Does anyone take their steel out already set up?

Gary Meyer · Post by **Gary Meyer** » 11 Oct 2004 4:36 pm

Being a newbie , and a bit lazy,it seems like alot of work to take the legs & rods off the steel to transport it. Do players move theirs already set up or with just the back legs removed? 'looking for alternatives,Thanks.

Leon Eneboe · Post by **Leon Eneboe** » 11 Oct 2004 4:51 pm

Gary;

Take the steel apart, put it in the case,EVERYTIME you haul it somewhere. I know of two instances (not mine) where the steel (in set up condition), tipped over going around the corner in a van. There is a nice gash on the front apron on one or them, the other one soon developed "wobbly legs". You take a chance of hurting a very expensive instrument when you haul it around in "set up" condition.

Leon Eneboe, Williams Sl2, ShoBudd LDG

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 11 Oct 2004 4:58 pm

I used to take my Fender 1000 to gigs set-up, but that was only because I didn't get a case with it when I bought it, and never got one...back then you didn't have all the custom case builders like now. I laid it on it's back on a thick, folded-up blanket in the back of my Datsun station wagon. I wouldn't recommend taking your steel around set-up, unless a. you don't care about banging your steel all around or b. you take it in you own vehicle, wrapped in blankets like you would your own newborn baby (well, hopefully you wouldn't lug around a baby in the back of a station wagon...but you know what I mean!)[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 11 October 2004 at 06:00 PM.]

Rick Schmidt · Post by **Rick Schmidt** » 11 Oct 2004 5:23 pm

I do, but I don't recommend it. Mine has never tipped over, there are ways to prevent that, but it's aged alot since I started doing it. When I finally get the money to get my beloved old shobud restored, I vow here and now to never carry her around out of the case again!

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 11 Oct 2004 6:01 pm

The place where our band practices is just a few blocks from my house. I lay my Mullen in the back of my Explorer when I take it over there. I have a thick cover that snaps over the top of my guitar. I simply pick up the guitar, from behind, and carry it out to the truck and put it in the back, legs first, with the front of the guitar facing up. Again, the guitar has a thick cover snapped around it, which protects it nicely. (Not too nicely in the event of a collision, though.) Any other time, the guitar goes in the case before it leaves the house.

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Lee, from South Texas
Down On The Rio Grande

Bob Snelgrove · Post by **Bob Snelgrove** » 11 Oct 2004 7:38 pm

I think the Big "E" does it. If that's true, we'll all be doing it that way

bob

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 11 Oct 2004 7:47 pm

Alright.

I haven't had the front legs off mine in more than a thousand gigs. At LEAST fifteen years.

I put the amp face up in the back of a pickup or station wagon, and lay the pedal rods over it with the strings facing backward. Apron up. Pedals hanging over the top of the amp. Rear legs off. Knee levers folded up.

In the "old days" I used to put a blanket inbetween and a briefcase between the strings and the tailgate.

Things will change when I get my Marrs rebuild. I've FINALLY got a flight case, and will use it as long as I'm able. I think having a 3000$ guitar might cause me to take more care.

We'll see.

EJL

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 11 Oct 2004 8:38 pm

Eric, I used to load my Fender 1000 and Twin Reverb the same way.....but then, it's pretty hard to hurt a Fender 1000.

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 11 Oct 2004 9:14 pm

I have only had my Emmons in its case about 5-6 times since 1972. I used to take the rear legs off and loaded it into the snug fit of my 280Z, along my two Peavy amps and my pack-seat.
Since 1990, I have had two different converstion vans and in both instances, the guitar sat upright wedged snuggly behind the rear most seat and the back door with both amps beneath it. NEVER had a problem, yet. Doesn't jiggle, wiggle or rattle while in transit.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 12 Oct 2004 12:24 am

I can't remember where the case is..

just kidding..

My Steel is always set-up.

I put the Steel in the back of may van standing on all 4's and strap it down .

It stands side to side in the van and is always under cover.

I may have to tighten the legs now and then but all in all the Steel still looks brand new and this has had no effect other than it's much lighter to carry and there is no set-up or tear down time.

Oh..and the Steel never spends a night in the van..

t

[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 12 October 2004 at 07:15 AM.]

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 12 Oct 2004 3:10 am

For most of my career I always took my guitar down and put it in the case because there was never any other convenient way.

However, on my most recent job, a theater gig at the same place three & four nights a week for three years, I stood my steel behind the rear seat of my conversion van, snugged against the back of the seat with bungee cords. The guitar fit in that space like in a custom case.

I never found any downside to hauling it that way except for having to make "two" trips to unload. Usually, all my equipment goes on my cart, but with the guitar already set-up I had to make an extra trip to carry it in.

www.genejones.com

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 12 Oct 2004 3:28 am

Put it in the case(like you were going to tear it down)is the only way I would transport mine, other than a complete teardown. Whenever mine was finished, the case was late getting here(special order), I left it at the shop and went to visit every day till the case arrived so I could take it home.

Bill

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 12 Oct 2004 3:42 am

I've only recently began carrying mine fully set up since I got my latest van. My old Aerostar finally burned up and I used to carry all the PA equipment in that so I had to break down my steel. I now just set it up on all fours right behind the middle seat (the 3rd seat's removed) facing forward and set my (Walker) pack seat right under it on the side. My Amp goes right next to it and then my effects (3 space) rack box. I have a heavy duty cover I got custom made years ago which resembles an old Kustom amp which really protects it very well. This sure cuts down on set up time so I think I'll keep on doing it........JH

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Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 12 Oct 2004 4:48 am

I used to carry the guitar set up in my Explorer quite frequently, on its legs like Jerry Hayes; now, in the instances I don't tear down, I do like Bill Ford and carry it upside down in the case, but I remove the rear legs.

The problem emanating from this lazy approach is the endplates. When the guitar is stationary but the legs move, therefore the endplates move where they're attached to the body; the screw holes that hold the endplates to the body get wallowed out and the screws no longer hold tight. You then wind up with wobbly legs and possible cracking of the cabinet apron at its weakest point. I've had to repair the rear apron on more than one vintage Emmons guitar.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Terry Sneed · Post by **Terry Sneed** » 12 Oct 2004 5:43 am

I haul mine standin up in the back of my pickup ever week when I carry it to the church, which is only about 1/2 mile down the road. It is risky, I've been thinkin about just layin it down in the case instead of standin it up. one of these days maybe I can get a 2nd guitar and keep one at the church and one at the house.
Terry

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84 SKH Emmons Legrand D10
session 400'rd Steelin for my Lord.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 12 Oct 2004 5:49 am

I can understand why the weight factor of most of the heavier older guitars could cause some of the problems mentioned above.

Fortunately, I have not experienced any of those problems with my Carter, which is lighter in weight than other guitars I have owned.

My trouble-free experience in transporting a steel set-up is limited to my D-10 Carter. I always disasembled my previously owned guitars and carried them in the case.

www.genejones.com

Tommy White · Post by **Tommy White** » 12 Oct 2004 6:32 am

I have not used a case in 20 years, except when its a long haul to the stage from the parking lot ,such as the Opry. The guitar stands on the legs behind the rear seat of the mini-van.
However, after reading Herb's post, I'll start using the case. Anyone know where or whom one might contact for info on a Wheel-ez molded case to fit a D-10 Fessenden?
T.W.
[This message was edited by Tommy White on 12 October 2004 at 07:33 AM.]

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 12 Oct 2004 7:16 am

One local steeler once told me his steel had a tuning key broken off when his steel (set up) shifted unexpectedly in the back of a pickup truck on they way home from a gig.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 12 Oct 2004 7:37 am

i avoid movin' my steel set up - be it tied down or upside down in the case.
i've tried it a bit & i'm not convinced
i realise how wobbly it can get from vibrations, bumps & jerks
i pack it up & i use a dolly (she's a cutie too)
so much fer bein' lazy, Lester

[This message was edited by CrowBear Schmitt on 12 October 2004 at 08:39 AM.]

Miguel e Smith · Post by **Miguel e Smith** » 12 Oct 2004 7:42 am

I had to put it in a case for a road date recently...it was a bit awkward tearing down and setting up.

pdl20 · Post by **pdl20** » 12 Oct 2004 7:59 am

Herb is right on with the screw holes and screws coming loose and enlarging.my emmons had that and you cant keep the legs tight any more.i have thigened the screws and end plates and they will work loose.pack it up.it will save you the worry.

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 12 Oct 2004 8:04 am

I always move the steel lying down in the back of the pickumup truck. I don't think that puts any stress on the big wood screws at the endplates. There would be more stress caused by operating the knee levers while playing it.

Tommy Minniear · Post by **Tommy Minniear** » 12 Oct 2004 8:14 am

I hauled a Sho~Bud Pro II to gigs - set up in the back of a van for about six to eight months. It "wallored out" the the threads where the legs screw into the endplates. I wouldn't hesitate to haul one assembled - upside down in the case, but would never haul one in the standing upright position again.

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Tommy Minniear
www.ntsga.com

www.cajunsteelguitar.com

[This message was edited by Tommy M on 12 October 2004 at 09:16 AM.][This message was edited by Tommy M on 12 October 2004 at 09:19 AM.]

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 12 Oct 2004 8:17 am

I have always carried my guitars all setup in the back of my conversion van. AS Gene and others have done.Never had any problems.

Before that I use to put a D12 MSA in the trunk of my Pontiac,(trunks were big in those days) lay it down on a Moving van quilt, and unscrew the back legs so I could close the trunk. Then at the job, screw in the back legs in the parking lot and take it in all ready to play. I never had a problem with that or damage to my guitars. Just lucky, I guess.....al

(edited-Incidentally, I will do as Herb and Tommy are ,Now that I have a MSA Millenium, I will set the excellent Road case with builtinwheels, that came with it, in the back of the Van, and put the lightweight MSA right in the case, all set up ,legs sticking up.I am not taking any chances with this one.)

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

[This message was edited by Al Marcus on 12 October 2004 at 09:29 AM.]

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 12 Oct 2004 8:28 am

In the 60's and 70's, it was required that one have a big car, preferably an Olds or a Caddy. I had a 98 Holiday. You took off the rear legs, and the steel rode on the back seat, like my ex-wife. Thank God I never had to make a panic stop! "Man killed by flying guitar!"
JB