Pedal Steel

[Outlaws]

I have started to look into pedal steel guitars becasue I am using my old Electro (richenbaucher) lapguitar a lot more recently and am falling in love with that tear-like sound that I can't really get out of mine.

But anyways.....

I remember seeing a TV show or a video clip on television a few years ago that really caught my eye even though I had no interest in steel guitars.

It was this really old guy who handmade and crafted these things for most of his life on his family farm outside in the barn. He had a whole shop set up and I believe was passing it on to his son. I can't remember the company name, but its something that really got my attention back then and is driving me crazy right now. I assume they were expensive guitars, but I would really like to find out who it was.

Anyone?

 

[Tommy D]

What you are describing sounds like what I beleive was a segment of a show called "Honky Tonk Sound" which aired a while back on CMT. It showed master steel guitar builder Del Mullen in his shop in Colorado. I think Mullen Steel Guitars has a website...

A word of caution-pedal steel guitar is HIGHLY addictive! And it can be a bear to play well. But it is worth the effort.

I would also direct you here:http://steelguitarforum.com/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi

Gee, if Del Mullen is a "really old guy" then I must be....

 

[dragonworks]

I once found a gentleman on the net who built his own pedal steels and has a book on how to build one. Dont have a link but he is out there and you can find him.

 

[Outlaws]

A word of caution-pedal steel guitar is HIGHLY addictive!

Your telling me.....Even though I only hap a lap guitar right now, I spent over 5 hours straight the other night because I was working on a solo for a song and it just hit me that it needed that slide effect. SO I bust out with my Electro and go to work. Only thing is...I haven't really ever learned how to play it properly yet. I new how to open tune it.......and to my suprise it was in PERFECT tube after about 6-8 months of being in its case after I put on new strings and never even broke them in. I just put it away. Prefect I tell you....

But anyways I spent a good 5 hours straight just learning the little vibrato and pushing in on strings an overal control of what note I wanted to play. I am still FAR from anywhere near good. But I have one note for note perfect solo that makes me look like a pro.


I think Del Mullen might be the guy. Not really sure since it was so long ago. But they seems to be in line with the prices of most others. Thanks.