The Steel Guitar Forum

Recently I played my pedal steel at several gigs in quick succession. I found it more convienent to leave it setup. (assembled) and just transported it upright in the back of my van, without taking it down and putting it in the case.

* I have also found I have fewer tuning problems this way.
* I can set up in half the time, (pack up as well)
* My wife made a nice denim cover for it, that keeps the dust off and offers a fair amount of protection.

Do any of you transport your pedal steel guitars this way?
Of course you have to have a large enough vehicle.

Have I commited the unforgiveable sin against a pedal steel?

Dom Franco
1977 ShoBud LDG

iI haven't packed my steel up in a year of so. I turn it upside down in the case and just carry it in at the job. A whole lot easier. Larry

Dom,
I used to transport my steel set up, but found I done a lot of buffing on my pedal board due to scratches, some scratches on the legs were just there, wouldn't come out. I even had one turn over when I hit the brakes in a panic situation, I'm glad it was just an old junker steel I bought for nearly nothing, but I still didn't like it!
The last 3 steels I've had I allways broke them down and put them in the case, it doesn't take but a few minutes to set it up, and even less to tear it down! It also takes less room in my van to transport it.
I'll continue to transport mine in the case, others need to follow their own thoughts concerning it.

Larry

I used to transport my carter starter by putting it in the back seat of my Subaru station wagon and buckling it in by the back legs. worked a treat. didn't come with a case, anyway.

When I put a lift kit in it, It wouldn't fit in the door anymore!

My bad habits started way back in 1972. My first pedal steel was a used Fender 2000 that was highly modified with 4 homemade knee levers. Every time I broke it down into the two (2) original cases, it took me an hour to set it up again. (bicycle cables, turnbuckles, threaded rod, 1x2"s & nuts and bolts for stops!)

Then it was a bear to tune and adjust the pulls to pitch.

So I made a gigantic case to hold the thing completely set up. Plywood and 2X4"s with big casters and it must have weighed 200 pounds! I traveled all over the USA like that, cross country flights and even up to Alaska.

I finally sold it with the Fender steel when I got my LDG, of course I missed the C6th neck, but the ShoBud plays real smooth, and sets up easier.

Dom

I have friends who carry their guitars setup on the legs. I feel that puts too much pressure on the endplate screws and will loosen the endplates in time. I would much prefer them put it top down in the open case. There would be little or no pressure on the leg mounting system that way.
Jerry

I'm like the Marines. All my instruments get wiped down and packed away after the job. They get wiped down when I take them back out again also. It keeps them in good condition. I havbe seen some really trashed neglected steels.

Ask Eric West.

set-up all the time. It stands right behind the driver seat in my Van when I go to gigs and it is covered. ( I remove the Van Seat ).

No issues ever, and yes you have to be a bit cautious when carrying it around not to hit doorways, cats, shrub, wives etc...

I have been doing this on and off for years, it started way back in the 70's with my D10 Pro III.

t

You don't need a van or truck. I used to lay my Dekley face down on a blanket in the hatch of our Mazda 3. I'd wrap the blanket back over it, then put a couple of bungy cords around the back legs, and connect them to some hooks on the inside walls of the hatch.

Not sure I'd try this with my lacquer Fessenden though!

Dan

I haul mine set up in the back of a van with soft bunggie cords straps to hold it in place. I know it is the lazy way out, but my back says it is Ok. I have never had any problems doing it this way in the last 15 yrs.

Jerry

I haven't packed my steel up in a year of so. I turn it upside down in the case and just carry it in at the job. A whole lot easier. Larry

I would envisage possible problems upside-down.

Whilst touring Ireland with my showband, the roadie sometimes put my steel case in the truck UPSIDEDOWN, (Strings etc. facing down.)
This resulted in the pickup of my Emmons falling apart and the top plate came off with the resultant unwinding of the coil.

Since then I've ALWAYS folded up a beer-mat and placed it between the top of the pickup and the strings.

I leave mine set up all the time. I have a padded tuck and roll cover which I put over it and then put it right into the back of my van and then slide my Walker pack seat (which is also set up) right under it after folding up the knee levers. It sure does cut down the set up time to a minimum. I always leave mine set up in a special music place in my house so it's good for that too. When I return from a gig, I just carry it right to the little rug in the corner, put it in it's place, carry in the pack seat, plug it in and it's ready to go for practice....JH in Va.

My S12U just fits standing up behind the back seat of my minivan. It can't fall over. This makes setting up at the gig and setting up back home so much easier. I have a cover over it and carry it in and out on my shoulder - easy on the back. I've never had any problems with the instrument, and it stays in tune well. I suppose it is vulnerable to a rear end colision. But if I get hit that hard, repairing or replacing the instrument will be the least of my worries. I only break it down for out of town trips.

After my case wore out, I built a carpet covered wood dolly and cover especially for my steel. I had bungie cords from the top to the bottom on each corner. My seat would fit under the steel on the dolly. I transported it and the rest of the band gear in a trailer. Everything was on wheels. I would secure the dolly to the inside of the trailer. We could set up in about 15 minutes. Dom I tend to agree that It seemed I had less tuning problems transporting this way.

I have not used a case for years, I do the cover thing, & lay it down on a rug in the back of the van, setup time is quick & your right, less tuning & messing around with it. As long as your not in any rearenders [accidents] you should be ok. Using the rugs & cover keeps the guitar in nice condition.

Ernie Pollock

My first psg was a piece of crap kit that was impossible to keep in tune and a pain to set up,so I flipped it upside down on the back seat.Put it together one time and never tore it down.
My Blanton is another story,always in the case when transporting it. I can set-up and tune and be ready in 15 mins or less.But it does stay in tune very well.[and has killer tone].Thank you Jerry Blanton. ..PJ

I'm with Kevin Hatton on this. I'm a firm believer in cases.

Even carefully transporting and moving my Zum for almost ten years now I still have inexplicable signs of wear...so does the Zum.... but it's always reliable and no loose parts.

Being a plumber by trade, my Chevy C-20 full-size van has a very heavy-duty diamond-plate style rubber mat that covers the entire cargo floor. I simply lash the steel against the bin racks, it has a a leatherette cover, and I use the softer, colored style bungies (2) to keep it from falling over.

This is definitely the way to go. I've had absolutely no problems
in doing this transport method. My steel is a laquered-finish Williams.

As mentioned above, you just have to be very careful and aware of the legs and not kur-wang them into something.

I wipe mine down everyday , clean and polish it often..and it looks like new..

But I still transport it to the gigs all set-up and ready to rock and roll ..

I sold my previous D10 last year and the fella who bought it couldn't believe how clean it was for a 1997 Steel..no dings, no scratches..not even between the necks...

and that one was transported to gigs set up as well.

t

I am pleasantly surprised by all the responses. I thought I was the only slacker out here not tearing down my steel and putting it in a case when traveling. I thought I would get many flaming notes and be banished to Banjo He** for sure. Thank you all for being gentlemen even when in opposition. This is a high class BBS!

b0b we may be able to consider this CASE closed...

I knew a guy that did that. He also used the space between the necks for an ashtray. It could'nt be turned over, because he did'nt empty it very often. If he's reading this I hope he emails me. I have not heared from him in a long time and he's a great fellow.

i'm wit' Kevin & Dave
i prefer settin' up, wipin', tearin' down & wipin'
what's a case for ?
different strokes fer different folks...

I too have owned several steels since the 70's and have never broken one down after the initial setup unless I moved my residence or sent them for a new change or setup. All I care about is good working mechanics, a good solid sound and make sure it's painted black. My steel is not much to look at but it is a very spirited piece of machinery. I cover it with a fitted quilt and put it in the trunk of my car on it's side. All other equipment fits in the back seat. This has always worked for me no matter the weather or other conditions. It's pretty light to handle also because it's keyless and a U-12.

Ford F350 4 Door, back seat on a piece of carpeted plywood, with steel covered and seat belts for short trips, she goes in the case for long hauls. Still, no sudden stops If I can help it

There, I got that off my chest, "guilty"