That Fender Dual Professional Tone

Gibson Hartwell · Post by **Gibson Hartwell** » 27 Apr 2006 6:04 am

I was working on some mixing the other night. We had recorded this session months ago and I hadn't had a chance to listen to it real closely. The tone coming out of the Fender steel caught me by suprise. It usually sounds good of course (by itself, my playing is a different matter), but we happenned across one of those days where we got lucky with the amp combo/mic placement, sun angle, refrigerator noise etc. A bandmate described it as a freight train screaming towards you

. I'd love to post a soundbite clip, but I'm not sure how to do it.[This message was edited by Gibson Hartwell on 27 April 2006 at 07:07 AM.]

Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 27 Apr 2006 8:45 pm

A bandmate described it as a freight train screaming towards you

Were you recording "The Orange Blossom Special"?

I play Hawaiian on the Dual Pro. It' a great steel guitar.

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 28 Apr 2006 7:05 am

Hey Gibson, I'd sure like to hear that Fender, if you have a sound bite you can email to me I'd be happy to post it here for you.

Gibson Hartwell · Post by **Gibson Hartwell** » 28 Apr 2006 4:30 pm

No, this was a Tom Waits cover called, "Glad That Your Gone." Andy, I'll get a file to you.

Darryl Hattenhauer · Post by **Darryl Hattenhauer** » 28 Apr 2006 10:08 pm

Rick,

Are Dual Pros usually not used for Hawaiian?

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"Drinking up the future, and living down the past"--unknown singer in Phoenix

Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 29 Apr 2006 8:24 am

Darryl, I'm unsure about how many players prefer a Fender Dual Pro for Hawaiian. I don't see very many Hawaiian players playing them.

In my attempt to cultivate my own style, I play a modified version of Jerry Byrd's arrangements with a "more trebley" sound. Some of it sounds unique.

Mike Auldridge · Post by **Mike Auldridge** » 3 May 2006 2:17 pm

Darryl

How do the two guitars, the Stringmaster and the Dual 8 Pro, compare in value and rarity?
In your opinion, is there an advantage to the long scale or short scale? I'm asking this for my brother Tommy, who is interested in finding a vintage steel.
Thanks.

Howard Parker · Post by **Howard Parker** » 3 May 2006 2:38 pm

My impressions were that the Stringmasters had a more subtle/modern tone, similar to pedal steel.

I've got a 52' Fender Custom (3 neck version of the Dual Pro). Nothing "subtle" to my ears about that tone. It's all big and in my face...at least my ears and my face.

So, Tommy wants a console, eh Mike?

Sounds like trouble to me

HowardP

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Howard Parker
poobah@resoguit.com
www.resoguit.com
ListOwner RESOGUIT-L
03' Carter D-10

Dana Duplan · Post by **Dana Duplan** » 3 May 2006 3:49 pm

I love both, but at the end of the day, I'd take a Stringmaster. I prefer the playability, longer scale (my preference for 24 1/2"), and ergonomics (no big pickup that can get in the way). I also like that the blend control allows for more tonal variety. That said, I love both!
DD

John McGann · Post by **John McGann** » 5 May 2006 5:38 am

Opinions vary like crazy depending on the scale length etc. I have a nice Dual Pro that I love- the Stringmasters I've played are fantastic too...the Stringmasters are maybe a bit more "hi-fi" sounding.

The long scales sound great but are difficult for slants in the lower positions.

I run my '54 Dual Pro into a '56 Tweed Princeton and they are made for each other. Of course, I don't play it too loud or it goes into Junior Barnard meets Hendrix! (Not always a bad thing...)

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http://www.johnmcgann.com
Info for musicians, transcribers, technique tips and fun stuff. Joaquin Murphey transcription book, Rhythm Tuneup DVD and more...

[This message was edited by John McGann on 05 May 2006 at 06:40 AM.]

Gibson Hartwell · Post by **Gibson Hartwell** » 8 Sep 2006 7:14 am

Here it is. I'm finally getting to posting this. My MP3 is huge (not a long song, just don't know how to make em smaller!) and I'm not sure how to do this.

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 8 Sep 2006 9:57 am

Gibson, email me the mp3 and I'll convert it to a smaller file size and post it for you...I'm dyin to hear this sound.

Gibson Hartwell · Post by **Gibson Hartwell** » 8 Sep 2006 11:29 am

Dying? Ah, man. I hope it lives up to your expectations. Like I said, the tone I'm still happy with, the playing...eh.

John Rosett · Post by **John Rosett** » 9 Sep 2006 7:37 am

don't sell yourself short, gibson. you're definately the best steel guitarist in missoula.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 9 Sep 2006 11:44 am

I've got both, and though I dig the sound of the Dual Pro, I play the Stringmaster out. The size and placement of the trap pickups limit playing above the 15 fret for me, and I have tiny hands. It's simply too difficult to play in Joaquin-land on those guitars.

Since you rest your hands over the pu's on a SM, the 22.5" scale still gives plenty of room above F15

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 9 Sep 2006 11:05 pm

Gibson, here's the tune you sent me to post. I really like the sound of the steel and I think you guys did a great job coverin this tune. Pancho's Lament BTW, what tuning are you using on this tune?[This message was edited by Andy Sandoval on 10 September 2006 at 12:24 AM.]

Gibson Hartwell · Post by **Gibson Hartwell** » 10 Sep 2006 9:47 am

Andy-That's A6.

John-Maybe the best in Missoula since you left town, and since I'm the only steeler playin' out in this town right now! But hey, thanks for the plug anyway, pal. I sure do wish I could go out on my nights off to hear the steel.

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 10 Sep 2006 10:17 am

I love the backup’s the steel work. One question however, am I way out in left field with this or does that steel not have a strong Hawaiian steel overtone to it?

I do however, love the deep mellow tone you got out of that thing without a doubt.
[This message was edited by Les Anderson on 10 September 2006 at 11:18 AM.]