Don’t they all sound the same
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Don’t they all sound the same
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN GEORGIA
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Just wanted to say how much I love this Julie Gold song, a writer and performer is vastly underrated and under appreciated. Yes, they all sound different, like Pinot Grigio is different from Pinot Noir. But both are wonderful.
Check out my latest video: My Biggest Fears Learning Steel at 68: https://youtu.be/F601J515oGc
Beautifully played by Sveinung! Really soulful and sensitive. Fun to hear the different guitars, and the video / audio editing is sure seamless! It’s sure a nice example of how much tone comes from the hands! The differences in tone between guitars was there- but pretty subtle and they all sounded great given the excellent playing. Thanks for posting it Brian- really enjoyed it!
52 Fender Dual 8, Jackson Pro V, other guitars and amps. Learning pedal steel. Long time player on slide, guitar, harmonica
- Bob Hoffnar
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Really sweet playing. Great touch and a deep musicality. With that I heard a major difference between the steels.
Mainly in the clarity and focus of the midrange. Some guitars had what I call a squonky/cringe worthy high range and others might hear it as a desirable twang. Some guitars had low strings that I consider wooly and muddy but others might hear as full and rich. So I’m not into saying what is better or worse but I am saying they were very different. Depending on your musical needs the brand of steel can make a significant impact on your ability to express yourself.
Again, that is a great video that is a big help to someone comparing steels.
Mainly in the clarity and focus of the midrange. Some guitars had what I call a squonky/cringe worthy high range and others might hear it as a desirable twang. Some guitars had low strings that I consider wooly and muddy but others might hear as full and rich. So I’m not into saying what is better or worse but I am saying they were very different. Depending on your musical needs the brand of steel can make a significant impact on your ability to express yourself.
Again, that is a great video that is a big help to someone comparing steels.
Bob
Honestly, with my eyes closed, I could not even say when there was a switch between the guitars being played.
I can imagine that the differences could be more pronounced in a live situation.
Very nice playing with a balanced dose of feeling... beautiful music!
I can imagine that the differences could be more pronounced in a live situation.
Very nice playing with a balanced dose of feeling... beautiful music!
Last edited by Dan Kelly on 23 Jul 2023 3:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- Lee Baucum
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I suspect the answer would be "yes" to the majority of people in the audience who are sitting, dancing, drinking, eating, visiting, etc.Don't they all sound the same?
I do love that video, though. I ran across it several weeks go.
Listening to it with my tablet (no headphones) the differences were extremely subtle.
~Lee
- Fred Treece
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Yes, they sound the same to me.
I confess that I did not watch the video until I had listened twice. It is a great video, but I was shocked at how often instruments were changed. I guess I just don’t have an ear for the differences some of you are talking about. I do know I was hearing some very fine playing.
I confess that I did not watch the video until I had listened twice. It is a great video, but I was shocked at how often instruments were changed. I guess I just don’t have an ear for the differences some of you are talking about. I do know I was hearing some very fine playing.
- Bob Hoffnar
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In a band context, they sound very similar. There are some differences, as different guitars emphasize different frequencies due to the construction. But overall, it just goes to show that any one would do the job. Chalker loved the MSA because it had that thick and solid, organ-like bass. Charleton and Green seemed to love the "sweet and round" tones of the old Sho~Buds. And guys like Sonny and Weldon liked the snappy brightness and midrange clarity of the Emmons guitars. (Big "E", being a one of a kind master, played just about anything, and enjoyed it. He knew and appreciated the differences.)
How you play is a lot more important than what you play. No brand will make you a star, just like no brand will keep you from being a star. And when it comes to what to learn on, the most important thing is not to get bogged down by the players that say "there's nothing like the ________ guitar". Pick one and start playing.
How you play is a lot more important than what you play. No brand will make you a star, just like no brand will keep you from being a star. And when it comes to what to learn on, the most important thing is not to get bogged down by the players that say "there's nothing like the ________ guitar". Pick one and start playing.
Jerry Byrd wrote: If you can play, it doesn't matter which brand you use. And if you can't play, it doesn't matter which brand you use.
- Steve Lipsey
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Sorry, but NONE of these are "the best". When I started out on PSG, I learned on this very Forum that the best PSG absolutely is the black one...
www.facebook.com/swingaliband & a few more....
Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham "CooderNator" archtop parlor electric reso w/Fishman & Lollar string-through
Ben Bonham "ResoBorn" deep parlor acoustic reso with Weissenborn neck and Fishman
Ben Bonham Style 3 Tricone., 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor Squareneck
Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham "CooderNator" archtop parlor electric reso w/Fishman & Lollar string-through
Ben Bonham "ResoBorn" deep parlor acoustic reso with Weissenborn neck and Fishman
Ben Bonham Style 3 Tricone., 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor Squareneck
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- Larry Dering
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I have watched this several times and agree the differences are subtle. But my own experiments with the several steels I own leads me to one over the other. Maybe it's more of a personal taste thing. Of course they all are not equipped with the same pickup and that can make a difference too. Mickey Adams did a video with the MSA swapping pickups and it was really hard to hear much difference. So it leads to personal preference.
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Interesting that those who first listened with their eyes closed heard less difference than those watching the video - perhaps what Reese Anderson called "listening with your eyes"? I hear subtle differences. I can not tell you which sounded "best" as it kept changing! I suspect pickups account for a good bit of the differences I heard, but others will argue that point.
Pedal steel, lap steel, resonator, blues harp - why suck at just one instrument when you can do so on many?
- Fred Treece
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They all sounded good, but if I made that vid, I would have leaned a little harder on the treble knob, or hit the bright switch.. i would have liked a bit more high end all around.. That being said, the guy is a wonderful player, and sounded great on each guitar.. Any of those guitars would sound good in the right hands.
I'm over the hill and hittin'rocks on the way down!
no gear list for me.. you don't have the time......
no gear list for me.. you don't have the time......
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