OK, master is so subjective but let's say for the sake of argument, roughly Jerry Garcia PSG level or greater... No need to discuss Jerry specifically.
Or put another way, how easy is it to turn serious guitar chops into decent steel playing, and maintain both?
Well, without discussing Jerry specifically, there is still a very large gap between "decent" and "master". Pick one and then we can discuss, because, IMO, the answer will be different depending on which one you pick...
Definitely more than I could name then. I think the part that I'm curious about is established guitarists who've made a name for themselves and then been required, or decided to double on steel.
Sturgill Simpson has confidence in his man, maybe "decent" is all that's required in this case, maybe he'll go beyond that. Dan Dugmore and Robbie Turner played on the records - I'd say the the bar was high but he almost certainly won't be required to recreate their parts.
A high level of musicality, taste, imagination and confidence count for a lot I imagine. Not to mention determination.
Russ Hicks could have made it in the James Burton vein. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ4jmeB5LMw
I agree with Jim Cohen on Gerry Hogan.
I don't think ther are anymore semi famous names than Skunk and Jerry Garcia who played, maybe Rick Derringer if he kept at it.
Fender Kingman, Sierra Crown D-10, Evans Amplifier, Soup Cube.
I agree with Chris - more than you can count. And the musical knowledge that applies to one instrument applies to another, so to a significant degree what you learn on one instrument transfers to another.
Joachim Kettner wrote:Russ Hicks could have made it in the James Burton vein. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ4jmeB5LMw
I agree with Jim Cohen on Gerry Hogan.
I don't think ther are anymore semi famous names than Skunk and Jerry Garcia who played, maybe Rick Derringer if he kept at it.
No kidding on that Russ Hicks clip Joachim! I didn't know Rick Derringer played steel.
Someone beat me to the punch! I have been watching Jim Cohen's progress on jazz guitar very closely, and he is a great example here, just going the other direction from steel to guitar. Amazing player on both!
I think the reason for this is that a lot of really good steel players started out playing guitar first, and probably mastered it pretty well before they took up Pedal Steel.
I started playing guitar when I was 12, but didn't sit down to PSG until my mid 20's.
chris ivey wrote:i heard curly was a monster guitarist!
In 1974 or 75 I was in high school and attended the CMA awards show and party (it was the year Charlie Rich burned John Denver's award). At the awards party afterwards, Curly was playing an ES-355 in the jazz band that was providing the background music. I was already a fan, recognized him, introduced myself, and asked some questions when they were on a break. He was cordial which I didn't expect based on his legacy. I remember the old clarinet player saying "Hell Chalker don't you have a book or something you can sell this kid!"
No need to discuss Jerry specifically. 
