The Steel Guitar Forum

Just a fun poll:

- Who makes the best tabs?

- What makes them the best?

The one I always found to be excellent, was Jeff Newman.

Erv Neuhaus makes a practical tab along with musical notation.

Jeff Garden, Alex Cattaneo and Jan Jonsson.

Alan, When someone asks "who is best", or "what is the best", you will get answers all over the universe. It's like asking what is the best car to buy?

I’ve got some great tabs from Erv Neuhaus.

Erv Niehaus makes tabs too.
Erv

Jim Saunders wrote:Alan, When someone asks "who is best", or "what is the best", you will get answers all over the universe. It's like asking what is the best car to buy?

What is the best car to buy?

I would say the '57 Chevy Bellaire HT.

Yes, Erv has got great tab, and also if you read notes. What I like on Jeff's is the size of his Tab, and there is no Notes, they are both great. Erv is a lot like Doug's, he has beautiful easy, laying around Summertime, Stardust and such, so does Erv, All what you want, I want them all, therefore I have everything Jeff had, over $400.00 in what Erv has, and I could go on. They are all good, I haven't had a lesson yet, I haven't learnt something from.

Jim,
Thanks!
I try to make my tabs a lesson!
Erv

Maybe it’s just me, but a lot of steel guitar tab is formatted to where the numbers are in the spaces rather than on the lines and I have a difficult time relating to it.

For some reason I don’t mentally connect with it as well. I prefer the numbers to be on the lines. I can “see” it better. When they are on the lines, to me it’s like I’m looking at the actual strings to be played.

Mark Eaton wrote:Maybe it’s just me, but a lot of steel guitar tab is formatted to where the numbers are in the spaces rather than on the lines and I have a difficult time relating to it.

For some reason I don’t mentally connect with it as well. I prefer the numbers to be on the lines. I can “see” it better. When they are on the lines, to me it’s like I’m looking at the actual strings to be played.

I thought it was just me!

Erv has the best and easiest method of learning a new melody.

I started a novice with difficulties all around, as I knew nothing about this instrument. I found ERV's music a very easy introduction and study of the Pedal Steel. His work was my very best tutorial and I still use his lovely interpretations of classic Country Steel.

Where would I be without Erv? I have found him so obliging and always ready to help which probably stems from his strong Christian upbringing.
Every best wishes ERV James Taylor Scotland

James,
Bless your heart!
Erv

On this election day, my vote is for Erv's tabs!

Thanks, Jerry!
Erv

Hi ERV,
It is all your own work so Bless Your Own Heart and not mine. Thanks for all your kindness throughout the years. Great music and Great Lad too.

I feel you deserve a place in the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame for your tremendous interpretations of great music which must amount to an enormous truckload of extremely hard work. You have been a credit to this instrument with your gifted work of instruction through beautiful melodies rather than boring exercises. Keep up this excellent work you do and you will create many more skilful players of this lovely American instrument. VERY BEST WISHES, JAMES

James,
You're giving me much too much credit.
I just stumble along doing the best I can.
The Lord has been good to me and has given me some ability to create tabs for pedal steel.
The Holy Spirit spoke to me several years ago and pointed out a need to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ by means of the pedal steel.
I have just been following His leading.
I'm just an old sinner saved by grace.
Erv

Ach ERV,
I know you are an excellent instructor in your own way.
It is handy seeing the value of the notes and I feel that is very important in any musical work. From the very first sheet I got for you I could not believe it was so simple.

Some friends said who instructed you on this instrument and I always say ERV to which they retort who is that and I say, "Och an old American friend of mine!" Every best wishes ERV and much success JAMES

I must say the words "Ach" and "Och" are old Gaelic words but in Scots, we use them all the time for Oh or sometimes similar additions to phrasing like conjunctions.

James,
You're much too kind.
Erv

Ach Erv, " Awa ye go an gee yersail th' credit ye deserve!"
Now that is a conundrum you can sort out yourself.

However, you have done this instrument so much good that you should be recognised for all your hard work. I got so much inspiration from all the known great players including the late "Wimpyy."

Your very clear notation and chording are in my mind so simple a child could work with it and my struggle ended when I saw your crystal clear work; thus give yourself some credit.

Slange James

Erv got me playing this complicated beast. He has a wide range of tabs available.
Erv's tabs are easy to read, have words to songs, melody lines, guitar chords and, most importantly, bar lines, which are the punctuation marks in music. Thank you Erv.
To all those who criticise tab, we hobby players rely on it to maintain our enjoyment of the instrument.
The original question asked who makes the best on-line tabs, and it should be pointed out that Erv's tabs are mail order.
For on-line tabs, I have to endorse John A Russell, from here in the UK. Many of John's tabs are free, easy to read and very accurate. If you haven't come across them, I strongly recommend them.

Alan,
Thanks for the kind words!:D
Erv

I really appreciate ALL the tabbers who put in the hard work to get it right, then make it available to us for free. That's very kind and generous of them!