Which console lap steel do I want (never played one)?

[Allbread]

Hi all,

I'm tired of being jealous of those that can play "a little" pedal steel and want to learn. I've been playing guitar for 20 years so figure I should be able to pick it up enough to add some ambience and long legato melodies to some of my songs.

I don't need to be able to be a killer country style steel player, just want to be able to play it Gilmour-style.

I know nothing about pedal steels but know that there's probably a lot to know before buying one.

Any one have any advice as far as what to look for in buying one? What's kind of the "standard" arrangement (one neck, 8 strings, I assume)?

Also, any specific recommendations for one to look around for used? I like to buy quality instruments with good tone so I don't need to start out with the "Fisher Price - My first Pedal Steel" but I also don't need the pro piece that a Nashville session player makes his money on.

Basically, I'm looking the "G&L Legacy/ASAT" of pedal steels as far as tone, price, quality, and playability. By that I mean that I want a solid instrument that can be had used for a reasonable price but that will never be grown out of and doesn't need new pickups and other alterations right out of the box.

Any suggestions?

Is it best to buy new and/or locally to make sure that it's set up right and not tweaked around in shipping?

Budget would be 1-2k if that gets me into a decent instrument on the used market . I'd actually be willing to sell my ASAT Deluxe to get one so I hope that the proceeds from that sale would get me into something that I won't be disappointed in once I learn how to make it sing.



Thanks for your advice!

Ryan

 

[Michael Hunter]

Ryan,

the closest you'll come to a "standard" basic setup would be a single neck 10-string in E9 (i.e. "Nashville") tuning with three pedals and four knee levers. There's a number of manufacturers who make something along these lines - the manufacturer index at the Steel Guitar Forum website should help you out. Unless you live near Nashville, you'll have a tricky time finding anything local to try or buy, so I'd suggest becoming versed in the mechanics of a pedal steel before buying because you'll probably have to handle setup and maintenance issues yourself. (Working on a pedal steel is much more akin to working on a bicycle than a regular guitar, I've found.)

If Gilmour-style is what you're interested, be aware that he really doesn't play pedal steel, but lap steels set up console-style (with legs). These certainly don't have the setup/maintenance/tuning issues that a pedal steel tends to. I won't claim they're any easier to play, though!

 

[Allbread]

If Gilmour-style is what you're interested, be aware that he really doesn't play pedal steel, but lap steels set up console-style (with legs). These certainly don't have the setup/maintenance/tuning issues that a pedal steel tends to. I won't claim they're any easier to play, though!

Ah, good to know! I've seen him play lap steel and seen him play it set up on lets, which I assume that was a pedal steel.

Difference being no pedals, I assume - you just tune it how it tune it and let her rip?

Maybe that's a good starting point - any recommendations there (I'd want it console style).

Thanks for the tip.

Ryan

 

[Michael Hunter]

For new makes, here's a list: http://b0b.com/links/manufacturers.html

Used, a Fender Champ or Stringmaster would get you close to Gilmour's tones.

 

[Quarter]

Yea, for Gimour style fun, no pedals required. Mostly David played a couple modified Jedsons, a Fender style clone mainly sold across the pond. Here is a cool Quicktime video where David is playing an old Gibson with a P90 style pickup http://www.pinkfloyd.co.uk/dg/index.html
For new console steels, there are not a lot of off the shelf consoles out there, but it is easy enough to have one custom built to your specs. Another option is use a stand or have legs installed on a regular model too.