How many Lead Guitarist/steel players out there?

Billy McCoy · Post by **Billy McCoy** » 13 Jan 2005 9:52 pm

I have played lead guitar professionally since I was 19. Been playing steel on a professional level for only about 3 years.

How many of you play both?

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MSA Millennium D10, Walker Stereo Steel, Stone Tree Custom Tele, LINE 6 Vetta II and POD XT PRO

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 14 Jan 2005 2:50 am

I've played both since I started at about 10 years old. Sometimes I'd take a job with a band that had me playing all steel or all guitar and I'd get rusty on the other but later I'd be in another band that had me playing the other and I'd get it back. Some bands I played both 50/50.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 14 Jan 2005 2:59 am

Playing guitar since 12,( thats 44 years) Lead, rhythm, right, wrong, too loud, too soft, in tune, out of tune ,whatever..Steel the first time around from about '72 to '88..Steel the 2nd time around 2001 to now..

Nothings really changed..

Lead, rhythm, right, wrong,too loud, too soft,in tune, out of tune..whatever..

playing professionally ? uuhhmmmmm..well some would say thats a stretch..I do gig and I do get paid..and have been doing so for the whole ride...we'll leave it at that..

t[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 14 January 2005 at 03:02 AM.]

Ernie Renn · Post by **Ernie Renn** » 14 Jan 2005 3:53 am

I play both. I started playing guitar in '65-'66. Tinkered around on Dad's Fender 400 for a short time. He traded it in for my first Tele in '68. I got the steel bug again in '72-'73. But really got into it in '74.

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My best,
Ernie

www.buddyemmons.com

Jussi Huhtakangas · Post by **Jussi Huhtakangas** » 14 Jan 2005 4:52 am

I struggle with both!

Mark Metdker · Post by **Mark Metdker** » 14 Jan 2005 5:05 am

Yep, count me in. Not very good at either one, but that doesn't slow me down!

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Zum U-12 w/True Tone pickup
G&L guitars
Peavey Nashville 112

Band Pics
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Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 14 Jan 2005 5:12 am

I try both and sometimes succeed and sometimes fail but I have a great time. I played full time in the Los Angeles area for many years on both lead and steel but mainly lead until the last 8 or 9 years I was there. As I got older I liked the setting down thing the steel guitar offered. Right now I play steel & Lead with Otto Shelor and the Ravens here in Va. Steel with the Trailblazers, lead with the Legends band, and lead with the Sterling Riggs Tribute to Elvis show....Have a good 'un..JH

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

Allen Peterson · Post by **Allen Peterson** » 14 Jan 2005 5:18 am

I attempt to play both, but not at the same time.

Bill Miller · Post by **Bill Miller** » 14 Jan 2005 5:28 am

I play both. Started on six string at around 8 years old...so that was 40 years ago. Geez, you'd think I'd be better than I am. Got my first steel in '90 and used it a bit in our 'part time' band. We're just a bunch of weekenders who get a paying gig once and awhile. Strictly local stuff. I've gotten a lot more serious about playing steel since I bought my Carter last year. The old Sho-Bud I had didn't have any knee levers which limited me severely. I've learned more in the last 8 months with this modern guitar than in all the previous 14 years. I'm still doing quite a of six string electric lead though.

Paul Wade · Post by **Paul Wade** » 14 Jan 2005 5:28 am

i started to play lead guitar at 11 years old. took
up p.s.g at 28. i do both

paul wade

Joey Gaskins · Post by **Joey Gaskins** » 14 Jan 2005 5:47 am

I certainly try to play lead and steel. Sonme songs sound better than others, but throw in a piano too. While setting at my steel, I have a piano on my left and my guitar on my right. I need a swivel pak a seat. It works pretty well on the southern gospel that I play.

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 14 Jan 2005 5:54 am

My guitar/steel bio is identical to the one Jim Phelps wrote.. except I started playing guitar at 15 after playing drums for several years.[This message was edited by Bob Carlucci on 14 January 2005 at 05:55 AM.]

Chris Forbes · Post by **Chris Forbes** » 14 Jan 2005 6:25 am

I do both with equal mediocrity.

Jim Peters · Post by **Jim Peters** » 14 Jan 2005 6:28 am

Guitar since 64, steel 1 year. Played steel first and last time with my real band two weeks ago, just not the right songs and our keyboard player is too busy. Got a 1/2 and1/2 gig next week with a New Riders/Dylan/ band/country rock group much more suited for steel. JimP

Michael Lewis · Post by **Michael Lewis** » 14 Jan 2005 6:29 am

I started 6 string about 45 years ago! I played lead guitar professionally for many years. I got my first steel about 3 years ago! The steel has been such a joyful challenge that I tend to spend most of my playing time there!
Mike
72 Emmons D-10, Peavey 1000

Bill R. Baker · Post by **Bill R. Baker** » 14 Jan 2005 6:39 am

To those who responded: do you use the same amp or do you have a dedicated amp for each?

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 14 Jan 2005 6:49 am

Same amp?

good question..
First time around I was playing thru a Twin or 2..that was no big deal..added a 15" JBL to one of them and played both thru that beast right up unit '88 or so. Sold it like a fool around '92..The other Twin with 2 -12's disappeared somewhere along the way..may have traded it for another Tele or a Super reverb..one of those ...I ended up with another Tele and a Super Reverb with 1 less Twin so I think the Twin was involved in the trade..

Now I am playing thru a N400 for the Steel and lug around a Fender HR Deville (2x12's) for the Tele'..I do use both at the same time for Steel now and then..

2 amps are better than 1 ? I don't think so..

Eventually I would like to be back to a Twin again..2x12's or a single 15"..

Keep in mind the most famous STEEL LP LIVE concert of all time had Loyd playing thru a TWIN with 2 JBL 12 inchers..Panther Hall..

The HR Deville has an exellent overall Steel sound but not enough gain to really crank for the Steel on a moderate to large gig..

Can't find my Tele' tone on the N400..gave up...

just my take..
t[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 14 January 2005 at 06:56 AM.]

Andy Zynda · Post by **Andy Zynda** » 14 Jan 2005 6:51 am

Guitar at 7. That was 38 years ago. PSG this year, and I'm having a blast.
I tried to use one amp for both, but if I do, one of the instruments always suffers.
Now I run 2 amps, and life is better.
Just got a Steel King for the PSG, and life will be MUCH better!
-andy-

Mark Metdker · Post by **Mark Metdker** » 14 Jan 2005 6:53 am

Small gigs, I run everything thru my Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. Bigger gigs I break out the Nashville 112 for the steel. Wish I could get better strat sounds out of the N112, I would only use it.

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Zum U-12 w/True Tone pickup
G&L guitars
Peavey Nashville 112

Band Pics
http://community.webshots.com/album/176544894AuXSmi

Allen Peterson · Post by **Allen Peterson** » 14 Jan 2005 7:31 am

For lead guitar I play through a Twin 2 X 12 with a POD 2.0. Sometimes I omit the POD and use a Boss distortion pedal, an Ibanez AD9 analog delay pedal and a Dunlop Wah Wah. For steel I play through a Nashville 112 with a Tubefex.

Andrew Buhler · Post by **Andrew Buhler** » 14 Jan 2005 7:43 am

6 stringer since the age of 10 (20 years total) and pedal steel for a year or so. Wanted to start steel much earlier but never had the $$$.

Definitely two amps: 70 Deluxe Reverb for Telecaster and 74 Dual Showman Reverb for the ZB. It's a lot to lug around but it's good exercise and the sound is worth it.

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 14 Jan 2005 7:52 am

Primarily a guitar player, for 40 years or so---been fooling with steel for a couple of years, but I've only gigged with it a few times. I DEFINITELY use one amp---a Twin, with a 15" JBL, and my pedalboard for guitar. That way, I can run they dry channel for guitar, and the reverb channel for steel.

Jim West · Post by **Jim West** » 14 Jan 2005 8:13 am

Yep! Fender custom shop Nashville Tele w/Glaser "B" bender and a Dr Z MAZ 38 and a Fessenden S-12 w/GD Walker amp.

Jack Francis · Post by **Jack Francis** » 14 Jan 2005 8:26 am

Play lead guitar mostly but take the steel along when appropriate.

I attempt to bring mediocrity to new heights with both instruments.

People love the steel but it is because they don't realize my limitations on it.

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 14 Jan 2005 8:32 am

#1 instrument: Steel (a little rusty, but getting in a lot of practice time.)

#2 instrument: Lead guitar (even rustier -- but still like to play lead because my fingers feel so good when I stop.)

#3 instrument: Trombone (the rustiest -- especially with these store-bought teeth.)

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