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Topic: Clerifcation is needed |
Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 31 Oct 2004 9:15 am |
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A recent post elaborated on the justification for calling the "ORIGINAL STEEL GUITAR" form, as a pedal-less, non-pedal, something less than, todays' popular "pedal steel" that have been around for twenty or more years.
All kinds of reasons were given as to why "pedal steel" is the basic steel guitar of the day. Some seemed valid; others, were tongue in cheek and silly.
Based on those explanations offered in that earlier post that I couldn't find at this time, I got to thinking so need your help. I want to become a better informed steel guitar picker, raising my technical understanding of the instrument at least to the level of the local boys.
Sho-Bud has long been a name associated with "pedal steel guitars".... among other things. Lloyd Green has played one for years as have many of the other top recording artists.
Jerry Byrd had a custom made SHO-BUD that he played for years having only recently retired that great sounding instrument. It was a double-neck, one 8 and one 7 string set-up. Now this was a pedal steel guitar frame, with two seperate necks and four stand-up legs. The only thing lacking on this double neck, table-top, console, multiple stringed, instrument was a pedal bar and any pedals whether hanging or on the floor.
Seriously now, since this particular steel guitar, played by this giant of a musician,
cannot safely be called a "lap steel, laptop steel, student model, or whatever".....how should it be referred to?
It clearly is NOT, a pedal steel; or, is it? It doesn't look like a laptop model....
Is it a pedal-less, non-pedal pedal steel or just what?
Your professional stance will be a delight to learn about. |
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Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
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Posted 31 Oct 2004 9:51 am
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Ray,
Why don't you contact Jerry Byrd directly (or through his brother) with your question?
Please let us know what he says.
~pb
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Dan Sawyer
From:
Studio City, California, USA
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 31 Oct 2004 6:46 pm
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Gee Pete....many thanks for that remarkable suggestion. I wish I'd thought of that but some of you younger folks are so advanced for your years, it tends to throw some of us older folks off kilter for just a bit.
I'll let you know as soon as I get a response. To be sure.
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 Ray Montee-email: pi007flyer@msn.com
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John Bechtel
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.
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Posted 31 Oct 2004 9:30 pm
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Ray;
When I played PSG, and someone asked me “What do you play?”; I always answered, “Pedal Steel Guitar”. Now that I no longer play PSG and someone asks me, I simply answer, “Steel Guitar”. I leave it up to them whether or not they want to go into any more detail about it! If they don't ask, I assume they don't care.
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“Big John” Bechtel
(2)-Fender ’49–’50 T–8 Customs
Fender ’65 Reissue Twin-Reverb Custom™ 15”
click hereclick hereclick hereclick here
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Dave Boothroyd
From:
Staffordshire Moorlands
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Posted 31 Oct 2004 11:17 pm
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OK now you've resolved that, what's this?
Is it a Steel bass guitar, or a Bass steel guitar?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4713&item=3758359846&rd=1
And why does it matter?
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Cheers!
Dave
[This message was edited by Dave Boothroyd on 31 October 2004 at 11:18 PM.] [This message was edited by Dave Boothroyd on 31 October 2004 at 11:18 PM.] |
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Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
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Posted 1 Nov 2004 7:30 am
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| How does JB refer to this instrument in his book? [This message was edited by Pete Burak on 01 November 2004 at 07:36 AM.] |
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Jack Byrd
From:
Kalamazoo, Michigan
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Posted 1 Nov 2004 7:55 am
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A while back this came up and I asked Jerry how he answers this type question. He said I play STEEL GUITAR. Back in the late 40’s and 50’s we always (our family including Jerry) referred to the instrument as HAWAIIAN STEEL QUITAR. He also said he refers to the pedal steel quitar as PEDAL STEEL QUITAR.
As you think of this (and this is me talking not Jerry) you can relate this with many other products. For instance the horseless carriage. This being a vehicle or automobile or whatever you want to call it. Now a mechanic I am sure can add a lot to the description. A Chevrolet with a 351 cubic inch engine or 5.6 liter as the case may be, overhead twin camshaft, front wheel drive with transaxle and so on and on. Does all that mean anything to 95% of the people who drive a vehicle or car. What do you say when someone asks you what do you drive these days. Some would say a Ford, Chevy, Buick and so on. Some would say a sedan, station wagon, van or truck or SUV and let it go at that. When asked a more specific question about their mode of transportation I am sure they could add more information. I think you get my jest.
With the relative ignorance of most people asking what that thingy is you are playing I think a very descriptive generic answer to start with is steel guitar. If they really want anymore information I am sure they will proceed with further questions. Whenever I am asked by people what my brother plays I always answer STEEL QUITAR and immediately follow that up with do you know what that is. If they say no I give them a little more information on the instrument but do not overwhelm them with data or facts, just enough for them to have an elementary understanding of just what type of guitar I am talking about.
I do know for a fact that Jerry does not agree with the name lap guitar as it really does not define or describe the instrument in a more fully manner as STEEL GUITAR does.
I think, as is the case in a lot of show business people, each is trying to establish a niche for themselves. Many of the designs and descriptions of the thing they do or play causes a lot of confusion for the average Joe out there who are really not into the music world as deep as most of the musicians. Some of the names they give things are tied to them and not the instrument. Again trying to be the only guy who can really play this whatchamacallit or whatever. It has happened in the steel guitar world. Just look at all the names that have been tied to the instrument. Confusion reigns for 95% of John Q. Public.
So after all this I guess you can say Jerry plays both Hawaiian Steel Guitar and Steel Guitar. Whatever you would like. For the sake of clarity and simplicity it is a STEEL GUITAR.
The double neck Sho-Bud referenced by Ray now is in the hands of Scotty. He passed through Hawaii last week and picked it up from Jerry. Jerry said he thought long and hard what to do with the guitar and kept coming back to the one he would like to give it to was Scotty, his very dear friend who has done so much for him through the years. He knows it will be cared for and treated with the greatest respect by him. Knowing Scotty I am sure he will give it proper exposure for the many fans of Jerry to see over the coming years.
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 1 Nov 2004 8:59 am
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WEll Pete, there you have it. Jack was so quick with his excellent response I didn't have the opportunity to reach up on my shelf here atop my desk to pull down the book "It Was A Trip" and reread it once again as you eluded to.
I agree with Jack. I DO BELIEVE, that as players, professionals, if you will, we owe it to the public to get them off on the right foot. "Steel guitar" covers this beautiful instrument in its many forms. As Jack says, if they want more details, anyone of you can launch into a diatribe on the steel guitar as viewed from your own unique perspective.
Jack summed it up as I'd hoped it would be.
Steel Guitar is what it's all about and I'm proud to have played at one all these many years. |
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Jeff Au Hoy
From:
Honolulu, Hawai'i
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Posted 1 Nov 2004 9:26 am
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...
Last edited by Jeff Au Hoy on 13 Sep 2019 3:25 am; edited 2 times in total |
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Dan Sawyer
From:
Studio City, California, USA
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Posted 1 Nov 2004 9:57 am
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| Jerry does talk about this in his book. He says he doesn't like the name "non-pedal" steel. |
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Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
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Posted 1 Nov 2004 10:16 am
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I'm glad you got an answer to the question you posted, Ray.
"Steel Guitar" it is!
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Todd Weger
From:
Safety Harbor, FLAUSA
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Posted 2 Nov 2004 4:07 am
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Around these parts (Tampa, FL area), I just tell 'em "Hawaiian Guitar." They seem more than happy to accept that answer, and it makes sense to them, since that's the style of music they're hearing me play on it. As soon as I say "steel" guitar, they're asking for Garth Brooks songs.
TJW
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Todd James Weger/RD/RTD
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, E13, B11); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, E13); Melobar SLS lapsteel (open D); Chandler RH-4 Koa semi-hollow lapsteel (open G); Regal resonator (open D or G)
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 2 Nov 2004 9:42 am
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| Quote: |
| but some of you younger folks are so advanced for your years, ... |
Boy thats the under-statement of the century ... albeit I seem to sense a little sarcasm there 
After personally seeing and hearing:
Jeff Au Hoy ... with literally tones of touch, tone and grace ... pouring out of his body !!!
Dave Griegrich ... with such an amazing repertoire of mind bogglin' abilities !!!
And...
Mike Neer ... who apparently should change his name to Sol Aiona McIntire ...
I think Hawaiian Steel Guitar is alive, well and thriving ...
BIGTIME !!! |
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