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Topic: Newby needs advice/accessories |
Chuck Dennis
From: Toledo,Iowa
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Posted 22 Mar 2007 2:18 pm
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Hello all, I have set in the weeds for quite awhile, gleanin all the info one can.
My name is Chuck,I live in Toledo,Iowa,better know as the Black Hole of PSG,most dont know what that is.
I dont have a PSG yet,but have it purchased.
when I say Newby,I mean it in its virgin form.soooooo,anything I can be offered for info will be much appreciated.
After reading hundreds of posts,I have purchased a Carter/Starter from a forum user.
Now I would like to find some accessories to go with it.for instance,a good price on a Peterson VS-F Strobflip Tuner
A Bar
Geo l cables
headphones,to keep peace & harmony.
A Carter S-10 cover
where is the best place and most reasonable to purchase these or do you have any to offer?
I have purchased from the forum the set of PSG mags, I want to say this,ANYBODY that is new,should own these.they answer a lot of questions!
Tell me,,,,,,, what is the very first things I need to learn/practice to pick this up,I prefer not to learn any bad habits.
I guess enough for now,unless someone has a Nashville 112 FS for the right price.
so,Im ready to learn, or do I build a bar,in back of my car and drive myself to drinkin?! |
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Ron Randall
From: Dallas, Texas, USA
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Posted 22 Mar 2007 4:00 pm Welcome
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Welcome. Glad you got the bug!
Most players use a 7/8 inch diameter 10 string bar. Probably in second place is a 3/4 inch bar. Now having said that, there are many sizes available. Use what feels good for now.
George L's goodies are on their website. Carter Steel guitars website is very helpful. They have almost everything you need. I can recommend them. I live nearby. They have Peavey amps, etc.
My best advice is to save the money allocated for equipment and spend time with an instructor. Even if one is not nearby, save up and spend a whole day for travel and lesson time.
For now...play what you hear. Play simple, single note melodies without using a bar. Use your pics, pedals, levers to play familiar melodies. |
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James Morehead
From: Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 22 Mar 2007 4:30 pm
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There is a Steel show coming in April--"last Saturday", in Davenport, Ia. I would get myself there and meet Bruce Czarnesky, the President of the Quad Cities steel club, and let him introduce you to players closest to you, that might be willing to help you out a little. There will be vendors there, so you will be able to become more aquainted with different types of goods.
If I were you, all you need is a little tiny amp with an 8 inch --10 inch speaker. Go to some pawnshops and get a $50--$75 amp that has a headphone jack. It's good enough for you to practice with until you become knowledgeable enough to spend several hundred for a pro type amp. 15--30 watt little Peavey amps work fine, or about any Fender, Crate, ect.---a little solidstate practice amp. For a little reverb, get a used stomp box.
All you need is a bar. Do you have picks? Email me and give me your address, and I'll send you an extra bar I'll never use, for free. You can later pass it on to the next newbie. Get a bath towel or pillow case for a cover for your guitar, until you can purchase a cover. If you have someone to sew, get material without a fuzzy backing. Bobbe Seymore has great prices on Stroboflip tuners--they are the finest! Bobbe has "Steels of Nashville" store, and is linked in this forum. You're off to the races then. See what strings your Carter Starter use and get a couple spare packs. |
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Joe Harwell
From: "I've never been bad." ........ Many, LA
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Posted 22 Mar 2007 6:42 pm Congratulations!
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Hello Chuck-
From one beginner to another, I believe getting an instructor will make your experience the best it can be.
I was fortunate to find one and I made a commitment to faithfully attend my lessons and practice as much as possible for a year.
Once a week is what I suggest.
At the end of that year, I would decide if the pedal steel was for me. At the end of that first year, I made a 5 year commitment. When I reach the end of that 5th year, I'll ask myself again.
My instructor gave me his old Jeff Newman 36 week beginners course and that is what we studied. Plus his own instructional lessons.
I recorded the lessons on a little, inexpensive mp3 player with a built in microphone for review. Even neater is a compact video recorder. There are so many "little" things going on with the hands and feet that you just can't appreciate for a year or so.
I also used the little recorder to record myself and listen. As painful as it may be, it'll get you focused.
I also learned how to tab from the recordings because my teacher did not have his personal things in print.
I still go back and review those basics because there was so much going on that I couldn't absorb it all. I still pick up something I missed a year later.
Listen to as much playing by the "masters", too. What you get in your ear is what you're going to play eventually. Feed it the good stuff.
Find a teacher, make the commitment, be faithful to your practice and lessons. You won't regret it.
Best money you'll ever spend. _________________ Joe in LA
"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak & the strong; because, someday in life you will have been all of these". |
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Chuck Dennis
From: Toledo,Iowa
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Posted 23 Mar 2007 7:41 am Good advice
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Hi Ron R. James M. Joe H.
I appreciate your replys,Ron for your advice and website mentions,
Joe H. Im wondering how long you been at it? I will also look into the Newman stuff,what I have seen is extensive and not sure as a neophyhte,just exactly which to start out with?
I'd probably scare & embarrase myself if I listen to my whacking at strings as a beginner.
MP3,well,I guess I must ask my Granddaughter what this is and how to use it.
As for a Teacher, I think that is the best advice,I have found a couple fellas about 40+miles away that said they would try and help me,and this is so much appreciated.But I will have to warn them,carry a club,my head is hard to penetrate.haa
And James M. I thank you so much for the offer of a BAR, I want to help pay shipping at least,and will be in Okla in June, maybe we can meet for a eyeball?
I have a very old amp, a MARK X tube type from 1967,12"spkr,wattage,???
No picks yet, I have to order some. And a cover, never thought of my wife maybe can sew one up,she is into quilting and because of her new big $ quilt sewing machine, I get to get a PSG. sound familiar?
My new guitar willbe shipped this weekend from Va.,John says he has 2 new sets of Jagwires he will throw in,bless him.
As far as the Davenport show.......well,foiled again,like the Waterloo show,it was iced out and on the dates for Davenport.....well, we leave that morning for San Antonio.Maybe this is a omen???
So,I thank you guys....you are truly assets to the hobby.
If anybody can let me know, exactly what titles of learning material I should persue,at the very basic level, PLEASE let me know.
To others that have emailed me direct...Thanks, Lefty, Loren, Steelin Jack, Danny H. |
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Joe Harwell
From: "I've never been bad." ........ Many, LA
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Posted 23 Mar 2007 8:05 am How long at it?
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Only a couple of years. I'm just a little further down the trail from you. Believe me, it gets better the longer you trod this path.
Check with Fran and see if she has any of Jeff's early material. I believe it was actually set up as a "distance learning" course.
But if you find a teacher, they may have what they want to use, Chuck. The main thing about the lessons is it keeps you active and on the right track. It's that "pressure to perform" that keeps us from getting too comfortable with our current level of accomplishment.
I don't know how much music background you have. If you don't have much, Jeff's stuff is really good 'cause he just feeds you what you need for the moment and brings the theory out of the clouds down to earth.
I had a little music under my belt before I fell under the spell of the pedal steel.
Private study keeps you or should keep you from getting discouraged. That's what a good teacher will do for you.
Please feel free to email me. This thread might be off topic too much for WTB section. But not to worry, I don't think anybody's going to slam a newcomer. In general, a really friendly, helpful crew around here.
Be sure and search the "old" forum archives for a wealth of "newbie"(I really don't like that word<gr>! It's thread worn) suggestions, etc. _________________ Joe in LA
"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak & the strong; because, someday in life you will have been all of these". |
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