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Topic: Is The Steel Guitar Declining???? I Say No |
Ernest Cawby
From:
Lake City, Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 26 Oct 2008 10:03 pm |
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If the steel is losing out why are all the builders loaded with work, some have stoped taking orders, some are 2 years or more behind. And some more than that. I plaqyed a borrowed guitar a freind made and I could have sold more of those guitars than he could have made in a year, with steady work. Some buyers are paying $5,000.00 and $6,000.00 for a new guitar, and how long do they have to wait for it.???????? A freind of mine wanted to buy a Jackson at St. Louis last year they were all sold 1st day of the show.
ernie |
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Pat Comeau
From:
New Brunswick, Canada
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Larry Bressington
From:
Nebraska
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Posted 27 Oct 2008 6:03 am
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You'd think there would be enough used one's in the circles.
_________________
A.K.A Chappy. |
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Ernest Cawby
From:
Lake City, Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 27 Oct 2008 6:20 am hi
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So many have more than one, the item on the forum about how many guitars do you have has been an eye opener, some has 10, or 5, or 3, I will have 4 when the new one is finished, and will not sell any of these, if all the extra guitars were put on the market it would flood the market place and new builds would slow down.Even in the bad times we are in now there are a lot of guitars being made. Sure is nice to see so many people able to have new ones. One hapy camper just got a new Jackson and a new show Pro, ain't love grand. I would like to have a new Jackson but it is out off reach.
ernie |
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Paul Norman
From:
Washington, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 27 Oct 2008 6:27 am
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I wish I had more than 2.
I was at a jam sunday, there were 3 pedal steels and 1 lap steel. And 1 outdoors. Didnt play.
It did not look like a shortage. |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 27 Oct 2008 7:52 am
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No, I don't believe it's in decline. Some of the criteria you cite would help support that.
Steel guitar is on nearly all of the new stuff played on "country" radio. It's seen and heard on late night TV several times ea. week. It's heard in the background on many of the popular TV series. PBS and NPR have many programs where you can see and hear the steel guitar in action.
Don't forget the sacred steelers. A huge group that has employed the steel guitar in their music for years and continue to do so. |
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Theresa Galbraith
From:
Goodlettsville,Tn. USA
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Posted 27 Oct 2008 8:16 am
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NO!  |
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Larry Bressington
From:
Nebraska
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Posted 27 Oct 2008 8:34 am
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only in 3 peice bands!
_________________
A.K.A Chappy. |
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 27 Oct 2008 8:45 am
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| I say it is not advancing enough....therefore it IS declining. |
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Carlos Polidura
From:
Puerto Rico
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Posted 27 Oct 2008 9:23 am
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| I don't think the steel guitar is declining at least in sales but we have to do our best to get more people involved with the steel guitar. I have two pedal steels, a Lamar and an Emmons pp and a Dynalap lap steel. Wish I could have a few more. |
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Antolina
From:
Dunkirk NY
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Posted 27 Oct 2008 9:29 am
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I don't believe it's declining by any means. Like PF said, "it's taking diferent directions". I've watched the ebb abd flow for years. Yeah it seems to kinda die out every now and then but it always resurfaces. The great solos we so loved may be missing but the steel guitar is still very much alive IMO.
This is one of those threads I wish Paul would jump on
_________________
The only thing better than doing what you love is having someone that loves you enough to let you do it.
Sho~Bud 6139 3+3
Marrs 3+4
RC Antolina |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 27 Oct 2008 10:12 am
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As I stated in another topic, I don't think there's much we can do to bring people to the steel guitar other than be passionate about it and strive to play it well. You can't make people like something. I don't think we should try to force it on them. They have to decide on their own whether it's pleasing or not. Just think about the last time someone tried to get you interested in something you just don't care about. It's not for everyone.
OTOH, if they hear you play something moving or in a context they understand, you might at least get their attention. |
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Pat Comeau
From:
New Brunswick, Canada
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Posted 27 Oct 2008 1:56 pm
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Like i said in some other topics...
It's not because people don't like it...it's because they don't hear it and see it has often has they used too, i'd say 90% of people that hears pedal steel loves it.
Maybe the sales of PSG is not declining...but it's not so in the music business, you see less and less steel players in bands because they can't afford it, money in clubs scenes and festivals ect... has drop alot since the last 10 years, they pay half of what you made 10 to 15 years ago and everything else has double or triple like gas ect... 
_________________
Comeau SD10 4x5, Comeau S10 3x5, Peavey Session 500,Fender Telecaster,Fender Stratocaster, Fender Precision,1978 Ovation Viper electric. Alvarez 4 strings Violin electric.
Click the links to listen to my Comeau's Pedal Steel Guitars.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIYiaomZx3Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2GhZTN_yXI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvDTw2zNriI |
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Les Anderson
From:
The Great White North
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Posted 27 Oct 2008 2:11 pm
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Maybe the question should have been defined a bit more or pointed.
Yes there are lots of steel guitars out there; however, they are not requested to play in bands as much as they once were.
I can honestly say that I play in local jams about 6 to 1 to my actual paid gig work. |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 27 Oct 2008 2:48 pm
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One of the biggest reasons many local bands do not have Steel players is that we really do not bring enough to the table for a small gig which may pay $250 to $300.
A Steel player who doubles on other LEAD Instruments works a lot. A Steel player who can sing a few tunes and pick a Telecaster can find a good home locally and stay pretty busy. I have found this to be consistent for the many decades I have been playing.
I play Steel with a local band on the bigger gigs, only Steel, no guitar. BUT, on some of the smaller gigs I may be the only guitar picker . I do bring the Steel but the Telecaster is primary. Thats my job on those gigs.
I don't see the Steel as being any different now than it was back in the 70's, at least for me. One thing is for certain, if I do attend a rehearsal or a startup practice with a new group, I bring a new wide open attitude with me.
I can tell them what I really think the next day !
and I have  |
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Brett Day
From:
Pickens, SC
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Posted 27 Oct 2008 4:20 pm
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No, the steel guitar is not declining. It's too amazing and wonderful! I'm one guy who likes to experiment with the steel, that means to add steel to a song that doesn't feature steel, or add steel to songs outside of country music.
Brett |
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KENNY KRUPNICK
From:
Columbus, Ohio
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Posted 27 Oct 2008 5:00 pm
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Steel guitar is NOT declining!  |
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Larry Bressington
From:
Nebraska
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Posted 27 Oct 2008 5:10 pm
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10 guitars?????????????? john dee rockerfella!
_________________
A.K.A Chappy. |
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Kevin Hatton
From:
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted 27 Oct 2008 6:07 pm
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| Tony is correct. If you think that you are going to get a job in a band just playing steel without playing other instruments good luck. The steel guitar is very popular right now. |
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Clyde Mattocks
From:
Kinston, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 28 Oct 2008 9:08 pm
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Again, agreeing with Tony. The more things you can do, the more likely you are to work. Also, it helps to own the P.A.!
_________________
LeGrande II, Nash. 112, Fender Twin Tone Master, Session 400, Harlow Dobro, R.Q.Jones Dobro |
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Kevin Hatton
From:
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted 28 Oct 2008 9:21 pm
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| Clyde, thats funny. |
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here we go again. 
