The Steel Guitar Forum

The recent threads about the future of pedal steel and exposing the instruments to younger people got me thinking why I eventually gave up the Pedal steel and went back to lap steel and dobro: the thing was just to damn mechanical. Too many moving parts, too much assembly before playing. I am hopelessly non-mechanical so I like an instrument I can just pick up and play and is easy to haul around. I never was able to figure out how the damn thing worked, let alone undertake adjustments and alterations.

I wonder if some of the inherent limitations of the instrument is that you not only need to be musically inclined, you need to be mechanically inclined. My guess is that most of you fix your own cars, wire your own house, all that stuff. I'd hire someone to change the lightbulbs if I could.

Anyone else feel that the mechanics kept them from moving forward with Pedal? Any non-mechanically minded people out there who were able to make a go of it?

Bill, I think that's a really relevant question as far as attraction to the PSG. I know I had heard pedal steel as a young guitar player, but the first time I really noticed one was upside down in the case as a rainstorm chased the band off stage. I saw all those parts and was fascinated. I asked the player what the pedal did and he said "it raises this string here"... "well, what does that thing do?" "It lowers this other string..." I thought... "Huh?" I can see some part of me was attracted to the mechanical aspect. 30 some years later, when I'm playing some silky, slidy, vocalish phrase on the top, I'm still amazed by what's going on underneath, and that it's machinery.

In my early band years I played with a fine violinist who recognized my appreciation for his playing and gave me a really nice fiddle. He said if I wanted to play it, it was mine, but to give it back or pass it along if I didn't want to play it. I practiced and sweated 6-7 hours a day for a month and practically threw it back at him, fiddle and I just aren't meant to be.

My point, different strokes for different folks. Over the years I have met many good steel players who can't do anything to their guitars other than change a string, and sometimes that gives trouble. Especially if you're near someone who can help work on it, no need to give up- not many Porsche owners are even lawnmower mechanics...

I'm not very mechanically inclined, except when it comes to pedal steel. I've never been good at fixing cars, wiring a house, all that stuff. I'm not a first class pedal steel mechanic either, but I know enough to change copedents, add knee levers and stuff like that.

It took me about 30 years of living in a steel guitar bubble to learn that all steels didn't work the same as my rack and barrel ShoBud.

Only those willing to put in the effort will succeed.

"Kevin Hatton wrote: I knew that you weren't a pedal steel player by your posts."

You mean the ones that say "I'm not a pedal steel player, but..."

"Only those willing to put in the effort will succeed."

You mean like instead of the banjo where no effort will help you succeed.

Good tag line for the attracting the young folk.

First five minutes sitting down, you know you have a challenge ahead of you. Mechanically challenged is alright, fair amount of patience is needed,and most people that are willing to go though the rigors have done so in other areas, as well. Either that, or you are so hooked on the sound that you will do anything to be a part of the creation.

Welcome to the world of the musical backhoe!!!

I'm also a mechanical dunce. That's why I had to ditch my pushpull. But somehow I manage with my all pull.

I have to add that I'm a mechanical klutz- I can barely walk through a door without banging into the frame. I loved the sound of pedal steel, and when I got one, the feel of playing one... and with some mentoring and determination, I learned to set up, maintain, and service many different brands along the way. No kidding, if I can do it, I think anyone can learn to.

Yes I agree, sometimes a basic six string lap steel or dobro is the way to go

Trust me many if not most are not mechanically inclined - I would say most are challenged mechanically - the smart ones know that and do not try to work on them (they call or email someone that does) - the others - well let's say can break or screw up an anvil.

Just sayin - ask most builders

Joe Naylor
www.steelseat.com

it's similar to hot-rodders and bikers. some are rich and just pay to have things done. some are less well off but get their hands dirty taking care of their machines. some feel the do-it-yourselfers have a bit more connection with the heart and soul of the machine.

Until you pick those peoples heart and soul out of the boxes and case they bring you it is tough to understand how they can not get the basics back together - no more basket cases for me - been there done that - and it is usually on this Old ......... that is so wonderful - then when you get it back together you find the Old ....... is complete worn out and it will never play like a newer steel guitar no matter how much - THEY want it to, but they have a nice looking Old ........ I guess to look at ?????

It happens often - I repete no more basket cases here - been there done that.

Joe

Sorry, but I don't think it's fair to judge someone's heart and soul, or how well off they are, by whether or not they can work on the steels they play. Many of us just don't have the time, tools, experience or desire to "get our hands dirty", and would rather spend the time just playing. I like to think that I'm smart enough to know what I don't know, and trust others who do know - like my buddy Jim Flynn - to work on my steels. (no basket cases)

As far as the original post, I'd hate to think that people don't take up the steel because they can't work on them. That said, if putting it together is too mechanical, well...
And it's tough to work on your own cars these days even if you want to, and I'd wanna trust a pro to wire my house, but hey, you know us rich folks!

I know more than a few good steelers who can't work on their guitars but flat-out play their butts off. So aside from tuning, you don't need to be a mechanic to play..... it just makes it easier.

Personally, I love working on guitars almost as much as playing them. I tore into my first S-10 'Bud
about two days after I got it and haven't stopped messing with guitars since. I'd hate to be dependent on others to maintain my axe.

Hey....each to their own.

As Arty Passes notes, I would hate to think that not understanding the mechanical componenents would be a barrier to trying out the pedal steel. Especially when we consider the level and quality of customer support the industry maintains through everyday interaction, there is no reason for a newbie as myself to be "scared". That is one of the reasons I bought a brand new steel from a manufacturer nearby, and I would not hesitate to buy from any of the companies I've come across here.

I'm scared half to death of power tools. Just sayin'...

Arty Passes wrote: I like to think that I'm smart enough to know what I don't know, and trust others who do know - like my buddy Jim Flynn - to work on my steels. (no basket cases)

I like that sentence. I would not start tuning the pedals/levers shortly before a gig. I need time and concentration, otherwise I'm afraid that I mess it up

i guess times have changed. there once was a time when there were no other players around, let alone a specialized repairperson. tony gets it. i also tinkered with every steel i had to improve it, starting with my first one.

Below is a response I made to a posting about 5 ½ years ago titled “If you can’t change a spark plug you shouldn’t play steel” and I believe it applies to this current post as well, though of course some of the numbers are now off and I’m now living in Fort Collins, Colorado instead of Vallejo, CA.

I admit I can’t change a spark plug or a tire, but I have been enjoying driving for about 40 years. My mechanical do-it-yourself ability starts and ends with being able to pump my own gas. I know how to call AAA if an emergency arises, and I routinely have my vehicles maintenance performed, which usually keeps me on the road problem free. Preventative maintenance really works. I’ve never cared why or how things work, only if and that they do. I still have no interest in learning about mechanical things at this point in my life, so I probably never will. You can say I’m missing out on a fun and essential part of life by the choices I’ve made, and I accept that and say perhaps you’re right.

It works pretty much the same way for me with the pedal steel guitar. I have two almost identical Carter guitars, so if one has to be worked on, I still won’t have to miss a gig, of which I’ve played about a thousand of in my 12+ years on psg. Admittedly, I have the luxury of living near my friend Tom Bradshaw who as most of you know, is an expert in the realm of repairing and restoring pedal steel guitars. But even without someone like Tom near by, I would still approach it the same way. Unlike cars, there isn’t a steel guitar repairman listed in the phone book and on every other street in town, so I may actually have to ship my guitar to someone to have it worked on. I accept that, because it’s the price I pay for not being willing to explore my mechanical aptitudes, if I have any. Carter guitars are so well built, and Tom’s work so fantastic, it’s not unusual for my guitars to go 2 or 3 years or more without needing any repairs or alterations, even with the beating I give them. I believe you can enjoy, and be a successful motor vehicle driver or pedal steel guitarist even without any mechanical abilities. I’m not suggesting everyone should take this approach, actually I’ll be one of the first to say it’s probably not a good idea, but simply that I’ve made it work for me.

Marc

Sometimes I think I'm a better mechanic than a musician!

It's all in the comparisons........

Now fixing old Olivetti typewriters.... that's pure hell.

C'mon .. It's a piece of cake! Just remember to leave a little "slack in the bellcrank" and all will be fine.. simple!