How many don't play guitar ?

About Steel Guitarists and their Music

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John Steele
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Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Renfrew, Ontario, Canada

How many don't play guitar ?

Post by John Steele »

I don't even own a flattop or anything. I've noticed that it seems most steel players have some guitar experience.
How many of us here don't come from 6-string guitar backgrounds ?

-John
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Dan Burnham
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Location: Greenfield, Tennessee
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I Don't

Post by Dan Burnham »

John,
I came from piano. Never liked playing 6 string. I do when I have two.

Dan
BMI S12 Zane Beck's Tuning
www.danburnham.com
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Calvin Walley
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Joined: 11 Sep 2003 12:01 am
Location: colorado city colorado, USA

Post by Calvin Walley »

i never played anything until i bought a steel
this does make it a lot harder at first, but hang in there and you will make it
proud parent of a sailor

Mullen SD-10 /nashville 400
gotta love a Mullen!!!

Guitars that i have owned in order are :
Mullen SD-10,Simmons SD-10,Mullen SD-10,Zum stage one,Carter starter,
Sho-Bud Mavrick
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Brandon Ordoyne
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Joined: 29 Nov 2006 1:01 am
Location: Needville,Texas USA

Post by Brandon Ordoyne »

None here...although I have taught myself to play Crazy Arms on a 6 string acoustic. But that was after I started pickin the steel....:)
'74 Emmons D10 P/P 8x5,'15 Rittenberry D10 8x5, Peavey Nashville 112, 400 & 1000, Fender Twin Reverb Tone Master, Hilton, Goodrich L120, Boss DD-3 and RV-3
Dennis Lee
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Joined: 21 Feb 2006 1:01 am
Location: Forest Grove, Oregon, USA

Experience?

Post by Dennis Lee »

Like Dan, I played some piano, but also played bass guitar for years in a band (by ear). I still relate anything music theory wise to the piano, because that is what I have a mental picture of.
Dan Tyack
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Location: Olympia, WA USA
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Post by Dan Tyack »

The guitar is too hard. It hurts my fingers...
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David Collins
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Location: Madison, North Carolina, USA
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Post by David Collins »

Do Play 6 string reso, but not "spanish" guitar.

I do own an old cheap flattop acoustic, keep it handy for when friends drop by.
David Collins
www.chjoyce.com
Mike Gorsch
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Joined: 13 Feb 2006 1:01 am
Location: Maryland, USA

Post by Mike Gorsch »

I've played acoustic bass for the last 30+ years. Got hooked on the PSG just a couple of years ago and can't seem to get enough.
Charles Davidson
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Joined: 9 Jul 2005 12:01 am
Location: Phenix City Alabama, USA

Post by Charles Davidson »

I know some of you never played guitar,I did over thirty years before I caught the steel fever,Every steel player I know in person did play guitar first,Also only know one bass player that did't start with guitar.
Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC !
jay thompson
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Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: east peoria, il USA

Post by jay thompson »

Played bass for five years and pedal steel for forty nine years. Can recognize chords on a six string, just can't play 'em. Regards, Jay Thompson
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Gord Cole
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Joined: 12 Jan 1999 1:01 am
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Post by Gord Cole »

I tried several times over the years...just couldn't make my fingers reach far enough to get a lot of those necessary chords.
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Richard Sinkler
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Location: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Post by Richard Sinkler »

Played drums before steel. New some chords on guitar but didn't really play.
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, NV400, NV112 . Playing for 53 years and still counting.
A. J. Schobert
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Location: Cincinnati, Ohio,

Post by A. J. Schobert »

I play 6 string for the fact that it is easy to transport, I play my steel alot better and more, but my 6 string guitar is fun.

I just had a truce rod problem, I had to fix today and I really hope it turns out ok.

I read an article about truss rods and in this article the writer said to mark the rod and back it completely out and pull it out, oil it, then thread it back in, this is to help prevent it from breaking as I had to tighten it in a little.
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Antolina
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Location: Dunkirk NY

Post by Antolina »

I sold my 6 string not long ago. Arthritis in my left had made it painful to hold chords.
The only thing better than doing what you love is having someone that loves you enough to let you do it.

Sho~Bud 6139 3+3
Marrs 3+4

RC Antolina
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Sandra Harlor
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Location: Nowra NSW, Australia
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Post by Sandra Harlor »

I learned and have taught classical piano for 27 years. Had a bit of a go at violin but never any guitar at all til now. Love psg and trying hard to get my head around it.
Cheers
Sandra
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Brett Day
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Post by Brett Day »

I strummed a guitar for a little while with one hand, then played piano by ear with one hand from 1995-1999, and in 1999, I moved on to pedal steel. Pedal steel is my main instrument.

Brett
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John Coffman
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Joined: 29 Mar 2005 1:01 am
Location: Wharton,Texas USA

Post by John Coffman »

No music experience at all until lap and pedal steel.
ShowPro SD10, Mullen RP, Bose S1 Pro, GK MB200, MB500, Bugera T50 Tube amp with SlidgeRig, TC HOF reverb effect.
Buddy Elkin
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Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Henderson, KY, USA

Post by Buddy Elkin »

Hi John,

I think keyboard when I play steel.
John McGlothlin

Post by John McGlothlin »

I play 6 string guitar to and for one reason...it is a big help in learing a lot of chords so then I just apply those chords to the pedal steel...beleive me...the regular guitar is a big help in finding chords.
James Bender Jr
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Joined: 23 Aug 2007 4:17 pm
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio USA

Post by James Bender Jr »

I have been drumming for around 14 years now. I just got the PSG bug about 3 months ago and I love it! I still play the drums, but not nearly as much.
Jamie
Edward Meisse
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Joined: 19 Jul 2005 12:01 am
Location: Santa Rosa, California, USA

Post by Edward Meisse »

I can kind of do the basics on standard 6 string guitar. But I don't really play. And I don't own one. One instrument is all I have time for.
Amor vincit omnia
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Doug Seymour
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Location: Jamestown NY USA (deceased)

Post by Doug Seymour »

I got my first guitar in October of 1942, when I was in 8th grade! I bought my first steel, a 6 string lap steel by mail order, in November of 1946 while I was senior at Chautauqua Central School! In between these dates I taught myself to play string bass......
hill-billy style..... still can't read bass clef well enough to keep up!
Shorty Smith
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Joined: 23 Apr 2004 12:01 am
Location: Columbus, Georgia, USA

Post by Shorty Smith »

I played lead Guitar for 20 years, then I bought a Emmon D10 in 1973 and practiced for a few years and it been Steel ever since, my 1970 Telecaster has been in the case now for 25 years and stll looks new
Harry Teachman
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Joined: 19 Feb 2000 1:01 am
Location: South Dartmouth,Massachusetts, USA

Post by Harry Teachman »

Never played guitar, played clarinet in elementary school and Tenor sax in high school. Last year of high school got a Miller 8 string, 3 pedal steel and went from there.
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James Cann
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Location: Phoenix, AZ

Post by James Cann »

Never could do anything with 6-string except to strum chords, and after I learned to barre, 99% of my chords were E, Em, and Am. Could barely barre a decent A. I'm constantly amazed that I can actually pick steel.
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