New member

[ossettjohn]

Hi,
Having thought about taking the plunge into learning the PSG for many years I have finally gone ahead and bought one yesterday (GSI expo, single neck 10 string 3 pedals 4 knee levers). I can foresee a prolonged period of learning ahead in order to get the thing sounding good.
I am left handed but followed a lot of advice on the internet to buy a right handed instrument and learn to play right handed. I must say it seems easier today than it did yesterday! My main problem at the minute is hearing the strings scrape when I slide the bar up and down the neck. I know it must be simple to stop it but I don't know of anyone near me who plays steel and am learning for my own enjoyment.
Continuing to practice every day...

[Zumbilly(Murdoch)]

Hi John,
Welcome to the Forum.
Do'nt be afraid to ask questions here,no matter how silly they may seem at the time,We have all been thru' the learning curve and We are still learning.
With regard to Your first question,The sound of the bar scraping, Firstly I would ask which brand of bar You are using? usually bars have a hardened chrome finish or are made of a very hard stainless steel composition,You can also get bars with a coating which I would badly describe as "plastic" all these bars are almost friction free and will eliminate the "scratch" when travelling along the wound strings.
The way You hold the bar in Your left hand is also very important,make sure You are exerting enough pressure downwards on to the string,not too much,just enough to stop string rattle.Whilst holdig and using the bar,make sure also that the trailing fingers of the left hand are damping the strings behind the bar.
Well done on getting a right hand guitar,One of the greatest players ever is a leftie,Mr Lloyd Green.
I assume You have some learning material,let us know what You have,keep at it and You will see and hear the benefit very soon.
Best regards
Billy

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

but I don't know of anyone near me who plays steel

Where are you???

[ossettjohn]

Hi John,
... Firstly I would ask which brand of bar You are using?...

I am using a Dunlop standard steel bar. It was sold to me at the shop with the PSG.

I also have the standard Winnie Winston book with CD.

[ossettjohn]

Where are you???

I am in Ossett, West Yorkshire (hence the board name!)

[Tony Russell Davis]

Welcome to the forum John.
Let me guess - Ossett?
If that's right, you are about 50-odd miles, or an hour, away from me and about twice that from John D. If you don't find anyone nearer and fancy the trip I'm sure either of us will be happy to help. Or you can PM for an email addy and ask questions that way.
Hey - what about Tim Howard? He is, or was, in your area?
Also watch out for more details of the North of England Steel Guitar Festival in August. Run by Digby Hardy here in N. Yorkshire.
All best, Tony

[Tony Russell Davis]

Looks like we were both posting at the same time! T

[rayellis]

Welcome John
Ray