Does anybody actually gig with lap steel?

Tony Palmer · Post by **Tony Palmer** » 19 Jun 2001 9:03 am

OK, I'm not being sarcastic, but the question is, as a PEDAL steel player who also plays lap steel, is it worth it to bring the lap steel also?
Or for that matter, are you able to carry the whole night with just a lap steel?
Do you find you need both?

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 19 Jun 2001 9:30 am

Steel player to steel player......If you only had the lap steel, wouldn't you play it all night? Jerry Byrd and others have never found that to be a problem. Many Hawaiian groups use only a lap steel. I've done it and enjoyed it. It might require you to work a little harder mentally; might require you to develop a higher degree of bar skill; etc......but that's not all bad either, right?
Obviously, you're not going to have the versatility of sound and chord choice that your pedal rig will afford you but if you're a skilled musican of any degree, you can make great music all night long on a lap steel and have a great deal of fun and experience a high degree of creativity.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 19 Jun 2001 9:58 am

I play a few gigs a year with an old cowboy singer named Sal Sage. His music lends itself very well to lap steel. He never knows what instrument I'm going to bring, and it really doesn't seem to matter to him. Once I played 4 sets on an 8 string Fender lap steel with Sal. Often I've taken my D-8 Stringmaster, and I've taken a pedal steel and put the Sierra S-8 Laptop on top of it for the Hank Williams songs.

There are other situations where the portability of the lap steel make it the instrument of choice. When I sit in with the Love Choir, for example, I want to set up quickly without a lot of fuss. The Sierra Laptop and my little Mesa/Boogie amp do the trick. Volume pedal is optional.

All-in-all, the D-8 is more versatile if I'm going to play 3 or 4 sets, but for a one set show that doesn't require pedals I usually choose the Sierra lap steel.

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b.gif" width="64" height="64">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (E9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (F Diatonic)
Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6)

Paul Crawford · Post by **Paul Crawford** » 19 Jun 2001 10:05 am

In a round about way, I agree with Ray, and my answer to your direct question is "No."

It's really a matter of logistics and the value I place on my instruments. I only rarely get on a stage where I have all of the room in the world, and when I do get on those stages, it's normally a one set deal. So, I don't carry my lap steels, or my Dobro for that matter, to a gig just to show it off for 1 or two songs. Under other conditions, I won't risk it getting beat up on a very cramped stage for 1 or 2 songs a set. I can make do with a little effects adjustment and playing my PSG C6th neck with bar slants instead. My Match-bro lets me get by for no more than I normally use it.

Now I do have other gigs where ALL I take is my lap steel, and I probably enjoy those gigs more than any others. And on a swing gig or such I may take a couple of guitars to get all of the sounds I'm after. Of course on these gigs, I don't have a pac-a-seat, an 80 lb PSG, and normally just a small tube amp, so I'm traveling a lot lighter and with a little room to spare. But I take what gigs I can get, and normally that means the Pedal Steel with it's compromises. Call it lazy, call it over protective, I just call it being practical for the venues I play.

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 19 Jun 2001 2:57 pm

Hate to say it, but I've been playing all kinds of gigs for over 50 years and have never used a pedal guitar on any job. As Ray put it, Jerry and so many other steel guitarists never play pedal on gigs..(not only Hawaiian). Listen to some of Jerry's rare live performances back in the early days of Nashville...man, he got just about everything anyone could ever desire using only 7 strings.....am I correct Ray ?

Al Terhune · Post by **Al Terhune** » 19 Jun 2001 3:03 pm

Tony,

I love this topic! I'm afraid you might encounter a little heat, as you're hinting that a lap steel isn't adequate enough to fend off a night's worth of music, but as Ray pointed out, it had been done, and quite well at that, for years before the pedals came aboard. I'd hate for you to ask Don Helms if he felt like he did a good-enough job playing only lap with Hank doing several sets a night.

On the the flip side of the coin, as has been mentioned, the pedal is obviously easier for the average player to make sound flashier and colorful. Let's not let that get to our heads, though, as when we're playing in a group setting, we're not looking for flash, we're looking for taste, and I'm here to tell you that as a lap player (who also plays pedal) who's played many gigs with only lap, I've done just fine and dandy helping with my portion of maintaining a professional and pleasing (and fulfilling) sound witih the band. If I do say so myself.

Since you're more of a pedal player -- I take it -- I can understand your question, though, because you've not thrown yourself out in the water with just your lap. I played pedal first, and when I took up lap, there was no way in hell (or heaven)I thought I'd ever play a gig with just lap -- the pedal was just too purtie and easy to make sound good. Now I prefer lap -- it challenges me -- and has made me a much better picker on steel than my pedal did -- and now I'm reaping those benefits on pedal, as well. Do I have to say IMHO now? Is this a prerequisite on the forum?

Thanks for the post -- I just let a few bags of hot air release into the room...I was wondering why my dogs went outside.[This message was edited by Al Terhune on 19 June 2001 at 04:05 PM.]

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 19 Jun 2001 3:40 pm

If you play with Wayne Hancock, brother, you play a NON-PEDAL guitar.

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Texas Steel Guitar Association

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 19 Jun 2001 10:37 pm

I play both the pedal and non-pedal steel at most shows.
We play hardcore country and 60-70's style honky tonk and western swing and some rockabilly and even some Sinatra/Martin/Bennet type stuff.
So I do like to have the different playing styled steels around; to cop the sound and feel; as close as I can.
Yes I can play a whole gig on just the pedal or non-pedal; but why??? when I can have what ever I want up there> "I'm the steel player" and if they don't want my steel(s)then they don't want me; and I don't want them

This is what I do and it's my story and I'm stickin' to it

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Ricky Davis

My Homepage
Rebel™ and Ricky's Audio Clips
www.mightyfinemusic.com
Email Ricky: sshawaiian@aol.com

Al Braun · Post by **Al Braun** » 20 Jun 2001 9:32 am

On a job recently when I had only the 7Str Rick, an elderly lady we had known for years brought a friend up to the bandstand for introduction and said, "Al used to play steel guitar also." I knew she was referring to my Sho-Bud but I thought also that she might be talking about my playing, I just smiled.
Al

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 20 Jun 2001 9:55 am

I bring my Supro along with my pedalsteel to most gigs. I use the Supro any chance I get. Its big fun to play that rude little sucker !

Bob

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 20 Jun 2001 4:18 pm

Tonight I'm playing at the Canal Pub in Ballinacarigy , Friday in The West County Inn in Ennis , Saturday and Sunday in Brecon in Wales , Monday in the Tangled Web in Longford ....... Pedal and Lap Steel . Both essential.

BTW have you seen the "Olde Ugly" Ricky on e-bay http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1440378872

Baz

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Steel players do it without fretting

http://homepage.tinet.ie/~basilhenriques/

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Todd Weger · Post by **Todd Weger** » 22 Jun 2001 5:27 am

Good thread.

Yeah -- all the time! I play a D-8 Stringmaster, and am also picking up a six-string Melobar next week for open slide work.

We've been working up a bunch of West/Bryant stuff (Bryant's Bounce, Stratosphere Boogie, Blue Bonnet Rag, etc.), along with a variety of big band swing tunes like Take the A Train, Bandstand, Moonlight Serenade, 1 O'Clock Jump,, etc. Much of that old big band music lends itself to arrangement on the C6 and E13 necks very well.

For blues slide, I like an open G7 or A7 tuning, and just let 'er rip!

One of these days, I do plan to learn that infernal contraption with pedals, but for now, my hands (not to mention brain) are full with the non-pedal variety!

TJW

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Todd James Weger/RD/RTD
1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (E13, C6) through a vintage Super Reverb

Adam · Post by **Adam** » 23 Jun 2001 4:21 pm

I've been gigging and making some good money lately(booked solid since December) and have NEVER gigged live on a pedal steel!I've even been doing the occasional gig with a punk rock band.Pedal steel!?That thing's too darn heavy to leave the house with.

Sage · Post by **Sage** » 23 Jun 2001 6:23 pm

That's great, Adam.
I have played shows this month with just my '49 Oahu six (B6) and my old Regal stencil dobro eight (D7th). Some folk-rock, and some old country. I think if I learned my slants a little better I could cover a few sounds that I miss from the PSG. I love gigging with just fixed string guitars, and plan to keep looking for opportunities to do so.

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 25 Jun 2001 8:21 pm

I played a six string Supro for 2 or 3 years in lots of clubs with lots of bands.We played all kinds of music, You name it. then I had to get a D8 to get more tunings, and played that for several years. I thought it was great and by jumping back and forth on the necks, you could play anything.
I remember playing "on alamo", "Liebestraum"
"roseroom" "st louis blues" "dream", such a wide variety of tunes, and all withOUT pedals!
But, I will have to admit that I like the big fat chords I can get with pedals...al

David Stehman · Post by **David Stehman** » 1 Jul 2001 9:55 pm

Gigging with Melobar 8 string to POD to SWR California Blonde acoustic. Sometimes play Melobro reso. For me, depends more on playing to compliment the music than which instrument. Lap tuned with 7th or 6th in E.
Dave Stehman

Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 6 Jul 2001 9:51 pm

I am a newcomer to the non-pedal steel, but I always bring a non-pedal to the gig, usually just my Asher 6 string. Sometimes also my Weissenborn with a Sunrise. Sometimes my Fender 8.

Recently I have been giging or sitting in with just a lap. It is a trip, especially because I don't know a single lick on the thing. So everthing that comes out is simple, and is directly related to what I hear in my head. I just did a gig where the first song the band called was take 5 in Eb minor (and I just had my Asher tuned to E). I played one of the best solos I have ever played, and blew away the sax player. And not a single 'lap steel lick' in evidence.
So in answer to your question, YEAH!

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www.tyacktunes.com

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 15 Jul 2001 11:33 pm

i often start off playin' my little old Gibson BR6 to get people acquainted w: Steelin'.
Here in France so many Folks don't know nothin' 'bout this Steel Guitar.
So instead of talkin' , just playin'it is worth them 1000 words.
Would'nt the World be better off is we all had a Steel Education ?
Human Misery is not necessarily caused by lack of Finance; it's the lack of Education !
Steel it on up !

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 16 Jul 2001 7:39 am

Speaking about the "world being better off", (above) it has been my observation, steel guitarists for the most part are usually peaceful, happy individuals who enjoy playing the soothing sounds from their instrument. Now, if the world politicians were to take up the steel guitar even as a hobby....hmmmm, I wonder ?

Billy Jones · Post by **Billy Jones** » 17 Jul 2001 9:08 pm

Since all my guitars are tuned to the A6th tuning, it really doesn't matter to me which guitar I take on a gig. My lap is a 10 string that can sound like the big jobbies when I throw the switch. I keep it in the car usually when I go out to a club just in case there's some room to sit in. It's light and portable, as bOb metioned and it is a pleasure to play. Just have to work a little harder in the chord department.
... Billy

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 18 Jul 2001 7:51 am

Since I only play lap steel, it's a given that I actually gig with lap steel.

I'm playing in a band called Go Van Gogh along with a saxophonist, bassist, and percussionist. (The audio files on this site don't include me yet.) It's a challenge for me to fit withing a busy structure, but I really enjoy the opportunity to do something different.

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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars