potential beginners questions...

Norbert Dengler · From: germany

hi there.
after playin`country and bluegrass music for almost 30 years i`ve always loved the steel guitar.
i play guitar and banjo but always was kinda scared
of the challenge of learning`the pedal steel.

so my questions are:

is there a realistic chance to get a solid level of skill startin at age 46?
what kind of guitar is needed to play real country music (honky tonk, traditional..)
how many pedals and knee levers etc are essential ?
which guitar is recommended?
( i might get a friends sho bud, don`t know model now)

any advices will be appreciated.thanks.

Calvin Walley · From: colorado city colorado, USA

the first answer is YES , you are not to old to learn
as to the pedals and levers you will need 3 pedals & 4 knee levers

any pedal steel will play the music that you want

as far as brand names go ,
the G F I or the Zum stage one, or any pro model will do.

the sho Bud is a great guitar IF its in good condition, if its not i would recommend getting something else
_________________
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

Gary Shepherd · From: Fox, Oklahoma, USA

If you have a friend who's Sho-Bud you could borrow, do it.

Otherwise, get a Carter Starter for $500 and try it out. It will still be worth $500 when you decide to sell it.

I think 46 is not too late and there is plenty of instructional material nowadays to get you off to a good start. Being a guitar and banjo player already will give you a huge head start over someone who is starting with no musical experience.

I'd say 3 pedals and 2 knee levers is the absolute minimum but most guys play 3 and 5. The Carter Starter has enough pulls to keep you leaning for years and they sound good too.
_________________
Gary Shepherd

Carter D-10 & Peavey Nashville 1000

www.16tracks.com

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

Your 5-string pickin' fingers will give you a good head start on many other beginners. You've already established a good brain to fingers connection that many others have to struggle with. Don't wait any longer! Go for it!

Ronnie Boettcher · From: Brunswick Ohio, USA

If you can get that Sho-Bud, GET it. You are not too old for anything. I am 68 and still learn things on my steel. Whatever model that is you can play good country music on it. Where I live, pedal steels are almost extinct. In the early 70's, I found a fender 400. bought it used, played it, and learned a few things on it and 6 months later went to Nashville, to look at different ones, and ordered a new Bud. Still have it today. And play it all the time.
_________________
Sho-Bud LDG, Martin D28, Ome trilogy 5 string banjo, Ibanez 4-string bass, dobro, fiddle, and a tubal cain. Life Member of AFM local 142

Andy Sandoval · From: Bakersfield, California, USA

Your guitar and banjo playin will definitely give you a head start. Lots of new players have a hard time with the picks, your already ahead of them. Lots of new players have to learn how to use chords and how they relate to different keys, your already ahead of them again, GO FOR IT!! Very Happy

Delvin Morgan · From: Lindstrom, Minnesota, USA

46, you're just a kid, you got lots of time to learn this monster. I just turned 61 and got only 2 years into it. Oh,yeah I love it.
_________________
Williams S-12,Nashville-112, VK 100 head/Justice 15" BW speaker cab, Peavey Pro-Fex II,5 guitars and a banjo

Jim Walker · From: Headland, AL

Merry Christmas Norbert!

I'm 39 so you got a couple years on me but I've been playing steel 2 years and I'm out gigging every weekend making money now. I spent 15 years on lead guitar and it gave me huge head start.

If you are truly serious, don't waist your time with student or low end guitars. You can find good deals here and there on used S10 or SD10 pro models. A single neck (10 string) with 3 pedals and 5 knee levers will get you everywhere you need to go playing with a good old honky tonk band.

Read some of the interviews and get good advice from some pros. http://www.ilovepedalsteel.com

JW
_________________
Show Pro D10, Session 400

Jerry H. Moore · From: Newnan, GA, USA

I started at fifty and was told by a friend that only geeks and old people played steels. Guess I'm an old geek Shocked

I'm having a ball with it and hope to keep playing till I fall over. I started out late with a band at 42 playing lead guitar. Arthritis has convinced me to sit down and play. I got a steady gig right away. Carter Starters are a good first guitar and you can get one cheap and sell it quick if you don't like steeling. If you aren't in a financial bind go ahead and get a newer guitar with the standard Nashville setup. My second steel was an older Fender 1000 and I feel it held me back. The tab and instructions are for the newer guitars. I play a 70's Sho Bud and love it but it had issues when I got it so get one that's ready to play if you can. GOOD LUCK

Andy Jones · From: Mississippi

I started at 53 after playing bluegrass banjo and guitar for 35 years.I don't care what anybody says,If you have the desire to play,you can do it.You may never be great but you can learn to play well enough to be happy.That's what matters to me.

A. J. Schobert · From: Cincinnati, Ohio,

Norbert do you have anyone that can give you lessons?

If you have a teacher then I would encourage you to give it a shot, if you don't then I would have to be realistic with myself as you would be limited to video, sheet music, cd courses. This will be tough to learn on your own, where as a teacher will speed things up alot.

If you can't get help to learn how to play it, I would probably sit out, MO.

If you still want to learn then buy some courses that you think you would like and get your steel set-up based around those courses.

I think you should set a budget and stick to it.

Norbert Dengler · From: germany

you guys are great! thanks for the kind words and useful advices.
jim, if i can play the " two dollars...-song" on your
myspace site in two years i`ll offer you a case of the finest german beer! great tune!

i guess i can count myself to the good pickers over here but
the level of musicianship in country music is generally lower in europe than it is in the states of course.
that makes it hard to find people to learn from or to get inspired of.
on the other hand the ones who stick with that type of music and endure are often real good guys.

i think i`ll borrow my friends sho -bud and give it a try.

David LeBlanc · From: New Brunswick, Canada

If youre asking,then you`ve got the bug. Smile

I`ve been at it for 2-3 years and love it.Be careful.It`s very adictive Very Happy

Good luck on you`re adventure. Very Happy

Louis Vallee · From: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Hi Norbert,

You are not to old to learn. If you have the desire to play, you can do it...

The GFI S10-SM it's a good student guitar, because it's the same "Bell Cranks" system that the pro and you have the possibility to add more lever.

Good Luck
_________________
Louis

'08 Magnum D-10 8&5 * Hilton VP * Lemay MK-1 * Peavey NV 1000 * Rick Johnson Cabs * Walker Seat.

Joe Drivdahl · From: Montana, USA

Norbert,
I agree with everyone here but A.J. You are not too old to start. You have got some good experience under your belt playing guitar and banjo and you can handle the E9 neck. To begin with, you will struggle with bar control and volume pedal control more than anything else probably.

Get yourself an SD10 rather than a single neck 10 string. The padded back neck is a great thing to have. Get a good volume pedal. I recommend a Hilton, but they are expensive. Look on Bobbe's web site for a used SD10 GFI. I love my GFI. I'd steer clear of student models because they are limited and once you figure out you want to continue playing, you'll find you have to trade up anyway. You might as well get a professional model to begin with, with at least 3 pedals and 4 knees. Shop around. Get someone who knows about steels to help you pick one out if you can.

Good luck!

Joe

John Coffman · From: Wharton,Texas USA

The only thing that will hold you back is between your ears. Set goals and work toward them. Best of luck
_________________
ShowPro SD10, Mullens RP, Bose S1 Pro, GK MB200, MB500, Bugera T50 Tube amp with SlidgeRig, TC HOF reverb effect.

Joe Drivdahl · From: Montana, USA

Hey Norbert,

I know I said look for an SD10, but this might be a heck of a good guitar. MSA

Joe

Norbert Dengler · From: germany

thanks joe, what model is the msa?

Joe Drivdahl · From: Montana, USA

Norbert,
Its a Classic but I have no idea what year. I guess you'd have to give Bobbe a call.

Joe

Jim Manley · From: bremerton Washington, USA

I am turning 49 and cant even play a 6 string let alone banjo but in the year i have been learning the steel i have made great strides,so much that i started with a Carter Starter (which I would give hi marks)I just moved up to a new D10 Fessy which has a lot to teach me.I personally feel it is the will and drive to learn.The pedal is a hard one to learn but if it was easy everyone would be playing it and i like to be in the group that is on the challenger side!I think i will learn the 6 string if i ever find the time!It is a true fun adventure if you're heart and soul is in it.
_________________
fessenden d10,nashville 112,nashville 1000,peavey session 500,transtubefex,goodrich steeldriver 111,Gibson hound dog dobro,Appalacian resonator guitar.Marshall AS50D acoustic amp,Fishman Jerry Douglas imaging pedal.

Forum Index > Pedal Steel		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic