New to the instrument & this forum-

Joe Gall · From: DeLand, Florida

Hello,

I am hoping I put this in the correct location. It's merely an introduction. My name is Joe and I am a 42y/o male living near Daytona Beach, FL. I am a life long "traditional country" music fan. I grew up in a household where both of my parents played in a country band from the mid 60's in the WNY (Buffalo, NY) area for many many years. In fact, they still play to this day but mostly at home and their saturday night jams with many friends. One of whom I believe may be a member here.

Anyway, I have a true passion for what I call traditional country music ie: Merle Haggard, Waylon, George Jones etc. I also have a passion for 60's-70's American made muscle cars. I currently own a 67 Pontiac LeMans. Beside my family these two things are my hobbies/passions.

Two years ago I found out that I was losing my vision. It wasn't a complete shock as I was born without vision in one eye. For the first 40 years of my life it was thought to have been an accident at birth. Turns out not to be the case as they have now discovered my optic nerves were less than 50% developed at birth. Bottom line is I should have never has vision at all! The medical field has deemed this a "medical mystery". They can call it whatever they want, I call it a gift. And for that gift I am forever grateful.

Anyway, I recently purchased a Carter starter. I realize this is a basic, entry level guitar but I am hoping it will suffice to get me up and running. Knowing I am on borrowed time with my vision (down to an 18 degree vision field in one eye) I am trying to learn as much as possible. Now I do realize the odds are stacked against me, between limited vision and choosing one of the most difficult instruments on earth.

I have played some guitar in the past and also play bass so I am not completely in the dark (so to speak). I have always played by ear and know absolutely nothing about reading music and or music theory.

So there you go! Yeap, I am in for a rough ride but I am hoping that against all odds I will somehow figure this instrument out. I am not in a financial position to take lessons at this time and not so sure there is anyone around the area who offers them anyway.

Well, hopefully I can pick up and learn from this site and it's users.

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

Welcome to the steel guitar and the forum Joe Exclamation

I share your passion with muscle cars, though somewhat your senior, I stopped messing with them some 20 years or so ago. Still love the whine of tached out engine though.

I wish you the best with your steel guitar education as well as longevity retaining your eyesight. If there is anything I can do to help you along, feel free to shout.

Joe Gall · From: DeLand, Florida

Thanks Jerry. We owned a 68 Pontiac Firebird 400/4-speed for over ten years and it was rear ended and totaled Dec. 09. That's when we bought this original 67 LeMans, 326 4-speed w/54k orig miles from the original owner. Hoping to hang on to as long as possible.

The loss of eyesight is one reason for switching hobbies so to speak. Although I will never loose the passion for classic Pontiacs I just feel that I really need to focus my mind on something that I may be able to do with my time. I am really hoping to somehow pull off learning this instrument. If not, it is helping me take my mind to a better place while practicing.

I failed to mention that I am currently in a modern country band. I had been playing bass for the past year but honestly have little passion for the bass guitar. So now we found a real bass player and it has enabled me to play harmonica on some songs and I quietly learning to play the steel on some of the songs even though they are not traditional country.

Larry Freeman · From: Texas, USA

Welcome to the forum. I too love muscle cars and am in fact an artist doing pen-ink drawings of old muscle cars, old dirt track stock cars and supermodifieds, old gas stations, nostalgia, etc. I've been playing guitar since I was ten and after years on the road, quit in 1990 and moved to Texas. Last August, I started playing again in a local "cowboy" church. I find I can still play and as well pulled out my BMI SD10 I've had for over twenty five years and am playing that pretty decent as well though trying to learn more on that instrument. That is the highlight of my week, just getting to sit down and play for a brief while. You will find as to delve into your guitar and begin to become familiar with it a whole world of satisfaction. I will keep you in prayer concerning your eyesight. You will also find on this forum some of the absolute most wonderful people in the world as most on here now consider you family whether you don't know a tuning key from a door key or you are as accomplished as Austin Stewart, Tommy White, Buddy Emmons, etc. Things I absolutely love and help me to relax is doing my art work and playing my guitar. Good luck to you and God Bless!

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

hey joe...

many of us play mainly by ear...and learn that way. so you'll be good to go as long as your ears are working. goodluck.

Elton Smith · From: Texas, USA

Welcome to the forum Joe.Ray Charles engineered most of his own recordings.Once a sound engineer told him that he would not be able to see the needles and graphs.He responded"I don't hear with my eyes".Seek out Mickey Adams on you tube,He is a member here also and you will learn to play steel guitar no doubt.Mickey gives some great lessons and explains the pedals and levers of the guitar also. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl3x19Plsqg&feature=related
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Joe Gall · From: DeLand, Florida

Thanks for the kind words and words of encouragement as well. For anyone who interested in cars, there is a TV show on Speed Channel called Car Crazy. Hosted by Barry McGuire, a few months back they aired my story about my vision loss and my love for classic cars, especially Pontiac.

As for prayers, they are much appreciated however, there are many many people in much worse conditions who could truly use them. Not that I am not appreciative, I just can't help but feel that I was given the greatest gift ever for having sight in one eye for the first 42 years of my life, therefore how can I complain and or ask for anything else?

Well, it's out to the shop for some pedal steel practice. Our band practices twice a week, Weds & Sun so I have some homework to do on some Carrie Underwood songs. Definitely not Lorretta Lynn by a long shot but until I can find some folks who are into classic country to jam with I am going to have to find a way to make it work. For now...

Joe Gall · From: DeLand, Florida

Also, one quick question right off the bat. Who makes the lowest profile volume pedal? I am 6'-2" and have a heck of a time getting my right knee under the knee levers and on the volume pedal at the same time.

I did raise the back legs 1-1/2" but doesn't help much with the front not being raised as well. Any ideas, suggestions? Should I consider lengthening the rods to the pedals to get additional lift?

Thanks!

Joe Gall · From: DeLand, Florida

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

The Hilton low profile is the lowest one I've seen. A bit pricey, but electronic and no pots to wear out.

Else, Goodrich L120 low profile pot pedal.

There is a recent issue by Telonics, totally high end, but I don't know if they make a low profile unit.

Marvin Born · From: Ohio, USA

The Telonics pedal can be ordered either low profile or standard height. Actually, the pedal has double mounting holes so it can be changed to either profile. (it does require a tech to make the change)

I had a low profile Telonics and had it changed to standard. The low profile is better for cowboy boots as the heel can be too low when pedaling off.
Both the Hilton (low profile)and Telonics are 2.5 inches high at the front.

The Telonics is computer chip driven, so it has software that can be updated when needed. There is a switch on the side that changes the taper so it can simulate the "feel" of other pedals, such as the Goodrich 120, Hiltons etc. The tapers are software so they can be updated and new ones can be added.

There is a new taper #6 that is out that has a little boost at the end that is very helpful if you need a little extra sustain

Dave Beaty of Telonics has great customer service as does Keith Hilton.

Marvin

Joe Gall · From: DeLand, Florida

Thanks for the info. I think for now I will have to stick with what I have. I never dreamed a volume pedal could be so expensive. I am considering making new pedal rods and just raise the guitar.

Ron Page · From: Penn Yan, NY USA

Welcome, Joe.

Disclaimer: I'm no pro. In fact, I'm more of an owner than a "player".

It should encourgage you to know that most players look at the bar hand more than the right hand. It helps us to position the bar at least close to where it needs to be. I think we mostly "fine tune" that hand position by what we hear. So, like Chris said, as long as your ear is good you shouldn't have a lot of trouble.

Heck, most of the real pickers here can play in the darkness of a club. So there ya go!
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Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

Joe, welcome to the forum. I'm across the state from you (Gulf side).

There is a steel club in Jacksonville, and we have the Florida Steel Guitar Club that meets in Lake Panasoffkee. You are welcome to come our club jams which are the 2nd Wednesday of each month. www.floridasteelguitarclub.com

John DeBoalt · From: Harrisville New York USA

Hi Joe. Welcome to the Forum. I have an old friend in the Buffalo area. We had a band in Syracuse in our teens. He made his living singing country music in the bars around Buffalo for 20 years or more. He goes by the name Doc White. I wondered if you were familure with the name or the man. John
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Lynn Fargo · From: Fort Edward, NY

Hi Joe,
Best of luck with keeping your vision as long as possible and with learning the PSG. When I played in the 70s and 80s, I played mostly by ear. I knew where my basic chords were, etc., but I realize I would have been a much better player and would have had an easier time overall if I had taken the time to learn more theory. I recently found in my 30 some-year-old stash of "dumb things I gotta do some day" some tapes by Paul Franklin that can really get you up and going with theory. I totally regret not having gotten to these back then. But, I was too busy with rehearsals and gigs, and well . . .

I would like to reiterate what Ron said. Most of the time steel players are not watching their right hand. They develop a feel for where the strings are. And I am confident you will develop a feel and ear for your fretting as well. Best of luck to you and may God bless.

Lynn

Joe Gall · From: DeLand, Florida

Thank you all for the kind words. The PSG may very well be the thing that saves me from losing my mind. Or could be the very thing that makes me lose what little I have left. LOL

Anyway, thanks for the info/tips etc. I believe the thing I need most is theory as mentioned. I can sit down and play along with almost any song in a very basic format. But what I know nothing about is music theory, zero, zip, nada!

James Marlowe · From: Florida, USA

Joe, I'd like to add my 'welcome'. I'm in the same boat with the height issue. I'm 6'2", and have big ol' fat legs. I have a 2" rise on my pedal rods and legs. It made a huge diffence and it's not all that expensive...certainly a lot cheaper than buying a low profile VP.
Anyway, best of luck learning.
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Larry Freeman · From: Texas, USA

Since you know nothing about theory, you should be a good musician! Just kidding. I have worked with a LOT of GREAT musicians who knew nothing about theory but they were great pickers. That being said I am one who always likes to learn and I encourage you to learn all you can to help you improve on anything you do. Good luck and again, WELCOME!

Joe Gall · From: DeLand, Florida

Joe Gall · From: DeLand, Florida

James Marlowe · From: Florida, USA

Joe, I'm not familiar at all with the Carter Starter and don't know if they'll work, but lift kits are available from suppliers such as Bobbe Seymour. And they're not expensive.
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Life has many choices. Eternity has TWO. I choose Heaven.
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Joe Gall · From: DeLand, Florida

Rick Abbott · From: Indiana, USA

The lift kits for a Carter Starter would be best found with The guy who took over Carter sales... look for the sticky note at the top of Pedal Steel or Steels For Sale from Ann Fabian.

Here:http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=179134
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John Peay · From: Cumming, Georgia USA

Joe,

I'd like to recommend "Edly's Music Theory for Practical People"; a great resource for music theory. Not so much for learning to read music, but for how music works and fits together.

I've been through this book several times and found it very helpful. It's available on Amazon for like $7 or so used.

http://www.edly.com/mtfpp.html

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