Steel Players & Steel Guitars near Albuquerque, NM

[Clint Stevenson]

Are there any pedal steel players in or around Albuquerque, NM? Or music stores that would have new/used pedal steel guitars on display? I travel to Albuquerque occasionally and am interested in playing/jamming with some local musicians, but don't want to fly my gear on the plane. I was hoping someone in the area might let me sit in on their rig, or I could rent a guitar at a local store for a day or two. Thoughts?

I generally play an Emmons setup, but have played on a Day setup too. That was like trying to speak a foreign language LOL.

Thanks for any input.

Clint

[Bobby D. Jones]

There used to be a place in Belen, NM south of Albuquerque called Frenchy's Pedal Steel Guitar. He sold Steel Mill strings and other goodies. May have shutdown, New web site for Frenchy's is coming up on internet. May be a place to start searching for players in area.
Good Luck in your search.

[Clint Stevenson]

Bobby, thanks for the lead. I gathered that info from some older posts a couple days on the forum, but my search for a Frenchy's music store in/around Albuquerque led me to believe the store shut down, or no longer exists. I plan to call around to local music stores around the area to see if I can get any leads on any sort of 'rental' guitar. I don't even like the idea of playing on an unfamiliar pedal steel, but it could still be a fun time even if it's a little clumsy of an experience. I just can't see justifying the expense and hassle of hauling my gear for something like that when it's just for fun.

I've done a couple of out-of-town travel gigs that lasted over a week each time. Sound was provided for those gigs and we ran ears, so the only thing our crew needed to bring was their instruments. They also provided drums. So, while everyone else was checking/carrying-on their acoustics, fiddle, bass guitar, electric guitar, I was checking my 75lb steel and lugging it around. Cost $125 each way on Southwest for overweight item too. Those gigs were a lot of fun, but the getting there and back was not

[Lee Baucum]

Yes, Frenchy is retired. I sure miss doing business with him.

~Lee

[Larry Baker]

Clint. Are you related to Fred Stevenson?
I met him a few years ago at Baxter Springs steel show.