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Topic: MSA Superslide vs. Sierra Laptop |
Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 14 May 2007 7:12 am |
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Does anyone have a direct hands on knowledge of both guitars? I own a Sierra Laptop and I'm wanting another similar instrument. I plan on replacing a Stringmaster with a second modern steel. I love the Sierra whereas I've never been able to bond with the Stringmasters I've owned. I even love the sound of the George L pickup. I'm not playing any old-time music on these instruments, so keep this in mind. Thanks.
BTW, I'm interested in things such as weight, etc. as well as tone.
PS: If anyone is interesting in trading for a Stringmaster (1962, D-8, blonde, 24" scale), let's talk.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Bill McCloskey
From:
Nanuet, NY
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Posted 14 May 2007 12:52 pm
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| ABout 2 years ago, HowardR and I hosted a slide off comparing the Sierra vs the Superslide. You should be able to access the results from the archives. thread was entitled something like "Slide Off" |
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Bill McCloskey
From:
Nanuet, NY
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Posted 14 May 2007 12:53 pm
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| Also HowardR owns both now, so he can probably provide a more detailed hands on comparison. |
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Dave Burr
From:
League City, TX
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Michael Johnstone
From:
Sylmar,Ca. USA
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Posted 14 May 2007 4:15 pm
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They're both fine axes and I've played them both as well as a Georgeboard but CruzTones have far and away more character,twang,string seperation and just plain tone.At present Colin is just making 6 and 8 stringers but a little bird tells me a 10 stringer and a doubleneck is in the works.They really are worth serious consideration.For pure personal playing pleasure I'd have to say it beats my Stringmasters.
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 14 May 2007 5:03 pm
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Well, I had some correspondence with Colin today on this very same topic.
Thanks for your responses, I'll check in with my pal Howard.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Michael Papenburg
From:
Oakland, CA
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Posted 14 May 2007 7:19 pm
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| Does anyone have any recorded clips using either instrument? I've heard a lot about them but haven't actually heard them. |
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Gary Lynch
From:
Creston, California, USA
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Posted 15 May 2007 12:59 am
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"CruzTones have far and away more character,twang,string seperation and just plain tone."
Twang? What's that? |
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Randy Cordle
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 15 May 2007 4:37 am
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"Twang? What's that?"
I might be mistaken, but I think it's what the astwenauts dwink.
(Sorry for butting in...)
_________________
www.Bluestemstrings.com |
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Gary Lynch
From:
Creston, California, USA
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Posted 15 May 2007 5:46 am
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| I'd like to have a 'Twang' switch. I noticed on Sneaky Pete's steel guitar he invented many sound/tone gizmos and the top of his instrument was loaded with toggles and knobs. He could really pump out some interesting sounds. |
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Michael Johnstone
From:
Sylmar,Ca. USA
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Posted 15 May 2007 8:10 am
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| Twang is a growling but sweet treble edge on the wound strings without the unwound strings sounding shrill. It contributes to string seperation which is the sonic boundries from string to string that let each note in a chord stand out with distinction.It's a highly desirable tonal attribute,hard to come by and mostly a by-product of I'd say 75% pickup design and 25% body and bridge design/material.You can't create it with EQ if it's not inherently there.Some steels have no twang,some have some and a precious few have it in spades - namely Fender Stringmasters,Rickys with horseshoe pickups and CruzTones. |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 15 May 2007 6:30 pm
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Mike........Bill & I compared 12 stringers, same tuning, same amp & settings........the SuperSlide had a clearer sound with better string separation. The Sierra sounded muddy on the lower end and even changing the amp settings couldn't rivel the SS.
You're welcome to play my double SS.....one 9 string neck & one 8 string neck....... |
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Alan Kirk
From:
Scotia, CA, USA
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Posted 15 May 2007 10:08 pm
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Sometimes a guitar will sound lousy through one amp but great through another, and vice versa.
_________________
Everyone in the world has two jobs: 1) whatever they do for a living; and 2) music critic. |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 16 May 2007 9:34 am
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You are right about that Alan. Some guitars just seem to like certain amps, and really come thru on them. I have a bunch of guitars and amps, and have to choose the right combination to get "the good sound" 
Regards BILL |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 16 May 2007 9:38 am
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Well, I've got a tube Standel and a blackface Showman with a JBL D-130F. If it doesn't sound good through those, there's no chance for it.
Really, I'll guess I'll just have to visit Howard. Hey, Howard, I'll buy you lunch one day soon.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 16 May 2007 11:45 am
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| Mike.......I keep a Nashville 112 at work.....if you want to drop in with your sierra, I'll bring my SS in and you can have your way with both..... |
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Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 16 May 2007 2:56 pm
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| Quote: |
| Some guitars just seem to like certain amps, and really come thru on them. I have a bunch of guitars and amps, and have to choose the right combination to get "the good sound |
Well, I learned something new. 
Steel guitars are like people - FINICKY!!!! 
Aloha, 
Don |
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James Quackenbush
From:
Pomona, New York, USA
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Posted 20 May 2007 1:01 pm
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Mike,
Having played both , the Sierra with the stock pickup ( George L ) is much darker sounding than the S.S. ...The S.S. is voiced better IMHO ...You might want to check out the difference in string to string measurement ...I'm not sure what they are on the 12 string S.S. , but it felt very tight to me ...The 8 string may be different ... I have the Sierra 8 string, and I will be changeing out the pickup on it as I'm not terribly fond of the stock pick up...I like the steel just fine, but don't care for the tone of the stock pickup ...and it is muddy next to the S.S. ... I was at the shoot off.... A distictive tone difference to be sure .... Jim |
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David Cook
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 20 May 2007 1:25 pm sierra lap top
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| Hi, I have Sierra 8 lap steel.I didn't really like the George L pickup(too dark). It was good for one thing though. In an attempt to get a single coil sound I tried several things and found out that it sounded better thru a George L cable than a normal guitar cable. So I discovered for myself the difference a cable makes. I later got a Wallace True Tone single coil for the Sierra which I like a lot. It was worth the switch. The Cruz steel sounds very interesting. |
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