Not only is this video super informative, but god damn that playing is just awesome. There’s really nothing like really skillful steel guitar playing, such a beautiful sound
I'm a long-time (50 years) off and on guitar player. Mostly off due to military service, marriage, and work. But now that I'm retired (and single) I have all the time, freedom to seriously study music theory, and enough money to expand my electric and acoustic guitar collection and to learn a new instrument; i.e., steel guitar. When I decided to jump into learning steel guitar, I knew that I wanted to keep it as simple as possible and begin with a lap / or console steel, and not pedal steel, so I decided I just needed a single neck guitar. In doing my research on what I might want to buy, I saw that one could buy a single neck 6-string lap steel for just a few hundred bucks. Butt I've always been a kind of "Gucci--brand" guitar collector; i.e., I want instruments with a brand name, so for my very first steel guitar, I went 5X pricier and got a vintage Fender Deluxe 8. Then I started reading everything I could about learning how to play steel guitar, and discovered that there were dozens, hundreds, even an infinite number of tunings for steel guitar. I quickly surmised that I did not want to keep retuning / re-stringing a single neck guitar to test out Open G, Open D, A6, C6, and E9, etc., so I went back to the popular website we all know and love, and bought a 60's vintage Fender Stringmaster T8. Both the DX-8 and T8 are short scale guitars, and in my search for multi-neck guitars and reading the Steel Guitar Forum, I learned that Fender also made mid scale (24 1/2 in) guitar, and a long scale (26 in) guitar, and I decided I "needed" mid-scale and long scale examples for my new steel guitar collection as well. So back to ever-popular website we all know and love I went and picked up a 1953 Fender Stringmaster D8 (long scale) and a 60's vintage Stringmaster D8 (mid scale) as well. THEN... I decided that I should get an actual 6-string lap steel. Back to the gear website I went and picked up a 60's vintage Fender Champ. By now you can see that I'm partial to Fender instruments... Then I discovered the world of lap steel benders on RUclips so... back to the gear website I go to pick up a brand new Gretsch 5700 and a Peters G/B Pitch Witch benders, and a roller nut and roller bridge for the Gretsch. Just got the 60's D8 and the Gretsch guitars and bender hardware in today. I will take my time modifying the Gretsch to make sure it's absolutely perfect. I think the madness has run its course, though I really, really, really like that Duesenberg Fairytale... :) And now I'm watching all of your videos! Thanks for what you do for us beginners Brother Shaw. Liked, subscribed, and shared on social media. God bless.
My mentor Brian Cober invented a style called Double Slide Guitar in the 70s - with a Tele that had lap steel action with two slides on one hand - the main slide was a hybrid between a steel bar and a tube slide, with a smaller slide on the thumb that covered three strings, and Brian played it overhand style. I play the same style but on my lap - I think of it being halfway between slide guitar and lap steel.
@@texas_swing it is really cool - check out videos of Brian on YT if you have the time, he really revolutionized lap steel playing. And may I just say, your playing is impeccable - I really enjoy your videos!
Been a huge fan of Duane Allman, Johnny Winter, Bob Wills. Ernest Tubb, etc. for decades. It was great to hear a more in-depth explanation of not only the physical differences, but also the sound/musical applications. For me, I don’t think there is any other instrument capable of turning a sad song into an openly weeping song. It adds a very emotional component to a song for me (ie. Buddy Emmons on Ernest Tubb’s “Pass The Booze”). Couldn’t tell you why. 🤷🏻♂️ Thanks for posting!
Another way if you want to try steel, just take an old regular guitar, (everybodys got one!, electric or acoustic), put a thin piece of plastic under the strings at the nut to raise up off the frets and level the strings. Even the back of a straight pocket knife and your fingers will do until you get a bar and some steel finger picks. And I highly recommend 4 finger picks as he has on in this video. Most players use 3, but 4 really enhanced my playing. The right hand ring finger can reach out to more strings, and I actually prefer that finger for single string solo's!
Great video, and yes it is addicting! Glad to hear I'm not the only one. My 8 string in C6 is next to me right now, later I'll jam on my 12 string 7 pedal, 5 knee lever pedal steel. Lap/console steel builds powerful skills! It requires so much more work, but it's awesome, and if you watch videos of the amazing Buddy Emmons you'll see him doing "bar bends" on pedal steel! Bar bends are a way to change chords to a degree on fixed string steels. Separates the men from the boys!
I can only agree starting with lap steel. 3 years ago I built my lap steel mostly with peaces from the hard ware store. It was a great experience during this period of time. I chose to make a 8-string because it gives you more flexibility and range. I invested in Jerry Byrd course, great educational material, you learn how to slant and a lot more. Cindy Cashdollars video course is a good aproach if you like Wesern Swing, I chose C6 with a high G becuase of her course. Than you can easily retune it to E6, the Don Helms tuning, learning with hos vourse the old Hank Williams stuff. My next project is going to get used to other tunings like B11 or a E13. Only later I consider to get a pedal steel if I see if it has advantages. Before that I still want to try the string bending technique from Billy Robinson and Kayton Roberts (crazy sounds with the tone control). So many possibilities on lap steel, thats my experience, sorry for this long coment.
Got to watch Cindy Cashdollar up close for a day of rehearsal. She is awesome❤ This is great. What a terrific player you are! Thanks. Wish I could play slide.
I’m dying a little bit inside. Sonny Landreth and Cindy Cashdollar are playing together at two venues here in Chicago in the next couple of months. Small places too! (Fitzgerald’s and Old Town School of Folk Music). I used to spend all my money on guitars, albums, concert tickets and women. Not necessarily in that order. I feel like Rip Van Winkle these days. On the rare occasion I see a listing for a band I’m interested in, when I see the prices, I think they put the decimal in the wrong place. I’m getting too old to be sneaking in through the kitchen. I still can’t bring myself to pay $6 for a bag of corn chips that begins with the letter F. 🤣
@@martydibergi5228 I saw her play some great stuff with Asleep At the Wheel. I think it might have been on an old Austin City Limits or something similar.
I saw this a few months back, watched your videos and started on my journey! Thankyou brotha!! I only played a 6 string back then lol. Got a 10 String Akira lapsteel, then a nice rosewood pedal sierra 10 string 3x4. Now, I’m looking into an emmons 3 x 1 (I’m thinking I can add stuff like it’s a maverick lol) for a gigging guitar because it’s tough settings things up when it’s Saturday night at the bar then having worship band at 900 am Sundays lol. I’m just going to leave one set up at church ha. :)
5:45 is there no way to get similar bends with the lap steel? If I wanted to learn to play I’d mostly go for that country swing/Hawaiian sound, and lap steel is much more affordable and mobile (I travel in and out of America a bit) so lap steel would be ideal. But that tone you get out of the pedal steel is absolutely phenomenal. Edit: probably will just start with a lap steel regardless, like you suggested but do you have any tips I guess on getting as close to pedal steel sound as you can with lap?
You can get palm benders for a lap steel, but at a certain point, it's just as affordable to get a pedal steel. Check out Hudson guitars for affordable options.
Smooth bar slants can sound like pedal, also, pulling a string behind the bar with your left hand can raise any string or 2 up , even a whole step if you've got strong hands and not really heavy strings. Here a short scale (21-22 inch) is your friend. Really cool if you like the darker, bluesy tone too. 24 inch and up start to get much brighter. You can start to hear that between the 22 1/2 inch console and the 24 !/2 scale pedal steel he's playing here. Modern typical 25 inch pedals tend to be much brighter tone. And then there's pick-up choice. The fun never ends!
What about the function of the leg levers and the pedals? The different number of strings and tunings of each instrument and its purposes? The dobro? Even so, it is interesting to be able to see and hear these nice instruments. Thanks for posting.
Thanks for watching! There's so much to tell about each instrument, that it's too much for one video. You can find a lot of great info about each particular instrument here on RUclips. There's a lot of steel guitar info on this channel, so check it out and subscribe-there'll be a lot more!
Hi Thanks fun showing us all the options for steel guitar’s. Would love to have a go at learning the lap steel as you say best to start. What would I pick up a good model lap for as you said don’t spend a lot of money. I have always wanted to play steel guitar. How long would it take to be able to play reasonably well. I suppose you will say how much practice. But I am happy to have found your channel and subscribed regards Norm
Thanks for watching! I made a whole video about which cheap lap steel to buy, which should really help you out. You can find it if you look at the videos on my channel. As far as how long it will take to get good, that's up to you! 😉
Which one is older, the lap steel or pedal steel? My grandparents played one of these before they had children and no one knows which one! They had children in the late 1930s.
I just started learning on a borrowed dobro. But my ultimate goal would be lap steel. I noticed you had a cheap Rogue in one of your videos and you advised people to start with a cheap one. What would be the minimum requirements of the amp to get a good steel sound?
I don't know very much about pedal steel, so I hope this doesn't sound too dumb. Is the pedal steel in this video turned 180? It looks upside down to me with the tuner heads on the right side.
The narration volume was too low and the music volume too high in contrast. Wtih the voice up enough to hear left the music extremely too load. With the music at an acceptable level the voice it almost a mute. Hope this helps you in future video editing. The Information was much appreciated!
this video was exactly what i was looking for to understand the difference between these instruments. thank you!
Great, thanks for watching!
Not only is this video super informative, but god damn that playing is just awesome. There’s really nothing like really skillful steel guitar playing, such a beautiful sound
Thanks for the kind words-I'm glad you enjoyed it!
So nice to spend the afternoon with this.
Thanks for watching!
I'm a long-time (50 years) off and on guitar player. Mostly off due to military service, marriage, and work. But now that I'm retired (and single) I have all the time, freedom to seriously study music theory, and enough money to expand my electric and acoustic guitar collection and to learn a new instrument; i.e., steel guitar.
When I decided to jump into learning steel guitar, I knew that I wanted to keep it as simple as possible and begin with a lap / or console steel, and not pedal steel, so I decided I just needed a single neck guitar. In doing my research on what I might want to buy, I saw that one could buy a single neck 6-string lap steel for just a few hundred bucks. Butt I've always been a kind of "Gucci--brand" guitar collector; i.e., I want instruments with a brand name, so for my very first steel guitar, I went 5X pricier and got a vintage Fender Deluxe 8.
Then I started reading everything I could about learning how to play steel guitar, and discovered that there were dozens, hundreds, even an infinite number of tunings for steel guitar. I quickly surmised that I did not want to keep retuning / re-stringing a single neck guitar to test out Open G, Open D, A6, C6, and E9, etc., so I went back to the popular website we all know and love, and bought a 60's vintage Fender Stringmaster T8.
Both the DX-8 and T8 are short scale guitars, and in my search for multi-neck guitars and reading the Steel Guitar Forum, I learned that Fender also made mid scale (24 1/2 in) guitar, and a long scale (26 in) guitar, and I decided I "needed" mid-scale and long scale examples for my new steel guitar collection as well.
So back to ever-popular website we all know and love I went and picked up a 1953 Fender Stringmaster D8 (long scale) and a 60's vintage Stringmaster D8 (mid scale) as well.
THEN... I decided that I should get an actual 6-string lap steel. Back to the gear website I went and picked up a 60's vintage Fender Champ.
By now you can see that I'm partial to Fender instruments... Then I discovered the world of lap steel benders on RUclips so... back to the gear website I go to pick up a brand new Gretsch 5700 and a Peters G/B Pitch Witch benders, and a roller nut and roller bridge for the Gretsch. Just got the 60's D8 and the Gretsch guitars and bender hardware in today. I will take my time modifying the Gretsch to make sure it's absolutely perfect.
I think the madness has run its course, though I really, really, really like that Duesenberg Fairytale... :)
And now I'm watching all of your videos! Thanks for what you do for us beginners Brother Shaw. Liked, subscribed, and shared on social media. God bless.
I'm glad to help! Sounds like you got the bug, haha!
My mentor Brian Cober invented a style called Double Slide Guitar in the 70s - with a Tele that had lap steel action with two slides on one hand - the main slide was a hybrid between a steel bar and a tube slide, with a smaller slide on the thumb that covered three strings, and Brian played it overhand style. I play the same style but on my lap - I think of it being halfway between slide guitar and lap steel.
sounds cool!
@@texas_swing it is really cool - check out videos of Brian on YT if you have the time, he really revolutionized lap steel playing. And may I just say, your playing is impeccable - I really enjoy your videos!
@@mikenagoda thank you!
I started non pedal so I fully agree with your suggestions. I have several of both pedal and non pedal steels, and a Dobro.
Thanks Larry!
Been a huge fan of Duane Allman, Johnny Winter, Bob Wills. Ernest Tubb, etc. for decades.
It was great to hear a more in-depth explanation of not only the physical differences, but also the sound/musical applications.
For me, I don’t think there is any other instrument capable of turning a sad song into an openly weeping song. It adds a very emotional component to a song for me (ie. Buddy Emmons on Ernest Tubb’s “Pass The Booze”). Couldn’t tell you why. 🤷🏻♂️
Thanks for posting!
I agree, they add so much to the song. That's why I fell in love!
Another way if you want to try steel, just take an old regular guitar, (everybodys got one!, electric or acoustic), put a thin piece of plastic under the strings at the nut to raise up off the frets and level the strings. Even the back of a straight pocket knife and your fingers will do until you get a bar and some steel finger picks. And I highly recommend 4 finger picks as he has on in this video. Most players use 3, but 4 really enhanced my playing. The right hand ring finger can reach out to more strings, and I actually prefer that finger for single string solo's!
You're right, that's a good way to try it out! And you're right about the finger picks, too.
Really good stuff, thank you. I would also add that a Dobro is an excellent fist choice also - and it does not require power/amplification equipment.
Thanks, that's a great point, and I agree with you!
Great video, and yes it is addicting! Glad to hear I'm not the only one. My 8 string in C6 is next to me right now, later I'll jam on my 12 string 7 pedal, 5 knee lever pedal steel. Lap/console steel builds powerful skills! It requires so much more work, but it's awesome, and if you watch videos of the amazing Buddy Emmons you'll see him doing "bar bends" on pedal steel! Bar bends are a way to change chords to a degree on fixed string steels. Separates the men from the boys!
You're right, you can do a lot on a lap steel!
I can only agree starting with lap steel. 3 years ago I built my lap steel mostly with peaces from the hard ware store. It was a great experience during this period of time. I chose to make a 8-string because it gives you more flexibility and range. I invested in Jerry Byrd course, great educational material, you learn how to slant and a lot more. Cindy Cashdollars video course is a good aproach if you like Wesern Swing, I chose C6 with a high G becuase of her course. Than you can easily retune it to E6, the Don Helms tuning, learning with hos vourse the old Hank Williams stuff. My next project is going to get used to other tunings like B11 or a E13. Only later I consider to get a pedal steel if I see if it has advantages. Before that I still want to try the string bending technique from Billy Robinson and Kayton Roberts (crazy sounds with the tone control). So many possibilities on lap steel, thats my experience, sorry for this long coment.
I'm glad that's been working for you!
That was so cool and informative, Ethan! 😊
Thanks for checking it out, Sara!
What a great video. Thank you!
Thanks for watching!
WELL DONE !
thank you!
Exteremely helpful video, thank you
Thanks for watching!
Got to watch Cindy Cashdollar up close for a day of rehearsal. She is awesome❤ This is great. What a terrific player you are! Thanks. Wish I could play slide.
Thank you & you should give it a try!
I’m dying a little bit inside. Sonny Landreth and Cindy Cashdollar are playing together at two venues here in Chicago in the next couple of months. Small places too! (Fitzgerald’s and Old Town School of Folk Music).
I used to spend all my money on guitars, albums, concert tickets and women. Not necessarily in that order.
I feel like Rip Van Winkle these days. On the rare occasion I see a listing for a band I’m interested in, when I see the prices, I think they put the decimal in the wrong place. I’m getting too old to be sneaking in through the kitchen. I still can’t bring myself to pay $6 for a bag of corn chips that begins with the letter F. 🤣
@@martydibergi5228 I saw her play some great stuff with Asleep At the Wheel. I think it might have been on an old Austin City Limits or something similar.
Great video brother Shaw. Love from California.
Thanks for watching!
Excellent MAn ty
thanks for watching
Great video!
Thanks for watching!
I saw this a few months back, watched your videos and started on my journey! Thankyou brotha!! I only played a 6 string back then lol. Got a 10 String Akira lapsteel, then a nice rosewood pedal sierra 10 string 3x4. Now, I’m looking into an emmons 3 x 1 (I’m thinking I can add stuff like it’s a maverick lol) for a gigging guitar because it’s tough settings things up when it’s Saturday night at the bar then having worship band at 900 am Sundays lol. I’m just going to leave one set up at church ha. :)
Man, that's great! Good luck on the steel journey!
great info thankyou
Thanks for watching!
Oh I get it SpongeBob music!
If you aren't a musician, this is a good explanation.
Elaborate
To be more specific, if you aren't familiar with musical instruments such as these, you'll have a good understanding by the end.
Thanks!
5:45 is there no way to get similar bends with the lap steel? If I wanted to learn to play I’d mostly go for that country swing/Hawaiian sound, and lap steel is much more affordable and mobile (I travel in and out of America a bit) so lap steel would be ideal. But that tone you get out of the pedal steel is absolutely phenomenal.
Edit: probably will just start with a lap steel regardless, like you suggested but do you have any tips I guess on getting as close to pedal steel sound as you can with lap?
You can get palm benders for a lap steel, but at a certain point, it's just as affordable to get a pedal steel. Check out Hudson guitars for affordable options.
Smooth bar slants can sound like pedal, also, pulling a string behind the bar with your left hand can raise any string or 2 up , even a whole step if you've got strong hands and not really heavy strings. Here a short scale (21-22 inch) is your friend. Really cool if you like the darker, bluesy tone too. 24 inch and up start to get much brighter. You can start to hear that between the 22 1/2 inch console and the 24 !/2 scale pedal steel he's playing here. Modern typical 25 inch pedals tend to be much brighter tone. And then there's pick-up choice. The fun never ends!
What about the function of the leg levers and the pedals? The different number of strings and tunings of each instrument and its purposes? The dobro? Even so, it is interesting to be able to see and hear these nice instruments. Thanks for posting.
Thanks for watching! There's so much to tell about each instrument, that it's too much for one video. You can find a lot of great info about each particular instrument here on RUclips. There's a lot of steel guitar info on this channel, so check it out and subscribe-there'll be a lot more!
Hi Thanks fun showing us all the options for steel guitar’s. Would love to have a go at learning the lap steel as you say best to start. What would I pick up a good model lap for as you said don’t spend a lot of money. I have always wanted to play steel guitar. How long would it take to be able to play reasonably well. I suppose you will say how much practice. But I am happy to have found your channel and subscribed regards Norm
Thanks for watching! I made a whole video about which cheap lap steel to buy, which should really help you out. You can find it if you look at the videos on my channel. As far as how long it will take to get good, that's up to you! 😉
thank you!
thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video. What are the tunings on your triple neck steel?
Thanks for checking it out! B11, A6, and E13.
Which one is older, the lap steel or pedal steel? My grandparents played one of these before they had children and no one knows which one! They had children in the late 1930s.
Lap steel came first. If it was in the thirties, it was definitely lap steel, and probably acoustic. And that's super cool!
But is there a significant difference in tone between slide guitar and steel guitar?
Yes, for sure. But it is also really affected by your amp and whatever else you are playing through.
I just started learning on a borrowed dobro. But my ultimate goal would be lap steel. I noticed you had a cheap Rogue in one of your videos and you advised people to start with a cheap one. What would be the minimum requirements of the amp to get a good steel sound?
pretty much any decent guitar amp will be a good lap steel amp. You just might need to turn down the treble.
@@texas_swing Thank you for the reply.
I don't know very much about pedal steel, so I hope this doesn't sound too dumb. Is the pedal steel in this video turned 180? It looks upside down to me with the tuner heads on the right side.
Not dumb at all. The pedal steel is in the correct position. The tuners are to the player's left.
Hey can a picaso bow sound good with the pedal slide guitar?
I don't know, but probably pretty cool!
Wat is that guitar being played here ,I had a similar f hole guitar only it was tiger blonde body oahu
It's a Gibson ES-150.
The narration volume was too low and the music volume too high in contrast.
Wtih the voice up enough to hear left the music extremely too load.
With the music at an acceptable level the voice it almost a mute.
Hope this helps you in future video editing.
The Information was much appreciated!