Steel Guitar Breakdown

Rick Nicklas · From: Verona, Mo. (deceased)

I'm wondering how many of you weekend players breakdown your steel at home, put it in the case, take it to the gig, set it up, break it back down, put it back in the case, take it back home, set it up again?

I have owned 6 steels through the years and the only time I put mine in the case is when traveling a very long distance, usually overnight. Normally I just throw a quilted pillow case over the top and carefully put it in the trunk.

When I lived in California every steeler I knew broke their's down and set it up... It just seemed so unecessary to me... Anybody else share my laziness...err, I mean transport technique?
p.s. It does not get dirty. Only when I play for a barn dance. I'm sure some of you have played those where the steel is just covered with dust and grit at the end of the night.

Hope this post doesn't get the people from "Cruelty to Steel Guitars Society".

------------------
Rick
Williams & Kline U-12's, Session 500

[This message was edited by Rick Nicklas on 21 September 2005 at 09:01 PM.]

[This message was edited by Rick Nicklas on 21 September 2005 at 10:00 PM.]

Chris LeDrew · From: Canada

I carried around my first steel like that, and it ended up pretty hauled after a while. Banging into walls and doors used to knock it out of tune and things became loose and unsteady. Of course it was a crap model.

Now I take my Sho-Bud apart, even when I'm gigging two blocks away. It's just habit now, I guess.

Leaving it together is a lot more practical, but I live in a harsh climate so it's better in the case when outside.

Larry Strawn · From: Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.

Rick,,

I used to haul mine set up, but after many hrs. of polishing scratches out of my pedal board I started breaking it down and carrying it in the case.

Larry

------------------
Emmons S/D-10, 3/5, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

Paddy Long · From: Christchurch, New Zealand

Mine goes in the case regardless ...it isn't that big a chore setting up and breaking down, and there is just too much chance of dinging the finish on the guitar - or breaking off a machine head !! And if you have a car accident with the steel sitting setup in the back of a van or SUV then the last thing to go through your mind will be your steel guitar !! ha..

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

I have always played 12 string steels and prefer a double body, so that makes my guitars 'rare' -- not valuable, just hard to find. My U-12 push-pull and U-12 Sho-Bud are very difficult indeed to find -- and then they have to be set up for me.

With all that considered, I'll use my case. If I could order a new guitar and have it delivered in a week's time, I might be a bit more cavalier.

I can assemble or disassemble my guitar in under two minutes. That's a small price to pay for assurance that it isn't going to be banged up in transit.

It is noteworthy that Buddy Emmons has mentioned he carried his guitar set up -- but my name isn't the same as the one on the front of my guitar.

------------------
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Like Larry, I can breakdown and pack it in about two minutes. I never transport it without the case.

I never unpack it at home. It stays in it's case, waiting for the next gig.

A spare Steel stays setup in my practice room. Good thing, because it's on the third floor.

CrowBear Schmitt · From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France

i pack mine up & unpack it most every time

Ray Minich · From: Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra

My first thought when reading this thread title was that somebody finally went psychotic over their axe. Oh, I see, they mean "teardown"...

Yes, I disassemble mine every time I move it. It's safer that way.

Jerry Hayes · From: Virginia Beach, Va.

I have a van with a lot of room in it so I always carry mine set up! I have a padded cover which resembles tuck and roll upholstery so it's well protected. I usually put a large towel over it and then the cover. I'm going to California next month so it'll have to be in the case for that trip as it'll be going in the car trunk. With the cost of gas I can't drive the van to SoCal. A couple of months ago I shipped my guitar to Arkansas (BMI) to be rebuilt so it had to be in the case. I think that was the first time in about 12 years it'd been in the case. I think it even took me over an hour to even find the case as I'd moved twice since I started leaving it set up. What's nice leaving it set up is when you go to a gig you can walk right to the bandstand and set your guitar down and claim your spot before someone else does..........JH in Va.

------------------
Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!!

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

Transporting a pedal steel while it's set up is simply asking for trouble! There's just too many exposed fragile areas.

Do what you will, but when you break a pickup, break off a key, get a scratch on it, or bend or break off a back leg...I'll be the first one to yell "I told you so!!!"

Sooner or later, that "lazy bug" will bite you in the ass. It's only a matter of time.

Ron Sodos · From: San Antonio, Texas USA

Never once in over 25 years of playing failed to pack up my steel after a gig. I wouldn't dare. I have owned 2 different sho-buds and currently own a Zum and a Fessy. Very risky!!!

Stu Schulman · From: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)

If you love your guitar don't leave it in the car,you might never see it again.

Billy Carr · From: Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)

I'm very particular about my guitars. Really don't even like fingerprints on them, but. I'm a CARTER player, so the weight is not a problem. My guitars get "TLC"(tender loving care), so they travel always in the case.

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

This is a classic way of trashing a steel and winding up with a steel thats severely devalued because its been neglected. I've seen it before. I not only case my steel, but it gets wiped down completely every time I play and gets lubed and checked over for adjustments every three months. My steels look and play in new condition even though they are thirty years old. I really recent people who don't take good care of their instruments. Then again, I can pick them up real cheap when they go to sell them.

[This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 22 September 2005 at 12:27 PM.]

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Back in London, I used to take the back legs off my ZB and slide it into the back seat of my car. No matter how careful I thought I was being, that guitar ended up a real mess!

These days I'll always pack my LeGrande into the case. The same night I return home after a theatre 'run' somewhere, I'll set my steel up so I'm ready to practice the next morning - however tired I may be. I'm always pleased I made the effort, and my Emmons is still in very good shape after five years of constant playing out.

For the record, I too can set up and break down the steel in a couple of minutes, but lifting it into, and out of, the case is a real strain on my ailing lower-back. My recently-acquired Wheel-ez case is a real boon, though; it's compact enough to take on to an airplane, and it's (almost) finger-light to pull along, and certainly easier and safer than hefting an assembled PSG up and down stairs....

Summary? Not packing the steel is asking for unwanted dings and scratches.

RR

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

PS.....

What happened to Boo Miller's Mullen in Medora earlier this summer is a salutory tale - it wasn't Boo's fault, as he wasn't involved in its transfer from stage to rehearsal room, but he finished up having to have it rebuilt, I believe.

James Marlowe · From: Florida, USA

When you belong to the "BBPI" you don't have to worry about packing it up. (That's the Brotherhood of Bedroom Pickers International)
Seriously, I have two steels. One stays set up at home and the other at church, so I don't do a lot of packing!

David Wren · From: Placerville, California, USA

Did this with my first steel, and ended up with real wobbly legs.... my beautiful blonde Carter goes into the case when I'm done, and gets a slip cover if I'm playing outdoors and have to leave it setup before I play. I do have an older MSA D10 I leave setup in my studio for practice.

------------------
Dave Wren
'95Carter S12-E9/B6,7X7; Session500; Hilton Pedal
www.ameechapman.com

Al Udeen · From: Hendersonville Tn

I play every Sunday and always carry my 11 yr old Lacquer D-10 in its case, my case looks a little rough, but my guitar still looks like new, I leave my amp & seat in my
trunk during the week, I use a Total Trolley, that I can put all 3 items on & make one trip, Makes it a lot easier for a 75yr old guy to setup! au

[This message was edited by Al Udeen on 22 September 2005 at 03:13 PM.]

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

I used to tear down and set up my BIGSBY each time I played but Paul had engineered a really fast and easy way to snap on the pedal rods; both beneath the guitar body and at the pedal bar.

After gouging and tearing flesh far too many times while attempting to hook those chinsey welding rod hooks under those spring loaded fasteners at the top of the pedal rod on my 1970's Emmons I found it easier to purchase a $25,000 recreational van and transport the Emmons set-up. I hoist it to my shoulder and have suffered no damage whatsoever during the past fifteen years. It takes three additional people to help me get it off of my shoulder once inside the hall/club unless the band stand is about 24 inches above the floor. Emmons could have labored a bit more for the price and installed a padded thingy beneath the guitar body instead of the topside arm rest.

I used to remove the two player-side legs and hall it in my Datsun 280-Z along with both amps and pak-seat. No damages suffered.

Tommy Minniear · From: Logansport, Indiana

I always tore my steel down when traveling from gig to gig on the road---no choice. When I started working regional gigs again I decided to haul it set up in the back of my van. I always placed it where it couldn't fall if I had to hit the brakes quick and unexpected. Never a problem. But,...after a few months of doing this the threaded leg holes in the endplates on the rear legs started "wollering out" and I had to have them repaired. I accounted it to the shifting of the weight when turning or stopping. Although, it's quick and handy to do, I'd advise against it if you plan on keeping the steel or getting a good price for it should you decide to sell it.

Tommy Minniear

Darvin Willhoite · From: Roxton, Tx. USA

None of my steels would ever leave the house out of the case. I just would not want to take a chance on getting them dinged up, or them flying around in the back of the Yukon due to some of these crazy Austin drivers. It doesn't take but a couple of minutes to set them up anyway.

------------------
Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording

Rick Nicklas · From: Verona, Mo. (deceased)

Oh, thank you Ray. A man after my own heart. Your message was like a breath of fresh air. My father also plays steel and opens the back of his van and sets the steel up. He does use the seat belt around the legs. I have become very creative and stealthful when I move my guitar from location to location and find it so much easier (and I think "smarter"). No dings or accidents yet... I just assess the risk before moving. I have had some close calls while playing it, that's where I'm concerned about potential damage.

------------------
Rick
Williams & Kline U-12's, Session 500

John De Maille · From: On a Mountain in Upstate Halcottsville, N.Y.

After playing 4 to 5 nights a week, for ten years or so, I literally wore out one case and had to replace the handle and hinges on the second case. I finally bought a custom road case for my S-11 RusLer and it looks as good today, as it did when I got it new. I would never transport any steel, without it being in it's case. I've spent hard earned money on my steels, and love them too much to invite disaster. The proof is in my music room. You all can travel the way you want, but, my trail is marked.

David Doggett · Posted 24 Sep 2005 10:17 am

I do like Rick. I hoist my S12U on my shoulder, carry it up my basement steps, down my front steps, and stand it up behind the back seat of my mini van. It can't fall over there. That's one of the things I love about a single neck uni. I do keep a plastic cover over the top. I carry it into the venue the same way, plug it in and I'm ready to play. Back home, I carry it back down to my basement music room, plug it in and I'm ready for practice. I have two volume pedals. One stays home on the floor, and one stays in my gig bag. I buy used steels that already have a few dings. I haven't noticed any more accrueing with my handling. My working steel is made out of strong metal and kitchen countertop formica. Short of a traffic accident or throwing it down a flight of stairs, what could really hurt it? I figure a few minor dings just give it more character. I bought it to play, not to take apart and put back to together. Maybe if I had a pristine lacquer model I'd feel different.

[This message was edited by David Doggett on 24 September 2005 at 11:17 AM.]

Forum Index > Pedal Steel	Goto page 1, 2 Next	Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic