The Steel Guitar Forum

This is as much a 'hello' from me. I've just bought my first lap steel, the Harley Benton Slider 8. This is 'a wee review' but also an introduction to my playing. You will see that I am a beginner to lap slide, but not a beginner musician. I make a few mistakes, get a little confused, but all positive advice gratefully received!

The instrument's specs can be seen here:
http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_slider_8.htm

Shipping is free in Europe, and it was with me within three working days - great service!

Here it is the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcvQaWZKQY0

Rob, are you dedicated to the unorthodox style you've displayed?
Your tone and options can be greatly enhanced with a conventional approach, but it looks like the Slider has possibilities, and HB has really extented their range of products(!).

Thanks for showing us your guitar, Rob. It seems like a very decent instrument for a good price, especially for European players.
What amplifier were you using?
I don't think I've ever seen anyone use a slide on their thumb in that way before. Do you have a standard tone bar? Using that should give you a different sound than you're currently getting.
(Whether that's what you want is another thing...)

Hi Ron,

I have a Dunlop Jerry Byrd tone bar as well, and will spend some time getting acquainted with it. I like the glass one by Diamond Glass Slides, and I find slants much easier to play with my thumb in the back of that than with the Jerry Byrd tone bar. But I know what you are referring to.

HB have some really terrible products, but this one looks really well made for the price. It's certainly the least expensive 8-string I've seen. One day I'll get a better one, but I just wanted to try it out before shelling out the cash for a hand-made one.

As for my right hand - I really hate wearing picks, so I'm trying the flat pick and two fingertips. We'll see...

Rob

Brad, I put it through a Line 6 15 Watt bass amp - nothing special. I also tried it through a small Marshall 10 watt, and tried a few soaring lines with distortion. That was fun for five minutes, but then I went back to the cleaner sound.

Two comments about my tone. Is it so bad? I tried the Jerry Byrd tone bar, and hardly noticed any difference, but maybe my ears are not tuned in to the subtleties yet.

I've only been at it a couple of days - I intend to try a few ways, orthodox and otherwise.

Today I tuned it to E7 for reading through Roger Filiberto's book, which will be good for developing good intonation, I think.

Your comments are appreciated.

Good tone is all too often, under-rated. Yet many say it's paramount, and to each his own taste, but turning the tone knob down on either the guitar or the amp would sweeten the tone immediately. This type of steel is typically bright and not widely known for glorious tone, so rein in some clang and you can gauge bar differences and other issues better.

What kind of music are you planning to do with steel?

If you are serious about getting the most out of the steel, then learning the Jerry Byrd way (with the bullet bar) is the best. After that, learn everything else.
Bar work is easy and fun, it's where the magic is!

Thanks, Ron. I'm interested in all styles at the moment, but especially Country, Hawaiian, and Jazz.

The journey begins...

Hi Rob,
Glad to see you got your HB earlier than you initially anticipated. I hope your as pleased with it as I am with mine.
Yes Ron, most of the HB lines are ok Far Eastern budget models but this, and it’s sister 6 string model, are a different animal. They are built in Germany and the Germans don’t do half measures, think Mercedes Benzes, Bear Family Records. It’s about a 22 ½ scale length, longer than most laps and the string spacing is comparable to my Stringmaster ( the 6 is probably wider, I think they use the same pick up ). I also like it’s acoustic qualities. It’s loud enough to hear without plugging in and quiet enough not to bug the wife when she’s watching CSI. Ok, it’s not a Clinesmith but it’s the top end of the budget / starter market especially here in Europe. For full specs see the link in Ron’s initial post.
Wow, interesting bar technique. I’d recommend a round nose bullet type bar, Using a bullet type bar lets you sound 1 or 2 strings without the others ringing while still giving you the option of that more Dobro style if you want it but that’s just my preference. Finding the right bar for you takes a lot of experimenting with different weights, lengths, diameters and materials.
I started off with the flat pick & fingers technique because that’s how I usually play guitar but after advice from other steel players I hammered at the thumb & finger picks and am glad I did. That said I know some decent players who use a flat pick.
Just a point on tone. Yes, tone is important and personal but only Rob himself have heard his tone. We’ve only heard it after it’s been through a mic on the camera then out of what ever speakers we are using on our computers. I know when I am in the studio the engineer can change the whole sound of my guitar by moving the microphone position and a friend of mine always said records sounded better at my house than his because I had bigger speakers.
Good luck with the steel rob but after hearing what you have achieved in 24 hours I think you’ll do ok.
Steve

Glad to hear your input on this upgraded steel, Stephen, it did look a bit better than most of it's style. That bright sound can probably be tamed if desired, especially if this guitar comes with quality componants.

Thanks, guys. I agree with Stephen - excellent value for money, and free shipping to most of Europe - amazing.

Yes, I'll play around with the tone settings. I'm a largely acoustic player, and try do everything with my fingertips, so it is another step for me to be twisting knobs and pressing buttons to get a good tone.

Cheers,

Rob