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Topic: What sounds more pleasing to the ear |
Leslie Ehrlich
From:
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Posted 5 Nov 2004 11:59 pm |
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I'm not a country player, but I've heard a lot of country music in my lifetime. A few months back I watched a program on Hank Williams, and I heard a lot of steel guitar in the music. One of his steel players (Don Helms, I believe), played a solo piece, and as I listened to it I thought to myself 'Now that is great sounding country steel playing!' And what struck me the most was that he was playing a NON-PEDAL guitar. It had such a rich and warm tone to it, and at times the sound reminded me of the lonesome whistle of a steam locomotive.
I've heard other country artists from the 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s with non-pedal steelers, and I've come to the same conclusion. I like the sound of non-pedal steel in country music more than pedal guitar.
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Buck Grantham R.I.P.
From:
Denham Springs, LA. USA
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Posted 6 Nov 2004 9:49 am
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| It's the player and what he wants to play. It dosen't matter if its pedal or non pedal. You can take a pedal steel and make people cry with it juat the same as you can a non pedal one. imho |
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Eric West
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 6 Nov 2004 10:02 am
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Maybe that's why b0b in his infinite wisdom created a "Non-Peddlers" section.
Lots of people feel the same way you do.
I don't know why, but I certainly know that it's a well attended school of thought.
Probably because it reminds people of a time when things were simpler and easier understand.
Jazz makes some people nervous.
It bores me.
EJL |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 6 Nov 2004 5:21 pm
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| Leslie.........are you sure it was Don Helms? |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Posted 6 Nov 2004 7:02 pm
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Infinite wisdom? That's a laugh! You need to talk to my kids. 
I'm a huge fan of the the unpedaled steel guitar. The combination of wider string spacing and bar slants gives it a tonal complexity that's missing from pedal steels, IMHO.
But also, it's a harder instrument to play. Beginners think that pedal steel is the harder instrument. Nothing could be further from the truth. Pedals were invented to make the steel guitar easier to play. The simpler instrument is the more challenging one.
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 Bobby Lee
-b0b- quasar@b0b.com
System Administrator |
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Jim Phelps
From:
Mexico City, Mexico
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Posted 6 Nov 2004 7:40 pm
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| . [This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 17 November 2004 at 07:22 PM.] |
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Walter Stettner
From:
Vienna, Austria
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Posted 7 Nov 2004 2:00 am
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Most of the heroes we all love and admire (Lloyd Green, Buddy Emmons, Tom Brumley, Jimmy Day) originally started out on non-pedal steel, that means they know the musical theory inside out, they still use bar slants on a regular basis, to broaden the way of musical expression.
The Lloyd Green/Tommy White video as well as the old Cajun-Classic Video of Jimmy Day has some great examples of slants used besides the pedals. These are the true masters!
Kind regards, Walter
www.lloydgreentribute.com
www.austriansteelguitar.at.tf
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Rick Garrett
From:
Tyler, Texas
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Posted 7 Nov 2004 2:37 am
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Bobby Garrett started out on non pedals steel too. And he was incredible on my 10 string lap steel. Made it sound as good as anybody ever sounded with or without pedals. I do think thats one thing that made the masters so incredible.
Rick |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 7 Nov 2004 5:55 am
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Well, Leslie, I could say the same thing about straight guitar players. Most guys back in the '50s (Chet Atkins, Scotty Moore, Jimmy Bryant) had a much richer, warmer, and fuller sound than the players today whose sound is all sharp, crunchy, and distorted.
So, talking about those old straight guitar players, I guess you could say..."Now, that was great country guitar playing!", couldn't you?  [This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 07 November 2004 at 05:57 AM.] |
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James Morehead
From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 7 Nov 2004 6:13 am
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| Last March, I was lucky enough to see Tom Brumley play his lapsteel at the Dallas convention. First time I had seen Tom play, or see a lap steel played---it was KILLER!! Then I got to see Tommy Morrel play his nonpedal----awe inspiring!! I'm just beginning pedal steel(about 2 years come December), and I have come to the conclusion, I have only seen the tip of this iceberg! To me, it's about mastering whatever instrument you choose to pursue. |
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Wayne Cox
From:
Chatham, Louisiana, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 7 Nov 2004 9:48 pm
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As a general rule,non-pedal steels do have a different sound or tone,due to the nature of their construction. However,it is possible to build a "lap steel" that has the tonal qualities of pedal steel. I know that to be true because I purposely built one about a year ago. I now play it more than my pedal steel,and the publick seems to like it better also. My little creation approximates the tone of my Zumsteel pedal guitar. It is a nice feeling to be able to arrive at a job with your steel guitar in one hand and not be panting for breath!
~~W.C.~~ |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 8 Nov 2004 1:48 am
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Leslie, I think you have brought forward a very SOUND scenario. Most , if not all of the top players did play on NON Pedal Guitars and have brought that special touch to the Steel with Pedals. Although I am the last in line to claim any great wisdom here, I have lately started playing some of the traditional Pedal Licks without the Pedals..you know..Move the Bar !
What a novel concept !
Muscially the phrases are identical but personality wise they are not in the same catagory.
Good observation..
t |
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