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Topic: non-electric PSG? |
Paul Osbty
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 2 Nov 2003 6:05 pm |
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My assumption is that the PEDAL-steel has always been an electric iunstrument (in regualr production, anyway).
Was there ever an acoustic pedal steel (dreadnought, single cut-away!) |
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David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
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Posted 2 Nov 2003 8:26 pm
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| Paul, there is a fairly recent invention called a Pedabro (sp.?) that uses an acoustic resonator for sound and has pedals that function like a pedal steel. It looks like a table shaped Dobro with pedals. I have only seen this on TV a time or two. I'm sure someone can say who makes and plays it. I'm thinking the Franklins. |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 2 Nov 2003 9:08 pm
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The Pedobro has no acoustic volume to speak of. It must be plugged in. Even in an all acoustic setting, it would be lost.
There have been some dobros fitted with palm pedals. I would think that they would be very difficult and uncomfortable to play.
I have a cutaway fitted with a "peg bender"
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum2/HTML/004155.html |
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Brett Day
From:
Pickens, SC
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Posted 4 Nov 2003 9:48 pm
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| Paul Franklin Sr. did make pedabros for a while. You can hear the pedabro on "Forever And Ever Amen" by Randy Travis and "When You Say Nothing At All" by Keith Whitley. The pedabro's been played by Paul Franklin on different country recordings. Brett Day, Emmons S-10, Morrell lapsteel |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 5 Nov 2003 1:26 am
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Paul Franklin Sr also made an acoustic pedal steel guitar without a resonator. Just an acoustic wood body. He brought it to the convention one year. As far as I know, he only made one. I don't know how it sounded.
It seems to me that the shorter sustain of an acoustic guitar would make it unsuitable for use as a pedal steel guitar body. |
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Larry Bell
From:
Englewood, Florida
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Posted 5 Nov 2003 6:50 am
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Mike,
I can tell you how it sounded. Get Dire Straits' live album 'On the Night'. Paul played that instument on 'You and Your Friend'. The guitar is nicknamed 'The Box' and it has a really unique timbre to it.
If you navigate to
this link you'll see both the Pedabro and The Box near the bottom of the page.
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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps
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db
From:
Bethlehem, PA 18015 USA
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Posted 31 Dec 2004 11:09 pm
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The Dobro "G" Palm Pedal Assembly
www.bigbsypalmpedals.com
This can do it!
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Dan Balde
U-12/8&5, S-7/D 3&1, S-6/E,A&G
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 1 Jan 2005 6:23 am
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There wa something very close to what you describe...
The "Hawaiian Harmolin" was basically an acoustic Hawaiian (lap) guitar which had an added string and 2 or 3 knee levers. I believe this was invented back in the '30s, and there was no provision for electrification. I've seen photos and drawings, but I've never seen one in person. One would have to assume the volume would be somewhat less than a standard flat-top. In other words, not very loud. |
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Glyn Bone
From:
Halifax.Nova Scotia. Canada * R.I.P.
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Posted 1 Jan 2005 8:31 am
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Happy New Year folks.
If I am not mistaken I believe that forumite Roy Thompson from Nova Scotia has built an acoustic pedal steel, maybe Roy will jump in on this thread and confirm.
Glyndwr |
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Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
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Posted 1 Jan 2005 9:17 am
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Let's not overlook Paul F's inspired work on Dire Straits' "How Long" - that first solo ride sends chills up my spine every time with that great resonator sound.
dg |
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Roy Thomson
From:
Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada
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Posted 1 Jan 2005 10:14 am
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Hi Glyn,
Don't think we have met yet? Happy New
Year to you also.
I have a resonator acoustic steel which
will accomadate up to 10 strings. It is loud with a fine tone and I tune it C6th. No pedals.
I have another birdseye acoustic steel which I tune EHarp (10 string Alkire). It is non resonator and has good volume with a very acoustic woody sound. I have partially finished a pedal system to raise the second and 10th C# strings to D. This will greatly expand the chord availability factor on this amazing tuning.
These instruments are Box Shape and measure
a little over 30" long by 10 1/2" wide. Depth is 4". Played in sit down position
with stands.
The pedal system I speak of on the EHarp is integrated into the stand so that the guitar can be taken away from it and played
Eharp non pedal easily and quickly.
Roy |
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Dan Tyack
From:
Olympia, WA USA
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Posted 1 Jan 2005 10:21 am
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Howard said
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| The Pedobro has no acoustic volume to speak of. It must be plugged in. |
This isn't really true. The Ped-a-bro is quiet, but it does have acoustic volume. Not loud enough for a bluegrass band unmiked, but plenty loud enough for a living room jam or recording. It does sound great plugged in, but it sounds nothing like a dobro.
Here's what the ped-a-bro sounds like acoustically: acoustic ped-a-bro
Here's what it sounds like electrically electric ped-a-bro
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www.tyack.com
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Bob Wood
From:
Madera, California, USA
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Posted 1 Jan 2005 12:05 pm
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Larry,
I believe that the name of the "Pedabro" is a "Pedabro". The name, "The Box", refers to a single lap, or table-top "non-pedal" guitar that Paul Sr. first made for Paul Jr. to use as a practice guitar while touring on a bus! I tried to get Paul to make me one, but he says "No-more". I guess it's just not "money-wise" for him to try to make them anymore! That, I can understand.
Bob |
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Winnie Winston
From:
Tawa, Wellington, NZ * R.I.P.
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Posted 1 Jan 2005 4:15 pm
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Donny says:
"The "Hawaiian Harmolin" was basically an acoustic Hawaiian (lap) guitar which had an added string and 2 or 3 knee levers. I believe this was invented back in the '30s, and there was no provision for electrification. I've seen photos and drawings, but I've never seen one in person. One would have to assume the volume would be somewhat less than a standard flat-top. In other words, not very loud."
well... I HAVE seen and played one. Tom Bradshaw had it. It was a six string regular guitar with a square neck. It say on your lap. There were two kee-levers under the neck that you could move with your left knee.
It had the volume of a regular flat top guitar.
JW |
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Tony Dingus
From:
Kingsport, Tennessee, USA
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Posted 1 Jan 2005 8:04 pm
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I remember hearing Paul playing the acoustic pedal steel on a Don Williams song several years back but , I don't remember the name of it.
Tony |
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