First pedal steel

Keith Cordell · Post by **Keith Cordell** » 1 Apr 2005 8:57 am

I just got my first steel with "cheaters" on it, a Fender 400 that is supposed to be a '61 or '62. If I knew how to post pictures I would, it is unbelievably clean and came with literally everything it had from the factory; the vol./tone pedal, a super clean brown tolex case, the original polish rag, a bunch of old picks, and a screwdriver with FENDER/Fullerton California/Steel Guitar printed on it. The guys at the store were trying to get me to "donate" it to their collection... hahaha. The chrome is almost universally perfect, the finish has just the right amount of checking, and the cables aren't all stretched out. The footpedals don't look like they have ever been stepped on! I am going to use it for Sacred Steel stuff (not RR, more Darick Campbell; using his tuning). Just thought I'd share the smile, I've been grinning so big there's blood in my beard!

------------------
'62? Fender 400 Pedal Steel, Gibson Royaltone, Sierra S8, bakelite bars

Fred Shannon · Post by **Fred Shannon** » 1 Apr 2005 9:38 am

Keith, good go for you. I have one also and it's in pristine condition with only one dent (very small). Mine is sunburst and has 4pedals...They are super axes and with an easy to change setup. Don't you agree?

phred

------------------
"From Truth, Justice is Born"--Quanah Parker-1904

Keith Cordell · Post by **Keith Cordell** » 1 Apr 2005 9:41 am

I do, I am learning how to set it up as we speak, and I am amazed at how simple it is to make changes. Mine is the cream finish that has been nicely tobacco stained over a period of years, giving it that lovely look you get on old Tele's and Strats- my wife thinks it's ugly, but to me it is beautiful beyond description.

Ron ! · Post by **Ron !** » 1 Apr 2005 12:38 pm

here ya go Keith.

Ron

P.s.
Do me a favor Keith.Never let your picks and bar lay like that on the laquer.[This message was edited by Ronald ! on 01 April 2005 at 12:40 PM.]

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 1 Apr 2005 1:52 pm

Get one of those little bar and pick holders that clip onto the leg of the guitar. There're for sale on e-bay all the time.

Keith Cordell · Post by **Keith Cordell** » 1 Apr 2005 2:40 pm

I got a Dixon Dock incoming. Thanks for the advice!

J Hill · Post by **J Hill** » 1 Apr 2005 6:36 pm

I didn't know lacquer could hurt the bar!

Keith Cordell · Post by **Keith Cordell** » 1 Apr 2005 6:56 pm

As much as I am paying for these old bakelite ones, they are almost as much of a concern as the guitar! Yeesh, I gotta fork out for these!

------------------
'62? Fender 400 Pedal Steel, Gibson Royaltone, Sierra S8, bakelite bars

Bruce Burhans · Post by **Bruce Burhans** » 1 Apr 2005 10:43 pm

Keith,

About posting images, have a look at this. Pretty simple:
http://steelguitarforum.com/ubbcode.html

Welcome to the club.

Bruce in Bellingham

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 2 Apr 2005 5:55 am

Very Nice! And yes, that looks to be a '62 model. Hope you can score a bridge cover, somewhere, since it would halp the "look" and your playing comfort. That would make it really complete!

Keith Cordell · Post by **Keith Cordell** » 2 Apr 2005 6:05 am

According to the dealer there never was a bridge cover- There is no place to attach one that I can see. Do you have any idea where I could find a picture of one so I know what to look for?

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 2 Apr 2005 8:06 am

I too have a 400 and think it is great!
One thing I did was change the lowering return springs to a lighter spring so that lowers and raises have the same nice pedal feel (When I got it the lowers were like pressing a really stiff clutch pedal on a '75 Chevy Blazer I once had).
An incredibly fun steel to play, hear, and just look at!

[This message was edited by Pete Burak on 02 April 2005 at 08:07 AM.]

Ron ! · Post by **Ron !** » 2 Apr 2005 10:30 am

Keith.

Donny is right on the money with that bridge cover.You should try and find one of those.It will make playing easier if you play close to the bridge.In this thread you can see 2 pictures with those covers. http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum5/HTML/004434.html
Hope this helps.

Ron

Keith Cordell · Post by **Keith Cordell** » 2 Apr 2005 12:48 pm

Well, if anyone has one I'd love to get it, but I doubt that I will find one unless I find it here. It's OK though, I love it just the way it is, I'll just have to be mindful not to hit the bridge with my hand.