Seating position on a console

Lap steels, resonators, multi-neck consoles and acoustic steel guitars

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Gary Slabaugh
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Seating position on a console

Post by Gary Slabaugh »

I have found that if I sit in the middle of my 3 leg console that it is hard to slide across my body to hit the 15th or so fret, let alone tremelo from 12 up. With a lap steel the neck is out to my tone bar hand and the very high frets are, well you know, are in my lap. This is easy to get to any fret. I have finally decided that I should sit with one of my legs outside of the pickup end console leg when using the console.

Does anyone else who plays a console have an issue like I described? Maybe I need one of those breast reductions, or a corsett so I can cross over the from easier to hit the high frets.
Chris DeBarge
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Post by Chris DeBarge »

It's not uncommon, on console I always have to sit with my right leg outside like that. You get a nice position (around the 15th fret or so) and it's easier to deal with the volume pedal. Heck, I have to play my Fender 1000 that way too.
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Jon Light (deceased)
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Post by Jon Light (deceased) »

I remember seeing Kayton Roberts on the Opry and thinking how unusual his position seemed to be on his Dual Pro with that right leg splayed out around the leg, looking like he was ready to jump up and do a buck dance. I hadn't understood his posture until I read this post. Interesting.
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Cliff Scholle
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Post by Cliff Scholle »

Gary - I do the same thing, my right leg to the right of the pickup end of my console steels. It's kind of nice to hear that other players do this. I ended up shifting my position out of necessity, playing some Allman Bros. covers, way up on the 20-22nd fret. There was just no way to do the leads without moving significantly to the right. Now, I play that way all the time and just lean to my left if I'm playing near the nut.
Gary Slabaugh
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Post by Gary Slabaugh »

Well guys it looks like you have saved me some expensive and embarassing surgery. Makes sense sitting out to get better access to the upper frets.
Marc Weller
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Post by Marc Weller »

What a helpful thread. I've got long legs on my body and short ones on my Gibson Console Grande. Never even thought of putting my volume pedal leg off to the right . I sure feel dumb!!


MW
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Doug Beaumier
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Post by Doug Beaumier »

Kayton always sat up pretty high IMHO. I love his playing. He's got a lot of energy. You gotta love a guy who's been playing the same steel since 1953!

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<font size=-1>My Site | Doug's Free Tab</font><FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Doug Beaumier on 07 April 2002 at 11:31 PM.]</p></FONT>
Marc Weller
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Post by Marc Weller »

I like the Guild Artist Award the the backup guy is playing. They are wonderful guitars.

MW
Tim Rowley
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Post by Tim Rowley »

Marc,

That "backup guy" appears to be Michigan's own L.T. Zinn, playing his Guild Artist Award jazz box which he bought new in 1962. It has the floating DeArmond pickup, and tone up the Kazoola. One of the finest "sock rhythm" guitars ever built, and one of the finest men you will ever meet.

Tim R.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Tim Rowley on 08 April 2002 at 10:55 PM.]</p></FONT>
Chris DeBarge
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Post by Chris DeBarge »

Funny, I was also drooling over the old Artist Award.
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