Plank Noob

[tpj]

Hi,

I introduced myself in the other area. I picked up a lap steel last month after years of umming and awing. The lap steel came to me tuned open E and the palm pedals worked great for that. I then re-tuned to C6 after reading some of Mike Neer's advice and had to re-tune the benders to just semi-tones which seems to work well. After a bit of maintenance during the retune, the levers are now almost perpendicular to the sadles and are pretty much functional but out of the way.

The guitar has some kind of humbuckers, both neck and bridge, and have been tapped to give single coil as well. Quite a wide range of tones in there as I slide in and out of tune . Currently running it through my iPad using Mobile POD but have a Fender volume pedal and Digitech 155 on the way. We'll see how that goes.

Although I like most traditional music that uses lap/pedal steel, I'm looking to go a bit more contemporary once I can play the thing.

Here she is:
https://goo.gl/photos/14gYDVWiVEh5sYyE9

[Danny Mitchell]

Ah ha! I thought it was a Duesenberg that you had I've never seen that Gretsch model before, looks sweet.
Have you heard Mike Neer's 'Monk' album? It's a great take on some of Monk's catalogue, and my personal favourite to catch on youtube, is the late, great Kayton Roberts What a beast of a player.

[tpj]

Sorry, I should have been more clear. It's just the Dusenberg bridge on there. I don't think it's a Gretsch either. The fella that sold it was petty sure the sticker wasn't real. It's still a good quality square neck though. Stays in tune and is even sounding across the board. It'll do for now . Thanks for the heads up on the other players and sites to check out.

[tpj]

I had a play around with the guitar and effects this weekend and came up with this little ditty. It's tuned C6 and signal chain was: lap->Blues Driver->Digitech RP155 in 65 Blackface Deluxe amp/cab model run clean-> reverb after the amp (the chain is fixed on this processor)-> into Garageband. I think I had the Blues Driver a little hot before the amp and it's a litte crunchy in spots. Still working on the levels. This lap steel has a multibender bridge and the high A and C bend up a semi-tone. You can hear this in the middle section as it helps create the dominant 7 chords. I played the bass and rhythm guitar tracks and let Garageband do the drums which is why there are odd dum fills. The recording isn't mastered or anything, just a first go so a little rough and ready.

Be kind, I'm a bass player who is stretching his creative legs .

https://soundcloud.com/user-85675430/steelie-short/s-EY20T

[Danny Mitchell]

The legs are stretching nicely there
Bodes well, intonation sounding sweet to these old lugs. I agree with you that it's a bit crunchy and I wonder if the blues driver's necessary (although, checking out Ed Shikawkee's post, makes me think I'm out of the fx loop )
Nice tune and thanks for posting it.

[sabatica]

Nice job.

Great to have another lap steel player.

I'd say play clean no effects. Get that intonation perfect. But really great for a start