| Author |
Topic: New Pedal Steel Player |
Mike Welch
From:
California, USA
|
Posted 1 Dec 2010 11:42 am |
|
Hello,
I've been drawn to the sound of pedal steel guitar for a number of years, and am now looking to pick up my first instrument.
I'm currently drawn to the Sho Bud instruments and have the option to pick up a Maverick locally.
Based on my limited research, I really love the sound and look of the Sho Bud LDG.
Would you recommend the Maverick as a starter instrument? Will I quickly outgrow it? Is the ability to generate beautiful tone equal between the two, or is the setup, pickups, etc., of the LDG vastly better than the beginner Maverick?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated,
Mike |
|
|
|
Thomas Butler
From:
Robbinsdale, MN
|
Posted 1 Dec 2010 12:41 pm
|
|
If you find an LDG that fits your budget buy it. Don't even think twice about it.
_________________
LDG and a Twin Reverb - what more does a guy need? |
|
|
|
Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
|
Posted 1 Dec 2010 12:42 pm
|
|
Mike,
If you search around this forum you will find that your question has been asked and answered many times, with no general agreement. Basically, yes, the Maverick is a beginner's axe, but IMO it will take you a long time (a year?) before you learn enough that a better instrument would sound better. In that time you may change your mind about whether the LDG is the right pro instrument. So if the price is right and the condition is good, the Maverick could be good for you. |
|
|
|
Steve Benson
From:
Massachusetts, USA
|
Posted 1 Dec 2010 12:49 pm you'll need a 3x4
|
|
Hi Mike, You'll love it and learn quick how long the psg road is : ) I'm a noob. Lap steel 8 yrs pedal 2 years. Bottom of the food chain here, but happy to be in this sea at all. 
Bottom line is the copedant or pedal/knee lever set up and condition of the PSG. If she's in good shape (oiled, well taken care of) that is good. Can she play in tune? Pedal knee action smooth?
Then the copedant. 3 on the floor and 4 knees Minimum!
Why??? That's a long thread, but I almost bought a mav out of desperation to get pedals but was glad I followed advice and waited. The f lever (e or I raise) is the modern standard. It makes for the amazing inversions on psg. Nothing else comes close besides a full string section. Trust me save your money, practice on lap and get the LDG that's been treated like a dear child and get at least a 3x4 copedant.
I only know this because of the kind elders here who helped me. I've been looking for "that sound" from age 13. I was not ready till the later years to be worthy to make it.
All the best
_________________
Carter-Magnum S10. Georgeboards S-8 Stealth. Chandler Lap. Peavey Powerslide. Bunch of mandolins. Sitar. Oud. All that and a bag of chips. |
|
|
|
Steve Benson
From:
Massachusetts, USA
|
Posted 1 Dec 2010 12:50 pm you'll need a 3x4
|
|
Hi Mike, You'll love it and learn quick how long the psg road is : ) I'm a noob. Lap steel 8 yrs pedal 2 years. Bottom of the food chain here, but happy to be in this sea at all.
Bottom line is the copedant or pedal/knee lever set up and condition of the PSG. If she's in good shape (oiled, well taken care of) that is good. Can she play in tune? Pedal knee action smooth?
Then the copedant. 3 on the floor and 4 knees Minimum!
Why??? That's a long thread, but I almost bought a mav out of desperation to get pedals but was glad I followed advice and waited. The f lever (e or I raise) is the modern standard. It makes for the amazing inversions on psg. Nothing else comes close besides a full string section. Trust me save your money, practice on lap and get the LDG that's been treated like a dear child and get at least a 3x4 copedant.
I only know this because of the kind elders here who helped me. I've been looking for "that sound" from age 13. I was not ready till the later years to be worthy to make it.
All the best
_________________
Carter-Magnum S10. Georgeboards S-8 Stealth. Chandler Lap. Peavey Powerslide. Bunch of mandolins. Sitar. Oud. All that and a bag of chips. |
|
|
|
Steve Benson
From:
Massachusetts, USA
|
Posted 1 Dec 2010 12:50 pm you'll need a 3x4
|
|
Hi Mike, You'll love it and learn quick how long the psg road is : ) I'm a noob. Lap steel 8 yrs pedal 2 years. Bottom of the food chain here, but happy to be in this sea at all.
Bottom line is the copedant or pedal/knee lever set up and condition of the PSG. If she's in good shape (oiled, well taken care of) that is good. Can she play in tune? Pedal knee action smooth?
Then the copedant. 3 on the floor and 4 knees Minimum!
Why??? That's a long thread, but I almost bought a mav out of desperation to get pedals but was glad I followed advice and waited. The f lever (e or I raise) is the modern standard. It makes for the amazing inversions on psg. Nothing else comes close besides a full string section. Trust me save your money, practice on lap and get the LDG that's been treated like a dear child and get at least a 3x4 copedant.
I only know this because of the kind elders here who helped me. I've been looking for "that sound" from age 13. I was not ready till the later years to be worthy to make it.
All the best
_________________
Carter-Magnum S10. Georgeboards S-8 Stealth. Chandler Lap. Peavey Powerslide. Bunch of mandolins. Sitar. Oud. All that and a bag of chips. |
|
|
|
Greg Cutshaw
From:
Corry, PA, USA
|
Posted 1 Dec 2010 12:55 pm
|
|
I started with a used Emmons double 10 with 8 floor pedals and 7 knees levers when I was seventeen. Within a few months I was using all of them. Your experience might vary. I was no whiz for sure, but even the most novice player will quickly want at least 4 and maybe 5 knee levers on the standard single neck 10 string E9th tuning.
The Sho-Bud LDG is an example of an excellent guitar that could last you a lifetime, not limit your playing in the near future if you do progress rapidly, won't frustrate you mechanically and will provide enough knee levers to allow you to play most of the stuff that will interest you. You will likely also get more enjoyment out of the tone of this professional guitar versus something like a Maverick.
Buying a guitar such as the LDG may save you from having to go through a sell/buy cycle in a few months and all the expense and frustration of that. The LDG will be easy to sell if you decide you don't want to stick with the pedal steel hobby. It can also be easily and professionally upgraded with more floor pedals or knee levers should that interest you in the future.
Greg |
|
|
|
Mike Welch
From:
California, USA
|
Posted 1 Dec 2010 1:03 pm
|
|
Thank you all for your replies.
On the advice of one poster, I've gone back to read all of the previous posts regarding the Maverick. As a guitarist, I love playing a vintage Gibson 335 because of its unique tone and mojo, and because it stays in tune. An instrument such as the Maverick that was made cheaply and does not stay in tune would frustrate me to no end.
I'm looking at the LDG because one of my musical heroes, Daniel Lanois, plays this instrument.
Watching him play here is all the inspiration I need 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9yXDQaX8BI |
|
|
|
Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
|
Posted 1 Dec 2010 2:12 pm
|
|
Hi Mike. Welcome to the steel guitar world. If I may offer a suggestion, get to know some steel players in your area that can help you with your purchase of a steel guitar. Someone that can go with you to inspect it or look at pics of one you are considering.
Experienced players will probably know some conditions that should be avoided when buying a used instrument. |
|
|
|
chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
|
Posted 1 Dec 2010 3:34 pm
|
|
if you can get the maverick for $400 or less it's a very good place to start.
You can make pretty Daniel LeNoise right away! |
|
|
|
Ben Jones
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
|
Posted 1 Dec 2010 4:11 pm
|
|
There have been quite a few Lanois inspired payers passing thru over the past couple years. They dont seem to last long, (or are doing great and just quit posting). My guess is they get frustrated on an E9th tuning because they cant make those strummy noises like Lanois does. Lanois uses a different tuning. You can do a forum search for him and get the skinny on it. I dont think he uses knee levers and maybe only two pedals so you may not need a 3x5 to try your hand at what he does. |
|
|
|
Bobby Snell
From:
Austin, Texas
|
Posted 1 Dec 2010 5:29 pm
|
|
Welcome to the forum, Mike. As an experienced guitarist, you know the importance of good equipment, and also, how your setup affects what you play. If you copy Lanois' setup, you will be on a good track to replicate some of what he does...and as Ben Jones relates, you'll need to have a somewhat different tuning.
The problem with that is you're basically on your own finding out how to play like that, unless you're friends with Mr. Lanois. If you've got good ears, that may not be a problem, just a challenge.
There's considerably more references to traditional methods, which cover a huge sonal territory. If you get serious about learning the instrument, you may not want to re-invent the wheel. |
|
|
|
Leslie Ehrlich
From:
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
|
Posted 1 Dec 2010 6:44 pm
|
|
If one neck is enough, go with the LDG. You're better off starting with a used pro model than to struggle with a student quality instrument.
_________________
Sho-Bud Pro III + Marshall JMP 2204 half stack = good grind! |
|
|
|
Mike Welch
From:
California, USA
|
Posted 1 Dec 2010 6:52 pm
|
|
I'll definitely take your advice and go with pro gear. One thing I've learned is that good musical instruments hold their value, and vintage instruments well cared for might even appreciate a bit. In addition, they bring great joy if you bond with them. In short, I can think of fewer investments better over the long term.
As far as copying Daniel Lanois' style, this would not be my intent. I'm influenced by his sound, and his use of PSG to bring ambiance to music that spans genres.
Now, I patiently await for the right Sho Bud LDG to come on the market. Please let me know if you encounter any for sale that I should consider.
Thank you again for your comments and thoughtful observations! |
|
|
|
Darrell Owens
From:
California, USA
|
Posted 1 Dec 2010 8:47 pm
|
|
Mike,
What part of California are you in?
There are several good players in CA that would be very happy to help you find the right pedal steel, and maybe one or two that would help you learn to play it.
_________________
Zum Steel, Little Walter Amp, Benado Steel Dream
Darrell Owens
www.darrellowens.com |
|
|
|
Matthew Prouty
From:
Warsaw, Poland
|
Posted 1 Dec 2010 9:29 pm
|
|
Mike,
Waste not your time and the abundant pleasure contained within a Maverick, on idle posts of nay sayers. The Maverick is a stepping stone well served in your quest.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/msg/2088065898.html
Rush out and buy it, enjoy yourself, and when the LDG comes along sell it for the same money spent.
Mavericks work great, they are rudimentary but so isn't a Telecaster (excuse the NE dialect)
m. |
|
|
|
Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
|
Posted 2 Dec 2010 1:39 am
|
|
The problem with the Maverick (and some other student guitars as well) is that it only has one knee lever. That's like having a guitar with only 3 frets.
Sooner of later, probably sooner, you'll read about the other knee levers, and once you do, you'll want to start using them. If your guitar does not have then, you'll only get frustrated.
Steve Benson is right. You want a guitar with at least 4 knee levers. 5 is even better.
The Carter Starter, the Stage One, the Legend (formerly the Carpsteel) and the Simmons all have 4 knee levers. (I've not seen the Simmons and cannot comment on them other than to say other people seem to like them.) They are all good for beginners, and they are all a better choice than the maverick.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
|
|
|
Rick Winfield
From:
Pickin' beneath the Palmettos
|
Posted 2 Dec 2010 3:04 am Maverick
|
|
I started with a Maverick in 1979, and within months felt I ourgrew it. I sold it, and didn't return to Pedal Steel until 2006. (many reasons)
I bought a used "pro model" Marlen D10, 8x4, and learned on that.
Sometimes you can get a used pro MSA around here for a good price. Having owned a used MSA, I would highly reccomend one of those
Good luck
whatever you choose
Rick |
|
|
|
