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Topic: Why can't our steels look more "cool"? |
Tony Palmer
From:
St Augustine,FL
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Posted 11 Feb 2009 12:34 pm |
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No matter how we improve them mechanically, we're still forced to sit down behind a rectangular box and push pedals while looking down at our hands.
No wonder we're considered boring!
The steel player is always pushed to the back of the stage on tv performances because he's nothing exciting to look at.
Can't someone come up with, say a guitar shaped pedal steel, or an x shaped support instead of four legs...or something a little more cool looking?
We could use a better image.
_________________
Sierra S10 (three!), Peavey 112 and 115, Benoit dobro, Beard Model E dobro, Beard Roadophonic, MSA Superslide, Dean Nickless custom dobro |
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Ken Byng
From:
Southampton, England
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Posted 11 Feb 2009 12:40 pm
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Tony
If there is a cooler looking instrument than a steel guitar, I haven't seen it. Far better than a keyboard on an X stand.
In my musical life I have had a number of women who have said "that instrument is so sexy". They definitely weren't referring to the player!! 
_________________
Show Pro D10 - amber (8+6), MSA D10 Legend XL Signature - redburst (9+6), Sho-Bud Pro 111 Custom (8+6), Emmons black Push-Pull D10 (8+5), Zum D10 (8x8), Hudson pedal resonator. Telonics TCA-500, Webb 614-E, |
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Charles Rodrigues
From:
Tiverton, Rhode Island, USA
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Posted 11 Feb 2009 12:59 pm
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Tony,
I thought you were on vacation in Florida and drinking Pina Colladas (sp). How many did you have?
Nice to see you on the Forum.
Chuck |
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Bill Ford
From:
Graniteville SC Aiken
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 11 Feb 2009 1:40 pm
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Tony, at the Southwestern steel show in Phoenix last month, we saw a prototype of a stand-up pedal steel tht Jerry Fessenden and Jim Palenscar have been working on together*. Now this could be the answer to your prayers.
*I assume it wasn't supposed to be a secret since they had it out in the open and anybody who showed up in the exhibit room at the right time got to see it.
_________________
www.JimCohen.com
www.RonstadtRevue.com
www.BeatsWalkin.com |
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Walter Killam
From:
Nebraska, USA
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Posted 11 Feb 2009 1:46 pm
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What could possibly be cooler that 10 strings on a black box?
dude.
_________________
Mostly junque with a few knick-knacks that I really can't do without! |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 11 Feb 2009 2:04 pm
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20 strings on a black box, dude.  |
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Ronnie Boettcher
From:
Brunswick Ohio, USA
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Posted 11 Feb 2009 2:05 pm
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I think you hit you head on something. The steel guitars are fabulous, Best looking instruments made.
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Sho-Bud LDG, Martin D28, Ome trilogy 5 string banjo, Ibanez 4-string bass, dobro, fiddle, and a tubal cain. Life Member of AFM local 142 |
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Kevin Hatton
From:
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted 11 Feb 2009 2:12 pm
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| ??? Pedal steels are the coolest looking instrument just the way they are. |
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Bill Ford
From:
Graniteville SC Aiken
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Posted 11 Feb 2009 2:12 pm
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12 strings on a red keyboard looking thingy.
_________________
Bill Ford S12 CLR, S12 Lamar keyless, Misc amps&toys Sharp Covers
Steeling for Jesus now!!! |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Walter Killam
From:
Nebraska, USA
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Posted 11 Feb 2009 2:21 pm
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PSG=cool
Groupies=well that depends on the groupies! 
_________________
Mostly junque with a few knick-knacks that I really can't do without! |
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Al Udeen
From:
maple grove mn usa
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Posted 11 Feb 2009 3:14 pm Matbe Hot?
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| I would not want the hippie term "COOL" to be associated with steel guitars, I saw a blue Super-Pro for sale on forum a few days ago that sold in a New York minute, It was absolutely gorgeous but not COOL, Look up the meaning of gorgeous, That describes a steel perfectly! au |
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Bill Patton
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 11 Feb 2009 3:36 pm
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| This is how keyboard players ended up with the "key-tar." So be careful what you ask for... |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 11 Feb 2009 4:28 pm Re: Why can't our steels look more "cool"?
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| Tony Palmer wrote: |
Can't someone come up with, say a guitar shaped pedal steel, or an x shaped support instead of four legs...or something a little more cool looking?
We could use a better image. |
Our image comes mostly from what we play and how we play it.
What we really need, IMHO, is a good many better and more imaginative players. The fanciest steel you could imagine with a player whining away at "Release Me" just ain't gonna excite the masses. It's really not only the instrument shape and the players that are boring, but also their music.
Vanilla ice cream in a Tiffany bowl lit up by lasers is still just vanilla ice cream. |
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Tom Quinn
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Posted 11 Feb 2009 4:42 pm
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Are you kidding? Pedal steels are w-a-y cool looking.
It's what's in the driver's seat that is hurting. But hey, Buddy was cool, with that goatee and dressed to the nines. The guy on Marty Stuart's show is also pretty hip. Chris Ivey is a heart throb! |
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Terje Brattsveen
From:
Nashville, TN. USA
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Posted 11 Feb 2009 4:57 pm
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| Get a FENDER ! |
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Austin Tripp
From:
Nashville TN
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Posted 11 Feb 2009 5:32 pm
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Here are some of the "cool" things you can do with a steel guitar that you cant do with any other instrument out there (except a piano but they dont count)
1. we get to sit down and play instead of standing up.
2. if you ever play at a dinner, you always have a place to set your plate.
3. if your ever playing a show and your very tired, during a break you can lay your head down and take a ciesta.
4. if a tornado ever comes while your at a show, you have something to take cover under.
5. if your kids ever want to make a "fort" you can throw a blanket over the steel and make a tent. (trust me, I had to do it with my niece.
6. if you ever get mad at someone, throw your bar at them, (not that i've ever done that)
Im pretty sure there are more "cool" things you can do with a steel guitar that you cant do with any other instrument but I will have to figure out what they are.
_________________
"Hotrod"
Steel guitarist for Cody Jinks
Member CMA |
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chas smith R.I.P.
From:
Encino, CA, USA
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Posted 11 Feb 2009 6:08 pm
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Titanium tubing, 12-strings with an 8-string bass. It weighs 28# and it's machined for 5 pedals and 4 knees. |
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Cliff Kane
From:
the late great golden state
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Posted 11 Feb 2009 6:37 pm
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| Stretch a sheet across the legs and project a movie on it. |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Doug Palmer
From:
Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 11 Feb 2009 6:41 pm
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I'd like to see a polyester high gloss finish on a steel. Like that on a high end grand piano. Reflective, very cool.
_________________
Emmons D-10, ST-10,LD-10 III, NV-112,Fender Deluxe Reverb. Authorized wholesale dealer musicorp.com! |
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Mike Poholsky
From:
Kansas, USA
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Posted 11 Feb 2009 6:54 pm
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How exciting do you want to be?
Rusty Young has always been one of the most dynamic players I've ever seen. One of the reasons I started this madness!
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Zumsteel 12 Universal
SGBB
ShoBud VP
'64 Fender Twin Reverb/Fox Rehab
Fender Steel King w/BW 1501-4
FX to Taste |
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Bill Dobkins
From:
Rolla Missouri, USA
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Posted 11 Feb 2009 7:08 pm
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I do a lite show when I'm playing, complete with mirror ball and strobe. That way nobody gives a crap that I can't play. With this said, I hear the same thing about tele's (thier just a slab of word)so why does everyone play one. Cause they sound good.
_________________
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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Tommy Shown
From:
Denham Springs, La.
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Posted 11 Feb 2009 8:07 pm
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Why mess with something that's cool,
IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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