The Steel Guitar Forum

Hey All- I'm about to embark on a national tour in April/ May with a guitarist named Bombino, from the Sahara Desert. He is a phenomenal guitarist, although not a steel guitarist, and is worth checking out. He'll be recording in Nashville in June with some BIG names (can't divulge yet). On our tour we'll be stopping in Austin and Nashville. I'm wondering about 'hidden gem' stores in both cities or towns near both cities that I might find some interesting steels at.

I'm actually looking to buy a dobro-nothing too expensive ($400-$700), but would also be interested in playing some cool Steel guitars as well.

This might be a stretch, but is there anyone in Nashville who'd be willing to give me a "steel tour" of Nashville when i'm there (May 1st & 2nd)? I can get you into the Bombino show for free...any advice/ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Tyler

Tyler, if you get a chance, stop by my shop in Austin. If you'll give me a few day's notice, I'll be sure to have a few steels in house. I'd be really happy to meet your friend and co-musician, as well. I've been a fan of African guitarists for a long time and the Tuareg style is pretty amazing stuff.

Feel free to contact me by phone or email...info is on my website. My shop isn't far from the airport on the way into town and I can put onto some of the places you'll want to visit.

Also stop by Steel Guitar Nashville in Hendersonville (just outside Nashville). And of course, Gruhn's Guitars in downtown Nashville is a must see.

The Bombino stuff is great. How did you get that gig? Was he out looking for a steel guitarist?

@John- Thanks, we'll try to stop by, although you never know whats going to happen on the road, hopefully our schedule allows for some time to stop at shops such as yours.

@Brad- Thanks for the hints, I was planning on going to Gruhn's (I think I can get upstairs to the showcase room) and will try to checkout Steel Guitar Nashville. Any other 'hidden gems' and/or places where I can find a reasonably priced dobro?

@James- Unfortunately I do not play steel in his band full time, although I have sat in from time to time and played bass on the last tour...I mostly do Tour & Production Management. I'm just hoping to find some good stores while on tour that we can try out some guitars. These guys have probably never seen a Pedal Steel before...I'm looking to buy a dobro for myself.

Thanks for the advice, keep it coming!

T

Any other good spots to try out dobros? Any recommendations on smaller local builders that might have dobros for under $1000?

Thanks