2 years in. Where I am in my Pedal Steel Journey

Bill McCloskey · Posted 16 Jul 2024 9:05 am

Started playing pedals when I turned 68. 70 now. I've discussed a few times about my frustrations in the past. Thought I'd do an update because I have finally landed after two years of searching for the proper steel, tuning, and setup for me.

One of the biggest problems in getting started with steel, especially as a senior, is the physical issues. Finding not only a guitar that fits you, but a setup that works ergonomically for you. Over the past 2 years I've tried S10's, D10's, S12's, D12's, E9th, C6th, Universal, D13. I've had E's lowered on LR. on RL, even on LL. I have had emmons setup, i've had day setup. I've had shobuds, sierras, williams, and custom builds.

I've immersed myself in E9 lessons, I've immersed myself in C6 lessons. I have struggled trying to make progress on two different necks, two different pedal and lever arrangements. I've tried scooting over to play C6, scooting back to play E9. Even tried a cross over where I didn't need to scoot at all.

And only in the last month have I finally hit on the perfect combination for me. One that puts to rest the search for the perfect setup, and starts the real journey of making music.

The answer turned out to be Johnny Cox's D13 tuning, with Day setup E's lowered on LL2 on a custom build I call The Rose.

First revelation; The Day Setup. What a relief with my horrible ankles playing Day setup. Every guitar I've had has always been Emmons setup and rocking my foot when you are disabled was always difficult. With Day setup, rocking from left to right is SO MUCH easier on my feet than the other way. And since I'm playing an 8x6, it puts the most important pedals closer together and closer to center of the cabinet which is a huge physical relief.

I've played with E's lowered on the right and left. I found with E's on the right, engaging the pedal always made controlling the volume pedal difficult. I'd press the volume as I engaged the lever

Now it is on one of the two LL levers of the D13 and no problem with volume.

I now have ONE neck and ONE tuning to work on. Which is so much more effective when trying to make progress rather than splitting attention over two necks and two tunings.

From a learning material standpoint, I now have the best of both worlds. ALL my E9th lessons and ALL my C6th lessons are very easily transferred to the D13.

and since I'm a relative newcomer to pedals, I don't have to "unlearn" a lot of things. I can start off thinking in D13th, and start exploring what this tuning gives you that you can't get on either E9th and Cth.

and finally: The Rose. Custom built to my specs by Darvin Willhoite, from a cabinet built by JR Rose from aged walnut. One of the most breathtaking steels both to look at and to hear that I've ever played.

One neck, one tuning, 8 pedals, 4 knee levers, endless possibilities. That part of the journey is over. Now comes the hard part.

Doug Taylor · From: Shelbyville, Kentucky, USA

That sure is a pretty steel Bill, glad you have found the answer for you!

Marshall Woodall · From: New York, USA

Indeed a beautiful steel Bill! You ain't kidding about getting to the hard part. I think the idea that you are excited by and simply want to be around that instrument and tuning will go a long way in pushing your progress. I think we learn most when we are just exploring without a specific goal. In that process we somehow hit upon what works for us individually. Enjoy, dig in, and keep us posted.

Paul Seager · From: Augsburg, Germany

Glad to hear an update Bill. At 62 and with only an E9 to concern me, I am lucky to have no physical disabilities but my progress has been slowed by time consumed by my day job and gigs on other instruments. Ironically, I just became unemployed (or as my buddies prefer: Forcibly Relaxed!) Big shout out to a guy called Vladimir for providing an energy crisis and free-time Confused

I dedicated 2023 to Franklin's "Foundations" and it really delivered. For 2024 I purchased "Applications" but it hasn't inspired me as much but I discovered this Forum's "Pedal Steel Beginners Page" (Steel on the Web) and that is a compliment to "Applications". I'll be focusing on these for the remaining months. If I make significant progress I may upgrade the instrument and that brings a D10 or Universal into my consideration.

You've found your ideal set-up now but it's inspired by physical considerations. However, your journey is interesting - how far removed did you find the C6 neck from "lap steel"? Obviously with E9, pedals down gives A6 which is my lap steel home-base but, looking at the standard C6 copediant I cannot see an easy bridge to walk over and I am told Universal is easier - what is your take?
_________________
\paul

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Bill McCloskey · Posted 19 Jul 2024 4:53 am

Paul,

I had spent many years playing the Alkire Eharp tuning, which has similarities with the E9th tuning, and so things like strange difficult grips were things I was very used to. While I did play some C6 on lap steel, it wasn't my primary tuning. I spent more time on Tom Morrell's D13 tuning which is basically the Cox tuning on the open strings, so moving to D13 wasn't that big a deal. Now, it doesn't matter if I pick up a C6 tutorial or an E9th tutorial, I can easily translate either one over the D13 tuning. I am really loving having everything consolidate into one tuning (unlike typical universals where you are still thinking in two tunings). I've stopped thinking in E9 or C6 and now try to just think in D13.

for me, this is what makes this tuning so special, and to me, better than other universal tunings: if we are playing E9th, our C root position is the 8th fret. If we are playing C6, our C root position is the 12th fret. In D13, if I'm playing typical C licks in E9th, I move from the 8th fret to the 10th fret. If I'm playing typical C licks in C6th, I move down 2 frets ....to the 10th fret. In standard Universal tunings like E9/B6, my C home base is the 8th fret and the 1st fret. Still thinking in two tunings. With D13, you are only thinking in one tuning.

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