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Non Pedal Steelers

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Members: 55
Latest Activity: May 6

WOW!

I didn't get to be the first to post something. I'm surprised at the response. First things first: I use two tunings at present (A6th and E13). My A6th is (High to Low) E-C#-A-F#-E-C#-A-F#. My current E13 is E-C#-B-G#-F#-E-D-G#. It seems more common to find the lower four strings tuned (F#-D-G#-E) rather than (F#-E-D-G#) - which is what I use. I don't have a third neck, so I don't use C6th. I got this tuning from Terry Miller on the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association.

C6th is a very nice tuning and makes it easier to play in the upper registers: escpecially when you're playing anything by Don Helms. I get a lot done with the current tuning. A 6th is most usefull for Western Swing and Hawaiian. E13 is great for blues and jazz tunes. I try to learn each song on both necks.

There is one website that everyone should visit: http://www.hawaiiansteel.com/ . Thi is John Ely's Hawaiian Steel guitar page. There are pages on just about everything: Tunings, chords and more. I use his website all the time.

I will be posting topics as I go. My main reason for getting into Non Pedal Steel was to add it to my Western Swing Show. Little did I know that I would get so involved with it. For more about what I do, visit my website at: http://www.guitardaninc.com/

I think my next post will be on some of the great players (They are numerous.). One more item: For anyone who has a pedal steel only, you can get A6th on strings 4 through 8 by just using your A and B pedals. Check out Herb Remington's page on this: http://www.remingtonsteelguitars.com/A6.html .

Thank you all for your interest in this topic. - Dan

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Comment by Carl McLaughlin on April 3, 2013 at 6:46pm: Hi Frank,Carl here sent you a message about your poss sale of the double 8 Fender,Still considering of selling?Price? Pics?Thanks

Comment by Frank Merritt on March 20, 2013 at 11:07am: I have a old Fender two neck 8string I might sell. I am 'visualy Impared' and cann't play very good anymore.

Comment by Buffalo Rick Galeener on March 20, 2013 at 8:55am: Anyone interested in a double 8 Gibson console? Has 3 pedals on the upper neck that need work. I have been using it without the pedals as a lap steel. It's in Phoenix AZ and I'm asking $600. 602-992-4578

Comment by Rockne Riddlebarger on February 8, 2013 at 4:50pm: Here is a video of me playing my D8 console last night (2.7.13) in the Southgate House Revival Lounge, Newport, KY. This is the Andyman Hoplins Band and we are playing one of Andy's songs, I've Lost My Pajamas". This video was shot by Roy Sandhage on his cell phone. Rory was a member of the audience and we did not know him...Thanks, Rory!

Andyman Hopkins Band..Pajama song.

Comment by Jim Cunningham on February 1, 2013 at 9:59pm: Hi Carl. I live out here on prairies of Alberta.I started out on a Dobro, Open G, a Fender 6 string lap, open G. That was 6 yrs. ago. Always loved the sound of the steel so I decided to build one.It's a 8 string, C6 tuning,non pedal.Took me about 4 months to complete it. 24.5" scale, GHS strings, Alumitone p/u, excellent sustain. I'm quite proud of the finished product and believe it or not it sounds like a real steel. Now the challenge of learning to play it

Comment by krassimire on January 20, 2013 at 9:33pm: I'm going to NAMM,the day after tomorrow!

Comment by Rockne Riddlebarger on January 11, 2013 at 4:34pm: Hey all you non-pedlers that also play dobro, check out the new group here on the Steel Guitar Network called RESONATORS devoted to players and instruments of that style!

Comment by Rockne Riddlebarger on December 21, 2012 at 6:00pm: This is a reply to Hank Ruf's comment below about dobro and lap steel string gauges. I have had a lot of trouble with that .028 on the G string of a dobro and that trouble is ecessive string breakage. I can't keep a .028 cranked up to that pitch for bvery long with out it breaking. I prefer the set of .016 .018 .026 .036 .046 .056. I have used this set for decades and rarely break any of them. This gauge works very well for all of the tunings you mentioned plus Emaj. This set seems at home on short or long scale lap steels and dobros. I use it in Phos. Bronze on dobro and in Nickle for laps. This set also used to be the common packages set put out by Martin and GHS, among others. For dobro purists it was also the prefered set on (Our Favorite Uncle) Josh Graves' instruments.

Comment by Rockne Riddlebarger on December 20, 2012 at 9:32pm: I'm playin' a double 8 console these days and almost feel guilty for stepping away from all of my 6 string lap steels. They have served me for several decades and all are still as good as they were (some are better) when I bought them. I know there will come a time when they are the most appropriate guitar for a song or performance however, and I know they'll be ready for the call of duty when it comes. I'm also getting ready to form an acoustic trio to use the resonator guitars I have too. There is a place for all types of steel guitars.

Comment by Carl McLaughlin on November 27, 2012 at 2:59pm: I have been playing my open e tuning w/benders and also my 8 string c6th.Keeps the mind sharp