The Steel Guitar Forum

I sat down with a friend's Peavey Power slide....nice affordable guitat but I was surprised to see what I think is a design flaw. If you look at the fingerboard marker pattern you'll see that the second design pattern starts at the eleventh fret instead of the twelfth. If you are using the pattern as a guide you will be a half step out when you go into the second octave...annoying. Just a simple mistake? I enjoyed playing the guitar...sounded good, tuned up, wrapped itself around me,loved that and the price was right. I wonder if they know and were hoping nobody would notice or say anything. Anyone else notice this?

I see what you mean, but I wouldn't consider it a design flaw. They've probably thought most players will use the dot markers to navigate around the neck, and the "sails" are purely 'artistic design'.
The way they are now they kinda overlap, with the first ending at the 12th fret and the second starting at the 11th fret, same thing happening at the next octave by the end of the fretboard,- the way I see them they're more in balance, visually, this way.

I'm sure you'll get used to it pretty fast.

on the other hand, if you use just the points created by the pattern the 3, 12, 15, and 24 are well marked on the melody string. Even though the design is different sizes, it does point to the same frets in each octive on the highest or smallest string we just about wear out playing.

Hmm, I never even noticed. I always use the dot and fret markers no navigate.

Tamara, what on earth is a "Melody String" ?

I really like my PowerSlide, but the fingerboard designs are highly reflective and distracting as can be.

Tamara, what on earth is a "Melody String" ?

Whatever it is...can I get one?

Maybe one would help my playing?

You would think that these guys would get it right.

Epic design flaw...

I wish they would make an eight string version of this instrument!
Gene Warner

Peter den Hartogh wrote: You would think that these guys would get it right.

That's the same position marker layout National always have used on their tricones:

Yes, I know. I have seen that on some dobros also.
But on the National the neck joins the body at the 12th fret, which alleviates the problem.

The Fender however joins at the 14th fret.

The later National single cone resonators ('35-'41) all joined the body at the 14th fret.

The dots cover up screwheads. My 1935 Dobro M-32;

basilh wrote:Tamara, what on earth is a "Melody String" ?

Sorry if that is the wrong term. The reference is to the highest sounding string or the smallest in size. It's a term I was taught when I was first learning. It was a way to tell the difference if you were counting strings from the top or from the bottom. Folks tend to do that different. When someone said start at the melody string, every one knew which side was being refered to. Got everyone on the same page, so to speak. Old habits die hard.

I have a powerslide and I like it very much.

It's where you're supposed to play the melody! Surely you knew that, Basil, yes? Don't tell me you've been playing the melody elsewhere...

I always thought my Gibsons had a weird fretboard.

I recently bought a used Power Slide and haven't played it much yet, but I have found the design on the fretboard to be distracting while playing. Also, the cutout forces a specific orientation of the instrument to the player's body, which can't be altered too much. For the money, though, the tone is pretty good and it looks wicked. I think I'll learn to get used to it.

Terry Barnett wrote:...I was surprised to see what I think is a design flaw...

I don't think it's a design flaw. The position dots are in the usual 3,5,7,9,12 locations. I think the artwork was not created by a musician, and was just intended to be just that... artwork. After all, the body wasn't designed for convenient playing. What makes it look so attractive is the unusual design. You just have to ignore what's painted on the fingerboard and only pay attention to the position markers.

Alan Brookes wrote:You just have to ignore what's painted on the fingerboard and only pay attention to the position markers.

+1 to that...

I hadn't ever noticed that on mine. I always navigate by the dots.

I still can't get passed the spaced out design but I keep hearin how good they sound. As far as the "flaw"? I never noticed it before and like others I'd use the dots for reference anyway.

As far as the design goes, it is a ergonomic as it could be for standing and playing; I was a serious critic until I actually played one- then I bought it and plan to get at least 1 more. If not for my "bubble up front" it would be perfect. It's great for sitting too.

How high is the nut ? Is it set up for steel playing ? Does it have real frets ? Can it be played as a regular guitar ?