New Member Question!

[studawsonmusic]

Hello all!

I'm looking to get into pedal steel playing and am hoping you guys can offer some advice please. As much as I would love to own one I don't have the money at the moment but I was wondering if anywhere in the UK offers pedal steel hire? I live in Newcastle upon Tyne and have played guitar for about 20 years now. I actually have a gig coming up in a few weeks and I've just been thinking one song could really use some proper pedal steel. I know I've left it rather late to be taking up a tricky new instrument for a gig but the song in question I tend to try and imitate pedal steel bends here and there throughout anyway. I've played slide guitar for probably just as long now and I'm used to open tunings and muting certain strings and such. I'm certainly not suggesting I'll have it mastered in a few weeks but I'm hoping if I can get hold of a pedal steel and plan 2/3 'licks' and practice incessantly it should work ha ha!

Anyway I thought you guys would know better then any if such service exists and I appreciate any advice you've got.

Cheers
Stu

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Hi Stu, welcome aboard..... that's a big ask...I don't think you will get a massive response but I could be wrong
I have a ShoBud "Maverick" in a posh overcoat that I would sell to you for what it owes me £475 you would have to re configure the rods underneath to give you the pulls you want but It would give you a basic steel sound and if your going to play in a week or two you don't need complicated........


http://www.thebritishsteeliessociety.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=7101

This is the guitar, it comes in a hard case that is in very good condition, best of luck with your journey, price includes delivery.

[studawsonmusic]

Hi thanks for the offer! It's still out of my price range for the moment unfortunately. Looks like a nice instrument though I hope you get a buyer for it soon. Cheers!

[Zumbilly(Murdoch)]

I am not aware of anyone offering a pedal steel for hire.
Occasionally a visiting player from the U.S. will request a hire or loan of a steel to save shipping His own instrument.These U.S. players are usuall superb musicians who know how to handle a pedal steel.
I could'nt even hazard a guess at how many UK players would lend or rent a pedal steel to someone who has never played one.
Since You only want very basic licks I would suggest that You brush up on faux steel licks and bends on Your six stringer.
I have seen many guys(self included) who are decent guitar pickers thinking that a few licks on steel will come quickly,not for Me !
My first steel was a top quality expensive one and had I purchased a cheapie I wouldn't be playing now,I would have thrown in the towel after a couple of months,the mere thought of spending all that money made Me determined to play the beast and I am still learning.
Good luck in Your quest.
Billy

[Nick Bidmade]

I think you'll be lucky to find a steel for hire up here - you could try Hound Dog Music in Whitley Bay - the owner is very knowledgeable about the local music scene and he did have a psg for sale recently. He might be able to put you onto someone. However, there are only a few players up in the Newcastle area that I know of. Steve Broatch is a good player but rarely visits this forum, he plays with a band called Little White. Tom Fletcher is in Washington, but rarely uses this forum and doesn't seem to use email. I'm in Tynemouth. You'll find pedal steels are quite expensive - John Davis is a good guy to keep in contact with - he often has steels for sale. The Maverick he mentions is probably as cheap as you'll find as far as purchase is concerned. There's so much to f up on a pedal steel if you don't know what you're doing, and a few intemperate 'tweaks' on someone else's pedal steel could really screw things up for the owner.
If you are a car driver (or want a lift from me) there's a steel players meeting coming up on 11 October in North Yorkshire. I'll be travelling from Tynemouth at about 10.30 and back in Tynemouth about 6ish. PM me for more details if you're interested. I'd offer for you to come round to try my steel out, but I'm moving house soon and am out of the area for a few days as well, so time for me is at a premium.
So, for the gig/recording in question, I'd suggest you stick to slide, or get a steel player in!