Newbie recommends U-12 & keyless

[Claire Winter]

After just a few months of diving into pedal steel at age 65, and falling totally in love with it, on this forum's recommendation I decided to switch from E9-10 to U-12 keyless. I was fearing a new hurdle with 2 more strings, but found the tuning actually easier to play! So fear not, any fellow newbies, U-12 is a real upgrade with no downside!

And though one might think keyless would be fussier, having to use a tool to tune, my new Willy uses the same tool for changer, string clamp and tuning. What's not obvious is that the larger diameter of the tuning tool handle makes fine tuning much more accurate. Williams makes available a holder for tuner and bar that snaps onto the steel's leg: how cool is that?

Also, for us old folks with ailing spines, keyless saves on weight and size; more strings in a smaller frame and 30% less weight compared to the old Sierra I started out on.

Portrait of one happy gal!!

[Tony Williamson]

youre 65? thats a typo, right ?

[Michael Robertson]

Claire I got my new Williams S12 back in August and love it.
Now I know that the Williams in the photo is not age 65 nor do I believe the photo of the young lady is 65 either.
However both are beautiful.
You and your Williams will have many great times together.
Congratulations.
Michael

[Sam Conomo]

enjoy your uni ,just got ta work hardwer as we get older.
go girl.
sam.

[Claire Winter]

Bless you gentlemen!! I know a lady isn't supposed to reveal her true age, but I was indeed born in 1947. I divulged this info because A) I'm proud to be a senior and B) to prove it's never too late to start learning pedal steel. (Hair coloring and lucky genes help, too!)

I play 5-string banjo, 6/12 acoustic guitar and upright bass (most recently) and must say that although learning the complexities and coordination of pedal steel is a bit daunting (flying a helicopter is easier, I can tell you), the daily discovery of spine-tingling chords, intervals and modulations is THE most exciting of all the instruments I've ever played or heard. There is, literally, so SWEETER instrument out there (so-long, tempering)!!

[Mike Wheeler]

Congrats, Claire. It's great to hear a new player so excited about the pedal steel.

I would suggest that in your spare time you take a basic math course, though. You obviously can't add. 65?? No way!!

And, welcome to the club. Please keep us updated on your progress...it will be encouraging to other U-12 pickers.

[Jerry Overstreet]

I'll add my congratulations as well. Fine choices...both the guitar and the tuning....Many happy hours playing pedal steel and a hearty Welcome.

[Rick Barnhart]

and uhmmm....don't say banjo

[Dave Bertoncini]

I am actually almost 65 and have a Williams Uni-12 and love it also. I got it last April...here is a picture. Looks like you also have a Telonics VP. I also have one and am eventually going to get one of Dave's Amp setups also

[Tony Williamson]

thats right. its banjer. lol

[Tony Williamson]

did you design your carpet around your steel?

[Claire Winter]

You're right, Tony: banjer. Had a Stelling for years, great tone. My PSG is sitting on a 1/2" plywood pad I made for it, sitting on top of the W2W carpeting; the routed cutout lets my stool legs sit level on the carpet. A thread on this forum warned about playing on carpet and were they right! Without the plywood the pedals feel too low.

[Niels Andrews]

I like the keyless look, but I love what I play. MSA!

[Jim Pitman]

I don't think I looked as young as you are now at age 37! Where brand of Genes you wearing? (kidding)
I play U12 too and am considering going key-less.
My good friend Gordon Stone plays a U12 Kline key-less that I'm about to try out.
That's a dead on description of the attractive qualities of the PSG BTW.
Welcome Claire.

[Chris Reesor]

... to the wonderful world of U12. Nice axe you got there.
I almost ordered one much like it last year,(it would have been honey amber with rope inlay) but got an Excel Superb instead. The 25 1/2 inch scale, to me, sounds better on the lowest notes, due to the higher string tension. String breakage is not an issue with the Excel, in case anyone is wondering.
Did you get the "standard" U12 copedent, ie. Newman, as listed on Williams's website? Which pickup did you get?
Enjoy the ride.

Chris

[Pete Burak]

Welcome to the S12U family.
I consider the Keyless S12U to be like the Corvette of the Pedal Steel family.
I play a Sierra S12U Keyless, and give S12U lessons in Portland if you are ever down this way.
Steel on!
Pete B.

btw, What kind of music do you like to Steel to?

[Roual Ranes]

Don't care what she says..........she ain't no 65.

[Ken Metcalf]

Williams are great guitars and ditto on all the complements.
How do you type in that wolf call from the cartoons.
Ha!
Plus one for U-12