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Topic: Mechanics of the Pedal Steel |
Bill Dobkins
From:
Rolla Missouri, USA
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Posted 9 Mar 2007 3:29 pm |
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For a long time I've been fasinated with the pedal Steel and what makes them work. I've been compareing the underside of several steels. The Lamar, my Nashville LTD, Zum and some others i've looked at seem to have the same mechanics underneath. some vary a little but for the most part are very simular.The Lamar and my Nashville LTD look exactly the same, the bellcranks, rods and changer look alike.
With that said: Why is one Steel with the same mechanics and the same pick up any better or more popular or better sounding than another.
I'm not trying to stir anything or sound stupid,I am just interested |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 10 Mar 2007 3:27 am
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Bill being from Missouri I guess it's "show me" (I used to live in KC).
But, just looking like the mechanics are the same isn't the answer. There is more to it, such as the type of metals used, the composition of the metals, the actual design of the changer and fingers, the type of metal used for the nut rollers, the number of screws and placement of the screws that attach aluminum necks, and much more as what I listed only "scratches the surface". |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 10 Mar 2007 4:54 am Re: Mechanics of the Pedal Steel
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| Bill Dobkins wrote: |
With that said: Why is one Steel with the same mechanics and the same pick up any better or more popular or better sounding than another.
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There are minor differences in the mechanics, materials and assembly, minor differences that make minor differences in the sound - different people, different wood, etc.. They're only significant if you think they are.
Now, as to the root of your question...
IMHO, it's mostly fad or what's sometimes called the "lemming effect". People just tend to follow the crowd. A very good player will come along and play something that sounds just peachy, and then a bunch of players (amateur players, that is) will run out and buy one - so they can sound exactly like he does.
Problem is, it doesn't work that way. What made that player sound so good was his hands, heart, and head...not the stupid guitar. (Of course, people that make or deal in guitars will try to convince you otherwise.)
Brands come and go, they're like singers. Their popularity rises and falls with the fickleness of the public that adores them. Anyone who's been a steel player (and is fairly objective), can tell you the "heyday" of each brand. There was a "Sho~Bud period", an "Emmons Period", a "ZB period", etc..
Right now, we seem to be in the "Zumsteel period". (From where I sit, it's the "flavor of the day".) In another few years, it will be something different.
Always has. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 10 Mar 2007 7:25 am
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It also makes a diffence what color shirt you are wearing. 
Last edited by Erv Niehaus on 10 Mar 2007 7:47 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Bill Dobkins
From:
Rolla Missouri, USA
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Posted 10 Mar 2007 7:35 am
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| Erv Niehaus wrote: |
| It also makes a diffence what color shirt you are weariang. |
What color gives you the best sustain ?
or what if you wear a multicolor shirt. |
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Brian Henry
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Posted 10 Mar 2007 7:35 am
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Also the setup. Day set up players sound different from emmons set up players!!
_________________
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN GEORGIA |
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Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
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Posted 10 Mar 2007 7:36 am
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Donny absolutely nails it. The same is true in the 6-string world, were similarities outweigh differences tenfold.
If you look back at some threads, reportedly most pedal steel makers are trying to make their guitars to sound like every other one, with one "pedal steel tone"; add the fact that once you get to a certain QC point all the major brands play within 99% of each other as far as tolerances and accuracy ( and feel), it boils down to fan frenzy. I'd say that applies to 60-75 of the buyers....the rest go by either price or are actually looking for specific features/looks/tone.
Then there are those who buy the most expensive steel they can find, simply because they think money equates to quality (or for the status they buy along with it). That's not to say the top of the price heap guitars aren't fine instruments, it's just that the buyers of high-end gear often are in that market just to impress other players (I'll exclude Anapeg owners from that group - at least the ones I know, who all are knowledgable enough and at a skill level to make that guitar worth the money).
_________________
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 10 Mar 2007 7:46 am
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Bill,
Need you ask! 
You always sound better when wearing a black shirt!  |
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Bill Dobkins
From:
Rolla Missouri, USA
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Posted 10 Mar 2007 1:00 pm
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| Erv Niehaus wrote: |
Bill,
Need you ask!
You always sound better when wearing a black shirt! |
Erv, I just got back from wal-mart,I bought every black shirt they had,so you'd better be right.LOL |
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Billy Carr
From:
Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)
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Posted 10 Mar 2007 2:21 pm mechanics
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| A player can do the same thing on a 1500.00 guitar, as can be done on a 6000.00 one. PSG's are basically made on the same outline. They all use cross shafts, bellcranks, pull rods, various materials, etc. Each brand has its own combinations of various parts and assembly techiques. In my opinion, it's mainly the player, not the guitars. A really good player will take most any guitar that's playable and find its strong points. I compare PSG mechanics with automobile engines. Fords, Chevys, Dodges, etc. all have one under the hood but there made to perform a little different but are on the basic same outline. My main thing with a PSG is I only want the All Pull guitars. This eliminates a lot of tuning problems. |
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Bill Dobkins
From:
Rolla Missouri, USA
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Posted 10 Mar 2007 8:48 pm
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Thanks for your input and I agree with all of you (except the black shirt thing). Coming from a machinst family and being a musician, it makes sense to me that the more metal that is in an instrument the less sustian and bottom you'll have. I agree with Gary Rittenberry, that certin woods give the best sounds. Aged Maple for instance, like in my Nashville LTD gives great sustain. I'm a novice compared to most on this site and to the steel, but I know great tone when I hear it. My uncle Herk Sanders was a very good fiddle player and a maker.
He would shave the wood on his fiddle's until he got the sound he wanted. talk about great tone and volume
he knew how to get it,an art long gone..of course if you don't know how to play one, what good is that great tone. Thats where I am with the steel guitar but I'm getting better every day. Not yet studio quality. Maybe next year. |
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