getting tone - what effects do i need?

[Heartland Balladeer]

Hello,

Eric Heywood is the Steel player who made me want to play the Pedal steel, I really like his tone.

it sounda to me like it could be just the guitar / volume swells and reverb and the way he plays but is there anything else going on maybe?

also is there any effects that any one can suggest for general playing?

here is a link to you tube with Eric playing - the steel kicks in at 1.28

[Tony Russell Davis]

Don't seem like anything going on but PSG through vp and into the amp. Hard to see who's got what but there's a couple of Fenders in the back line, one looks like it's behind the steel - could be a Twin? FXs are generally used very sparingly with steel players, even the vol pedal is mainly used for sustaining the volume as it decays.
I don't think you will find it hard to get that sound (that doesn't read as I had intended I'm not knocking Eric Heywood - just mean that he's not using anything special or complex and you can do it too!!).

[Dave Nutt]

What Tony says, cant really hear any effects there,possibly bit of reverb.

Advice may differ, but for me it's- Pedal steel guitar/ volume pedal/ amplifier all linked with quality cables. Thats going to sound like a pedal steel guitar, anything added to that will alter the pure sound, ok there are some fancy gizzmo's out there but as a newcomer to steel guitar possibly best to concentrate on the basics and move forward at a steady pace. Im sure that with your new found interest you will have loads of enjoyment and certainly enough of a challenge to keep you busy.
It sounds like you got a great deal with the guitar and accessories,if you get a fraction of the enjoyment that I and others on here have you will be a happy man.
Keep us posted on your progress.
Dave.

[Donny Johnston]

SOUNDS JUST LIKE PURE STEEL TO ME, GUITAR, VP, A BIT OF REVERB, AND A FENDER AMP I AGREE WITH WHAT TONY AND DAVE HAD TO SAY. PURE AND SIMPLE. DONNY.

[Heartland Balladeer]

Thanks guys, apologies if i am asking obvious questions. I have been after a steel for a couple of years and eager to know Everything.......

I will keep you posted.

[Tony Russell Davis]

All questions are valid - no apology, please. T

[thefatcyclist]

I don't play pedal steel, i'm learning lap very slowly. But I would say at the moment play the steel via volume pedal into a clean amp, use nothing else that can alter the actual sound you are producing, plenty time later for effects once you have the basics nailed down. Hasn't stopped me buying an overdrive and delay tho'