The Steel Guitar Forum

Hi all,

I'm a newbie in Minneapolis. I have an MSA Sidekick I bought off EBay a couple of years ago after a long search. There were a lot steels up for auction that were "owned by my Father and I didn't even know he had a Sho-Bud D-10" (right) or "I don't how to play it so I can't tell you if it works" and other such stories. Eventually I found a guitar I could afford at the time that was owned by someone that actually played and loved it. It is 30 years old (thanks for the date of manufacture Reese) and pristine. I replaced the original pickup with a George L's and it sounds great.
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As an aside is it better to try to learn with or without a digital delay? A lot the licks I want to emulate use it but I kind of have my hands full with the basics right now.

Thanks,
Doug Swenson

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MSA S-10<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by b0b on 17 October 2004 at 11:27 AM.]</p></FONT>

Welcome to the Forum, Doug.

Using a digital delay will probably increase your enjoyment of your practice sessions, but it won't help you with your technique at all. In fact, it will mask problems in your technique. I usually practice without effects, except when the goal of the practice session is to learn to use the effect.

If you're going to perform with a delay unit, it's a good idea to spend a couple of hours practicing with it so that its sound won't startle you on stage. But to get your hands, knees and feet working together, it's much better to practice without effects.

I use headphones for most of my practicing, too. That way the awful noises and repetitions don't annoy Mrs. Lee, and I'm not as easily distracted by other noises in the house.

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<font size="1"><img align=right src="http://b0b.com/Hotb0b.gif" width="96 height="96">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
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