Steel players who play fiddle

About Steel Guitarists and their Music

Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn

User avatar
Tommy Detamore
Posts: 1535
Joined: 17 Dec 1999 1:01 am
Location: Floresville, Texas
Contact:

Post by Tommy Detamore »

Rick Campbell wrote:
Don R Brown wrote:Three who come to mind are Carmen Acciaioli in Texas, Sandy Watson in upstate New York, and forumite Rick Campbell in Tennessee. Image
Don...thanks for mentioning me.
I'm ashamed that I neglected to mention you pal :(
Tommy Detamore
Quilter Labs, Goodrich Sound, Source Audio, Neunaber Audio, and Stringjoy Authorized Dealer

www.cherryridgestudio.com
www.steelguitartracksonline.com
John Clark
Posts: 60
Joined: 30 Jun 2006 12:01 am
Location: Arkansas, USA

Post by John Clark »

Hey Tommy Detamore thanks for mentioning me in this post. miss working with you and hope you are doing well John
User avatar
Tommy Detamore
Posts: 1535
Joined: 17 Dec 1999 1:01 am
Location: Floresville, Texas
Contact:

Post by Tommy Detamore »

John Clark wrote:Hey Tommy Detamore thanks for mentioning me in this post. miss working with you and hope you are doing well John
Likewise JC. Sorry I missed you the past few times you were in the area...
Tommy Detamore
Quilter Labs, Goodrich Sound, Source Audio, Neunaber Audio, and Stringjoy Authorized Dealer

www.cherryridgestudio.com
www.steelguitartracksonline.com
Paul E. Brennan
Posts: 237
Joined: 27 Jun 2008 7:46 pm
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Contact:

Post by Paul E. Brennan »

The only thing that steel and fiddle have in common is that you need to work on and be constantly aware of your intonation. Apart from this they have nothing in common whatsoever.

I would never advise a steel player to take up fiddle with the expectation it will improve their steel playing. Fiddle technique is extremely difficult and there is very little payback for years of effort. In the meantime you'll be taking valuable seat time away from your steel. If you really want to improve your steel playing work on your intonation. That's when people will start paying you compliments and you'll start to enjoy it yourself.
User avatar
Rick Campbell
Posts: 4283
Joined: 8 May 2006 12:01 am
Location: Sneedville, TN, USA

Post by Rick Campbell »

John Clark wrote:Hey Tommy Detamore thanks for mentioning me in this post. miss working with you and hope you are doing well John

John - I saw you about a year ago in Maggie Valley, NC with Moe. It was one of the best country shows I've ever seen. Your playing was great.

Tommy D. - you're forgiven. :D

RC
User avatar
Jack Hanson
Posts: 5024
Joined: 19 Jun 2012 3:42 pm
Location: San Luis Valley, USA

Post by Jack Hanson »

Don R Brown wrote: Carmen Acciaioli in Texas
Saw Carmen Acciaioli with Michael Hearn and South by Southwest at Society Hall in Alamosa last night. A wonderful trio and a delightful show. Mr. Acciaioli not only tore the place up his fiddle, but his Super Pro sounded great through a little NV 112. Carmen is a true master of knuckle harmonics. Go see them if you have that opportunity. You won't be disappointed.
User avatar
Larry Behm
Posts: 4400
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Mt Angel, Or 97362

Post by Larry Behm »

Do not know why I started playing fiddle, but it has pleased the crowd for years, and got me a few Garth Brooks and George Straight cover band jobs as I can cover steel and fiddle.

It is all about putting your butt in the seat and working, working, working. I still need a lot more of that.
'70 D10 Black fatback Emmons PP, Hilton VP, BJS bars, Boss GE-7 for Dobro effect, Zoom MS50G, Flamma Reverb, Planet Wave cables, Quilter 202 Toneblock, Telonics 15” speaker.

Phone: 971-219-8533
User avatar
scott murray
Posts: 2752
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Asheville, NC

Post by scott murray »

David Mansfield is another fiddlin' steel man

and the forum's own Jack Goodson!
1965 Emmons S-10, 3x5 • Emmons LLIII D-10, 10x12 • JCH D-10, 10x12 • Beard MA-8 • Oahu Tonemaster
User avatar
Walter Stettner
Posts: 5744
Joined: 21 Nov 2003 1:01 am
Location: Vienna, Austria
Contact:

Post by Walter Stettner »

Don't forget Milo Deering! He plays every thing with strings on... :D

Proof:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIHD4bkUojM

Kind Regards, Walter
User avatar
Don R Brown
Posts: 2789
Joined: 27 Dec 2011 9:20 am
Location: Rochester, New York, USA

Post by Don R Brown »

Jack Hanson wrote:
Don R Brown wrote: Carmen Acciaioli in Texas
Saw Carmen Acciaioli with Michael Hearn and South by Southwest at Society Hall in Alamosa last night. A wonderful trio and a delightful show. Mr. Acciaioli not only tore the place up his fiddle, but his Super Pro sounded great through a little NV 112. Carmen is a true master of knuckle harmonics. Go see them if you have that opportunity. You won't be disappointed.
Carmen is a busy man. The last I heard from him he was also playing with Cooder Graw, plus occasionally with Agave Posse Band. A nice guy and a very talented musician. Image
Many play better than I do. Nobody has more fun.
User avatar
Sandy Inglis
Posts: 166
Joined: 20 Mar 2008 5:26 pm
Location: Christchurch New Zealand
Contact:

Post by Sandy Inglis »

Raises an interesting question though, what are the most useful extra instruments for a steel player on the bandstand? Especially for those not playing straight ahead country, when steel doesn't fit the tune.

Guitar's the obvious one, although I always figured harmonica would be useful...

As well as Guitar, I play Mandolin and Harp, and I am trying to play fiddle. I also do a majority of the vocals.
Playing Steel really helps me with fiddle intonation (and visa-versa). as expected, I'm "a Jack of all trades, master of none", but I enjoy a challenge!
The band benefits from the variety of instruments, though I bluff my way through on some!

Sandy
01'Zumsteel D10 9+9; Sho Bud D10 SuperPro; 6 String Lap Steel (Homemade); Peavey Nashville 1000; Fender Deluxe 85;
1968 Gibson SG; Taylor 710 CE; Encore Tele Copy; Peterson Tuner; HIWATT T40 C 40W/20W Combo
User avatar
Roy Heap
Posts: 1042
Joined: 7 May 2012 10:06 am
Location: United Kingdom

Post by Roy Heap »

Here in the UK we have an excellent steel player who is also terrific on fiddle his name is Maurice Hipkiss. Maurice can be heard playing both on many styles of music on many albums released here in the UK.
User avatar
scott murray
Posts: 2752
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Asheville, NC

Post by scott murray »

just saw THIS on facebook!!!

Image[/img]
1965 Emmons S-10, 3x5 • Emmons LLIII D-10, 10x12 • JCH D-10, 10x12 • Beard MA-8 • Oahu Tonemaster
User avatar
Stu Schulman
Posts: 6526
Joined: 15 Oct 1998 12:01 am
Location: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)

Post by Stu Schulman »

Fooch Fischetti!absolute killer on both axes.
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952.
User avatar
Jim Cohen
Posts: 21749
Joined: 18 Nov 1999 1:01 am
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Contact:

Post by Jim Cohen »

I started out on cello, long before steel. Gave it up after high school, though. Wish I could play it now. :(
Darrell Criswell
Posts: 874
Joined: 28 Nov 2006 1:01 am
Location: Maryland, USA

Post by Darrell Criswell »

If steel and fiddle are so different why do fiddle players almost exclusively use the same amps that steel players use. I know there are exceptions but I am interested in both instruments and am struck by how many fiddle players use steel Amps.
User avatar
Tom Dillon
Posts: 298
Joined: 12 Sep 2016 2:55 pm
Location: La Mesa, California, USA

Post by Tom Dillon »

On amps....
I play fiddle as my first instrument, steel second, in a 5 piece country band. Since adding steel to the mix, I have not been happy using a steel amp for fiddle or vice versa. I've tried lots of combinations of amp and speaker and monitor mixes - in small bars and big outdoor stages. I'm back to using Stereo Steel with 15" JBL for steel. For fiddle it's a good preamp with either a Fishman Loudbox Performer or my personal monitor. Both signals are sent to the band PA also. I'd really like to have one amp for both, but haven't found it yet.
Tom Dillon
- MSA Legend, On-Trak, fiddles, mandos
Darrell Criswell
Posts: 874
Joined: 28 Nov 2006 1:01 am
Location: Maryland, USA

Post by Darrell Criswell »

The fiddle players who I have listened to most and like the most, the late French Burke, Bobby Flores, and Reggie Rueffer all played Peavey amps (1000, 500, LTD) and if I remember right Reggie played through a Webb amp also.
User avatar
Paddy Long
Posts: 5462
Joined: 19 Aug 2003 12:01 am
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

Post by Paddy Long »

I played fiddle for quite a while actually, but have laid it aside these days so I can concentrate on making the steel fit the tune hehe !! "when steel doesn't fit the tune." is not in my vocabulary, so I find ways where the pedal steel belongs in the song - regardless of the type of music.

I also play Dobro and lead guitar as well.
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases.
Steve Cattermole
Posts: 193
Joined: 15 Jan 2018 8:45 pm
Location: California, USA

Post by Steve Cattermole »

Paul Haaker plays both very well,and excellent C6 too.Not to mention Banjo and other instumments
Bill Moran
Posts: 2207
Joined: 6 Jan 2003 1:01 am
Location: Virginia, USA

Post by Bill Moran »

Rich Upright wrote:I play banjo,guitar,and bass. Does that count?
I'm sorry ?
Bill
Post Reply