Foot Pressure And Tuning Problems

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 10 Mar 2013 10:26 am

I am a firm believer in avoiding an excess of tuning problems by becoming very selective with others who just want to "try" out your steel guitar. If your steel plays smoother than silk, the last person you'd want seated before it, is one with a heavy pair of boots, and overzealous knees groping for the correct changes.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 10 Mar 2013 10:43 am

thanks, bill, for these marvelous words of wisdom.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 10 Mar 2013 11:04 am

I'll remember to not play your pedal steel, Bill.

On the other hand, anyone who wants to sit behind my pedal steels, feel free to stamp away; they're never in tune, anyway.

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 10 Mar 2013 11:47 am

Bill welcome back! I hope the recuperation went well.
As far as stamping too hard on peds/kl's..I believe this is a non issue really. stops are all constructed quite sturdy these days

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 10 Mar 2013 1:00 pm

Bent,

As far as I know, steel guitars have never been tested for sudden vigorous impacts at the pedals by someone motivated to solve the common detuning problem. Nothing is more disconcerting than to see the great artistry of players interrupted, while they fumble with tuning keys.

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 10 Mar 2013 1:28 pm

Ordinarily, I can't understand what your even writing or commenting about. I've always blamed myself however for not paying better attention while in school.

In this specific instance I couldn't agree with you MORE! I never let anyone play my guitars and have been accused of being stingy.

I've seen pedal steels where the pedal rods are bent in just about every direction on the compass. One of our 'late' local players used to literally STOMP down on each and every pedal change and his playing reflected that altho' many of his fans seemed not to notice it.

My strings seem to last longer than others since the bodily chemicals of others sweaty hands seem to have a debilitating affect on the alloys.

When I use my pedals, I attempt to apply the same finesse on them that I do the gentleness of my bar movements.

Enjoyed your comments.

Billy Tonnesen · Post by **Billy Tonnesen** » 10 Mar 2013 3:15 pm

Anyone ever notice that you have more muscle in your left leg from mashing pedals over the years. Your right leg is mostly resting on the Volume Pedal. I did not notice this until I started walking again after Chemotherapy.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 10 Mar 2013 4:16 pm

just don't let rusty rhoads play it when he's mad.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 10 Mar 2013 4:23 pm

Anyone ever notice that you have more muscle in your left leg from mashing pedals over the years. Your right leg is mostly resting on the Volume Pedal. I did not notice this until I started walking again after Chemotherapy.

I could knock down the Great Wall of China with my left leg.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 11 Mar 2013 5:11 am

Many things in life should be considered in a category of personalized possessions. I've always considered that the family automobile is not a loanable convenience among neighbors. A $5000 pedal steel guitar, or a prized amp, easily fall into a classification of look, but don't touch. Keep in mind the attitudes of those living in the old western states 150 years ago. Those living at that time, knew better than to throw a saddle on the wrong horse. Any ensuing problems can be traced much easier, provided you are the sole user of certain commodities such as the pedal steel guitar.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 11 Mar 2013 6:43 am

I never let anyone play my Martin D-41..I guess I P.O'd someone off because it got stolen.

.Idiots left the case..I remember Doc letting someone use his es 335 Gibson and he broke two strings and we spent some time looking for the string guides all over the dance floor..

Luckily we found them and a lesson learned..LOL..

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 11 Mar 2013 7:42 am

There are guitar players who believe that with all the time and effort they've put into that, it has to mean that they can play anything with "guitar" in it's name. FLATPICK SCRATCHES on a real* nylon-string classical guitar? Oh yes... "Har de har har, now I made it more like Willie's for ya!" I can ride anything with hair...

Har de har har
Ka-Pow!
thud

Har de har indeed. I had a friend who was one of those acid-fingered types, only person I ever met who could rot through flatwound BASS strings.

*(More than 50% wood. From trees!

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 11 Mar 2013 9:42 am

I get the same problem with my model railway. I spend hours building detailed models, which are quite delicate, but when we have visitors they send their kids down into my den to "play trains" and they've been known to cause untold damage. I have one nephew who, as a child, gloried in running trains into obstacles. At one time, while I was dashing round switching everything off, I turned round to find that he was whacking a 100 yr. old mandolin on the concrete floor. To him it was a toy guitar.

They also leave doors open and let the cats in. Have you ever seen what a cat can do walking along a narrow shelf on which valuable locomotives are displayed ?

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 11 Mar 2013 10:09 am

David,

Willie's acoustic guitar, the one that he makes an attempt to grab the lead parts on, is a joke. He would grab for the lead parts, on that rhythm guitar, no matter who is present in the stage lineup. I can't decide which of the two bad habits is more annoying, playing an instrument with a fist sized hole, or grabbing the lead parts.

John Scanlon · Post by **John Scanlon** » 11 Mar 2013 10:57 am

Just one guy's opinion here, but I love Trigger, (i.e., Willie's old, nylon-string Martin). The hole is part of its charm - at least it's genuine (worn down by the actual player's hands) and not "reliced." Matches quite well with the owner, I think.

And I think Willie's lead playing is wonderful - I love the chromatic stuff he does - so different from any ordinary hired Tele-slinger. Hearing the nylon-string leads in his style of music is a nice juxtaposition.

Anyway, we've gotten off track - sorry to have extended the distraction. The occasion doesn't arise very often, but I would usually allow others to play my little Carter Starter because they can almost always make it sound wonderful. It's nice to know that with enough ability in the player's hands, even that little beginner guitar can sound great. Got to keep woodsheddin'.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 11 Mar 2013 11:16 am

my my. i've never heard bill be so condescending before. especially in regard to a well rounded, creative, experienced, unique and successful musician/songwriter/singer as willie.

do you feel superior, bill?

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 11 Mar 2013 11:42 am

I don't mind others playing my guitar, if I know them or at least know who they are. I wouldn't expect anyone to let me play their guitar unless they know me or know of me.

I agree with Bill about Willie. I don't give a rats ass about his guitar, but his lead playing makes me want to stick an ice pick into my ears. His phrasing while singing has the same effect.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 11 Mar 2013 4:56 pm

John Scanlon wrote:...It's nice to know that with enough ability in the player's hands, even that little beginner guitar can sound great...

Guys like Buddy Emmons and Jerry Byrd could make a musical saw sound great. It's all in the hands, not the instrument.

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 11 Mar 2013 5:28 pm

Oh brother.. If anyone anywhere wants to sit in on a tune or two, or three, please be my guest.. I would love to have you play my steels, or any of my guitars.. My old Fender amps as well.. If you hit something on my steel a bit harder than I would, no problem, I'll adjust it back to where it was...
I would be honored to have any other player enjoy playing my gear.. If you forgot your picks, by all means bend mine to fit your fingers.. i will simply bend them back to shape... Break a string??.. ah, no worries, it was old anyway, and if it didn't break for you, it would have broken for me...

Do you guys have ANY idea what you sound like??.. little kids saying " My mother won't let anybody play with this toy except me"
Dig yourselves man, life is too short..

"No one touches my gear"...

and you are PROUD of that somehow??..

I am tickled pink if someone wants to play my stuff, and they are welcome and encouraged to do so... bob

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 12 Mar 2013 5:24 am

Bob C.,

We are living in two different worlds. We are miles apart on this particular subject matter. I suppose if you lived back in the days of the old west, and someone needed to "borrow" a pair of six guns, you'd say, no problem, as you remove your pair of pearlized holstered 45's. There are literally hundreds of musicians who prefer to keep their needful equipment under watchful eyes. They have become wiser over time.

Chris Schlotzhauer · Post by **Chris Schlotzhauer** » 12 Mar 2013 5:51 am

I have never...ever had someone sit at any of my steels and screw something up.
And I let curious guitar players, singers sit and noodle all they want.
I especially never had a steel player do something bad to my steels.
It could have something to do with they know how to play one.

Hahaa!!!

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 12 Mar 2013 8:04 am

Chris S.,

There are times when some folks value their possessions less than others. Moodiness is the most probable cause of such behaviorisms. Depending on another's mood swings is a risky business. It's better to travel well equipped.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 12 Mar 2013 8:20 am

I can't decide which of the two bad habits is more annoying, playing an instrument with a fist sized hole, or grabbing the lead parts.

Willie, playing an instrument with a fist-sized hole and grabbing the lead parts is definitely more annoying...

John Scanlon · Post by **John Scanlon** » 12 Mar 2013 8:45 am

Alan Brookes wrote:
John Scanlon wrote:...It's nice to know that with enough ability in the player's hands, even that little beginner guitar can sound great...
Guys like Buddy Emmons and Jerry Byrd could make a musical saw sound great. It's all in the hands, not the instrument.

Exactly. And this is precisely the reason I haven't parted with it yet .... well, that and the money it will take to upgrade.

Still, if you can't do it on a cheap, beginner instrument, no amount of expensive gear will make you sound like a pro. (That being said, I still want to make a move up.....)

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 12 Mar 2013 11:24 am

I don't let anyone play my harmonicas, recorders or pipes. When it comes to wind instruments, it's a germ issue. I wouldn't play my daughter's clarinet.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Foot Pressure And Tuning Problems

Foot Pressure And Tuning Problems

For once I have to agree..................