How many newbies here? 2 years or less?

About Steel Guitarists and their Music

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Mike Perlowin
Posts: 15171
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Los Angeles CA
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How many newbies here? 2 years or less?

Post by Mike Perlowin »

Seems we have quite a few.
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Mark Eaton
Posts: 6047
Joined: 15 Apr 2005 12:01 am
Location: Sonoma County in The Great State Of Northern California

Post by Mark Eaton »

I joined early last year after being a lurker for a good while. I finally got around to sending my $5 to b0b-shoot, I could have dropped it off to him-he lives 20 minutes from me!

Then I got to go to the San Jose Steel jam, by finding out about it here on the Forum, where Mike P. made the drive from L.A. with Al Vescovo. Let me tell you, there was a lot of talent in that room, even though I dragged down the neighborhood.

By the way, I haven't seen any posts from Al in quite awhile. What's going on with him? Holy smokes, can that man play a steel guitar!

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Mark
<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Mark Eaton on 16 January 2006 at 10:02 AM.]</p></FONT>
Jud Thomas
Posts: 57
Joined: 20 Jan 2004 1:01 am
Location: Austin, Texas, USA

Post by Jud Thomas »

It'll be two years for me in April. I took a number of lessons from Neil Flanz here in Austin to get started. I remember my first lesson, I had my finger picks on backwards! He kindly showed me the correct way to place them and didn't even laugh. He really is patient and understanding. I'm just starting to realize how much there is to learn about this amazing instrument. I need to spend as much time practicing as I do reading this forum!
Bill McPherson
Posts: 4
Joined: 5 Jan 2006 1:01 am
Location: Orange County, California

Post by Bill McPherson »

I am a future newbie. I ordered a Carter S-10 a few weeks ago. I'm will be 50 this year and have played guitar since my teens. My wife asked me what I wanted for the big 50th birthday and my answer was "a pedal steel guitar". I've always loved the sound of the pedal steel and always found myself trying to mimic the sound on my Tele or Gretsch. I hope I can learn to play the real thing!
Jim Hoke
Posts: 393
Joined: 22 Dec 2005 1:01 am
Location: Tennessee, USA
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Post by Jim Hoke »

I'm a new member, and am a pro Nashville cat session guy on several other instruments. Been playing steel two years now, w/ a double neck for one, and am really enjoying the C neck. To me, the E9 is the "heart" neck and the C6 is the "brain", but that's over-simplifying. What has helprd me alot since joining the forum is the old issues of Steel Player I bought. They're loaded w/ great helpful tips from Emmons, Anderson, Newman, etc. I recommend them alot. Glad to be aboard and be connected to all you other mis-guided players of this most expressive and beautiful instrument.
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Jack Latimer
Posts: 100
Joined: 9 Apr 2005 12:01 am
Location: Ontario, Canada

Post by Jack Latimer »

One year this past December. Got my PSG as a Christmas gift. It's taken a year, but last week I finally got to play it with our band at a weekly practice. The guys were excited with how it changed the sound of the band, but I can see where I need a little more work before I'll be ready with confidence. However, I'm still very excited that I got to where I am so far.
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Jonathan Shacklock
Posts: 675
Joined: 11 Jan 2006 1:01 am
Location: London, UK
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Post by Jonathan Shacklock »

I've been learning for about 7 months. There is so much to take in and this is definitely the right place. I hope to be in Jack's position in the next year or so, playing with a band.

Jud I'm jealous, you've had lessons from a true master. I've got an old Gram Parsons LP which features fantastic picking by young Mr Flanz. Teachers are hard to come by in London.

Looking forward to seeing you guys on the boards.
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John Maggard
Posts: 58
Joined: 2 Jun 2005 12:01 am
Location: Cincinnati Ohio, USA

Post by John Maggard »

Depends a little on the definition of newbie, I guess...I've played guitar and keyboards for years in and out of bands, and got hooked on the PSG sound like many others here in the '70s with the Eagles, Burritoes etc. Borrowed a guy's Maverick for a couple of weeks in college to make the 'addiction' complete. Until earlier this year I'd pull out first a Fender then later a Dekley student model - practiced out of the books for a while then ran out of time and patience with myself. After finding this forum I've moved into a D10 and daily practice, and I'm loving every minute of it. I'd like to hook up with a live instructor in the Cincinnati area to keep things moving, though.

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Mike Perlowin
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Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Los Angeles CA
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Post by Mike Perlowin »

Jack L, playing in a band is the best possible way of learning. I suggest you play your steel with the guys as much as possible.
James Sission
Posts: 2061
Joined: 4 Apr 2005 12:01 am
Location: Sugar Land,Texas USA

Post by James Sission »

I am going on my 5th month of learning. I played guitar in a band and I played the steel a little in the practice room one night. Steel guitar playing in a band setting is a completely different world than play tele, in my opinion. Anyway, I decided that evening to stop playing in the band and work on steel guitar alone, so that is where I have been the last few months...James
Jimmie Martin
Posts: 1239
Joined: 14 Apr 2006 12:01 am
Location: Ohio, USA

Post by Jimmie Martin »

i'm a newbie less than 2 years. i konda started late. at the age of 57 i turn 58 the 18th of jan. i sold all of my equipment to get operated on last sept. and oct. but i'm working on starting over getting new stuff. or new to me. i think gary preston is the only one that i have met in person and mike sigler. i'm not very good but i'll do until good gets here. thanks for listening jimmie aka robert
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Michael Pierce
Posts: 516
Joined: 1 Feb 2005 1:01 am
Location: Madison, CT

Post by Michael Pierce »

I have been playing for a little over a year now and have been fortunate enough to take lessons from Doug Beaumier, an excellent teacher, during that time. Despite Doug's best efforts, I am what might charitably be referred to as an enthusiastic hacker.
Jim Rice
Posts: 206
Joined: 28 Jun 2004 12:01 am
Location: Littleton, Massachusetts, USA

Post by Jim Rice »

Its just two years for me this Christmas. I'm new to stringed instruments. Played jazz trumpet in big bands and combos in my teens and 20s. Gave it up for a "real job". At 46, almost 25 years later, I decidced I wanted music back in my life, and I wanted a challenge. Be careful what you ask for!

I am totally hooked on this habit. Just started lessons this year - now it makes sense. I strongly recommend joining a local steel club, lots of fun and great folks!
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Kenny Brown
Posts: 219
Joined: 18 Feb 2003 1:01 am
Location: Auburn, Alabama, USA

Post by Kenny Brown »

I believe I've only been on board(no pun)for a couple of years tops.

Although I don't post too often, so many people have been more than helpful providing info any time I've asked.

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Ben Jones
Posts: 3356
Joined: 12 Dec 2005 1:01 am
Location: Seattle, Washington, USA

Post by Ben Jones »

8 weeks, maybe four of those with a guitar.
There's been alot of stop and start... But I'm all set now and ready to start learning.
This board has been very helpful and i thank you all for that. alot of people have really gone out of their way to help me out, and i wont forget that.
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Jim Sliff
Posts: 7059
Joined: 22 Jun 2005 12:01 am
Location: Lawndale California, USA

Post by Jim Sliff »

I've been here 6 or 7 months. It's been invaluable!
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John Coffman
Posts: 1273
Joined: 29 Mar 2005 1:01 am
Location: Wharton,Texas USA

Post by John Coffman »

Little over a year. Loving it! How many of you will make it to Dallas in March?

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Thomas SD10 3/4 and D10 8/5 Beginner

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Delvin Morgan
Posts: 614
Joined: 19 Sep 2004 12:01 am
Location: Lindstrom, Minnesota, USA

Post by Delvin Morgan »

I've been on the Forum two years this summer, bought my Emmons Sept.,04 and taking lessons from a master player since June,05. Still have a long way to go, but enjoying every minuet. This Forum has been very helpful, thanks all.

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Emmons S-10,Nashville-112,Peavey Pro-Fex II,5 guitars and a banjo
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Joseph Meditz
Posts: 345
Joined: 14 Nov 2005 1:01 am
Location: Sierra Vista, AZ

Post by Joseph Meditz »

I've been playing for 5 whole weeks now. Given the holidays I must've put in about 150 hrs, 120 on top of it and 30 underneath. Yes sir I know this box rightside up, upsidedown, inside out and sideways. And sometimes when I'm tuning I reach under and feel around for a particular rod to jiggle to see if it has enough play like I'm helping to birth a calf, not that I would know being a city boy.

But I'm loving every minute of this experience with my Fessy S-10 and my Winnie Winston book. And I thank you all for the many contributions here and especially the pioneers who developed this amazing instrument for us to enjoy.

Joe

Steve Mottin
Posts: 5
Joined: 7 Nov 2005 1:01 am
Location: Lake Saint Louis, MO

Post by Steve Mottin »

I've been attempting to play now for about 10 weeks. I've finally had to tell my instructor to stop coddling me and make me perform. Yikes! This week I'm doing a series of pick-blocking exercises. Me and my big mouth.

I've really enjoyed the forum and look forward to meeting some of yuo in Dallas.

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Steve

GFI Ultra SD10
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Roman Sonnleitner
Posts: 759
Joined: 27 Nov 2005 1:01 am
Location: Vienna, Austria

Post by Roman Sonnleitner »

Non-pedal newbie her! Have been playing at least 30 min. per day, for a couple of weeks now (on my own homemade lap steel), and I'm actually surprised how fast I'm progressing...
Bill Moran
Posts: 2207
Joined: 6 Jan 2003 1:01 am
Location: Virginia, USA

Post by Bill Moran »

You Know:
I have been fooling around with steel guitar
for 26 years and I still feel like a new-be.
Hope I never change !!! Image

Bill
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Chris LeDrew
Posts: 6404
Joined: 27 May 2005 12:01 am
Location: Canada

Post by Chris LeDrew »

I've been here since last June. I've been playing pedal steel for about 5-6 years (after playing guitar for about 20), but since I joined the forum it's been a bit more of a fast climb in my proficiency. I practice a lot more now, because I get all fired up when reading about and looking at steels.

I was lucky to have joined a country band right at the start of my playing - we all formed the band together. Now the band is really busy, and my playing is steadily improving all the time - a great combination. I'm proud to say that the majority of my income derives from my Sho-Bud these days.

Up until I joined the forum, I just simply threw the steel in the car and went to gigs, playing whatever came out of me. I practiced 0 at home. (I used to keep time on stage by banging my bar off the side of the steel!!). I credit the forum with making me really want to be a great player - and educating me about the many kinds of guitars and the masters of the instrument.
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Andy Jones
Posts: 540
Joined: 11 Oct 2005 12:01 am
Location: Mississippi

Post by Andy Jones »

At 53 years old,I bought my MSA D-10 Classic on 8-6-05 from my new friend,Billy Carr.Except for a two week period without electricity due to hurricane Katrina,I practice every chance I get.Having a blast with it and can't wait until I get good enough to play for some one other than myself.
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Steve Hackney
Posts: 329
Joined: 3 Jun 2005 12:01 am
Location: Milton, Kentucky USA

Post by Steve Hackney »

I've been a member for 6 months or so. Best 5 bucks I ever spent. Learned a lot from the members. Sold a steel to a forum member, bought another one from a forum member.
Been tryin to play steel for about 25 years and still learnin new things all the time. Thats what makes it fun.
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