The Steel Guitar Forum

Howdy all, Bill Schmidt here. There is apparently a pedal steel player out there whose name I share, so I had to go with W. Bill for a handle. Sounds like a lawyer or somethin' (no offense). Long time armpit slide/guitar and mandolin player and I'm sorry to say looong time lurker here. Finally bought a Rondo when they first came out as a hedge against an upcoming hand surgery. Long story slightly shorter, the surgery went well and the steel sat around mainly. Tried and tried to get going with C6, but even after using many different open tunings for bottleneck, it alluded me. About two years ago, a couple of guys from NYC came through town (Rincón, PR) playing the local bars, one of which was playing Dobro. Well, I ended up dusting the Rondo off and started playing with a friend, some (mostly free) gigs. Then another fortuitous event, another ex-Texan (I grew up in Houston) guitar/bottleneck player moved to town and we started gigging in earnest right away, with me on lap (open E) about 40% of the time. Half a year later I completely re-did the Rondo (shown in my avatar) and it served me faithfully for another half year (~50 gigs). I've always had gear acquisition syndrome and when I saw a clean '51 double neck Supro, I grabbed it (from a fellow SGF'er I believe). Outer neck in E, inner neck in C6! Apparently I just needed to play a hundred or so gigs to get my bearings. NOT saying I have C6 mastered, but so far no one is walking out or throwing tomatoes... All of this is to say that I want to express my humble gratitude to all the SGF members whose posts I have read over the years, and whose musicianship has influenced me on many levels. Did I mention how civil this place is compared to just about every other site? Kudos to b0b as well, of course. Sorry I waited so long, but hey...

A big welcome to Puerto Rico, my favorite state, W. Bill.

Do you find steel players in salsa bands there? The merengue would be a nice form for it.

Hi Charlie, thanks mucho. I can definitely say that I have seen no steel players in salsa bands here. In fact, the besides myself there is only one other steeler I've seen, and we both live in the same tiny town (Rincón) on the far western tip of the island! The economy has really hurt the live music scene here, you have to be stably retired or have a day job (me) to get by with what the bars pay.
I'd love to try merengue though!

(not W.) Bill

I can see the lone steeler in Rincon sitting on the beach in that corner of the island. Great spot, nice beach.

It might take a while to introduce a 'foreign' instrument to the music, but steel is an island sound, there's potential.

Good to hear from you. La isla bonita is the place I'd like to end up, un lugar familiar. Many lovely memories of there.
"Got an uncle in Puerto Rico; spend his days at the beach and the nights at the Casinos..."--Little Feat

Bill,

Welcome. I've learned so much on this forum, it's great! As always, thanks b0b. Glad you're digging the C6 - I'm getting back into it after an extended exclusive engagement with the open G.

Ian

W. Bill Schmidt wrote: . . .and when I saw a clean '51 double neck Supro, I grabbed it (from a fellow SGF'er I believe). . .

Hey bud,
Hope you're enjoying my old Supro!! Glad to see you finally joined, and WELCOME TO THE CLUB. I know you'll enjoy membership - lots of good folks here. Hope all is well in PR. Take care!

Welcome aboard Bill from peach pickin' and ice wine country. How's that for a combo. I'm an ole geizer, 78, and took Hawaiian guitar lessons when I was 11 in 1948. I still play in the old tuning I learned, A Major E C# A E C# A (hi to lo).

It's the same as the Dobro tuning D B G D B G but two notes higher. It's exreemely easy to learn.

Enjoy your stay. I'm sure you will.

George (Mr. Slideguy!!!)

Welcome aboard Bill from peach pickin' and ice wine country. How's that for a combo. I'm an ole geizer, 78, and took Hawaiian guitar lessons when I was 11 in 1948. I still play in the old tuning I learned, A Major E C# A E C# A (hi to lo).

It's the same as the Dobro tuning D B G D B G but two notes higher. It's exreemely easy to learn.

Enjoy your stay. I'm sure you will.

George (Mr. Slideguy!!!)

Bienvenidos a la familia.

Love Puerto Rico.

Thanks all!