steelguitars

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 11 Jun 2002 8:35 pm

Oh, I dunno... how would you feel if every pedal steel guitar were called a "Sho~Bud"? I know it would irritate more than one Emmons player!

Tim Tyner · Post by **Tim Tyner** » 11 Jun 2002 8:48 pm

Sorry Jim didn't mean to offend anyone,of
course it wouldn't bother me because I
play a Sho-bud Superpro.
Thanks,Tim

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 11 Jun 2002 9:01 pm

No offense taken, Tim. I'm just "engaging the subject matter" when I ought to be sleeping (or practicing).

(btw, I played a Super Pro for 25 years!)[This message was edited by Jim Cohen on 11 June 2002 at 10:02 PM.]

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 11 Jun 2002 9:53 pm

I SURRENDER !

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 12 Jun 2002 3:03 am

Personally, I just think of the two branches as electric steel or acoustic steel guitar.
For musicians, it doesn't much matter what you call it. To educate the general public on the other hand, we should endeavor to be as clear as possible. Plain ol' "steel guitar" still works for me as the genral public doesn't care whether it has pedals, no pedals, accelorators, or brakes (though some players could benefit from brakes on their axes). For steel players, lap steel doesn't bother me as a name for all non-pedal models - even multi-necks.

Bob Stone · Post by **Bob Stone** » 12 Jun 2002 7:38 am

As a person who frequently writes about steel guitars, I must agree that the terminology is a mess.

Jim Cohen, it sure is awkward to use the term "non-pedal" steel guitar. But the average person will start by saying "pedal-steel" because that's the term they know. Hey, why don't they call it a "foot-pedal and knee lever steel guitar?" (What are you doing nosing around here anyhow Jim? You told me you couldn't play lap steel. Have you had a conversion experience?)

I really don't like the term "lap steel," but am resigned to using it because it is generally popular. But do we call a std. guitar a knee guitar? Or a strap guitar? Pretty silly, huh?

But my pet peeve is when any metal National guitar is called a "National steel guitar," regardless of what metal it's made of or whether it's played with a steel, slide or fingers. Ay, chihuahua!

In the Sacred Steel book I will attempt to set straight all this confusion about steel guitars--acoustic and electric. Not that it will have any impact, or even survive the final edit. But at least I will have the satisfaction of having written it.

The very nature of our instrument in all its variations lends itself to confusion. How can we call an instrument played with a plastic, brass or zirconium bar a steel guitar? Personally, I'm with Keoki in calling it a Hawaiian guitar every chance I get. After all, the Hawaiians developed the instrument and technique. But "Hawaiian guitar" gets confused with slack-key.

Face it, the only cure is to airdrop a few million leaflets explaining all this. Of course, to really do the job we'd have to airdrop worldwide. But the US and Canada would be a start.

By the way, the spelling for title of this Forum section is incorrect, IMHO. Correct English (yes, I know it's a pun) is "No Pedalers."

Happy steeling,

Bob

[This message was edited by Bob Stone on 12 June 2002 at 08:44 AM.][This message was edited by Bob Stone on 12 June 2002 at 08:59 AM.]

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 12 Jun 2002 9:33 am

Face it, the only cure is to airdrop a few million leaflets explaining all this. Of course, to really do the job we'd have to airdrop worldwide.

Actually, to really do the job, we'd first have to agree on the terminology!

 (And, yes I did tell you I couldn't play "lap steel", but I never said I couldn't play "nonpedal steel". See what kinda trouble all this gets us into??

)

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 12 Jun 2002 2:24 pm

When ever John Ely is recorded and credited on the liner notes/musician list.......he has them put "what it is"......
John Ely...Hawaiian Steel Guitar

Post by **Joey Ace** » 12 Jun 2002 6:30 pm

Don't forget the "Fender Bass".

It's the electric equivelent of a Doghouse Bass.

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 12 Jun 2002 6:31 pm

Quote from Bob: ...By the way, the spelling for title of this Forum section is incorrect, IMHO. Correct English (yes, I know it's a pun) is "No Pedalers."

Thanks Bob! This has always "bugged" me but I didn't want to be the one to say it. The spelling is definitely incorrect. Perhaps b0b will eventually make the correction. (?)

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 12 Jun 2002 6:50 pm

I heard Sol Hoopii called his picks ... TICKLERS

Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 12 Jun 2002 8:44 pm

I heard Sol Hoopii called his picks ... TICKLERS

...maybe that's because they served another function for him, as well as putting the strings of his guitar in motion.

John P. Phillips · Post by **John P. Phillips** » 12 Jun 2002 9:35 pm

HUH ???

------------------
"Let's go STEEL something"
If it feels good, do it. If it feels COUNTRY, do it twice
jpp

Robert L. Jones · Post by **Robert L. Jones** » 13 Jun 2002 3:27 am

Rickey, I could live with that. that is what i`ve called them all my life. Memories escape me so bad any more "SENIOR MOMENTS", I bought my 1st Hawiian steel guitar .in 40 or 41, a round hole,for $5.00. Took lessons for awhile. My music teacher wanted to move to north La., open a music store, wanted me to go with him and do the teaching. I`d just turned 18, and agreed to go, but alas PRARL HARBOR, I went down and joined up , Left singing " I`ll be back in a year Little Darling, the old draft song.

jones

Robert L. Jones · Post by **Robert L. Jones** » 13 Jun 2002 6:32 am

What say mikey, from the big Island, lets pay tribute where tribute belongs , start calling all these acoustic steel`s what they are, "HAWIIAN STEEL GUITARS" dobros, Beards Sheerhorns, Benoits ,Rudy Q. Jones etc
ShoBuds, electrics pedals lap s

I think he`s said enough on this subject
jones

Sage · Post by **Sage** » 14 Jun 2002 10:28 am

I remember reading somewhere that J.B. liked the term "fixed string" steel. I don't know... would that imply that Pedal guitars are "broken string"?

mikey · Post by **mikey** » 14 Jun 2002 10:40 am

I think just steel...anything else implies something else...with bluegrass, blues and all...so being that it started w/ a regular(Spanish) guitar(with a bad neck, I think) and a steel bar...call it after the Steel Bar
That's the main difference.I usually just say, I'll play steel, or do you want to play some steel or you play steel, I'll play rhythm...
Mike[This message was edited by mikey on 17 June 2002 at 12:32 PM.]