The Steel Guitar Forum

Here’s my take on the swing tune "So Rare". This one's on 6-string lap steel, C6 tuning.

Click the link -----> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1pJUQAYYxc

Thanks for listening...

Love It Doug,

Especially the right hand movement for varied timber.

Thanks George, yes, I think you've mentioned that before... picking the string in different places (along the string) to get different sounds. It's an interesting effect and I'm surprised that more players don't do it. Thanks again for your kind comments!

Very nice Doug. A great video to show your pick blocking and then those moments when you don't block and let the note(s) ring out.

Tell me about your Century Steel. It looks like one pick-up but 3 knobs. Volume--Tone--??

Great true tonality, Doug. Also loved the sound of the Gibson. We don't hear much about their lap steels anymore...but they were great instruments.

ojhicks

Thanks Stephen, the Century 6 has three knobs, a volume control and two tone controls. I'm not really sure how the tone controls are supposed to work together, but on this guitar one of the knobs works like a normal tone control and the other one doesn't do much of anything, unless I tap it just right and then the sound goes to 'all bass' instantly! I think it's broken. I just set the knobs one way and leave them there.

Thanks oj, I've owned a few Gibson lap steels in past years and to be honest, I wasn't too impressed with the sound, but this one has a very strong voice. It's a keeper.

Very nice Doug, beautiful tone too. That Gibson makes me wish I'd kept my "Console Grande"

Thanks Andy, I know what you mean about 'regrets' after selling an instrument. I've been through that a few times...

I likey. Killer tone too...

Doug, that was terrific. Great way to start a Monday. I envy your total ease and command of the instrument.

This one has been one of my favorite songs since I got the Jimmy Dorsey version of it on a K-Tel collection 25 years ago.

Great song and great rendition!! What effects are you using?

Thanks for the kind replies! Much appreciated. As far as effects, I'm using delay and reverb. Also a Sarno black box (tube filter) and a Goodrich volume pedal.

guitar --> black box --> volume pedal --> Boss DD6 delay --> Holy Grail Plus reverb --> into the computer.
No amp. Monitor through the computer speakers.

Doug,

That must be the best instrumental version I've ever heard of this Jimmy Dorsey/Tommy Dorsey favourite of mine. If you are ever in the company of a horn section, be sure to record this tune with them accompanying you!

Do you have also an audio only version, e.g., mp3 at reasonable bit rate? I would like to add to my audio library.

Thanks for sharing,

Kay

Hi Kay, yes, I can send you an mp3 of this and the BIAB file w/melody if you want that too. I just need your regular email address (can't send files through the Forum email system). Email your regular email address to me. Thanks for your kind reply.

Very Tasty, love the tone!
I'm also going to point my (pedal) students over there for very clear vid of just how to properly use the volume pedal. thanks!

Thanks Mark, that means a lot coming from you. You're a great player and teacher, and you've been at it for a while.

A lot of players have told me that this video is a good demo of pick blocking and volume pedal use, so that's a good thing, although that wasn't my intent. I'm happy about the positive responses. Cheers

Sounds great Doug! How much of that was improvised?

Sound soooo nice. Good to see pickblocking as well. My lap steel and I have not been so good freind so far, but I working on it so any day you will have a mp3 file.

Bosse in Sweden

One of the nicest steel guitar youtube videos I have seen in a long time. Simply beautiful and a lovely tone on that steel.

How much of that was improvised?

Most of the middle section is improv. From 1:16 to 2:05, and from 2:22 to 2:53, and the intro and outro.

That's just it, Doug, you weren't concentrating on or focusing on teaching VP use, that's just your natural way of using it with nice clear shot of your foot action. Perfect for the student who hasn't quite got a handle on it yet.
Bonus, nice tune, killer playing, stellar tone!

Your sense of pitch is amazing. Always good to hear your playing.

Thanks, Doug. My e-mail address is kaydas@mac.com. I do not need the BIAB files, many thanks for just the mp3.

Kay