Sometimes it really doesn't matter about equipment

Bill Leff · Post by **Bill Leff** » 27 Aug 2001 6:40 am

Yesterday evening I went to a Hawaiian music "kanakapila" jam and potluck dinner at a local hula dancer's home. Couple of ukes, and acoustic/electric bass guitar and myself on steel, playing out of a songbook. I'd brought my Weissenborn knock-off but it just wasn't loud enough, and one of the uke players loaned me a contact pickup to play through the bass player's little amp. That helped things but still wasn't really cutting it.

One of the ladies playing uke (who also plays steel) said to me "I have a steel guitar. It's a bakelite Rickenbacker. Would you like to use it?" My eyes lit up at the thought of an old Ric, and I said "Sure!".

It turned out that the guitar was a wooden 6-string Ric lapsteel, probably from the late 50's or '60s. It didn't have a horseshoe pickup, but something that looked like a small version of a Gibson P-90. It was obviously one of their inexpensive student models. Of course I was disappointed, but still happy to have an electric steel to play.

I plugged the guitar into the second channel of the little solid-state Peavey amp. No reverb, just pure transistor tone. The guitar was tuned to C6.

The outcome? It sounded wonderful, and I had a great time. The sound of the electric steel guitar in that setting really added to so much to the ambience of the music, and it was apparent that this crowd (hula dancers, Hawaiian music afficianados and such) were impressed.

One of the lovely Hawaiian hula dancers was watching me play and dancing, and said to me in between songs, "When I hear the sound of the steel guitar, it just makes my body do this..." and went into a most beautiful, sensual graceful hula move and laughed. She understood.

That's what playing music is all about.

Mike D · Post by **Mike D** » 27 Aug 2001 7:06 am

That's what playing music is all about.

Yeah, the chicks!

Mikel Nelson · Post by **Mikel Nelson** » 27 Aug 2001 7:33 am

How true, how true.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 27 Aug 2001 11:09 am

What fun! Reminds me of the first time I went to the HSGA convention in Joliet, IL. Some late middle aged ladies got up to dance and I whispered to my wife in a cynical, critical voice about how awful THIS was gonna be. Well, those ladies danced the Hula with such grace, naturalness and pure joy that I was deeply ashamed of my prior attitude. I discovered just how deep this simple music can be when it's delivered with sincerity and feeling.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 27 Aug 2001 11:46 am

"Remember she's telling a story to you.
Her opu is swaying but don't watch the view.
Don't concentrate on the swing, it doesn't mean a thing,
Just keep your eyes on the hands."

------------------
Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 27 Aug 2001 12:02 pm

Sounds like a great time Bill. Cherish those peak musical moments. You can't force them, they just happen, most of the time when you least expect it.

An addition to Andy Volk's reply... Don't forget this year's HSGA Joliet Convention. October 4-6, 2001, Holiday Inn Express, Joliet, Illinois. The incredible Bobby Ingano is this year's Guest of Honor. Three days of music, no sleep. Everyone jams, everyone welcome. Get a room there, quick!

peter joseph burtt · Post by **peter joseph burtt** » 27 Aug 2001 12:09 pm

great story bill. wish i could have been there. for anyone who has not had the pleasure of hearing bill play steel or playing with him, he really has a great touch on the strings. nice aloha bill, that is what it's all about.

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 27 Aug 2001 8:38 pm

Loved your story, Bill. Those unexpected moments seem to live in one's memory over the years. I have experienced many similar occasions and I know the feeling.

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 3 Sep 2001 10:47 am

Hi Bill,,,Hi George,,Hi Herb,,,this is really
a nice thread,,,,and Herb,,,,those are the lyrics,,,,what key are you in?? I would like to play along. Hi Andy didnt forget you.

George did ya ever meet the Princess Pupuli or something like that? Lyrics were........
The princess Puppuli has lots of papaya ,,,she likes to give it away,and all of the natives they say ,,,Oh me a Oh my a you really should try a "little" piece of the Princess Puppuli's papaya....Hey you guys
you may not have to suffer too much longer,Im more than likely giving this PC to my grandson who starts College,,,he needs it more than I do,,,,then I will have time to practice,,,,,this is a nice thread Bill,,,,& you have some nice guys replying to it,,,except me,,,Im a bad guy........be well
all you guys,,,,,,,I'll see you in my Dreams
Had to edit.....I forgot to "vamp" sorry .[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 03 September 2001 at 11:51 AM.]

John Borchard · Post by **John Borchard** » 13 Sep 2001 7:09 am

Herb Steiner gave me some great advice that I have never forgotten. I had just moved to Austin in the mid-70s and ran into Herb at a music store in Dobie Mall. Having heard Herb play and being duly impressed with his "sound", I began asking him about amplifiers, speakers, steels, etc. After talking a short while about gear, he offered the following observation (I'm paraphrasing): "You know, musicians spend way too much time looking to improve their sound from without when the real challenge is to look within for that improvement."

Amen, bro! Any doubts I might have had were dispelled after hearing Buddy Emmons play a Sho-Bud Maverick (3 pedals, one knee) in a music store.

If I work hard enough, I figure I'll eventually be able to make do with a 2X4, some rubber bands, and a rolling pin! Seriously, though, thanks for the advice!

JB

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 13 Sep 2001 8:36 am

Your most important piece of equipment is your hands. The more you invest in your hands, the better you will sound.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 13 Sep 2001 8:37 am

I've told this story before, but it seems relevant to repeat it here in light of the above posts................

Back in the early 60s when I was playing steel with a band that was touring with a group of Nashville "stars" and with Hank Thompson's band, Bert Rivera was Hanks steel player (having just replaced Curley Chalker).

I was awed by Bert's playing, and his equipment. (I was still making payments on mine) and one day he told me: Gene, work to improve your skills and don't depend on your equipment to make you sound better than you are. He was right....I have since had the best of equipment, but the bottom line still depends on what you are able to accomplish with "marginal" equipment. www.genejones.com

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 18 Sep 2001 2:59 pm

Gene ,,,Bert Rivera was great player,,,what happened to him?? get out that Fender Gene
and let em hear what you really can do. I know ,,,,I have heard you...think they will all be suprised at your great tasty playing.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 18 Sep 2001 5:56 pm

Jody....Bert lives in or near San Antonio and still plays the Dallas steel show every year. He was and still is a monster player on either neck.

We were talking about being nervous before a show one night and Bert said: "You don't know what nervous is until you play the first job on Hanks band as Chalkers replacement". He could always put things in perspective.

Thinking about all the problems up in your neck of the woods! Let me know how things are going...... Gene[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 18 September 2001 at 06:59 PM.]

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 18 Sep 2001 8:31 pm

I've told this story before, but it's worth repeating. I bought a beat-up Rick Frypan in Hawai'i a number of years ago and was playing it at the Elks in Waikiki with the Kamaiina's. I looked into the audience and there HE was! Gads, I felt like a fool doing what I do, so I invited him to play. He came up and played that old wreck so beautifully...it was hard to believe it was the same guitar I had just put down! So, it proves the theory...the talent is right behind the picks and not in the equipment.
Oh, by the way Jody, I never met the Princess Pupule, (ha!), but I do have a pic of Hilo Hattie planting a big kiss on me...nyah, nyah, nyah! Eat your heart out pal.