Bird's eye view of a fishtailing bar

Eddie Malray · Post by **Eddie Malray** » 18 Apr 2003 6:14 pm

Heres the solution: Simply change out the rear end off your existing bar and install a Posi-Trac.

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 18 Apr 2003 10:07 pm

Eric, you've killed me!
Now what are you going to do about Montee?
Is he related to Bill?

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 19 Apr 2003 12:11 am

I dunno Bob..

I've done all I can do.

Probably play him some ear piercing chromatic jibberish before I turn my gig over to him.

They either fly, or then don't..

EJL

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 19 Apr 2003 2:14 am

Eric W.,

I missed out on the gold rushes of California, and Alaska, but I'm here absorbing the friendly exchanges on The Steel Guitar Forum. I became "hooked" on the steel guitar, when a friend planted one in my living room. He wanted me to have it. It didn't take me long to pay him the bargain price he had offered to me. I sincerely wish that the S.G. Forum exchanges will always remain civil, so that the door will always be open, to express friendship, new ideas, and good fortune by way of opportunities.

Bill H.

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 19 Apr 2003 7:59 am

Yeah, we're mostly civil around here.....WEIRD, but civil.

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 19 Apr 2003 8:22 am

Bill.

Gold Rushes come in all forms.

I worked with a guy whose father developed a radio frequency beaming method to extract mercury from cinnabar. The only problem was that it had to be readjusted for the mass of each piece of ore. It was too time consuming.

This guy thought his "gold mine" was impersonating Kenny Rogers. He did amazingly well, and was cast in the "Legends" show at the Oriental Palace in LV.

His achilles heel showed itself as pedophilia, and he's currently in year 14 of a 40 year sentence in NSP. He won't be paroled this next time either in 2009.

"We don't need no buried Treasure.."- Kenny Rogers-

Keep at it Bill.

You're bound to strike a "vein".

Sounds like you're a candidate for my "Indian Story". One that never quite made "Guideposts".

Civility is over rated.

Thanks for your forbearance, and continued support.

EJL

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 19 Apr 2003 11:38 am

I know how to play "Gold Rush!" But Bobbe, what about those fish?

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 20 Apr 2003 6:02 am

S.G.,

The fishtailing of the steel guitar bar in reality is not simply a laughing matter. To avoid falling into the category of players who slip into the bad habit, try to overcome the awkward, and balky stance that steel guitarists are placed in. To the sharp eye, the stance that a given player assumes,
tells much to the onlooker, of the entertainer's ability. There is little doubt that a perceptive fellow steel guitarist would have a problem sorting out the mediocre player, from the upper echelon group, even in a film with no audio. Every musical instrument is awkward to some degree, and steel guitars could very well head the list. Anyone who has never attempted to play a fretless violin or steel guitar will catch on rather quickly, that in fact, it's not easy to catch on. Once a dedicated musically inclined newcomer has paid his/her dues, then it becomes time to look for the icing on the cake. Tuning inconsistencies, loud volume, too many effects, drifting out of positioning, overriding other lead players, and poor stance, would be
detrimental to the overall popularity of the entertainer.

Bill H.

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 20 Apr 2003 9:54 am

So at the risk of sounding repetitive, may I ask what your solution is?

Did I ask you that already?

Thanks in advance for any reply.

Happy Easter.

He is Risen.

EJL[This message was edited by Eric West on 20 April 2003 at 01:21 PM.]

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 20 Apr 2003 12:24 pm

Bill, after reading your last post regarding fretless violins(?), posture(I know, you call it "stance"), use of effects....
I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!
I'm NOT an entertainer, nor have I ever harbored aspirations of being some costumed, made-over, cartoonish, buffoonish oaf, judged and paid by his ability to maintain a direction set for him by others. Instead, I'm a musician. I have worn a hat, but only to keep my bald head from being sunburned. You "imply" that I lack experience, or that I ignore the(self-percieved)gravity of your posts. Or maybe I'm too sensitive, and I just "inferred" it.
At any rate, continue your posts, however meaningless they may appear to some of us. I used to be a huge Norm Crosby fan, and your musings remind me of some of his monologues.
NOW THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT!

And I'm truly sorry if I really made you mad.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 21 Apr 2003 3:57 am

Eric W.,

I have implied that playing the steel guitar involves a scientific approach, to cope with the problems that a given player experiences at unpredictable intervals. You've read about these truths on this Forum. Why bother to sit on an object a brother is trying to lift, when you're hands are free to assist. I personally enjoy exchanging scientific data which can easily be validated by proffered methods of investigation.

Bill H.

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 21 Apr 2003 5:59 am

[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 21 April 2003 at 06:59 AM.]

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 21 Apr 2003 10:05 am

Well, sometimes I think the term "truth" is a bit overworked.

Also, you have to realise that there are lots of people that no longer allow their answer to "premise loaded" questions to be a tacet endorsement of such. It DOES require effort on the "endorsers'" part, but if put concisely enough, is worth the effort to avoid the patronisation.

More power to you Bill.

Your "angled fretboard is indeed a New Invention". It HAS made me think in different terms, as has the whole exchange.

Your genuinity has passed the Eric West, Angel of Pineal wrestling test.

I bless you.

The LAST thing I EVER want to do is to throw cold water on a forward moving effort.

I merely have endeavored to suggest Three Things to you.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention.

Initiative is The Father.

Simplicity is The Baptist.

I apologize if I am/was sitting on something you were trying to lift.

I wondered what that tugging feeling was.

Anon my friend.

Eric West

The Good News: Christ is Risen.

The Bad News: He's a little pissed about what happened on Friday.

Bob Cox · Post by **Bob Cox** » 22 Apr 2003 6:02 pm

Tanya Tucker can fishtale a car so they say.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 23 Apr 2003 3:37 am

Bob C.,

Hearken to the ways of a gentleman. Always show the utmost respect for the ladies of the world. It would be wise not to trifle with our worldly treasures, lest you set up an avalanche of repercussions.

Bill H.

Bill Myrick · Post by **Bill Myrick** » 23 Apr 2003 4:48 pm

Bobbe-- Leave it to you to come up with a "better mouse trap" (the hinged bar thing) I have tried an Oscar Meyer weiner and was less than impressed with the results. You can bend it substantially and it lacks the offensive odor of the fishtail but flies are bad about blowing it during breaks and I must admit the tones I could get from it was lacking also. A hinged bar !!!! Darn ! Another hulla hoop idea !! That's why I'm not rich !!!

Terry Wendt · Post by **Terry Wendt** » 23 Apr 2003 5:28 pm

But what about the smell?

The smell is coming from what somebody must be smoking!

------------------
PedalSteel.us Magazine

TheEarlyDays.com

and appearing regularly...aLotOfSpace.com
Jimmy Crawford/Russ Hicks... and Buddy Emmons on Bass!

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 23 Apr 2003 10:08 pm

Bill Mrk.,

I have an idea! Why not become the wolverine of the "construction" crew, and hide all the tools? But, remember, first you must find them.
Just a little laughter on this side of town, thank you.

Bill H.