Robert Randolph playing 6-string PSG on Letterman 9/27/13

[Chris Walke]

Fiery playing on a stand-up 6-string PSG - doesn't look like the SixShooter....anyone recognize the model? Maybe a custom made guitar?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrGZf9-ugeg

[Mark Greenway]

Did I see a 7 string bass guitar.

[Mark Eaton]

You did!

The six-string standup pedal steel from the show last night had four pedals, the one from last month's Vintage Guitar magazine that was featured in the article on Robert and built by Jackson had three pedals.

Can't say I really loved the song but I sure like the energy!

Robert has an impressive left (bar) hand, that's for sure.

I think the six-string standup lap steel is a great idea, though I know they've been around in in a handful of different configurations.

[Pete Burak]

Interesting.
That song kinda reminded me of CSN "Love The One Your With".
I tried long legs/rods made for my Sierra S12U, but it really moved around too much, especially left to right.
I see Roberts steel has alot of motion as he plays (closeup starting around 3min,5sec).
Maybe "Guide Wires" of some sort?
I still like the concept, but had a real problem working pedals/levers.

[Chris Walke]

Interesting.
That song kinda reminded me of CSN "Love The One Your With".

Yeah, Stephen Stills tune. Randolph's chorus has the "and there's a rose in the fisted glove, and the eagle flies with the dove...." thing going on.

[Tony Glassman]

Robert Randolph is very talented and has exceptional skills. I'm sure glad he's out there making steel guitar a morevisible instrument. As far as his playing is concerned, I don't care his tone - it sounds like an angry mosquito. While I respect his abilities, his style is not the style of steel guitar that draws me to the instrument.

[Marco Schouten]

Not my style, but still I think he's an excellent player, that exposes steel guitar to a different public.

[Paul King]

I for one really care for the music Robert plays but he definitely is a talented steel player. I have seen video of him playing and playing fast as well. He sure is a good answer that a steel guitar is not a only a country music instrument. I noticed the seven string bass as well. Very unique to say the least.

[Earnest Bovine]

Bass player has more strings than the steel player.

[David Gertschen]

I sure don't see many young people playing music with such a positive message, especially on network TV. Good for you, RR & Band!!

[Anders Eriksson]

Anyone knows the copedent Robert uses for the 6 string?

[Chris Greencorn]

http://youtu.be/4bUeafi29uo

Here's a new video with explaining what 3 of the four pedals do. DADF#AD, p1 raises perfect fifth to major sixth (A-B), p2 drops major third to minor third (F#-F) to G, p3 drops string 4 to dom7 (D-C), and I suspect that p4 is the major third to perfect fourth pedal (F#-G)

So you have major, minor, major 6, minor 6, minor 7, dominant 7, suspended 7, a 1-4 movement with two feet (but stylistically this isn't really necessary), and theoretically a 13th chord mashed up in there if you hit 3 pedals at once at every fret. Not especially handy if you're playing what Robert would call "planky twanky" country music, but for sacred steel, this is a great copedent. A very intuitive bridge between a 6 string lap and Robert's pedal steel.

[Anders Eriksson]

Thank you Chris!

Just one question: In the video Robert says that pedal 1 is D - C# (Maj7)

You have it as a A - B (Maj6)

Did Robert get it wrong?


// Anders

[Peter den Hartogh]

Robert said B-C#.
(He is thinking E tuning but forgot the new guitar is in D tuning)

So if it is one tone lower than E tuning, it can only be A-B.

[Anders Eriksson]

OK, That explains it.

Thank you!

// Anders