The Steel Guitar Forum

Well I must say that I think a fine undercarriage is some of the most beautiful and amazing eye-candy that a PSG has to offer. Don't be shy!

After playing those HOT licks you need that open ventilation to cool the guitar off!

I don't want to hijack but I don't want to split the thread ....

Can people post pictures of the famous pedal steel "drapes" or covers that some of the ancient fathers used?

Like on the cover on the front of my Speedy West/Jimmy Bryant album (Travellin' From Georgia To West Of Samoa) where Speedy has a bit of what looks like thick carpet down the front of his Fender, with "Speedy West" in an an embroidered diamond.

Perhaps this will lead to a discussion of why that fashion never persisited. I suppose it started because other sit-down orchestra players would sometimes cover their knees (so as not to detract from the performance?) ...

Some early pedal steels had built in wooden screens?

Of course, If your undercarrage looks like this(see below), you might want to cover it up.
By the way, thanx for the Kind words, Tony.

Wear a skirt, or short-shorts, and no one will see the under carriage. Especially when you hit the LKL, and RKR. Really, I think the undercarriage should be seen.

James Morehead wrote:Of course, If your undercarrage looks like this(see below), you might want to cover it up.

James: without an undercover your bright shiny mechanism will eventually look like your dusty one...

Alan Brookes wrote:
James: without an undercover your bright shiny mechanism will eventually look like your dusty one...

Not under MY watch and care, it won't!!

I'm with Tony, too.

I like the fact people can see the underbelly. I like looking at it too.

More than topside, the underside really demonstrates the intricacies and complexion of the steel.

Seeing it, I think, just adds more 'awe' and 'wow' value to an already loved, yet very misunderstood instrument.

I always liked peering into a grand piano, when the cover was up. It's simply fascinating.(Who came up with this? Wow?)

Chip Fossa wrote:...I like the fact people can see the underbelly. I like looking at it too.
...

If the body were made of Perspex, you would be able to see the innerds from any angle.

Alan Brookes wrote:

Chip Fossa wrote:...I like the fact people can see the underbelly. I like looking at it too.
...

If the body were made of Perspex, you would be able to see the innerds from any angle.

Well Alan, if they can get it in birdseye, I'm in!!

Thanks Alan, for your input.

But, I have no idea what 'perspex' is or means.

So, I'm not sure if you, you rascal, are poking me in the eye, or are serious about what you mean to say.

I could look up "perspex", but I'm gonna let you tell me what it is. I am interested.

Is it related to being perspicacious? or being persnickety? or to perspiring?

Percieving. I think.

Did I spell that corectly?

Am I still hear?

Yuk Yuk, everbody.

Jim Cohen wrote:Is it related to being perspicacious? or being persnickety?

Or perplexed?

The problem can best be solved with the subtle eloquence of fringe to bring out ones feminine side yet vulgar enough to imply wealth and masculinity.

Chip Fossa wrote:Thanks Alan, for your input.
But, I have no idea what 'perspex' is or means...

http://www.perspexdistribution.com/
It's a brand name, which is why I capitalized it. It's basically the same as Plexiglass. It's a very strong, transparent plastic. You can buy it in sheets and make almost anything out of it by cutting and gluing, or, if you're really good, carving, but you have to do a lot of sanding if you carve it or it will go opaque.

Here's a Mellotron made of Perspex. You can imagine how a pedal steel would look...

Here's a photo of the underside on my Rickenbacker:



And the top:



Sorry about the shaky camera work.

I think they should make the front hinged so whe you needed/wante to tinker you just flip it up an start to work.

Notice that the side panel on the Rick is hinged, hiding the pedal tuning mechanism. Both sides look the same when it's set up.

While I can see the point of impressing some people witht he intricasies (sp). Them there drunks in a bar room are only going to be impressed with another round and the best lookig woman left at 2:00A.M. Is don't know much about steels, but Is has been in a barroom or 20 at 2:00Am

Some people even expose the machinery on their player pianos!
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