Shea Stevenson
From:
Alabama, USA
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Posted 3 Jun 2024 6:20 am |
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Good Morning,
Hope this message finds everyone well. This is my first post to the forum despite browsing it for the last month or so. Thus far it has been a tremendous resource and I would like to thank you all for putting so much time and dedication into this. Now, I’ve been playing guitar for 25ish years, in many forms, from classical quartets to touring rock to art installations but I just picked up a steel 2 months ago. That said I can’t stop playing it at all, ever… it’s every moment I have, I haven’t been this obsessed with practice since I was in college or maybe even when I was a teen. I am in C6, have learned a couple Hawaiian songs (from the steel guitar site), went through an online book by someone that was recommended here… it has Boot Heel Drag, Steel Guitar Rag, etc in it, learned my basic chords (inversions, different triad positions, etc), behind the bar bends, and figured the chime/harmonic thing out this weekend.
So, initially I had a cheap Silvertone with a p13 type pickup and it’s cool BUT I found a 39 Ric Bakelite (profile pic) for $675 shipped and I couldn’t resist… I am absolutely astounded by this instrument, it is the best sounding guitar I’ve ever heard, for the record I have played 3 main guitars through the years a Steve Klein, a 72 Tele Custom, and a 59 Jazzmaster, yet the Ric out classes them all…. I’m unsure how that’s even possible, which brings me to one of my questions, amplifiers. What do you use for shows/home? I’ve read so much I’ve gotten a little confused again. I was debating between the 5e3 and hot rod’d Ac-15 but this weekend I found an amp by Tone Bakery: https://reverb.com/item/63087932-tone-bakery-princeless-matchless-tweed-princeton-hybrid-hand-wired-tube-combo-amp which contains the Princeton and Matchless AC preamps in 1 amp, in phase with each other. They will also mod it to class AB if I want for Twin type headroom (among other things). Money is an issue as always but I couldn’t pass up that Ric and now I need an amp so I can play this out proper. Had a Carr Rambler for years but it was stolen…
Lastly, what do you suggest I do now as far as learning is concerned? I’ve considered lessons from someone, Steve Cunningham has some impressive YT videos, I figure out the opening of Well You Needn’t cause I couldn’t get it out of my head… he doesn’t use fingerpicks tho and plays in Open E. Phenomenal player but maybe I need something more traditional to start…? I grew up spending a lot of time on my grandparents peach farm where Hank Sr was an everyday thing, Don Helms guitar playing is just something that’s innate to me and I feel that music so much…. Sorry to ramble but I’m trying to summarize a lot in a short period.
Anyways, I appreciate your time and any suggestions you may have. Thanks again and have a great day!
Tl;dr- what sort of amp would you use with a Bakelite Ric and what should I do to improve my playing further, after the basics? |
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Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 3 Jun 2024 7:24 am
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Wow - my transition was very similar 30 years ago. I picked up an old Silvertone lap steel after 20 years of semi-pro guitar playing and fell deep into the rabbit hole, obsessively exploring the different tunings and players. I played Fender console steels for many years and finally got my first Ricky five years ago. Ricky's truly are amazing instruments. They sound fabulous through just about any amp but Fender tweeds bring out the best in them, for me. I currently use a tweed Vibrolux clone and a tweed Tremolux clone, modded with 6L6s to give me a little more headroom.
Here's a little clip I did on my '51 Rickenbacker BD6 in C6 through a Deluxe Reverb Reissue:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve9CAJWNmFw |
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Shea Stevenson
From:
Alabama, USA
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Posted 7 Jun 2024 9:22 am
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Awesome! Thanks for your thoughts! I think it’s hard to beat a 5e3 amp period. The only slight hang up I have are the few videos I’ve seen on YT of the guy with the aluminum Clinesmith and the Matchless Vox type amp…. Wow! What a sweet sound, like a million bucks! I’m going to end up with one of them but definitely don’t have the money for both right now given the other parts of my rig I have to maintain. Your clip sounds great! I’m excited to see how mine sounds through that setup. This Supro Thunderbolt 1x15 is cool too tho, it’s just way too heavy and way too loud for what I need presently, I prefer mic’s on my amp live. Running them at 80-90% of their capacity always sounds best to me but that Supro would deafen like that!
Do you use any pedals? I’m thinking a delay, volume, and boost/od? That said idk… I always think they’re cool and want to use them but then never actually doing it, other than delay here or there.
I really want to focus on more of education tho. Like what Helms or Byrd or Robert’s are doing over various chord changes and why…? The trad jazz over country thing
Thanks! |
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