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Topic: How Do I Get a Long Sustain? |
Lee Rider
From:
Fort Bragg, California, USA
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Posted 6 May 2013 7:39 pm |
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I have a Carter U12 7+5 playing through a Tubeworks stereo tube reverb unit to a Fender Vibroverb Clone made from a '73 Fender Bassman 10 chassis, JD Newell cabinet and JBL D-130 speaker. I really like the setup because I can play my lap steel through the second channel on both the tube reverb unit and it has lots of headroom.
I like to use the second output on my Goodrich volume to a Motion Sound Sidewinder guitar amp. This amp is pretty wimpy as amps go, so the Vibroclone is there to give it the lower end. What I like about the amp is the Leslie speaker feature which can make the pedal steel sound more like a B-3.
The only thing that would make it better is to have more sustain from the guitar so I could ramp the speed up and down for more of a B-3 sound.
So, my question to the forum: How would you do the above? I'm somewhat electronically challenged so any help appreciated! |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 6 May 2013 7:57 pm
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More volume. When I play for sustain, I set the amp so that loud solos are at volume pedal 30%.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Carl Kilmer
From:
East Central, Illinois
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Posted 6 May 2013 7:57 pm
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A little delay or reverb or both and good bar movement.
I use both. I also like delay with phaser, nice full sound.
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aka "Lucky Kay"--Custom built Rittenberry SD10 3X5, Walker S/S, NV-112, and Hilton Pedal |
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Lee Rider
From:
Fort Bragg, California, USA
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Posted 6 May 2013 8:04 pm
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| Lane: Tough for me to do because the speed pedal for the motion sound is between pedal 7 and the VP so I work the speed pedal with my right foot. Other reason is I don't control the VP so well so I mostly set it at a comfortable max so I don't ruin ears... |
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Paul Sutherland
From:
Placerville, California
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Posted 6 May 2013 9:29 pm
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| A compressor will give you more sustain. |
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Olli Haavisto
From:
Jarvenpaa,Finland
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Posted 7 May 2013 1:24 am
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Like Lane says, the "secret" of a good traditional steel guitar sustain is enough volume reserve on the pedal and good, solid right hand. I have all my effects pedals right next to me on my right, almost same height as the steel and and I work them with my right hand.
I would suggest something like that to you, too. Don`t sacrifice proper volume pedal technique for effects switching.
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Olli Haavisto
Finland
Last edited by Olli Haavisto on 7 May 2013 8:18 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Karen Sarkisian
From:
Boston, MA, USA
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Posted 7 May 2013 10:39 am
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buy a Jackson Steel Guitar 
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Emmons, Franklin, Mullen |
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Georg Sørtun
From:
Mandal, Agder, Norway
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Posted 7 May 2013 11:29 am
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...works regardless of PSG brand  |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 7 May 2013 1:51 pm
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| Lee Rider wrote: |
| Lane: Tough for me to do because the speed pedal for the motion sound is between pedal 7 and the VP so I work the speed pedal with my right foot. Other reason is I don't control the VP so well so I mostly set it at a comfortable max so I don't ruin ears... |
The absolute key to maximum sustain is turning the amp up, and proper use of the volume pedal. I suggest you work on your volume pedal technique, and find another way to activate your Leslie speed pedal.  |
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Rich Hlaves
From:
Wildomar, California, USA
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Posted 7 May 2013 2:34 pm
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Yeah, you gotta have the amp cranked and keep adding volume as the notes decay.
I'm playing a VV clone that I built these days. D130F as well. Works very well for steel, lap or pedal.
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On man....let the smoke out of another one. |
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Brad Sarno
From:
St. Louis, MO USA
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Posted 7 May 2013 3:04 pm
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Yup,
try what Hughey did, crank the amp and play with the volume pedal down at 15%. Then you have 85% left to keep the volume sustaining.
That's where it all happens.. No tricks other than a smooth right foot and a good volume pedal.
B |
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David Higginbotham
From:
Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA
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Posted 7 May 2013 6:36 pm
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| You can get the best advice from some of the best. Donny and Brad are two fine examples of that!!! |
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Bobby Boggs
From:
Upstate SC.
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Posted 7 May 2013 10:04 pm
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Yes the above mentioned will work. But just for kicks. What would you do to get more sustain if you had no volume pedal? Or say when playing dobro with no mic?
Back in the early to mid 70's. Weldon broke his right foot as I remember. Yet his session work continued as usual.
For me. When I want to emphasize a phrase or know I'm going to need extra sustain. I also dig in and pick even harder along with a slight increase via the volume pedal.
Good right and left hand technique along with volume pedal skills are a must for maximum sustain.
And it's a great help as well as an inspiration to have a guitar that has great sustain.
Your mileage may vary.
bb |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 8 May 2013 6:01 am
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I wasn't there, but I Weldon's engineer used a slider as Weldon's volume pedal.
When I need a LITTLE Dobro sustain, I have the engineer boost the gain, and I use proximity to the mic. If I need a lot, bar shimmy
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Lee Rider
From:
Fort Bragg, California, USA
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Posted 22 May 2013 6:39 pm
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| Thanks for the great advice! |
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