SD10 - Pad, No Pad or Small Pad

Dan Robinson · From: Colorado, USA

I need some help. I hope someone with better bar handling skill (probably includes most of you) can offer guidance.

I'm not good at lifting the bar off the strings. When I slide down to fret zero I get stuck. So I tend to avoid that position. Not good, methinks.

My Carter SD-10 has a nice tooled pad. It looks good, feels good, but my dislike is growing. The pad gets in the way of lifting the bar, and moving it to cover the lower strings. There's not enough space behind string 10 to control the base of the bar.

Maybe my bar handling is to blame. But I keep looking at that pad, wishing it was thinner, or gone altogether.

Georg Sørtun · From: Mandal, Agder, Norway

Some discussion about "pads" here…
https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=282316&highlight=pad

What feels natural for one player, may not work well for another. And, FWIW, I don't like thick pads either – they get in the way, and I much prefer "no pad" on my SD10s Very Happy

Can you remove the pad without damaging anything? If so it may be worth the try to play without it.

As for controlling the base of the bar on low strings: depending on how steady you hold the bar, you should not have to do anything special with regard to support of the bar-base unless you make a slant (which usually involve higher strings anyway).

As for lifting the bar off the strings: again, it depends on how you hold the bar. With the bar held firmly but relaxed between thumb and middle finger you just have to lift the bar slightly with those two fingers to clear the strings (the thickness of a sheet of paper will do you know), and the fingers dampening the strings behind the bar don't have to be lifted off the strings until you get down to about 1st fret, to avoid hitting the keys.

But, again, we all have learned to do these things in certain ways – via teachers and/or by ourselves, and you have to experiment to find ways that work for you.

Dan Robinson · From: Colorado, USA

Johnie King · From: Tennessee, USA

Dan what kind of steel do u play. Loyd Green plays a Sho Bud with pad but where the pad sets on his is much different from some steels he has three quarter inch step down behind front neck before the pad is attached . Compared to some steel u could say he dose not have a pad that obstructs his bar hand. Sho pro has the nicest pad made today not a big puffy over stuff one with folded corners. Why would u by a $4500 dollar wood guitar an cover that beautiful wood with $$2.00 pc of vinyl. At least do like Jeff at. Sho pro an put something nice back there or nothing at all.

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Have you tried tilting the guitar back slightly, or raising your seat? Either of these can help to alleviate the problem you're experiencing. Crying or Very sad

Johnie King · From: Tennessee, USA

Johnie King · From: Tennessee, USA

I have seen some pads that are level with strings makes my bar hand hurt just thinking about it.

Dan Robinson · From: Colorado, USA

Georg, thanks for sharing the link to Zane King's post. Not sure if the forum search function would pick up that title: Your Steel Guitar Is Not A Piece Of Furniture

Remove 5 phillips-head screws from the underside of the deck, and voila:

Dan: "What should I do with these holes in my steel guitar?"
Mrs. Dan: "Bazooka bubble gum?"

Maybe this would have been better as Poll, pad Yes/No. Nevetheless, I still need to improve my hold on the bar to lift it at fret zero. "Input, input," please share guidance.

Dan Robinson · From: Colorado, USA

Dan Robinson · From: Colorado, USA

Johnie, 2008 Carter.

Bobby D. Jones · From: West Virginia, USA

Few people are built the same. We have to adapt ourselves to equipment, Or adapt the equipment to our body. For comfort adapt the equipment as far as possible for comfort to your body. Then adapt yourself if neccesary.
The pad in the picture does not look factory to me. It looks very thick and fluffy. A piece of quarter inch plywood, With a 4 oz. leather or Nagahyde cover would be about 5/16" thick. May be what you want. For comfort and to cover the holes in the guitar.

I got a gift, Steel Seat with back rest. But the back rest had 4" cushion pad on it. I took it apart and cut the pad to about 1 1/4' thick. Now it fits me. I can set for hours now in comfort.
Good Luck in getting comfortable with your guitar.

Dan Robinson · From: Colorado, USA

I voted Small Pad because I haven't tried that yet. I learned on S10, now playing SD10.

John Goux · From: California, USA

Most people want the pad for the right hand comfort. There is little reason to have it under your left hand. A half pad would accomplish the needed support for your right hand and leave your left free to move.
John

Dan Robinson · From: Colorado, USA

Franklin · Posted 22 May 2018 8:54 pm

Dan,

Its your bar technique causing the issue...With incorrect bar control the D10 would cause the same problem because its even thicker than a pad...Until you master how to use the left hand there will be more problems to face, especially concerning intonation. When the bar is held correctly it can be picked up with the thumb and middle finger.

Paul

Dan Robinson · From: Colorado, USA

Paul, thank you very much, sir.

Franklin · Posted 23 May 2018 7:20 am

Dan,
Glad to help....Bar control is easy to correct once you focus on key issues like the correct bar size for your physicality..... I hope you will visit my blog for more free guidance on many issues. Also a Lloyd Green interview is coming there shortly.
Paul

Chris Sattler · From: Hunter Valley, Australia

Just beat me to it Paul. I was going to enquire as to what size bar Dan is using and if he canâ€™t get a handle on it maybe try a larger diameter bar.

Stephen Rethmeier · From: Nashville TN

Last year I had an S-12 built by Williams and they don't come with pads. I was concerned that I would need one only ever playing SD-10s. I planned to make something that would serve. However, I quickly found that I didn't need one and if I ever went back to 10 strings, I would go with a single body. Clearly not everyone will have the same experience, but it's just that I was so sure I wanted a pad but ultimately didn't/don't.

Having said that, I know my bar technique needs work...
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Tucker Jackson · From: Portland, Oregon, USA

Hi, Dan. I've also gone through this question, also with regard to a Carter. I've removed the pad twice only to put it back on after a week. Folks with pads can either use them or take them off. The only rule is to set it up the way you prefer.

After the second round of messing with it, measuring things showed that I wasn't automatically being held back by a too-tall pad; mine is slightly lower than what a C6 neck would be... if I had a C6 neck. The realization kick in -- once again -- that any supposed problem with my gear was really just a problem with the operator and his perception of his rig.

Johnie King · From: Tennessee, USA

Tucker maybe a very thin piece of stainless steel to replace pad would look good . Or Formica with two way carpet tape

Johnie King · From: Tennessee, USA

Dan u could drill some more holes to match those problem solved or have Jeff at Sho Pro build u a nice non pedal 6 string dobro simulater looks really cool on his steel.

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

Ack! If your posture is right, and you address your guitar correctly, you don't need a pad..
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Brooks Montgomery · From: Idaho, USA

I got this 25" pad from Amazon: $17.49
3M wrist rest. Works great for my 'Bud Pro1

Edit: I realize this is an SD pad topic (not S-10) but thought this dandy pad might be of interest for any of you working a DIY project.
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Dan Robinson · From: Colorado, USA

I was surprised at the number of No Pad votes.

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