Tuner and Footpedal

[Jim Dickinson]

As I now have a steel coming in the mail. I realive I need some more stuff to make it go.

What is your advice on inexpensive, but usable, electronic string tuner, so I can tell if it's on pitch, and a volume foot pedal. Neither have to be vintage,classic, or classy, just have to work. I await youe advice. Jim

[Brad Bechtel]

I've been using an Intelli IMT-500 clip on tuner for both electric and acoustic steel guitars. It works very well, handles chromatic notes with ease, and is very affordable.

The Ernie Ball volume pedal is a very inexpensive way to get started. I used one for several decades, but switched to a Goodrich L10K when I bought a pedal steel. I would caution against starting out with a volume pedal, though. Learn to play without one and ease in to using one as you become more familiar with the guitar.

[Twayn Williams]

Do you have an amp? Since you asked about a volume pedal, I'll have to assume you're getting an electric lap steel as opposed to a resonator.

Also, (just a personal pet peeve on mine!) using the words "foot pedal" is a total redundancy. After all, there's no such thing as a "hand pedal"!

[Jim Dickinson]

I am getting a project Dual neck Stringmaster which i can get going ASAP on one neck, a well as what I think is an early Dual pro 8 that works.

I have several amps I can use, I think I'll start out using one of the old ALTEC 342Bs I have, 35 watts, 2 6550 tubes in output, 12Ax7s on the input side, 4 inputs- small vintage 50s PA amp, it's Green. I will take out the LoZ input transformers and run the steel in direct.These old things sound nice, might be too clean, but I once loaned one years ago to a local steel player to use when we had his amp in for repair, and he liked it. For the Speaker I will use a 12" ALTEC 417-8A in a beat up open back Fender Cabinet a friend gave me. The 417 is a bit bright, but, I think it ought to work, what do you think?

I also have 100W/4 input Toa PA head I can use, as well as some other stuff. A friend of mine borrowed the TOA a couple of months ago and used it for a bass amp at a wedding, said it worked fine.

In case you are wondering, I am an old ALTEC guy, our Company used their products in sound systems and installations until they were merged out of business. Now all that's left is the name, on Chinese made Ceiling and Computer Speakers, sad.

http://www.altecpro.com/pdfs/vintage/El ... Manual.pdf
Jim

[Twayn Williams]

Wow, sounds like you have some really neat amplification options going on! They oughta sound great with those fenders.

[Jim Dickinson]

Twayn.

I am curious, what is a Primitive Utility Steel? I have never heard of that make. Jim

[Twayn Williams]

Twayn.

I am curious, what is a Primitive Utility Steel? I have never heard of that make. Jim

It's how I play, not the brand of steel I play

It really applies to how I approach PSG. I play swing on the lap steel which is neither primitive nor utility.

[Matt Berg]

As I now have a steel coming in the mail. I realive I need some more stuff to make it go.

What is your advice on inexpensive, but usable, electronic string tuner, so I can tell if it's on pitch, and a volume foot pedal. Neither have to be vintage,classic, or classy, just have to work. I await youe advice. Jim

A budget solution is to buy a Korg AX3G FX processor which includes a tuner, and a CV volume pedal like a Behringer. This is not a purist approach, but you can have the whole rig for about $80, and although the amp modeling is atrocious and the distortion sounds aren't much either, you can use the Korg to get some decent yet subtle digital delay as well as a bypass chromatic tuner. This works for me so far...