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Topic: Pedal Steel Guitar. Where did the name come from ? |
Bill Dobkins
From:
Rolla Missouri, USA
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Posted 8 Jan 2011 8:23 pm |
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This maybe sounds stupid, but where did the name come from? especially the Steel part.
I can relate to the pedal and guitar part. I guess maybe the strings being steel could be the other part. Just wondering.
_________________
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Honor our Vet's.
Now pass the gravy. |
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Dave Mudgett
From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
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Posted 8 Jan 2011 8:41 pm
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I think, historically, the 'steel' part of 'steel guitar' came from the fact that the strings were noted with a steel bar, in contrast to a 'National steel guitar', which had a steel body. Round-neck National steels weren't generally noted with a bar, but square-neck versions generally were, but they're still called National steel guitars. I find it fascinating that some people think it's strange to distinguish between a nonpedal and pedal steel guitar.
Of course, alternate bar materials like ceramic and zirconia sort of leave that all hanging a bit. At a certain point, it just is - well, just because it is. |
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Billy Tonnesen
From:
R.I.P., Buena Park, California
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Posted 8 Jan 2011 8:45 pm
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| The "Steel" comes from the Steel Bar used to go up and down the fretboard to play the notes. This description goes back to the Lap Steel Guitars of the 20's and 30's with the "Hawaiian Steel Guitar" name used for describing the Instrument. |
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Brett Day
From:
Pickens, SC
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Posted 8 Jan 2011 9:32 pm
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The name "pedal steel guitar came back in the 1950s when Paul Bigsby added pedals to a custom steel guitar he was building. In 1953, Webb Pierce's hit "Slowly" had come out and inspired steel players to try out pedals on their steel guitars. Since then, the pedal steel guitar has been the most recognizable sound in country music. The steel guitar playing method started in the late 1900s in Hawaii.
Brett |
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Dan Beller-McKenna
From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 9 Jan 2011 4:26 am
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Brett,
that sounds plausible. But why wasn't the label applied to Gibson and Harlin steels with chord changing pedals in the 40s?
Dan |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Tommy Auldridge
From:
Maryland, USA
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Posted 9 Jan 2011 6:28 am The term " pedal steel guitar"
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| I would say it came from the steel bar and the pedals of course. I've had people refer to mine as a "steel pedal" or "slide guitar" It's been called an ironing board, electric cheese slicer or just, that whining thing. My friend Curry Coster refers to it very appropriately as "THE DIVORCE MACHINE" Actually, it's kind of a "Chick Magnet", until they figure out that the Steel is much more important then them........ Tommy....... |
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Brett Day
From:
Pickens, SC
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Posted 9 Jan 2011 5:49 pm
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| Jim Cohen wrote: |
| Brett, I think you meant to write, "late 1800s" or "early 1900s", right? |
I think so, Jim. I was readin' somethin' about it while typin' but I did the best I could. I love to do research about our beautiful instrument.
Brett |
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Herb Steiner
From:
Spicewood TX 78669
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Posted 10 Jan 2011 7:52 am
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I recall reading magazines like Fretted Instrument News from the '50s that referred to the PSG as a "pedal guitar."
_________________
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? |
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Johan Jansen
From:
Europe
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Posted 10 Jan 2011 9:54 am
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I can'tthink of a name the would suit good..
Pedal Bar Guitar?
pedal-tune guitar?
moving-fret pedal guitar?
It keeps the mystery alive  |
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