PSG and Slot Machines

Paul Honeycutt · Post by **Paul Honeycutt** » 28 Jul 2005 7:54 am

I realized the other night that I have an association between pedal steel guitars and slot machines especially old ones with fancy woods and fancy metal work. Maybe it's that I used to see and hear PSG's in casinos when my parents would stop in Lake Tahoe or Carson City on the way to Colorado on vacations. And then there's the spade, hearts, clubs and diamond inlays on a lot of guitars.

Does anyone else have this kind of connection?

Jon Zimmerman · Post by **Jon Zimmerman** » 28 Jul 2005 8:28 am

To my mind, gaming symols imply a "strategy" --to gain or achieve a position or dominanate the game--e.g. the chess pieces on MSA, or Domino figures I've seen on fretboards--my feeling is: here are the symbols, now what's your approach?--Not an all-consuming battle, just tactics. I bet the builders of guitars like these examples had their favorite 'pastimes' too.

kyle reid · Post by **kyle reid** » 28 Jul 2005 8:44 am

I;ve heard some steels that sound like a Royal Flush!

Greg Vincent · Post by **Greg Vincent** » 28 Jul 2005 8:49 am

I have that association too, Paul!

When I first started on pedal steel in 1995 I bought a Mel Bay book and on the cover was a sparkling Sierra Crown gearless PSG all done up in birdseye maple and gold hardware. I spent a lot of time "ooh"-ing and "ah"-ing over that picture. Something about it reminded me of the bright lights of Vegas and the fancy metal & wood work of slot machines.

Only years later did I learn that the guitar in that picture had an aluminum body!

-GV

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 28 Jul 2005 8:52 am

Slot machines make more money.

Joseph De Feo · Post by **Joseph De Feo** » 28 Jul 2005 11:26 am

A good PSG could take a lot of coins...
Maby a three pedal bandit?

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 28 Jul 2005 12:51 pm

Wonder what a steel would sound like when you hit the jackpot?

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 28 Jul 2005 1:23 pm

<SMALL>Wonder what a steel would sound like when you hit the jackpot?</SMALL>

Buy a Robert Randolph CD and find out.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 28 Jul 2005 2:00 pm

Good one, Earnest!

I've heard that slot machine sounds are tuned to the key of C. Curly Chalker played a lot C6th in Las Vegas. Coincedence?

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 29 Jul 2005 7:45 am

Hmmm...I thought they were tuned to "G", the "happy" chord. Ever heard that Expedia commercial?

EXPEDIA...dot com!