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Topic: Looking Skyward |
Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 31 Jul 2011 11:49 am |
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| Speaking in terms of the pedal steel guitar... I think there is more. Something is missing that could enhance the instrument's total sound. I can't define what it is, other than this feeling that whatever it takes to reach a point of delivering the ultimate rendition, has become quite elusive. |
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Dickie Whitley
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Posted 31 Jul 2011 11:54 am
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| Ahh...the eternal search for what it is we don't have...just can't be satisfied with what we do have. Another deep dive into nothingness that can never be answered. In my opinion, more waste of b0b's space with another irrelevent question. |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 31 Jul 2011 12:49 pm
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Dickie,
If your style is kissing away the unknown, so be it. I'll remain undaunted, in any situation, based on an inherent tendency to believe there is something additional in terms of tonalities in the future of the pedal steel guitar. |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 31 Jul 2011 12:52 pm
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| i disagree. |
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Dickie Whitley
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Posted 31 Jul 2011 1:00 pm
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Not at all Bill, I just accept what I have and don't go around looking for something to "color" my sound. A little reverb and a touch of delay, nothing more, nothing less. What you hear is me, I don't believe in adding something to cover up my lackings. I am what I am, whatever that may be.
If you want to spend the rest of your life looking something to cover your playing in some perceived area of weakness, please by all means, feel free. I just don't believe anything you might come up with hasn't been tried already by many others. That being the case, if any of it had been wildly successful, everybody would have known about it.
So please proceed, I wish you well in your endeavors. |
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Barry Blackwood
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Posted 31 Jul 2011 1:30 pm
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| Quote: |
| Speaking in terms of the pedal steel guitar... I think there is more. Something is missing that could enhance the instrument's total sound. I can't define what it is, other than this feeling that whatever it takes to reach a point of delivering the ultimate rendition, has become quite elusive. |
Might be that revolutionary new changer of yours that somehow never seemed to materialize …  |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 31 Jul 2011 1:45 pm
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Dickie,
Over 50 years ago, "SLEEPWALK" awakened the American public to a proficiency that they couldn't resist, in spite of a cronyism for more popular music at that particular time. Little Roy Wiggins was quite impressive, when Santo and Johnny's big hit became popularized. We are long overdue for something very new and original to be presented, much like the 1959 hit a half lifetime ago. |
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Dickie Whitley
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Posted 31 Jul 2011 1:53 pm
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| Bill, you're changing gears here. First you were talking about something missing in the tonality of the steel, now you're talking about a different style to come out. So which is it? Also, Barry had a question for you as well. |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 31 Jul 2011 1:59 pm
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Barry,
Please refrain from misleading others. The changer you make reference to, has been used successfully for many years. It is something that I was fortunate to discover, after two years of trials and errors, that turned up a few systems that were not foolproof. My setup is secure, proven by years of service. |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 31 Jul 2011 2:40 pm
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Dickie,
That which soothes or pleases the senses, in making a point, or stressing differences, becomes a matter of tonality. Everything worthwhile, I feel is rooted in subsequent ultimate tonality. It should be more than obvious that the pedal steel guitar has not been exhausted or tested anywhere near its full potential. The unlimited features known to exist in its variable tonalities, rules out doubting the potential within the multiples of semitones. |
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Dickie Whitley
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Posted 31 Jul 2011 2:52 pm
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Whatever you say Bill, it's your topic, tell it like you want to. My opinion, one word comes to mind: Airball.
I'm done. It's all yours. |
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Ron Kirby
From:
Nashville TN
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Posted 31 Jul 2011 3:09 pm
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Hi Bill, Maybe computers should take over the steel guitar business. Kind of like,, GM were robots do all the work...Try selling a car to a robot..
Good Luck...Ron |
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richard burton
From:
Britain
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Posted 31 Jul 2011 3:22 pm
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Bill, you say that something is missing that could enhance the instruments total sound, but I say the opposite.
There are too many component parts, especially in the changer, that remove the richness from the tone.
Every rivet in the changer finger requires a degree of slackness, otherwise the finger wouldn't move, and it is this essential necessity for the changer finger to move freely that de-couples the vibrating string from the instrument, degrading the tone.
If you look back a few years to when the PSG changer mechanism was a far simpler affair, quite often it is apparent that the tone of those instruments is superior to modern steels. |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 31 Jul 2011 3:40 pm
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Ron,
Many things within your grasp are within easy reach. It's just that farsightedness causes a problem by not allowing a person to focus on solutions that are too close to be seen. Those individuals who habitually harbor doubts, fall in that category of disbelievers. Solving the riddles associated with the multiples of playing techniques would require more time than most could ever consider. |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 31 Jul 2011 4:00 pm
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Richard,
Great logic on your part Richard. Perhaps you will agree that many struggles can be made easier by simply finding a BETTER WAY of achieving a particular goal. Jerry Byrd's tonality has attracted much attention over the years. Sort of bears out what you have said. |
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Ron Kirby
From:
Nashville TN
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Posted 31 Jul 2011 4:59 pm
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| OK Bill, Got it! Whatever you said...Thanks. |
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Theresa Galbraith
From:
Goodlettsville,Tn. USA
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Posted 31 Jul 2011 5:59 pm
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Bill,
Please post your steel guitar playing. |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 1 Aug 2011 3:08 am
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Theresa,
The steel guitar becomes expressly dominant in melodies such as "HEARTACHES BY THE NUMBERS". I listen intently to Paul's supporting arrangement in MARTINA'S recording, (readily accessible on You Tube) on occasion. His imaginative bites of steel guitar, quickly establishes his masterly control of the instrument, when called upon to do so. His performance is impeccable , as he shares equally with MARTINA the pleasures of reliving the 50's hit made famous by RAY PRICE. It would be difficult to find additional steel guitar embellishments after hearing that classic arrangement, although multiple harmonics may become the icing on the cake.
I appreciate your request! It would be enjoyable, if the necessary arrangements could be worked out. |
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Quesney Gibbs
From:
Anniston, AL
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Posted 1 Aug 2011 4:49 am
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| NUTS!!! |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 1 Aug 2011 5:04 am
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Quesney,
Your reply rates as the succinctest of all entries. Interesting, to imagine where this would go, should you decide to elaborate on your statement. |
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Storm Rosson
From:
Silver City, NM. USA
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Posted 1 Aug 2011 6:04 am
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 I think B0b should save some storage space by closing yet another of your space cadet postings.... |
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Barry Blackwood
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Posted 1 Aug 2011 6:41 am
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| Quote: |
| The changer you make reference to, has been used successfully for many years. It is something that I was fortunate to discover, after two years of trials and errors, that turned up a few systems that were not foolproof. |
Bill, I stand corrected. Apparently at some point in your muddled past, your amazing changer did materialize, and somehow I and the rest of us all missed it. Could it be that somehow you (conveniently) neglected to share that information with us at the time of it's conception?  Would you like to share now? |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 1 Aug 2011 8:04 am
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| is it a vertical changer? |
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Storm Rosson
From:
Silver City, NM. USA
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Posted 1 Aug 2011 8:38 am
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 I believe it's a more ethereal, automorphing, piece of psuedo-reality that only Mr Bill can actually see... |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 1 Aug 2011 8:48 am
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Chris,
NO! It is so simple that that it defies description. Its weight is even less impressive. Most factory changers are weighty in comparison. |
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