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Topic: New Player, New Fessenden |
Brian Kurlychek
From:
Maine, USA
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Posted 15 Jul 2008 6:52 am |
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Hi all, I am new to the pedal steel, and will be getting my brand new Fessenden SD10 pretty soon (hopefully Wed). This will be my first, ever, PSG.
Any tips, tricks, must haves, or advice for a newbie like me?
I have a line 6 modeling amp. I know its not the preffered amp amongst alot of you players (as a steel amp would be), but it is going to have to suffice for now until I figure out which amp to buy.
I have a volume pedal on a short-board that came with the amp. Will this volume pedal work for now, or do I need to get a Hilton or Goodrich right away? My setup will be 3X5 in a standard emmons copedent, so I don't think the short-board will get in the way of the A/B/C pedals. |
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Greg Cutshaw
From:
Corry, PA, USA
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Posted 15 Jul 2008 6:59 am
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Welcome Brian! You will likely be much happier with a Goodrich (with a quality replacement pot) or Hilton volume pedal. They are much smoother and seem to have the right height and stroke for constant hours of continuous use. The guitar you are getting sounds great so post pics of it when it arrives!
There's no shortage of instruction material available for steel guitar. I've got a ton of free tabs on my web site with sound files and there's a lot of really good instruction available on YouTube that mostly use your setup.
Greg |
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Dan Beller-McKenna
From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 15 Jul 2008 10:23 am
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Hi Brian,
I would second all that Greg said. If you'd like to borrow my spare Goodrich 120 pedal for a while you are welcome to it, but it wouldn't be a big risk to just buy one from Dana when you are picking up the guitar. There are a couple of used ones for sale now on the Forum; one can usually be had in the $75-100 range at any given time. I'm sure Dana will think of all this anyway, but, of course, be sure to get a bar (Dunlop 920 is fine) and some picks at that time as well.
Looking forward to meeting your new Fessy! (As you know, I'm partial to Fessenden's too  ).
Congrats in advance on the new steel,
Dan |
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Brian Kurlychek
From:
Maine, USA
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Posted 15 Jul 2008 10:47 am
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Thanks Greg, I guess I can't "shortcut" on the pedal. I will be sure to check out your site. I have already looked at it, but, without a steel to play.
Thanks Dan. I will most likely buy a Hilton from Dana in a few days at the same time I get my Fessy. I was going to go up today to get my steel, but Dana said Jerry ran out of cases and so it hadn't shipped from his shop yet  (I am hoping it ships today). I will make sure to get a 920 while I am up there too. Probrobly a couple of George L cables...
On another note, I am going to be using a drummer throne to start with. Not a Steeler's pack-a-seat. I am hoping that will be fine.
So what would I pack all my stuff in to carry it? A duffel or something like that?
EDIT: Oh, I forgot, I need a tuner too. And picks. |
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richard burton
From:
Britain
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Posted 15 Jul 2008 11:18 am
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A drum throne is fine, I've never used anything else.
Seat height is very important, if it's too low you won't be able to bend your left ankle comfortably when you operate the pedals, especially if the pedals have a long throw. |
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Dan Beller-McKenna
From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 15 Jul 2008 11:33 am
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| So what would I pack all my stuff in to carry it? A duffel or something like that? |
I've always used a back pack and a cheap piano bench I have at home. A throne should be fine.
A case! A case! My kingdom for a case!! Hope he gets it there soon Brian.
Dan |
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 15 Jul 2008 11:34 am
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| Drum throne is fine. By accident I discovered that a vinyl carrying case for a laptop computer, 12" X 16" is remarkably perfect for carrying volume pedal and all picks, bars, strings, tools, cords & other accessories. It has a zillion pouches, zipped pockets, compartments. If you are traveling light it is a great way to go. |
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Duncan Hodge
From:
DeLand, FL USA
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Posted 15 Jul 2008 11:38 am
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Hey Brian,
Congratulations on the new Fessy. My first "real" steel was a black D-10 Fessenden that I bought from Bobby Boggs. That Fessy was one that I would like to have back. Jerry makes a really nice steel...and so easy to work on. Yes, a duffel bag is fine, that's what I have. Just remember to put your picks in a little plastic bag, or they will disappear just like a sock in the dryer. I guess the duffel eats them, or something.
Hey Richard, nice shirt, looks just like mine. Isn't Henry a great guy?
Duncan
_________________
"The Edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over." |
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Brian Kurlychek
From:
Maine, USA
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Posted 15 Jul 2008 12:24 pm
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| Jon Light wrote: |
| Drum throne is fine. By accident I discovered that a vinyl carrying case for a laptop computer, 12" X 16" is remarkably perfect for carrying volume pedal and all picks, bars, strings, tools, cords & other accessories. It has a zillion pouches, zipped pockets, compartments. If you are traveling light it is a great way to go. |
Wow, I have several laptop cases lying about. That is pure genious. Thanks Jon.
Duncan: Thanks! I wonder if there is someone running around in an alternate universe with one sock and a pick?
Rich: Thanks for the support. I figure I can adjust the hight of the throne, plus it is super comfortable and it swivels.
Dan: I was all ready to drive to Bangor today, when Dana said it hadn't arrived yet. I am a little dissapointed not to be playing it right now actually. But, I can wait a few more days. Any longer than that and I might have to cryogenically freeze myself like Cartman did while waiting for the Wii to be released! |
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Dan Beller-McKenna
From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 15 Jul 2008 12:32 pm
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Careful there Brian:
as I recall, Cartman got into all kinds of existential do-do when he unfroze himself (not mention: no Wii)!!
Dan |
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Wally Taylor
From:
Hardin, Kentucky, USA
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Posted 15 Jul 2008 5:17 pm
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All this talk about drum thrones got me to thinking. Would it be possible or even worth it, to make a drum throne with enough depth to stow a volume pedal, cords, extra strings, etc. and have it all in one portable unit? The seat portion would also be the lid.
Wally |
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Dan Beller-McKenna
From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 17 Jul 2008 3:51 am
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Hey Brian,
I'm not sure why Jerry has to wait for a case; here's the e-mail he sent me the day before I picked mine up.
| Quote: |
| I'll get the bailin wire & duck tape to hold all them strange lookin parts together... memb'r now, it's got a full warrenty, " til I cash the bank check, or when your tail-lights dim over the horizen" |
Needless to say: Jerry has a sense of humor. Hope it comes in real soon.
Dan
_________________
Durham, NH
dbmCk mUSIC |
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Brian Kurlychek
From:
Maine, USA
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Posted 17 Jul 2008 4:32 am
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That is funny.
Edit: My guitar is there. I get 'er tomorrow. Yay! |
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Brian Kurlychek
From:
Maine, USA
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Posted 18 Jul 2008 4:06 pm It's all mine! Muhahahahaha!
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Here it is. My new Fessenden. My first ever guitar. I gotta say - Dana Flood is the nicest guy to work with. He set me up with everything I needed. Now I just gotta learn how to play this thing.
I can't believe its sitting in my music room. It is a fantastic looking instrument.
I also got the george L cables, the Hilton pedal, Dunlop 920, fingerpicks.
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Dan Beller-McKenna
From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 18 Jul 2008 4:36 pm
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CONRATULATIONS BRIAN!!!
She's a beauty! Worth the wait. You can spend the first night picking strings 6-5-4 and mashing the A and B pedals a lot. Go for it!
Dan |
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Brian Kurlychek
From:
Maine, USA
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Posted 18 Jul 2008 4:52 pm
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| thanks Dan, i will do that. I have been hitting every string and moving the bar around , and seeing what everything does. He he I am typing with my picks on! |
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 18 Jul 2008 7:43 pm
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| Jon Light wrote: |
| Drum throne is fine. By accident I discovered that a vinyl carrying case for a laptop computer, 12" X 16" is remarkably perfect for carrying volume pedal and all picks, bars, strings, tools, cords & other accessories. It has a zillion pouches, zipped pockets, compartments. If you are traveling light it is a great way to go. |
I have also used a laptop case for years to carry stuff in. |
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