(Lap)Steel Guitar Compressor

[Martin Lindsay]

When Iistening to the following online instrumental cover tune by Troy B., it sounds like his Duesenberg lapsteel is going thru a compressor.

https://youtu.be/bijG5gjTFSg?si=H9T0YeOWV-a75Scf

It’s most noticeable on the pick attack on notes, but I’m not familiar with the straight sound of a Duesenberg lapsteel pickup.

I like the sound of compression on slide. It has been used to great effect - no pun intended - by Lowell George, Bonnie Raitt, and others, and I know that many steel players routinely use this as well.

I’d appreciate any feedback (verbal, not electronic) on:
1) Whether it’s Duesenberg pickup or a compressor creating the attack envelope on this Troy B tune
2) what compressors you find work well on sterl guitar

Thank you!

[Ken Metcalf]

Sounds like a distortion effect to me with reverb and delay.
Distortion after the volume pedal gives a little clean when backed off. More distortion when more volume is applied.
Set the distortion so single strings are cleaner and two strings are more fuzzy. Typical blues tone.
With steel I prefer distortion before the volume pedal for more even distortion at different volumes.

[Ken Metcalf]

Just ask Troy Brenningmeyer, He is a nice guy. ^_^