New Issue of EQ Mag/Steel Guitar

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 3 Dec 2002 3:21 pm

Never thought I'd see an article in a major recording rag about recording steel guitar, but there it is... Mostly about Doug Pettybone, with some mention of Bucky Baxter and Daniel Lanois.

Anway, surprised me...

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 3 Dec 2002 3:38 pm

What can report to us about the article (without exceeding fair use restrictions)? Does this mean that engineers will suddenly think they know how to record us?

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 7 Dec 2002 9:22 pm

among other engineering / production info on "employing unorthodox studio techniques" (running from the volume pedal into a 'Radial JD7 injector' with six outputs going to diferent amps like vox ac30, 50's tweed deluxe, a 'Fender super', an old matchless head and cabinet' with mainly the vox (SM57 mic) and the matchless ( sennheiser 409) ) it contains this remarkable "insight":

These are really amazing songs, and we found that sometimes if Doug was playing over top of her (lucinda Williams) vocal it took your focus away from her performance. So we came up with the technique where when she sings a line we'd do a little pedal steel part and a rise, and then that creates the next picture, and then she would do the next part of the verse. We call it playing in the holes.-mark howard

and this:

Pedal steel is a bright instrument so I use a dark amp, which gives me a kind of creamy effect... it kind of melts and hovers, rises over, kind of goes around her voice. -mark howard

[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 07 December 2002 at 09:23 PM.][This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 07 December 2002 at 09:25 PM.]

Roger Miller · Post by **Roger Miller** » 8 Dec 2002 9:28 am

When he said he didn't want to record the steel as usual, he was right. When he ran the guitar thru 6 different amps is not usual, along with the selection of amps. I am waiting to hear this, better be good for all the work involved on his part.I knew this would draw attention here on the forum.

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 8 Dec 2002 3:00 pm

I heard Daniel Lanois playing a Sho-Bud thru an AC30. It was a really sweet overdrive sound. If you like that stuff, he had it down.

Matt Steindl · Post by **Matt Steindl** » 9 Dec 2002 11:13 am

Lanois plays PSG? I saw a Maverick under a blanket at Kingsway once, but didnt know whose it was. Any recording that have him playing?

------------------
Mattman in "The Big Sleazy"-:
S-10 Dekley, Suitcase Fender Rhodes, B-bender Les Paul

Wayne Cox · Post by **Wayne Cox** » 10 Dec 2002 8:29 am

Re: Dave Van Allen, Sounds like a group of really experienced professionals,doesn't it?

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~~W.C.~~[This message was edited by Wayne Cox on 10 December 2002 at 08:31 AM.]

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 10 Dec 2002 10:08 am

I look forward to hearing the results...

the folks involved are indeed professionals- mark howard has engineered/produced some very fine folks.

the unorthodox approach may garner a cool sound and some attention.

I was kinda surprised though that he seemed to think they discovered "playing in the holes".

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 11 Dec 2002 3:08 pm

Yeah, me too, Dave! It's plain they haven't listened to many '60s recordings of Tubb, Price, or Owens. Just listen to the recordings of those bands back then. With the exception of the bass and drums, everything...steel, lead, and vocals...was "out front", and yet there was no "stepping on toes", no competition, no overplaying.

Amazing...why can't they do that today?

(Oh, I forgot...bass and drums are now lead instruments.)

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 11 Dec 2002 3:36 pm

Well, Dave and Donny, you have to remember that everyone in production in Hollywood is a genius, just ask them.....

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 12 Dec 2002 10:32 am

Hey, Dave, I thought that was pretty funny myself. But these folks DO know what steel sounds like- I took it that they were speaking toward the less-steel-informed EQ general readership. I did some touring with Lucinda Williams and besides being a fine songstress, she definitely has a real respect for Steel Guitar..