The British Steelies Society

my late dad was a very accomplished piano accordion player, who also repaired and dealt in used quality accordions, and the numbers of players and interest in that instrument fell dramatically a generation ago, and i see exactly the same scenario now with pedal steel guitar, i dont believe the numbers are anything like what they were 10 or 20 years ago, psg will never die, its just not in vogue with the younger generation, country music peaked in the 60s 70s and 80s, and psg is invariably linked with that genre, stretching out to jazz via western swing, but lets face it, western swing and jazz are even more increasingly isolated genres, face it guys ' we are like an iceberg en route to the meditareanian, im 52, and probably one of the youngest on here, that says it all,

i went for lap steel as you can buy a beginners plank for appx £100, ok they may not be top quality, but it sure is cheaper than a psg, and maybe you may decide its not for you hence you haven't wasted a wedge of money, also personnaly i find just looking at the gummings on a psg is quite frightening, too much going on underneath mechanics wise...maybe in a few years when i feel i have the skill and nohow i may indulge myself, but for now its lap all the way...im one of the younger guys on here? 48...i agree, psg seems to have gone outta fashion, but i'll always have a soft spot somewhere for the sound... i prefer the western swing/honkytonk/rockabilly style of playing, my favourite player being Mr Bob Dunn, followed closely by Joaquinn murphy...

This is a graph of the Listeners on my You-tube channel.

Mainly male, and the majority over the age of 45.

If the youngsters are not listening to steel guitar then where is the incentive for that age range to start playing the instrument?

Colin

Me, 72 if you can call me a steel player, and still enjoying it, thou I did get a young guy come up and ask me whats that thing your playing called last sat on the band stand in the forbury Gardens.

I am 23 and play pedal steel. I am very much a beginner and cost was very much a factor for me. When I started learning the guitar I spent £150 on my first instrument; I spent just shy of ten times that on my first steel. A cheap starter 6 string guitar will do for the basics (I even now, still play the my Squire sometimes) but I was warned off of buying a starter pedal steel guitar and am very glad I did. Even so, £700 on a starter instrument that you cannot yet play could be a gamble, especially if you are slightly unsure if you will even enjoy learning and playing the thing. On the other hand the price is similar for starting out on many brass or stringed instruments.

As for the popularity point, I think there is fresh interest. For me it was hearing the steel outside the niche of straight up country music that sold it. For example The band Tonbruket (E.S.T. bassists new band) uses the steel in a very contemporary way to build texture and add depth without a hind of cliche. Whereas Ben Kwellers young band borrow old school sounds to make new music as seen on the record Changing Horses. I don't think there is anything to worry about... like vinyl, some people will always be drawn to quality. It could also be an effort thing; carrying the steel around, getting it out, building it, learning about all the bits, tuning it. The hassle could be too great for some, even playing acoustic guitar is too much for some; many want to just play an MP3 not cue up a record and maintain a collection.

Billy, considering your post/questions,I think we can sum it all up with the words- 'it and we are a minority'

Ken has it smack on with his views on cost, but years back it didnt seem to matter, we would sell the wife and kids for a good D10 (dont tell my missus I said that) Country music was much more popular then, so an outlet for the interest and expenditure could be identified by would be players, nowdays, we have far more 'bedroom players' than regular giggers, obviously with the demise of the CM club scene, it would be impossible for us all to be 'out there at it'

I do sometime wonder - with all of us guys being older, does that not give the steel guitar an older persons image? couple that with the! uncool??? view on country music, it would seem an uphill task to get youngsters interested.

I guess in order to encourage younger players it has to be down to us guys, the way we promote and the legacy we leave. The BSS (and this site) could and should play an important part in that. Certainly how we portray ourselves and the methods required of learning steel guitar are crucial in that encouragement.

By the way- I'm 67, dodggy knees, knackered back, weak arms and shoulders, all through lugging the Vibrasonic and D10 around for??? xxx years, thats the legacy I'll be leaving.
Good question Billy.

Dazbot, Great to get your views, and welcome to posting on the site.
Its an interesting point you raise re- the investment required to even get started, bundle that £700 with the cost of an amp plus the bits and peices and we wre looking a a big investment, and all before you sit down at the thing.
With 6 stringers its easier to try out, shop?friends? but how many places in the UK now can we go and see a selection of PSGs? Certainly in my area,none!

Interesting the names you mention, going to show my old age ignorence here and say 'I have never heard of them' doesnyt that just show how out of touch I am with current trends and useage of the steel guitar? that certainly makes me think on.

Can I ask what you eventually spent your dosh on? are you playing with a band?group?
Come on mate, give us some ideas on where and how, you see steel guitar progressing in the future? I for one am genuinly interested.
Dave.

Good Thread Billy, Dazbot! great to see you here and to learn that 23 yr olds are taking up steel, like Dave I would be interested to hear of your progress! Super stuff! Keep it coming!