my Marlen sorely out of tune. Then one evening I caught my son, three at the time, would twist a tuner every time he walked by my steel. The cover detoured him from doing so, once I started using it. So, in essence, there may be some fact in saving your tuning?

David Nugent · Post by **David Nugent** » 6 May 2015 4:57 pm

Personally do not care for vinyl covers, especially when playing outside jobs. Vinyl tends to retain heat and moisture and will "sweat" in humid conditions which may have some effect on your tuning if you cover the guitar between sets..My wife makes my covers using a padded quilted fabric (available in several colors at any JoAnns fabric store) which she then lines. Since I currently own three lacquer finish guitars, it is very important to me to have the covers be as non abrasive as possible..As far as production covers, my vote is for D2F covers as well, very well made product.