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Author Topic:  Why is the Bottom Open?
b0b


From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2009 8:46 am    
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I have an old Rickenbacker pedal steel. One of its classier features IMO is a cover on underside of the body, hiding the mechanical linkage.

People looking up to a tall stage can see the ugly mechanical underbelly of our instruments. It seems to me that a removable cover is a pretty nice feature. What do you think?
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Jim Cohen


From:
Philadelphia, PA
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2009 8:56 am     Re: Why is the Bottom Open?
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b0b wrote:
... the ugly mechanical underbelly of our instruments... What do you think?

I think you're starting from a faulty premise, that's what I think! Whoa!
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Michael Stover


From:
Kansas City
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2009 9:01 am    
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No kidding...if there were room onstage, I'd mount a camera under my steel and small monitor next to me!
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Ray Montee


From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2009 9:02 am     Taking a clue from Speedy.................
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Way back when, after receiving my BIGSBY, I used to hang a bright red felt curtin-like thingie concealing not only the ugly underside of my g'tar but the pedal rods too.
It also concealed my knobby knees!
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Jaclyn Jones


From:
Texas, USA
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2009 9:43 am    
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I worry at outdoor venues about dust, salt air and what ever else is flying around. It would seem like a cover under there would make sense.
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Donny Hinson

 

From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2009 9:45 am     Re: Why is the Bottom Open?
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b0b wrote:
It seems to me that a removable (bottom) cover is a pretty nice feature. What do you think?


I think that's practical only when you don't have knee levers! Winking
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Bill Terry


From:
Bastrop, TX
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2009 10:17 am    
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Ray wrote:
Way back when, after receiving my BIGSBY, I used to hang a bright red felt curtin-like thingie concealing not only the ugly underside of my g'tar but the pedal rods too.


I think I saw a video of Barbara Mandrell playing PSG somewhere and she had a similar 'modesty' drape, but for different reasons...Smile
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Dick Wood


From:
Springtown Texas, USA
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2009 10:45 am    
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I always wondered what they were looking at.
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Ray Minich

 

From:
Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2009 12:49 pm     Another of Murphy's laws...
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When the last of the 86 screws fastening the cover plate to the body have been removed, you will realize you have removed the wrong coverplate.
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jim flynn

 

From:
Salado,Texas
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2009 1:46 pm     steel guitar underwear!!??
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I've often thought of a dust cover, but gave up after
trying to make one that would allow the knees to clear and also be movable. I still think a thin maple cover would enhance the sound.
Jim
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James Morehead


From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2009 2:08 pm    
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There is no cover underneath, so folks can see how complex a pedal steel guitar really is. Makes us players look smarter--we need all the help we can get. Cool Razz
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Jim Cohen


From:
Philadelphia, PA
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2009 2:45 pm    
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There's no bottom so people can tell that it's not a keyboard. Obviously they can't tell from the topside... Rolling Eyes
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Bill Dobkins


From:
Rolla Missouri, USA
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2009 3:41 pm    
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Maybe if we disquised it people would think it was a new kind of instrument and it would become more popular. Razz
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John Drury


From:
Gallatin, Tn USA
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2009 3:58 pm    
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It would be a PITA to lubricate, and a LKV would not be do-able. Added weight would be a minus. It would also alter the tone somewhat and might vibrate?

I don't think I would care for one.
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John McGlothlin

 

Post  Posted 13 Apr 2009 4:08 pm    
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I am continuesley having to turn mine over and make adjustments so a coverplate on mine wouldn't cut the mustard.
Steve Feldman


From:
Central MA USA
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2009 4:54 pm    
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There is no bottom so that the cheese has a place to fall through after it has been sliced.... Rolling Eyes
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John Phinney


From:
Long Beach California, USA
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2009 5:52 pm    
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I would put a cover on the underside of my GFI, but for some reason I get slightly different complaints when I play my steel wearing a kilt!! Laughing Laughing Laughing
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Alan Brookes


From:
Brummy living in Southern California
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2009 6:07 pm    
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Notice that you rarely see non-pedal console steels with an open bottom.

Having the rods pass through apertures in the bottom would complicate the set-up process, unless the bottom were hinged in some way.

The other question is why they don't make hinged lids on steels like on pianos. My PSGs get very dusty. I have some of Bobbe's vinyl covers for them but I'm usually too lazy to use them. Embarassed
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Al Marcus


From:
Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2009 6:32 pm    
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Jim Cohen wrote:
There's no bottom so people can tell that it's not a keyboard. Obviously they can't tell from the topside... Rolling Eyes


Jimbeaux, Funny!....al.SmileSmile Smile Whoa! Cool
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Tommy Young

 

From:
Ethelsville Alabama
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2009 6:58 pm    
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I LOVE lookin at NAKED BOTTOMS myself --some are so shiny and pretty Very Happy Laughing Laughing
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Dave Horch

 

From:
Frederick, Maryland, USA
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2009 7:12 pm    
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Please don't judge me, but...

I started putting a grass hula skirt, about a foot long, around the front of my steel. That seems to hide the mechanics from the gawkers, and looks kinda cool too. Like I said, please don't judge me! Laughing
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Ben Elder

 

From:
La Crescenta, California, USA
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2009 7:54 pm    
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ZBs need a paper bag.
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Robby Springfield


From:
Viola, AR, USA
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2009 8:19 pm    
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Just got a Mullen G2 a few weeks ago...wouldn't want to cover that beautiful work up!
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James Morehead


From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2009 8:25 pm    
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Well, If ya can't cover it up, just SHINE it up!! Cool

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Tony Glassman


From:
The Great Northwest
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2009 8:39 pm    
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The underbelly of a pedal steel is anything but ugly (not butt-ugly). Actually most people find it pretty fascinating!

BTW James, nice looking 'Bud!
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