New Member

Dean Salisbury · From: New York, USA

Hello Im new to the steel guitar forum, was posting on "steel player" but was told that most of my posts should be in here, so guess I should start all over.

I'm 60 and live in Staten Island, NY. My mother bought a steel guitar in 1954 but never learned how to play it and not for some reason being I turned 60, she just mailed me the steel. I will add a photo, but it has a serial number of: X49710 I have been told that it is a National but I have no clue, by the way it is non peddle and has 6 strings.

I am not that good but I do have 13 guitars counting now this steel. I do have a pretty good collection.

1. 1964 fender strat red
2 1964 fender strat blue
3. 1965 fender strat red
4. 1985 Kramer, Floyd Rose Tremolos
5. 1969 Univox hollow/electric
6. NO NAME Cheap bass
7. Esteban standard
8. Esteban electric
9. Esteban Classical, Cutaway. 2005,1st Collectable
10. Gibson Les Paul Standard
11. Yamaha bass 5 string
12. Esteban 2006, in laid Collectable. 2nd Collectable
and, now
13. 1954 National steel guitar

I have in the past couple of years bought about a dozen of Esteban guitars and have given them away to local kids on Staten Island who convinced me that they were interested in learning to play the guitar. I have found for the money and what you get if purchaed at the right time is a real bargain. Its a way that I have found to get people especially kids into music.

I have purchsed 2 courses and so far only got one but should be getting the other one in the next day or two. The first course I got was from Georgeboards which consisted of like 12 dvds and 6 cds. The other course that I am waiting on I got from Rick Alexander.

If anyone knows either guy what do you think of their courses?

While Im on the subject of purchasing courses. After going to GeorgeBoards course for beginners. It is done very well. However, I really don't believe it is for a beginner! Close but not close enough. Anyone purchasing lessons from the internet. I would suggest that you only purchase material when they also offer a book or written material to go along with the course. The course on DVD or CD are just to fast to comprehend. They don't go slow enough for you to make any notes and to keep reversing the dvd or cd is a real pain in the ass!

As I get more information and know what I am doing better, I think that the GeorgeBoard course will be extremely helpful but for the mean time it just leaves several questions.

Im not sure about Rick Alexander as I hven't seen it yet, but he told me personally it is more for a beginner and does have a book with tabs that come along with it. So I am waiting patiently for it!

I am not a teacher, but I have taught several subject matters through out my life on many different topics. I guess in the topics I've taught I knew that those coming to me had no clue so by the time I got done there were no questions for the novice beginner! As I knew they knew absolutely nothing.

Back to being on point. I have tuned to C6 because that is what I was told by GeorgeBoards that was what his course was played in. A few days later talking to Rick Alexander I was told that his stuff was I believe in either A6 or E9 tuning! WOW all of a sudden there is two ways of tuning and since I've been on this forumn, I have learned or found out that there are many different ways of tuning! NOW TOTALLY CONFUSED

Playing a regular guitar of years I only know the standard tunning E,A,D,G,B,E

My first confusing was how could a C6, now an A6 and E9 harmonies with the standard tuning EADGBE?

I think I finally got that figured out, but not quite sure yet. Let me tell you whay I ask this question. There is no one around me that I can play, jam, or practice with. So what I have done for years was to find regular songs that I like and now a days being you can get them in mp3 format, I just get them play them on my computer, burn my favorites on a CD and I play along while I listen! As long as they are all tuned to the regular or standard tuning and I'm tune properly they are right on when I play them. Now if they are using a capo, Im screwed and have no idea where they are playing, so i just move on to another song because I am not that good in figuring out songs! lololol

So that is it, now to upload the pic of my steel! hope I do this right!

Dean From Staten Island NY

If anyone knows anything about this guitar please enlighten me if you would be so kind. Thanks

_________________
I'm new and just learning - I know nothing!

Bill Leff · From: Santa Cruz, CA, USA

Try contacting "Mandolin Brothers" music store on Staten Island. They might be able to help you find an instructor.

Dean Salisbury · From: New York, USA

I did contact them and they thought it was a national, so thats why I am calling it a national. They really thought it was, but they have not seen it, I just talk to them via telephone and gave them the serial number.

Thanks Bill appreciate the info.

Dean from S.I., NY
_________________
I'm new and just learning - I know nothing!

Charley Wilder · From: Dover, New Hampshire, USA

It looks like it could be a Supro. Certainly the pickup assembly looks like it. BUT that same configuration appeared on several makes and models. Question

Keith Cordell · From: San Diego

It is a Supro/National/Valco, they had a lot of names on them but they are all made by the same company. The pickups are very cool, a lot of folks (like Rick Alexander, who will not steer you wrong)love them. Here is mine, a Loney labeled guitar made by the same company as yours;

I really love it. If the pickup is weak you can get replacement magnets and install them- a very easy process. I can also tell you that you will get a lot of information here. One thing you might want to consider is trying an open D or E tuning; it is easier to comprehend if you are a guitarist and lends itself to improvising. If you like Western Swing or Hawaiian steel, you need to get into the 6th tunings.

Don Kona Woods · From: Hawaiian Kama'aina

Dean,

Welcome to SGF NonPedal.

It is very thoughtful of you to think about starting
young people into music and funding some of it.

Aloha, Smile

Don

Steve Norman · From: Seattle Washington, USA

Welcome, I like the Cindy Cashdollar dvds on western swing and dobro.has some printed material with the dvds. Very straight forward, lots of basic tips, holding the bard, use of picks etc. also uses familiar songs, gets you up and running after 2 dvds. Produced by Homespun tapes, can get through the elderly music web page. I think you'll find c6 easy to get going on, and you will understand the other tunings once you have dug into the c6 a bit. i never used a 6th chord on regular guitar, now I cant get enough of them!
good luck
Steve
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GFI D10, Fender Steel King, Hilton Vpedal,BoBro, National D dobro, Marrs RGS

Dean Salisbury · From: New York, USA

I have to reply to you first, being your from Vanc. Wa. That is where I am from and thank God my mother didn't know you or I may not have got this steel! lololo as she still lives in Vanc.

I moved to New York in 1989 because I had my first and several heart attacks from 1985 through 1989 and could not get employment with my health problems. My wife is from Bklyn, and we had lived there for the first 4 years of our marriage and I knew that with 3 kids I could find work 1 way or the other so in 89 moved back to new york! Of course found employment within a month and just this past May was finally told that I could not work anymore now fighting with Social Security!

Yes, I like this little toy and being my mother never was able to learn how to play it, I am determined to learn!

Dean from S.I. NY
_________________
I'm new and just learning - I know nothing!

Dean Salisbury · From: New York, USA

I want to thank you for the information. Yes Rick was one of the first steel players I contacted and he did give me a lot of info about my steel. However, you have given me more and I will write it down so I don't forget.

Appreciate your time and your remarks

Dean From NY
_________________
I'm new and just learning - I know nothing!

Dean Salisbury · From: New York, USA

Steve Thanks for the information. I have been told about Cindy CAshdollar as well and have looked at her web page she has several different materials, and at this point just not too sure which that will give me the best and most information. After receiving George Boards material even though I gained a lot of info, there was lots to be still figured out. I am waiting on Rick Alexanders course as I write this, but his course is tuned differently then C6. After looking at several other courses it appears to me that just about everyone has their own way of tuning and that is a little confusing. But will wait and see.

By the way I am from Vanc Wa and only been here in new york since 1989! In just a few days I have learned where the major and minor chords are and in a way the steel to me appears to be easier then learning a standard guitar and there are no callouses to grow! lololol Holding the barr is not a problem because I rememberd as a kid when I use to play on this istrument many moons ago. The finger picks are a real pain but getting use to them as well.

This week and next week I just plan on playing and getting better knowledge of the chords and the frets of both the major and minor chords then will try to get a little use to finger picking which I never got into playing the standard guitar. I am really not much of an improviser! But if I can learn a few songs on this I think my mother will be quite happy.

Thanks for your comments

Dean From S.I. NY
_________________
I'm new and just learning - I know nothing!

Rick Alexander · From: Florida, USA, R.I.P.

Dean Salisbury · From: New York, USA

Thanks again Rick, I am using plastic picks being I had them. they don't really dig into my fingers. But they are small, lololol and yes everytime I put them on I spread them, sooner or later they will either stay open or will break then I'll get some metal ones!

Not really bothering me accept being tight, but they will widen out one of these days. I think metal finger picks will bend and stay better, but will use these until they either stay out or I break them! lololol

Yes my thoughts also, should be getting them today. I cannot wait. As you know I have got GeorgeBoards dvd and cd set something like 12 dvd's and 6 or whatever cd's.

His course is good and has taught me the major and minor chords so I really am not complaining however but I think I will find the same problem with all courses is you cannot tell what finger or string he is picking at times and he doesn't tell you. So that is left to the viewer to try to figure out! LOLOL

he just goes to fast where a person especially a beginner cannot see what he is doing and even after watching his dvds at least 6 times already, I still have know clue what he is doing at times. But thats life. I would not send them back! lololol Sooner or later I will hopefully catch on. and of course he doesnt supply any tabs or written material so that you could look on paper to see what he might be doing.

Thats where I hope your course is different and that with the tabs I can figure out what is being played.

I am guessing that most people who make these course out, just really forgot what it was like when they were starting out knowing nothing! You just cannot watch someone do something and know what they are doing.

In the beginning you just have to take a little time and show and explain exactly what one is doing so they don't have to continuously keep playing it back that is pretty annoying at times.

You have a nice day Rick, and again thanks for your information and continued support! You have been absolutely great!

Dean from NY
_________________
I'm new and just learning - I know nothing!

Charley Wilder · From: Dover, New Hampshire, USA

I forgot to welcome you aboard! Keith is right on the money! It's a great pickup you're blessed with. I have two that are equipt with it, a Supro and a Loney and luckily the pickups are fine as is. But there are people aboard who can rewind for you should you need it. The various tunings can be confusing. I've been at it for years and have found my favorites and stick with them. I won't try to influence you as to tunings. Just listen to the music you like and let that help you decide. Good luck! Smile

Dean Salisbury · From: New York, USA

Well if anything right now, I know that I have a good pickup. lololo Im not sure what you mean by "rewind" but will keep that in mind and try to find out what that term means when it comes to pickups.

At the moment tuning still me confused and cannot understand why people use so many different tuning methods. But at some point I think it will kick in I guess.

One of my problems which I guess most people have unless you have got an outstanding ear or a lot of theory which I don't on either point. I cannot tell you what key anything is played in. In reading music I can tell, but not by hearing it.

Thanks for your post and I appreciate every post that comes in.

Dean from S.I. NY
_________________
I'm new and just learning - I know nothing!

Dean Salisbury · From: New York, USA

Im using these to learn where the notes are. I guess these are not used much but have been brought back into play by some great steels players. Also using these to learn or to have a better idea where the notes and what frets they are.

In playing back Georgeboards DVD's I think I have got the Penatonic scale down: C D E G A C and for some reason F and B are not used. So for other beginners I hope this may help, that is if I am correct in the fingering (strings & frets) 6 is meant for the low string 1 is meant for the high string, etc. so not to be confusing the first number is the string picked and the 2nd number is the fret. So 6-0 would mean the 6th string and picked at the open position. 6-2 means picking the 6 string at the 2nd fret!
6 (string) - 0pen (fret)

C Major Pentatonic Scale
C D E G A C
6-0 6-2 5-0 4-0 3-0 3-3 or:
6-0 6-2 6-4 6-7 6-9 6-12

D Major Pentatonic Scale
D E F# A B D
6-2 5-0 5-2 4-2 3-2 2-2 or
6-2 6-4 6-6 6-9 6-11 6-13

E Major Pentatonic Scale
E F# G# B C# E
5-0 5-2 4-2 3-2 2-1 1-0 or
5-0 5-2 5-4 5-7 5-9 5-12

G Major Pentatonic Scale G A B D E G
4-0 4-2 3-2 2-2 1-0 1-3 or
4-0 4-2 4-4 4-7 4-9 4-12

A Major Pentatonic Scale
A B C# E F# A
3-0 3-2 2-1 1-0 1-0 1-5 or
6-5 6-7 6-9 6-13 6-15 6-18

I hope I have them right anyway. I know that these can also be played in other places, just haven't take the time to check them all out! Thanks to GeorgeBoards in teaching me these scales, I just transcribed the frets that is if I got them right anyway hope it helps beginners like me to find them easier and if they are right, they can just copy and paste and print!

Learning anything totally new is pretty tuff at least for me, so I use many techniques in trying to remember to get them straight. Writing like I just did above is just one of those tools and hopefully if I am wrong someone will correct me so that I can correct my notes! lololol

Dean from SI NY
_________________
I'm new and just learning - I know nothing!

Iain Carmichael · From: Scotland

Dean,
I'm a 60+, dicky-hearted beginner too. Oh Well

AND I've got the twin brother of your National! But hey those scales are seriously useful! I've printed them and I know I'll use them. Hardly started and already you're a teacher! Smile

I've got Rick Alexander's CD (it works perfectly in a bog standard UK CD player,in case anybody this side is wondering).It's a great piece of work. I like the over-the-shoulder strategy, and Rick seems not to have forgotten what a beginner needs to know. However, do not those of us who have 6-stringers have some difficulty with the 8-string format? I know so little about music at this stage that I can't answer that. At any rate, I know I'll get a very great deal from this course, and I hope to have an 8-stringer in the near future.

Enjoy your guitar, and don't forget those tablets! Wink

Iain.
Scotland.

Dean Salisbury · From: New York, USA

Thanks for your comments as well.

I am new to steel but have played guitar since I was about 15 and Im 60 now. I also play the piano and of course can read music so that is a help. However, it is obvious to me at this stage that people who play regular guitars and those that play steel use different terminology so that in itself is learning experience.

Im glad that you printed them out, I would have waited until I got a little more comments and feed back. I think they are right, but at this point I am not sure! so hopefully in your case they are correct at least what I have. lololol

I've learned a lot from my first course from Georgeboards I just have had a few problems with his course, but I'm sure I will have the same problems with others who do courses as well. The problems that I have had is sometimes I cannot see the string or the finger being plucked! the other problem is just a fast course and cannot comprehend that quick. But as I also said that may do to me having a stroke a couple of years ago and that the DRs said I have lost my short time memory of certain stuff but will hopefully slowing regain it. lololol

I did order Ricks material as well as I have had several e-mails with him prior to ordering his course. The main reason I ordered the course is he said that tabs were also provided, so in learning songs with the fun fun fun hopefully with the tabs provided it will greatly help me learn them. Though I might have it in the mail today, but wasn't there! dang it anyway. lolol but there is always tomorrow.

and Rick still communicates with me via email. Which tells me a lot about his character as I have already paid him and he is still communicating and telling me if I have any problems or questions don't hestitate but to let him know. So to me that means alot!

your question or statement: "However, do not those of us who have 6-stringers have some difficulty with the 8-string format?" Well they do for me, but hopefully I will be able to see the difference. If not, well again more I have to figure out in order to be sure I understand it. But at least I havce Ricks email, so if I have a problem with it I will surely give him a shout. He has explained a lot to me already so I just will have to ask the right questions.

Well on this forumn I've seen many steels I would clearly like to have as I do have a pretty good collection already, so would like to have some of those beauties for sure. But don't I will being I've been found to be medically disabled, cash isn't coming in like it once was. I know that there are many in these forumn who aready know about the lack of cash flow! But at this point I wouldn't go back to work if I could just for the money! I like not having to wake up and fight the traffice every morning.

Thanks again Iain!

Lets learn together! ok good luck
_________________
I'm new and just learning - I know nothing!

A. J. Martinez · From: Ca.

hey Dean your guitar is a tonemaster .I have the very exact guitar my #60277 ...same color ...identical... pretty cool little guitar

Dean Salisbury · From: New York, USA

Thanks for the info, if ya can put on a pic of yours if you would be so kind?

Thanks appreciate the info...I gather it still is a national?

Dean from NY
_________________
I'm new and just learning - I know nothing!

Mark Makin · From: Nottingham, UK

Hello Dean
Your guitar is exactly the same instrument as a Supro Studio as it came off the same bench at Valco in Chicago. HOWEVER, technically yours was branded as an OAHU METEOR. Meteors NEVER had a logo on the headstock. (It was the only OAhu that didn't have a logo), Tonemasters, Supros, Airlines, Silvertones always did have logos. The fingerboard markers also give it away as aan Oahu. Supro used totem pole markers, Airline used a 3D square section pattern with numbers of frets marked on it.
The Supros always had 36 frets and ALL the other brands only have around 28.
The Loney NEARLY has the same pattern except that it is mirror reversed..

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