The new guy...

Matt Couch · From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Cheers to all from Atlanta, GA!

A little about me then (I figure if I'm going to be asking all these questions, y'all should have fair warning of who you're talking to):

I've been a regular guitar guy for about 10 years now. Mostly Teles, but I do have a Flying-V that warms my heart. I'm mostly from a Blues background...although in high school I was determined to bring "Surf" back. I assure you, I was a walking alminac of The Ventures. Cool

I just turned 25, I'm an Active Duty Army guy working for the Georgia Army National Guard (had one trip over the pond with a Special Forces outfit back in 2006), avid guitar player, homebrewer, and I'm also on staff at a church plant here in Atlanta (part-time, of course...Uncle Sam gets first dibs on me these days).

All that to say this:

Today, 22 February 2010, I aquired my first PSG. It's a nasty, dirty, beat-up old Maverick. Is there any hope for it? I have no idea...Do I know anything about playing a PSG? Not a single clue (except how to tune it). I hope to rectify this soon. Confused

However, I sniffed around the forums a bit and I know that y'all truly are a family. I'm excited and happy at the same time to hack away at this PSG business and seek the advice of some of the greatest (people, being a great player is optional). Mr. Green

Cheers to all!

-Matt

Bill Dobkins · From: Rolla Missouri, USA

Welcome Matt, This is a great forum to learn.
Enjoy.
BD
_________________
Custom Rittenberry SD10
Boss Katana 100 Amp
Positive Grid Spark amp
BJS Bars
Z~Legend Pro,Custom Tele
Honor our Vet's.
Now pass the gravy.

Brian Powell · From: sparta tenn

welcome you have came to the right place to learn and share info Whoa!

_________________
show pro SD 10 4/5 thomas SD10 3/4.2NV400. fender twin amp. evans fet500.proflex 2.boss super chorus ch-1 digitech digital delay.goodrich v/p elite pack seat.1962 fender tele.1961 kay guitar.epiphone mandolin .1945 0016 MARTIN.

Roger Crawford · From: Griffin, GA USA

Matt, check out the Georgia Steel Guitar Association's site.
www.georgiasteelguitar.com
There will be a Peach Jam coming up in June, and it will be a great opportunity to meet a lot of local players and trade ideas. You'll find everyone will be willing to help you in any way they can. Welcome to the Forum, too.

Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

Welcome Matt from Alabama,Have fun. YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.
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Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC !

Austin Tripp · From: Nashville TN

YAY! Another Georgia boy!! Like Roger said, come to the Peach Jam in June. You will meet 90% of us Georgia players as well as others from Alabama, Flordia, and South Carolina!!

Austin Tripp
_________________
"Hotrod"
Steel guitarist for Cody Jinks
Member CMA

CrowBear Schmitt · From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France

Welcome to this great forum Matt Very Happy

many of us ,back when, started out on mavericks
they are outdated but can get you on the right track
if you're really serious about steelin' & yer budget permits, check out a modern student model w: 3 pedals & 4 or 5 levers
ZumSteel Stage One, or Rains Carpsteel - or even a good used pro model
you'll be up to date, loaded & prone to get yer steel wings

Matt Couch · From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Thanks all!

Roger and Austin, Absolutely! Us Georgia boys have to stick together. I hope my schedule permits, I'd love to come to the Jam. Networking is key. I've been a "telewacker" for about 10 years now (doesn't mean that I'm that good, but it's a fun hobby) and I'm just looking for something else to feed my addiction. >=)

CrowBear, I'm hoping to get some basics down with this Maverick and I'll see where it takes me from there. Thanks for the advice!

Cheers to all!
_________________
Gear: 1 old, dirty, beat-up Maverick.

"You need your headspace and timing adjusted?"

"If it's stupid but it works, it isn't stupid."

"I like to keep a bottle of stimulant handy in case I see a snake, which I also keep handy." -W.C. Fields

Rick Schacter · From: Portland, Or.

I've never owned a Maverick. I started with another starter guitar that was manufactured long after the Maverick went out of production. But if you would like to see how much music can be made with 3 pedals and 1 knee lever, pick up a copy of Winnie Winston's book if you don't already have a copy.

It's a great book to get started with, IMO.

Check out Jeff Newman's "Right Hand Alpha" too.

Welcome to the forum. Smile

Rick

Matt Couch · From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Thanks Rick! I plan to do just that.
_________________
Gear: 1 old, dirty, beat-up Maverick.

"You need your headspace and timing adjusted?"

"If it's stupid but it works, it isn't stupid."

"I like to keep a bottle of stimulant handy in case I see a snake, which I also keep handy." -W.C. Fields

Matt Couch · From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA

I did it!

I ordered the "PSG Bible" (Winnie's book) from B0B and I had the pleasure of speaking with Ms. Fran at Jeffran.com. I told her I was a newbie and she told me she had "just what I need"...I got "Pedal Steel Techniques" and "Right Hand Alpha".

Let the overload begin...

Cheers my PSG Family!
_________________
Gear: 1 old, dirty, beat-up Maverick.

"You need your headspace and timing adjusted?"

"If it's stupid but it works, it isn't stupid."

"I like to keep a bottle of stimulant handy in case I see a snake, which I also keep handy." -W.C. Fields

Steve Raulston · From: U.S.A. (deceased)

Howdy Matt,

first, thank you for your service to our country and welcome to the forum! We have a few things in common it seems. We both love Steel, I am an ARMY vet 75-80
and I've been brewing all mash beer for nearly 20 years. Glad you are on board!

You can't go wrong with Jeff Newman's material. When Jeff was alive, he traveled the states offering seminars each year in different areas of the country and even the U.K. and Europe. Jeff was an outstanding man and an outstanding teacher as you will soon learn when you receive your materials.

There are several other courses I HIGHLY recommend and those are Up From The Top, Just Play The Melody, The Chord Connection and the Minor Chord Connection.
The first one out of the bunch you should consider is Up From The Top. It will get you thinking and because you are already a guitar player, you will start to see the similarities of the six string guitar and the E9 neck.

The chord positions open are the same as if you were playing a barre chord. Say you are at the fifth fret A, You can play the string grips (groups) 3-4-5, 4-5-6, 5-6-8, 6-8-10 or even 3-5-10 drop back two frets (3rd fret) pressing A (the pedal that raises your B strings to C#) pedal only and you are playing A7. You can also stay right there at the fifth fret (no pedals) and play 5-6-9 or 5-7-9 for the A7. Then with pedals A&B pressed you will have the four chord or the D at the fifth fret. You can then move up two frets (7th fret) for the five chord E and the quickly back to the 5th fret with pedal B (pedal that raises your G# to A) pressed and the (D lever) lever that lowers your E strings to Eb and you have the E7. In case you didn't know that already. You can also experiment with the B&C pedals. For instance when you want to play the seventh of the root, mix it up for a little variety and instead of dropping back two frets with the A pedal for the seventh, go to the no pedal position of the four chord at the 10th fret and press B&C (the C pedal raises yor 4th string E to F# and your B to C# at the same time) and release for the A seventh which takes you right to the four chord. If you have the lever that raises your E strings to F, you can go from the fifth fret, engage the F lever and your A pedal and move to the 8th fret playing any of the grips I mentioned and your will hear that it is a different inversion of A, If you release the A pedal now you have the A7 and your right there two frets from the four chord. I am giving you this in case you don't have any learning materials yet and you have a desire to get cracking on some homework. I hope this helps a little. Take care and again, welcome to the forum. You made one of the best investments aside for your PSG that you could possibly make.

Matt Couch · From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Steve,

You're the man! Thanks for the tips. I've started compiling a "cheat sheet" of all the tips I'm reading and all the advice I've been getting. It truly does help.

Also, a fellow homebrewer that also plays a little PSG makes this PSG Family a little more like home.

-BREAK-

I'll take all the advice I can get. Send some my way if you'd like. What do you wish someone told you when you first started?

Cheers!
_________________
Gear: 1 old, dirty, beat-up Maverick.

"You need your headspace and timing adjusted?"

"If it's stupid but it works, it isn't stupid."

"I like to keep a bottle of stimulant handy in case I see a snake, which I also keep handy." -W.C. Fields

Steve Raulston · From: U.S.A. (deceased)

Matt, thanks for the kind words. I believe in paying it forward so to speak as I am sure you do and the many fine players here as well. It's my attempt at keeping this wonderful contraption we call the "Pedal Steel" alive for future generations to appreciate. I think many here (including myself) were concerned with just that; the potential death of this instrument in the not so distant future. It seemed back in the early 90's that interest was on the wane. With the internet, with this forum, pro players like Paul Franklin Jr, Tommy White et al who frequently and selflessly devote their time here, new PSG builders and guys like you, I think it is safe to say the Steel will be around for many generations to come.

And that ONE thing when I first started playing? To save up and buy my Franklin (or other pro quality guitar) as soon as financially possible. If you are serious about playing, it WILL make the world of difference I promise. There is something else that is imperative to your playing and that is concentrate on developing your right hand techniques along with the bar exercises Paul Jr. just recently shared here: http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=176202&highlight=

You can have the best gear in the world and still sound like you are playing an out of tune banjo without those assets. Just a head's up. Take care and all the best Matt.

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