2 acapella numbers - which steel guitar?

[bob adams]

Much of me is ' past my sell by date' Kenneth but Praise the Lord it seems my lugs still work!

You don't know it Mr! but you were so meant to post this today! Your playing here has been a 'shaft of angelic light' in something of a darker tunnel! (I'll explain by email)

Back to your track............ What memories:

A Buddy Emmons EP I played to death when I first bought my steel from Eric.
An LP of Chet playing The Bells of St Mary's
Both played over and over and over to get a handle on their sound and what they were actually doing.

Your challenge my friend!

Forgive me chaps but I really cheated here!!
I've played Ken's Mullen and Pro III so my choices were funnelled and it wasn't them, nor was it the Zum and as for the P/Ps ... apart from their cutting edge tone and sustain those changes were way too tight for' those bad boys' so the choice was clear.

The Infinity like the Emmons has a 'unique bell ringing timber' in the lower register that is unmistakable, the midrange cut it puts out , it reminded me of JD Maness at the ISGF.

This is undoubtedly 'the language of steel' and the pronunciation of each really does have its own unique characteristic!

As for the amp, truly amazing as Telonics are and I have their product! There was a trademark warmth here that was Webb!

All that said guys ................ this was seriously! ......'ONLY A GUESS'..!!

Thanks Ken ..........played from the' heart and soul' as ever!

[Ken Byng]

Well Bob, guess or not, you don't have much wrong with your ears. I hadn't played through my Webb for ages. I put the Franklin Pedal back on the Infinity, as Ted had put different pulls on pedal 4. I played through my Boss Space Echo pedal into the Webb and was quite pleased with the outcome. The Infinity has a Telonics pickup on it.

Years ago, I did a small tour with the late George Hamilton 1V. He was never the best singer in the world, but he would charm the audiences with his soft spoken tales. He was a complete gentle and decent person. He strung these two numbers together on our tour, and I played them in Ireland as a tribute to dear old George.

I have played through my Telonics TCA500 just about every day since I bought it as I love its sound, but the Webb isn't a million miles behind it in terms of tonal range. I put a Telonics 15" speaker in the Webb, and love the JBL-like tone that it gives out. I even used my Hilton volume pedal instead of my Telonics, and that's why there is a bit of distortion. I just wasn't used to the slightly different taper.

I really must crack on with my solo album before age succumbs technique . I intend to use all of my steels during the course of that project to give slight variations. Well done on acquiring your Webb Mr A, they are a great bit of kit.

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

No Idea on the kit but sweet sounds......

[Danny Mitchell]

Your solo project sounds fantastic Ken. It will be great to hear the differences between your esteemed collection of tasty steels. One advance order in the bag!

[Ken Byng]

Cheers Danny.
There isn't a duff sounding steel among any of my guitars thankfully. I will make sure that I play them all through the one amp on the same EQ settings. That way the tonal distinctions will be more pronounced.

[mick hearn]

Nicely played Ken. I love those changes.

[Jif]

Great thread, sweet playing

Add me to your list for the album fer sure

[Malcolm]

Sorry, late to this due no broadband, my guess was Springfield, through a vintage Watkins amp.Mr Heap get the donuts ready 03rd July as I go through Bristol on way to Cornwall, meet you at Asda beside M5.For whoever wins first and second prize offered by Mr Bling, my rates for accommodation are much less than those offered by the said Mr Bling, and you don't have to sleep in the studio at the bottom of his garden, I put you in luxurious kennel (sharing with two large Labradors).

[Ken Byng]

Sorry, late to this due no broadband, my guess was Springfield, through a vintage Watkins amp............

I couldn't get near to the amazing Springfield for tone with any of my guitars, let alone through a Watkins amp. The latter are fetching telephone numbers now as vintage 60's gear. My mate John Beer is making repro Watkins Dominators, at a mere £1500. I used to lust after these amps as a kid.

I can't understand why anyone (Mr McMiser) would buy a plastic steel guitar when there are used classic Springfields still available for sale. No comparison between the two guitars - the Springfield has it beat from all angles. REAL WOOD!! and brilliantly engineered.

[Malcolm]

Did they have electricity then?