The Steel Guitar Forum

I promised to do a quick recording of my Clinesmith, so I rounded up the boys (me, myself and I) and recorded a version of Coconut Grove to show off the tone of this fabulous guitar. I played the Clinesmith straight through a Fender Princeton Reverb and mic'd the amp with an SM57, so that may have colored the tone in some way. In fact, all of the instruments were recorded with the SM57, including the American Tourister drums. I sweetened the whole thing with a little reverb.

There are a few weird glitches that I'm not sure how they occurred, but I probably taxed my system by leaving a few other programs open.

Anyway, I hope this gives a good idea of what it sounds like today, under these circumstances. Thanks for listening

Coconut Grove

Nice!

Mike, that guitar has one beautiful tone especially in your talented hands. Awesome!

Very nice Mike. Let's form a band.

Fabulous tone & great touch on the steel, Mike. Really cool!

Great playing Mike.

Fabulous!

Sweet, and nice playing Mike

I like that rendition! The tone ain't bad either.

Maestro Neer

You, yourself and you and the Clinesmith brightened my day. I'm probably lost in the ozone but that sound connected me instantly with the 50s when I was a teenager playing the steel. Of course my playing didn't sound like that, but the pros did. Man that is fine. And you sounded like you, yourself and you and the Clinesmith were all having a great time. Thanks

Richard

Mike,....I remember one of the first times that you played with The Monnlighters at The Living Room.....

You have really made (and making) your musical journey amazing.....

Thanks for sharing Mike. I thought it was very well done.

You have a great sounding guitar there in your Clinesmith and it looks beautifully made too from past pictures you sent us.

Sounds great Mike - I love your harmonic ideas. What tuning are you in?

Mike,

Did you record anything with your D-8 Clinesmith. It would be interesting to hear differences, if any. How do they compare to you?

Steve

That hit me over the head like a falling coconut Mike,___ great.
You might even re-title it COCONUT GROOVE.

Thanks Mike. Very smooth tones! Ya had me floaten',
laying back in the chair, kick-off the flip-flops, and dig my toes in the sand...

Thanks, everyone. I really did enjoy recording this last night. I've got a Kay upright bass, a Dunn guitar and a suitcase and a pair of brushes. I was going to fine the band for lagging on the beat in one section, but then I realized it was all my fault.

Gerald, I'll start a band with you, but only if I can play suitcase drums.

Steve W, I didn't record the D-8 because I didn't have any recording software or an interface. I think the sound was very similar, though.

Steve C--it's C6/A7, which is pretty new to me, but becoming a favorite.

When I listen back to this, it's funny because I've never played the tune, but I've heard a hundred versions of it. Mine has bits of all of them--from Buddy Charleton to Jimmy Day to Jerry Byrd to Garland Nash (who has such a fun version on youtube) and then some.

Anyway, this guitar is really a joy to play.

I really enjoyed it too. The suitcase sounds sweet, what year is it?

Great job,
Made my day with them nice tones and excellent playing.
Thanks for posting that !
Todd

Thanks for the posting Mike....you're the man and that's the guitar...nice drums too.

james

Very nice, Mike. That guitar has a sweet vintage tone. Nice playing too. Thanks for sharing your sound with us.

WOW. Beautiful. Don't know if hearing stuff like that is motivating or depressing

Sounds just great Mike. Are you bringing it with you to Barbes tonight ?

That's really nice, Mike. I love your accompaniment, too. Nice relaxed feel. Key of E? I have a version in C on my website, but after hearing your version, I may have to revisit that. I still have yet to get into C6/A7, but I'll have to spend some time with that, too.

The Clinesmith sounds fine, Mike, and is clearly beautifully crafted. Honestly though, your touch and tone always shines through no matter which guitar you're playing. Great stuff! (Nice band, too!)