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Topic: By What Name? |
James Cann
From:
Phoenix, AZ
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Posted 1 Jan 2008 11:32 am |
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I've always been curious to hear what terms people use when referring to PSG et al. I've always used "steel" or "steel guitar" myself; IMHO,"pedal steel" always had an affected ring to it (perhaps as used by a wannabe or a less-than-informed person.
There's no offense or elitist nonsense here, only the curiousity of a language/semantics/linguistics guy during the day.
What's the thinking out there? |
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Larry Bell
From:
Englewood, Florida
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Posted 1 Jan 2008 11:45 am
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Since I haven't played six string gigs in thirty years or more, I just call it my guitar . . .
. . . 'cause that's what it is. 
People usually understand
_________________
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
2021 Rittenberry S/D-12 8x7, 1976 Emmons S/D-12 7x6, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Quilter ToneBlock 202 TT-12 |
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Bent Romnes
From:
London,Ontario, Canada
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Posted 1 Jan 2008 11:56 am
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These days I am making myself say Pedal Steel Guitar.
Seeing how there is a general ignorance about this instrument, the very least I can do as a self-proclaimed ambassador is to address it by its proper name.
Still, people can't get it through their heads, or are too lazy or just don't care. They call it whatever they wish.
But for us who love the instrument the way we do, nothing but Pedal steel guitar should suffice.
Larry, 'guitar' is fine for you and us who know what you are talking about..we ARE a breed of acronym makers.
For the ones who are sincerely interested in what I am playing, when I speak of it in terms of "PSG", their curiosity is awakened. They start asking questions about pedals etc.
I think we should all endeavor to call it Pedal Steel Guitar, for proper promotion.
"Guitar" is fine among us players. PSG is ok for us too. |
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Calvin Walley
From:
colorado city colorado, USA
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Posted 1 Jan 2008 12:06 pm
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i call it that agervating ,frustrating, @#$%#@$%
_________________
proud parent of a sailor
Mullen SD-10 /nashville 400
gotta love a Mullen!!!
Guitars that i have owned in order are :
Mullen SD-10,Simmons SD-10,Mullen SD-10,Zum stage one,Carter starter,
Sho-Bud Mavrick |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 1 Jan 2008 12:14 pm
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....I can't add anything to what Bent said.  |
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Delvin Morgan
From:
Lindstrom, Minnesota, USA
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Posted 1 Jan 2008 12:16 pm
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Calvin, thats the same thing I call mine at times. 
Last edited by Delvin Morgan on 1 Jan 2008 12:27 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Larry Bell
From:
Englewood, Florida
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Posted 1 Jan 2008 12:20 pm
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When the waitress asks me where to put my beer I just say "over there beside my guitar"
When someone asks me what that instrument is called I tell them it's a "pedal steel guitar"
When someone compliments me on my slide playing I will generally explain that it's called a "pedal steel guitar"
_________________
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
2021 Rittenberry S/D-12 8x7, 1976 Emmons S/D-12 7x6, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Quilter ToneBlock 202 TT-12 |
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Tony Glassman
From:
The Great Northwest
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Posted 1 Jan 2008 12:43 pm
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| steel, steel guitar or pedal steel are all OK,....as long as the words: slide (e.g. "slide pedal guitar") or keyboard are not uttered. |
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Charles Davidson
From:
Phenix City Alabama, USA
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Posted 1 Jan 2008 1:09 pm
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I hate it when some one calls it a lap steel[I have heard that]Don't think I could make it through a gig with my MSA D-10 in my lap,would have two broke legs,DYKBC.
_________________
Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC ! |
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T. C. Furlong
From:
Lake County, Illinois, USA
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Posted 1 Jan 2008 1:14 pm
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I just love it when people call it a "steel pedal".
A former band leader used to introduce me as the guy that plays the sewing machine.
TC |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 1 Jan 2008 1:19 pm
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| "Steel guitar" might easily be misconstrued as a steel-string guitar, or a guitar with a steel body. "Steel" by itself might be misconstrued as steel drums in certain circles. "Pedal guitar", likewise, might now be misconstrued as a regular guitar with palm-pedals added. So, I just use "pedal steel", since I think it's the shortest and least ambiguous description. |
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Brett Day
From:
Pickens, SC
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Posted 1 Jan 2008 1:39 pm
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I call it steel guitar, or pedal steel guitar, or pedal steel. I also call it the steel.
Brett
Last edited by Brett Day on 2 Jan 2008 1:54 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Charles Davidson
From:
Phenix City Alabama, USA
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Posted 1 Jan 2008 1:44 pm
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TC,I have heard that one to,steel pedal,Had a bandleader once that used to say[Here's Charlie on his electric table]DYKBC.
_________________
Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC ! |
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Nic du Toit
From:
Milnerton, Cape, South Africa
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Posted 1 Jan 2008 2:07 pm
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If one considers the criteria used to name it a 'Pedal Steel Guitar', then perhaps a Piano should be known by another name (Loads of strings, plus pedals, etc. Why the name 'Piano'??)
A proper name for our instrument is due.....the current attempts at providing it with some 'descriptive' name, makes no sense anyway.
Imagine calling a Dulcimar (Sp?) by any other name......(shape of body, strings, etc....??)
There a many other examples, but I'm sure you get my point.
So, let's get serious and ask the linguists amongst us come up with some ideas.  |
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Dave Harmonson
From:
Seattle, Wa
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Posted 1 Jan 2008 2:14 pm
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| There was a guitar picker I worked with back in the 80's, who after picking up my old D10 MSA in its hard case, called it a cement guitar. |
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Bill Dobkins
From:
Rolla Missouri, USA
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Posted 1 Jan 2008 2:17 pm
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What Calvin said only double.
_________________
Custom Rittenberry SD10
Boss Katana 100 Amp
Positive Grid Spark amp
BJS Bars
Z~Legend Pro,Custom Tele
Honor our Vet's.
Now pass the gravy. |
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James Cann
From:
Phoenix, AZ
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Posted 1 Jan 2008 3:21 pm
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Thanks, gents. Interesting comments . . . but now, as I must . . .
| Quote: |
| . . . only the curiousity of a language/semantics/linguistics guy . . . |
who should know how to spell curiosity. |
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Edward Meisse
From:
Santa Rosa, California, USA
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Posted 1 Jan 2008 5:46 pm
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| Quote: |
| Why the name,"Piano?" |
The full name of the instrument is Pianoforte, which is Italian for,"Softloud." It refered to what the instrument was capable of. Before the piano(forte) keyboard instruments pretty much played at only one volume. The pianoforte, therefore, represented a big technical advance. See how important it is to call things by their PROPER names?
I play a nonpedal steel. I refer to my guitar as a steel guitar. It is a guitar played with a, "Steel." I refer to the pedal stee as a , "Pedal Steel Guitar." Because that's what it is. And, like the pianoforte, it represents a big technical advance.
_________________
Amor vincit omnia |
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Tony Glassman
From:
The Great Northwest
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Posted 1 Jan 2008 5:52 pm
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| Okie Organ |
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Curtis Alford
From:
BastropTexas, USA 78602
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Posted 1 Jan 2008 5:54 pm
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In my neck of the we just "steel", if there is a comment it will be, what's your set up, single or doubleneck.Who you playing with, where you playing.
I've never heard anyone say what is that you are playing.If you are not playing well, they may say who are you taking leasons from or, if things are good that steel sounds good tonight. |
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Edward Meisse
From:
Santa Rosa, California, USA
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Posted 1 Jan 2008 6:02 pm
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People frequently ask me what my instrument is. And even more frequently they refer to my electric lap steel as a, "Dobro."
_________________
Amor vincit omnia |
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Brett Day
From:
Pickens, SC
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Posted 2 Jan 2008 1:51 pm
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Boxcar Willie called it the Hawaiian pedal electric steel guitar". On some records, it's called either steel guitar, or sometimes steel if it refers to pedal steel guitar. On Dierks Bentley's second record, it was known as Sho-Bud Pedal Steel Guitar".
Brett |
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Frederic Mabrut
From:
Olloix, France
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Posted 3 Jan 2008 2:46 am
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With people who know what is it, I speak of steel or steel guitar, with people who haven't any idea about it I speak of pedal steel guitar.
Nevertheless one night after a gig a young and somewhat drunk woman affirmed me with slurred speech
"itz like a keybooard....with ztringz..!"
_________________
Fred
------------
Franklin D10
Gibson CG 520
http://www.myspace.com/lescoyotes63
http://www.myspace.com/steelguitarfred |
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Jonathan Cullifer
From:
Gallatin, TN
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Posted 3 Jan 2008 7:31 am
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| I used to call it a steel guitar until "steel guitar" and "lap steel" became synonymous at Belmont. In the ensuing confusion, I changed to calling it a pedal steel (at least around school). |
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Tamara James
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Posted 3 Jan 2008 8:49 am
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[quote="Nic du Toit"]
Imagine calling a Dulcimar (Sp?) by any other name......(shape of body, strings, etc....??)
quote]
Excuse me. Hijack for just a moment...Not that it matters....
Mountian Dulcimer = 3 or 4 strings, hourglass (usually) shape
Hammered Dulcimer = 66 + strings. sort of a trapaziod shape.
The mountain or lap dulcimer does have many names, but that is a discussion for a different site. I've not heard a Hammered Dulcimer called anything else but a "Hammered Dulcimer" or just "Dulcimer."
Back to the regular discussion..... |
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