To tilt or not to tilt??

Patrick Thirsk · From: Lancashire U.K.

I've just built a wooden console to convert my lap steel to a console type. Is there any advantage in cutting the back legs a bit shorter than the front to create a bit of a tilt towards me, or should the whole thing be level? Excuse this question if it seems a bit silly, but never used a console before and am in totally new territory. Any tips would be gratefully received.

Bill Leff · From: Santa Cruz, CA, USA

If you are going to tilt, I believe the tilt should be mild and *away* from you, not towards you. The latter would unnaturally bend the wrist up.

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

When I set up my stringmaster, I use quite a bit of forward tilt (AWAY) and have noticed many players do too.

Bob Stone · From: Gainesville, FL, USA

I agree with both Andy and Bill (and the late Jerry Byrd). It's ergonomic to angle the steel away from you. Can you make the legs on your console adjustable. If not, maybe you can experiment with some sort of improvised shims before you make the final cut.

Gary Boyett · From: Colorado

Measure twice- cut once!

If you have to tilt, tilt away- not toward you- carpel tunnel waiting to hapen.

------------------
JCFSGC,RMSGC,HSGA member since 2005
Fenders- Georgeboard- Melobar
Boyett's Glass Bars

[This message was edited by Gary Boyett on 15 June 2005 at 04:00 AM.]

Rick Collins · From: Claremont , CA USA

Set the height to exactly belt buckle height and never, never tilt __ perfectly level.

Tony Harris · From: England

Talking of tilting, I did my first 'big' theatre gig a couple of weeks ago. I'd always practiced and played on my lap and had got used to the height and position. At the soundcheck everything felt right. Come the show I walked out wearing BOOTS, sat down and yikes! The steel was at a different height and a different angle. Felt uncomfortable and threw me for a minute, but I got through it.

Jeff Au Hoy · From: Honolulu, Hawai'i

Denny Turner · From: Oahu, Hawaii USA

About 10 years ago I was experimenting with deck height and tilt, and asked Jerry. Jerry said (sic) that ideally / mechanically the Steel's deck and the forearm would be parallel with the floor and the tone-bar hand aligned with the forearm so the wrist will be in a neutral position; BUT a slight downward angle of the forearms works better over-all for some reason; And leg / torso / arm geometry is different between Players, so suitable deck heights parallel with the floor might not align the deck with the elbow / forearm for some people; And differences between sitting with a lap Steel or under a console or standing with either on legs; ...Will often require the deck to be tilted for some people so that the arm/hand geometry will be good. And that's why a friction surface is applied to the back of many lap Steels to prevent them from sliding off the lap at a tilted leg / deck angle.

------------

Aloha,
DT~

[This message was edited by Denny Turner on 16 June 2005 at 04:03 AM.]

Patrick Thirsk · From: Lancashire U.K.

Thanks everybody, looks like "towards me" is a definite No-No. Jeff and Denny......the pictures say it all Aloha from Patrick

Denny Turner · From: Oahu, Hawaii USA

[This message was edited by Denny Turner on 17 June 2005 at 03:22 AM.]

Forum Index > Steel Without Pedals		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: