What has the Forum done for you?

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 26 Jul 2006 7:21 am

This forum has helped me critically probe many musical issues I thought I understood well - not necessarily from a steel guitar point of view but as a guitar player. In the process, I found new and useful points of view.

Of course, being fairly new to steel, I got lots of ideas on: playing in tune, getting good tone, the need to even more obsessively focus on ear training, better technique, fixes for nagging problems, new musical approaches to explore, great perspective on the history of the instrument that one cannot buy for love nor money, as well as great cameraderie and the finest musical buy/sell forum on the web - this forum is all that and more.

But the biggest thing, IMO? This forum has lifted the veil of relative secrecy about this instrument. Gone are the days of secret tunings, techniques, and so on. Great instruments and other tools are now widely available. Of course, all this may bug some people, but for most of us, it's a blessing, and I think will advance the instrument in the next 10 years.

Marc Mercer · Post by **Marc Mercer** » 26 Jul 2006 7:21 am

It is a vast storehouse of information for anyone seeking knowledge, advice, tips and the like. I'm a new member, but I have been peeking in and accumulating tidbits from the Forum for quite some time. My ambition is to progress from being a straight guitar player to find "that sound" on a PSG. The Forum offered up advice on purchasing my first guitar, maintenance and setup tips, string selection, etc., etc. My experience so far has been that if you know what you're looking for, you'll find it within these pages. Moreover, you can simply ask.
My hat goes off to b0b for a GREAT conception.

Mark Lind-Hanson · Post by **Mark Lind-Hanson** » 26 Jul 2006 7:34 am

That no matter how much I'll ever think I've learned about pedal steel, there will always be some huge ocean of relevant information to go swimming in, whenever I find myself floundering in the sands of ignorance.

Larry Strawn · Post by **Larry Strawn** » 26 Jul 2006 7:49 am

The first thing it did for me was to "Humble" me right down!!! It made me realize I didn't know anything and really needed to do some hard work.

Then it provided me with all the help, and knowlege [from all the folks right here] to learn and understand, but the rest is up to me.

It's been the most valuable resource I've ever known, and lots of just plain Fun and enjoyment along the way.

Thanks b0b for job well done, and thanks to the many, many good folks here who have provided me with the knowlege, help, and support along this fantastic journey!

Larry Strawn

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"Fessy" S/D 12, 8/6 Hilton Pedal, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

[This message was edited by Larry Strawn on 26 July 2006 at 12:05 PM.]

Bill Miller · Post by **Bill Miller** » 26 Jul 2006 8:01 am

It has grounded me to a steel guitar community. Being geographically isolated I was missing that entirely before this forum. In keeping with the Internet in general it is an oracle, a seemingly limitless source of knowledge. In what other way could you access the perspective and experiece of 5846 pedal steel guitar players? I'd like to nominate Bobby Lee for a Nobel Prize....can I do that? [This message was edited by Bill Miller on 26 July 2006 at 09:02 AM.]

Ariel Lobos · Post by **Ariel Lobos** » 26 Jul 2006 8:30 am

Tom Bradshaw was my first contact to the PSG world,after my sho bud comes..he sent me the wonderfull magazines,accesories and support me in all the ways you can imagine..even how to rewind a mic!!(and Scotty too) One day he show me the forum ( I guess he was tired of me ,ha ha).And the only thing I can say is:Is the better forum in the world,here is all the information you need and the best people to talk about our passion...imagine me here alone ....now I fell in good company! Thanks b0b

Bill Fuentes · Post by **Bill Fuentes** » 26 Jul 2006 8:47 am

Fuel for the fire within

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 26 Jul 2006 8:50 am

The forum has taught me that no matter how many goodies/courses/tunes/effects/tabs/etc. that I buy, I still gotta practise... You can't buy experience.
But, the wealth of experience I've been given access to could never happen to this "geographically challenged" steeler otherwise. For this I am supremely grateful to b0b.
I mean it just makes me feel kinda really appreciative when a fellow forumite teaches me something from their postings. And, boy, do I have a lot to learn...
And, I have learned more about possums and banj@s than I ever thought I would know

[This message was edited by Ray Minich on 26 July 2006 at 09:53 AM.]

Jim Walker · Post by **Jim Walker** » 26 Jul 2006 9:42 am

It would be a whole lot easier to say what it hasn't done for me and my steel playing!

I'm truely greatful for the forum.

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Clark Custom D10 8&5
Fender Steel King
B-bender Telecaster
Line 6 Flextone II Plus
www.jimwalkeronline.com
My Space

[This message was edited by Jim Walker on 26 July 2006 at 10:43 AM.]

Michael Barone · Post by **Michael Barone** » 26 Jul 2006 9:47 am

Thanks to the Forum, I . . .

Found some excellent instruction methods.
Appreciate the history of PSG more.
Have found the right picks, bar, amp, tuning method, copedent & my Tone!
Practice every day.
Have increased my rate of improvement.
Utilize blocking methods more effectively.
Can transfer arrangements from other instruments to PSG easier.
Found the best strings, Jagwire
Can adapt Country, Rock, Blues, Gospel, Liturgical & Jazz on PSG.
Realize that you don’t have to be a speed -picker, but I’m improving here.
Have learned everything I need to know to perform reliable undercarriage work.
Add knees, pedals, splits & half-stops easily.
Am confident that I can replace a changer.
Am proud to declare the PSG my instrument of choice.

Mike

Allan Thompson · Post by **Allan Thompson** » 26 Jul 2006 10:02 am

Far too much to mention in one page. This place is one of the greatest places on earth.

Mark Greenway · Post by **Mark Greenway** » 26 Jul 2006 11:17 am

I am very upset with the Forum. If i thought that i could win this case in a court of law, I would sue you BOB for not letting me know about this site sooner. I became a member, thanks to Alan Rudd, a great player in Leapers Fork, Tn., about 3 months ago. I have learned more about the steel in 3 months than i have in the past 10 years. WOW! What a great thing you have done here. I wish i could find a site like this one that has to do with my second love. AIRPLANES. Thanks from the heart

Anne Giroux · Post by **Anne Giroux** » 26 Jul 2006 12:19 pm

I have to repeat Rick Garrett's comments on it being a God sent blessing. It's an absolutely unbelievable site which also helped me heal from some very rough times. So I guess we can say it's also very therapeutic along with all the other great adjectives. A steel player's dream site. Totally awesome.

No words can really describe my gratitude to b0b as well as all the users. Thank you so very much and bless you all!

Anne Giroux

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 26 Jul 2006 12:40 pm

helped me heal from some very rough times

I'll second that! When you're in the middle of a "rough time", there's nothing like sittin' down and just pouring it all out into a tune like "The Last Letter" or "Cold Cold Heart", or "Don't You Ever Get Tired...".
If it wasn't for b0b I'd still be stuck with only Crazy Arms in my repertoire.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 26 Jul 2006 4:43 pm

Because of this forum...

I've made many good friends...lifetime I imagine

I've learned much about music and musicianship

I've learned much about steel guitar and other instruments

but most importantly......it has provided me with a captive audience for my online antics..

[This message was edited by HowardR on 26 July 2006 at 05:44 PM.]

Pete Young · Post by **Pete Young** » 26 Jul 2006 5:24 pm

Well for me the forum has got me interested in putting some practice time again. I think I was feeling sorry for myself in the fact of no country music here, and no one to play with. I started reading the posts on the forum and began to realize that I was not alone So I joined the forum, put my picks on again and sat down at my guitar I feel good about music again I owe that to the forum and the people on it

Pete Young

Pat Kelly · Post by **Pat Kelly** » 26 Jul 2006 11:12 pm

I'd like to echo Paddy Long's comment. Although Some of you guys in North America may feel isolated (depending on where you live), 16 hr time zone differences and no other steel players in reach makes it really hard. I've been pushing along now for two years and I don't think I would have persevered without the resources I have found in and through the "Forum." Hats off also to the boys in the "Chat Room."

Pat[This message was edited by Pat Kelly on 27 July 2006 at 12:14 AM.]

Colm Chomicky · Post by **Colm Chomicky** » 27 Jul 2006 4:35 am

Put me in touch with a great group of people. I have had the pleasure of being able to see some of you play on your native turf in various bars that I normally wouldn't have ventured in

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 27 Jul 2006 4:45 am

I got hooked up with what has become an unofficial band of Fender 400 and 1000 players; rebuilt two guitars, one essentially from scratch; somehow become some sort of "guru" on cable-pull Fenders (not of my own doing) which allows me to to give back, which I'm glad to do since SO many people have helped me....and I have made some friends I'm absolutely sure will be lifelong.

And one of these days through the help of the forum and contacts made here, I will reach the point where I feel I can actually PLAY these crazy gadgets!

b0b, by creating this joint, saved this middle-aged musician's musical life which was cut short by injury. I don't know where I'd be without it. It can be frustrating being a beginner again....but it makes me wonder why I didn't head this way a LONG time ago!!!

Roger Snively · Post by **Roger Snively** » 27 Jul 2006 7:23 am

There are guys and gals on this Forum whom I have never met or even contacted, but I feel I know every one of them, and consider them friends. I touch this forum every day (a number of times a day). If you have a question,problem or something you don't understand, just post it and someone out there knows the answer and is more than willing to help you out. Thanks b0b for creating this and being a friend to all.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 27 Jul 2006 8:19 am

The Forum has enabled me to re-connect with many of my past associates in the music arena, many of them from years in the past; and to enable me to make many new friends that I would not have known personally otherwise.

.......thank you b0b for your efforts and dedication in sponsoring this Forum.

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<img height=100 width=70 src=http://genejones.bizland.com/Scan10095.jpg>
www.genejones.com

[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 01 August 2006 at 04:46 AM.]

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 27 Jul 2006 9:17 am

before this forum, I was a slave to the dreaded Association Of Losers, and their internal steel guitar board, but since this forum usurped that one, I've been free to change servers.

I think ALL the AOL music boards are gone now.

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Warning: I have a telecaster and I'm not afraid to use it.
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My web site

Anne Giroux · Post by **Anne Giroux** » 27 Jul 2006 3:31 pm

I might have missed the info on this but just curious to know what year this great Forum began.

Don Barnhardt · Post by **Don Barnhardt** » 27 Jul 2006 4:53 pm

When I first began playing steel I even had to figure out the basic chords for myself. I knew three other steel players and it was slow ....... After a forty year layoff it still amazes me the wealth of knowledge available for players today. The internet in general and this forum in particular have really helped me get back in the picture. With this many players to call on someone always has a solution to any problem.