The Steel Guitar Forum

Ben Jones wrote:See Daniel? lotsa work for you here i town once you get up and runnin. We cant let these guys hog all the gigs

That's what I'm hoping for!

Jon Hyde wrote:You know what you would probably like is the band Japancakes. Have you heard them? They are from Atlanta and they are kind of ambient steel based instrumentals. Super cool and super melodic. Not as effect-y as Lanois can sometimes get (ain't knocking it) but same kind of calm vibe. I love their CD "Waking Hours" and also "The Sleepy Strange". Their steeler John Neff is so good

I have heard them, but only their cover album of MBV's Loveless. I forgot that they do use the steel. Awesome! More music to buy and listen to!

I've also recently heard an instrumental post-rock/metal band called Red Sparrows that have a PSG.

Jon Hyde wrote:You know what you would probably like is the band Japancakes. Have you heard them? They are from Atlanta and they are kind of ambient steel based instrumentals. Super cool and super melodic. Not as effect-y as Lanois can sometimes get (ain't knocking it) but same kind of calm vibe. I love their CD "Waking Hours" and also "The Sleepy Strange". Their steeler John Neff is so good

Yes. John Neff is also the steeler for the Drive By Truckers whose newest album is excellent. Im a fan.

Daniel I'll check on it,,can you download from cd baby? I think its there

I had a cool CD a few years ago, that I've since lost, by the Brian Blade Fellowship that had steel all over it. It was really different for a record with steel on it. Anybody know what I'm talking about? I'd like to find it again.

Rick

Rick Hulett wrote:I had a cool CD a few years ago, that I've since lost, by the Brian Blade Fellowship that had steel all over it. It was really different for a record with steel on it. Anybody know what I'm talking about? I'd like to find it again.

Rick

Brian Blade is Lanois' current drummer. I think it's just his self titled album, produced by Lanois.

Steve Norman wrote:Daniel I'll check on it,,can you download from cd baby? I think its there

I'll check cd baby today - thanks.

I really like what I heard on her Myspace page.

thanks! I do all the dobro mando and steel work on "when your feet hit the stars". Some guitar and banjo work of mine on that as well. Live I just play steel as she has a full band now.

If you like that style I do some lap steel on the Sneaky Thieves album "accidents" as well,, which is along the same lines as Carries stuff.


plug plug plug

Steel has a lot of cool sounds outside of country and rock, tho I LOVE classic country, my playing style is more ambient.

Look forward to meeting you. When you get your steel in let me know,, there has been talk of a meet up of steel players in Seattle, or Bremerton. we can steel licks and break strings!

Steve Norman wrote: Look forward to meeting you. When you get your steel in let me know,, there has been talk of a meet up of steel players in Seattle, or Bremerton. we can steel licks and break strings!

Awesome - plug away man!

I am just devouring all the steel music I can write now.

A meet up will be cool. Although, I think I'll be better at steeling strings and breaking licks.

My guitar is done, and it is shipping out to me next week!

Awesome.

Just thought I'd share the good news.

Daniel Davis wrote:My guitar is done, and it is shipping out to me next week!

Awesome.

Just thought I'd share the good news.

thats great news. let us know when you get it, post some pictures of it...share the love!

Congratulations Daniel, can't wait to see it and hear it...
Jon

Well, after what seemed like forever, I finally got my steel yesterday.







It sounds great, even if the player really sucks.



I had no idea how hot the pick-ups were on these thing, but damn does it sizzle.

Now...to learn how to play it. I can tell it is going to be the most challenging instrument I've ever played. It's like learning the guitar, piano, and drums - all at the same time.

It's going to be worth it though.

Nice! What amp are you using? I know you probably dont want to buy anything else,,but nashville 112s really are good at taming steel pickups.

Let me know if you want to borrow that DVD I mentioned..

Steve

I am using a Line 6, and I have a small Vox Pathfinder. I know - not "official" steel amps, but I love them both. The Line 6 especially. It is versatile, and great for recording. It sounds great going through the Line 6 Clean simulator, and the JC sim also sounds pretty good.

I also ran it though a Turbo Rat tonight, and damn did thing ever wail!

I would love to borrow that DVD.

Hey congratulations Daniel. Looks good! You're going to have a lot of fun with that guitar!

Daniel Davis wrote:I am using a Line 6, and I have a small Vox Pathfinder. I know - not "official" steel amps, but I love them both. The Line 6 especially. It is versatile, and great for recording. It sounds great going through the Line 6 Clean simulator, and the JC sim also sounds pretty good.

I also ran it though a Turbo Rat tonight, and damn did thing ever wail!

I would love to borrow that DVD.

Hey Daniel;
What type of Line 6 POD are you using?
Isn't the Vox Pathfinder a small 8" open back speaker?
Thanks
Steve
Sorry to hijack the thread.

Steve Hotra wrote: Hey Daniel;
What type of Line 6 POD are you using?
Isn't the Vox Pathfinder a small 8" open back speaker?
Thanks
Steve
Sorry to hijack the thread.

I'm using a Line 6 combo amp - a Flextone II. The heads of their combo amps are pretty much the same thing as the PODs, minus some of the functionality. I love Line 6 products.

And yes, the Vox Pathfinder is the small 8". Such a killer little amp. Add a bit of reverb and mic it, and it sounds amazing.

By the way, I am starting to get a grasp on the steel, and how the chords are clustered. I went ahead and folded up three of the knee levers - LKL, RKL and RKR - so I could focus more on the three pedals and the single knee lever. With these, I am able to play some nice chord progressions, and some of my music theory - which has been long forgotten since college - is coming back.

Every once in a while I will hit a perfect combination of notes, pedals, and slide that will make a truly authentic pedal steel sound. It is both beautiful and frustrating.

Look out you may have caught the disease. No known cure.

Daniel Davis wrote:I went ahead and folded up three of the knee levers - LKL, RKL and RKR - so I could focus more on the three pedals and the single knee lever.

I'd put the LKL (if it raises the E's to F) back down for this reason:

Strings 6-5-4

3rd fret, A+B pedals = C major
4th fret, LKL+A = F major
3rd fret, open = G major
3rd fret, A+B pedals = C major

Also
3rd fret, A+B = Cmajor
4th fret, LKL+A = Fmajor
6th fret, LKL+A = Gmajor
8th fret, open = Cmajor

Leave em down and get used to having your legs in them. I can guarantee you'll be using them all in awhile. Its good to learn they are there if only to keep from accidentally engaging them with your v ped leg. I got your PM and will get that to you when I can,,I have a pretty busy schedule for the rest of the month.

I can also tell you this,,I really had little interest in classic country stuff when I started,,now its just about all I listen to. Your screwed my friend!

Twayn Williams wrote: Strings 6-5-4

3rd fret, A+B pedals = C major
4th fret, LKL+A = F major
3rd fret, open = G major
3rd fret, A+B pedals = C major

Also
3rd fret, A+B = Cmajor
4th fret, LKL+A = Fmajor
6th fret, LKL+A = Gmajor
8th fret, open = Cmajor

Nice!

I need stuff like this...

*print*

Thanks.

Steve Norman wrote: I can also tell you this,,I really had little interest in classic country stuff when I started,,now its just about all I listen to. Your screwed my friend!

I know...

I keep teasing my wife that I'm gonna join a country band, and it would motivate me to practice more if she would leave and take our two dogs with her.

I might even start drinking light beer!