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Topic: Is it me or is it the lap steel? |
Philippe Custeau
From:
Quebec, Canada
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Posted 21 Jan 2008 9:53 pm |
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| I've been playing pedal steel for a couple of years now and just recently got a lap steel. I found an old National Chicagoan (one of the ones covered in pearloid--mother of toilet seat cover). It's pretty clean and working fine, but I don't like the sound at all. Are these all harsh? Anything I can do? Any string recommendations? I was looking for something that sounded clean and smooth... |
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Michael Lee Allen
From:
Portage Park / Irving Park, Chicago, Illinois
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Posted 21 Jan 2008 10:28 pm
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REMOVED
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"Wisdom does not always come with age. Many times age arrives alone."
Last edited by Michael Lee Allen on 28 Feb 2011 10:10 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
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Posted 21 Jan 2008 10:32 pm
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| Philippe, I own a National Chicagoan and mine sounds great. I use Jagwire C6 strings available right here on the forum. I also play pedal steel but of course use different amp settings to get the sound from my lap steel that I like. I also had to adjust the pickup a tad to get the strings to even out a little better. The string through design pickups on these guitars are awesome. |
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David L. Donald
From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
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Posted 22 Jan 2008 5:04 am
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Could also be a problem with windings in the pickup.
Not as young as it once was. Maybe it needs a refurbishment.
_________________
DLD, Chili farmer. Plus bananas and papaya too.
Real happiness has no strings attached.
But pedal steels have many! |
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Philippe Custeau
From:
Quebec, Canada
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Posted 22 Jan 2008 5:47 am
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| Michael Lee Allen wrote: |
Odd comment as I could say E9 PSG all sounds shrill, nasal, thin, high-pitched,and whining to me. But that's just me.
MLA |
Didn't mean to insult anyone... That's why I'm asking if it's the instrument or me. Thanks for the suggestions. I've tried to mess around with the controls and amp settings--it's not like I haven't used a tone knob in my life, I'm a guitar player. Still, I find that with everything all the way (volume and tone), the pickup is very hot. If I turn the knobs down a bit (vol, tone or both), it immediately sounds boomy and muffled. I'll try the C6 strings....
Thanks |
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Michael Lee Allen
From:
Portage Park / Irving Park, Chicago, Illinois
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Posted 22 Jan 2008 6:01 am
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REMOVED
_________________
"Wisdom does not always come with age. Many times age arrives alone."
Last edited by Michael Lee Allen on 28 Feb 2011 10:11 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Derrick Mau
From:
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 22 Jan 2008 8:18 am
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The amp you're using plays a big part in the tone, and sometimes no matter what setting you use, the results are still horrible.
Before making changes to the pots/pickups, take your steel down to your nearest music shop and try it on different amps/settings. You should find an amp that pairs up well and find a tone you can be satisfied with.
If the shop has vintage amps, better yet.  |
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Roman Sonnleitner
From:
Vienna, Austria
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Posted 22 Jan 2008 10:58 am
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Phillipe,
I have a Supro Supreme from 1952 (a very similar model, same pickup type), and I kind of agree with you - these National/Valco/Supro lap steels with the string-through-pickup tends to be a bit hot, bright and aggressive - that's why this model is very popular with blues/rock players who use overdrive/distrotion with their lap steels.
For a smooth, darker tone, this model wouldn't be my first choice... |
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Philippe Custeau
From:
Quebec, Canada
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Posted 22 Jan 2008 1:13 pm
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| Roman Sonnleitner wrote: |
Phillipe,
I have a Supro Supreme from 1952 (a very similar model, same pickup type), and I kind of agree with you - these National/Valco/Supro lap steels with the string-through-pickup tends to be a bit hot, bright and aggressive - that's why this model is very popular with blues/rock players who use overdrive/distrotion with their lap steels.
For a smooth, darker tone, this model wouldn't be my first choice... |
Hey, that's good to know. You're right on the money. It would sound great for electric/hard driving blues. It's just not what I'm looking for. Any suggestions of another type of lap steel for a mellower, darker tone.
Thanks!
Phil |
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Derrick Mau
From:
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 22 Jan 2008 1:32 pm
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Just curious Philippe, what type of music are you going to be playing? You never mentioned.
Also what type of amp are you currently using? |
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Joey Ace
From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 22 Jan 2008 2:32 pm I Call Them Pandas
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Hi Philippe!
Tone is difficult to describe.
If the smooth tone you are looking for is like Jerry Byrd's sound, I think the best choice is a Bakelite Rickenbacker. I love their tone and sustainnnnnnnn.
They haven't been made since the 50s, but you can sometimes still find one for under $1,000.
Some of them, like Jerry's seven string, are much more.
That's the best "smooth tone" I've found.
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Steve Norman
From:
Seattle Washington, USA
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Posted 22 Jan 2008 2:39 pm
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Have you tried Nickle strings? the steel content in strings now is way more than when the instrument was made. Nickle would be more true to period I believe.I would go as low steel as possible and see what happens. Picking up the neck more or a glass bar may help.
_________________
GFI D10, Fender Steel King, Hilton Vpedal,BoBro, National D dobro, Marrs RGS |
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Philippe Custeau
From:
Quebec, Canada
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Posted 23 Jan 2008 3:49 pm
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Thanks for the tips and suggestions gentlemen.
As for the type of music I play, well, I use the pedal steel for all-out country. I guess with the lap steel I'd qualify it as ambiant/moody pop and alt-country.
Amps? I've tried a bunch: Brownface Fender Vibroverb, BF Deluxe, Peavey Vegas 400, etc. I usually play steel through the Vibroverb and it sounds great.
Thanks
P |
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