ISO: Advice from the touring steel player

Instruments, mechanical issues, copedents, techniques, etc.

Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn

Post Reply
User avatar
Parker Brown
Posts: 21
Joined: 29 Mar 2021 9:12 pm
Location: Montana, USA

ISO: Advice from the touring steel player

Post by Parker Brown »

I just got hired for a group that will be touring in October and beyond. I currently have an old Zum D-10 that sounds amazing, but it is very (very) heavy and I am also only going to be using the E9 neck. What advice can you give me? Search for a new and lighter single neck or just haul the Zum around? I appreciate anyone taking the time to help me out.
Best,
Parker Brown
User avatar
Patrick McHenry
Posts: 74
Joined: 16 Nov 2011 11:18 pm
Location: PNW

Post by Patrick McHenry »

Mullen discovery is what i take on tour, very light, also can come along with you on a plane
LDG Sho Bud '73, Mullen Disco, Milkman

Email: patrickwmchenry@gmail.com
User avatar
Bob Watson
Posts: 1533
Joined: 30 Aug 2000 12:01 am
Location: Champaign, Illinois, U.S.

Post by Bob Watson »

I suppose it depends on whether you think you'll have some time to practice the C6 neck while your on the road, or if there might be a possibility of playing the C6 neck on a song or two later on. If not, you might as well go with a single neck.
Robert Pastore
Posts: 22
Joined: 17 Jul 2008 6:27 am
Location: Florida, USA

Post by Robert Pastore »

I bought a Justice Pro Lite for just such an occasion. It's 47 pounds in the case. You sacrifice a little sturdiness with such a light guitar but overall it plays and feels great.
User avatar
Larry Allen
Posts: 1321
Joined: 5 Apr 2004 12:01 am
Location: Kapaa, Kauai,Hawaii

Steel Weight

Post by Larry Allen »

My Excel is S10 is 33lbs in the case , short with keyless feature...fits in the overhead if you fly... :D
Excel steels & Peavey amps,Old Chevys & Motorcycles & Women on the Trashy Side
User avatar
Gene Tani
Posts: 1161
Joined: 14 Mar 2019 8:07 pm
Location: Pac NW

Post by Gene Tani »

Congrats on the gig. This thread was about flying on commercial airliners, good beta

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=367991
- keyless Sonny Jenkins laps stay in tune forever!; Carter PSG
- The secret sauce: polyester sweatpants to buff your picks, cheapo Presonus channel strip for preamp/EQ/compress/limiter, Diet Mountain Dew
Bill C. Buntin
Posts: 1362
Joined: 14 Nov 2000 1:01 am

Post by Bill C. Buntin »

Parker I went out once with s10 push pull only. And found myself missing the c6. From then on I bought flight cases for d10 emmons and d10 sho bud and on some trips paid to take both guitars.

If I ever tour again I would take d10...just because I tend to play as much as possible on c6. This is just a personal preference

I imagine if the show had an absolute standard set list that the artists would absolutely stick to, I can see the benefit of taking the single neck for certain.

Just my $.02
User avatar
Chris Johnson
Posts: 377
Joined: 2 Sep 2007 9:14 am
Location: USA

Post by Chris Johnson »

If you don't already, get a flight-ready high quality case w/t wheels (under 50lbs total), get a TSA Pre-Check and stay away from the bar
User avatar
Bryan Daste
Posts: 1404
Joined: 11 Jul 2005 12:01 am
Location: Portland, Oregon, USA
Contact:

Post by Bryan Daste »

Flying or driving? Either way, only take what you need!
Duane Becker
Posts: 1109
Joined: 2 Feb 1999 1:01 am
Location: Elk,Wa 99009 USA

Post by Duane Becker »

If you take the heavy Zum you will for sure be harassed by the weight and depending on the check in assistant, you will be stopped and told your case is too heavy and to pay more money. I used to fly with a heavy ShoBud, and I took the pedal bar and leg/rod pouch out and placed them in a sport/bat sports bag. Bag traveled fine and I never had a problem. But airlines kept damaging my steel. Top of the case ripped off on one flight. Damaged pack a seat another flight. So if you are flying just be prepared for the damage. The Musician Union has a great insurance program for traveling musicians. I would suggest to join your local and get the insurance. They specialize in the traveling musician and will support you and take care of any damage.
User avatar
Anthony Parish
Posts: 134
Joined: 18 Jan 2020 10:19 am
Location: Austin

Post by Anthony Parish »

The biggest part of the "light single-neck" option is finding one that can give you what you already get from your D10. I have a Zum Encore and had a GFI Expo, and they're both great guitars weighing under 50lbs in the case. However, when you play them they feel very different from the old D10 guitars. They have a different vibe. They require a different touch (especially with the levers). A step in between the heavy D10 and the light S10 could be one of the heavier SD10s (think Sho-Bud LDG, etc). That may provide a similar playing vibe as the E9 neck on your D10, but it wouldn't help much on the weight problem.

Bottom line: if you find a single 10 that does the job, go for it. But finding the *right* one is the key.
Jon Voth
Posts: 308
Joined: 12 Sep 2018 10:03 pm
Location: Virginia, USA

Post by Jon Voth »

Just my two cents regarding traveling with heavy stuff. I'm a career musician flying often with a tuba & case.

Do what you can to get under the regs (50 lbs or whatever). Single neck, split case perhaps, whatever.

If you fly, every leg of the flight you never know what they will do. I'm government so sometimes they give me a break and it's never on me but it's at the will of the agent at the time.

Make it easy on yourself.
User avatar
Parker Brown
Posts: 21
Joined: 29 Mar 2021 9:12 pm
Location: Montana, USA

Post by Parker Brown »

Thank you everyone! This is all very helpful. I've had two recommendations for the Zum Encore so I may pursue that. I have a short run with the group during the first two weeks of June so I'll have to act fast or just see how the D10 handles out there (or my back). Again, thank you so much and if anyone has any leads on an Encore, please let me know. I am in the middle of Montana and there's not much for steel shopping around here.
Ron Pruter
Posts: 1555
Joined: 25 Feb 2011 2:47 pm
Location: Arizona, USA

Post by Ron Pruter »

Parker- Encores sell FAST!!!!
Emmons SKH Le Grande, '73 P/J bass, Tick tack bass, Regal high strung, and a Coral Sitar, USA Nashville 112.
User avatar
Bob Watson
Posts: 1533
Joined: 30 Aug 2000 12:01 am
Location: Champaign, Illinois, U.S.

Post by Bob Watson »

I have an Emmons P/P D10 and a Zum D10 and a Zum Encore. Unless I know I'm going to be able to play 2 or 3 songs on the C6 neck on the gig, I take the Zum Encore. It's a great sounding and playing steel.
Post Reply