Pedal steel sounds for a Telecaster

[cnoteseven]

Anybody have any recommendations for getting a pedal steel sound out of a telecaster. I am going to add a hipshot b-bender (with palm lever) to a tele to try and emulate the old Emmons sound. I have no idea what would do the trick. Thanks in advance for the advice.
-Cnoteseven

 

[Bludave]

Re: Pedal steel sounds for a Telecaster

Lots of Practice :laugh2:

I'd say take a look at Albert Lees setup...... IF he has something unique aside froam his amazing chops it should point you in the right direction. Her is some info.


http://www.riffinteractive.com/emp/albertlee/gear.htm

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Pedal steel sounds for a Telecaster

As I understand it, Leo Fender based the tele bridge pickup on his pedal steel designs. If this is accurate, get your hands on a Duncan Broadcaster lead or a JD Lead.

Keep in mind that a nice CLEAN amp with a 15" speaker would also get you closer to the pedal steel sound.

 

[ponch]

Re: Pedal steel sounds for a Telecaster

I too am after that sound but I think that it would be alot easy-er for us to buy a pedal steel. If anything try out the hot for tele & wire them to be on the vintage side.Thats pretty.:banana: :banana: (sorry if I sounded rude):smack:

 

[ES350]

Re: Pedal steel sounds for a Telecaster

A clean but hot bridge pu into a SS amp (Gibson L5, L9 like Ray Flacke) will get you pretty close...a little compression helps too.

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Pedal steel sounds for a Telecaster

Actually, the lack of compression is key. Pedal Steel guitars' tones are very clean, bright, and crisp. A solid state amp like a Peavey Nashville series would be a good amp. As far as pickups, I would say a good alnico 5 pickup.

 

[ckent]

Re: Pedal steel sounds for a Telecaster

Did you mean pedal steel TONE or pedal steel LICKS?

I doubt that you can get true pedal steel tone from a Tele. Go ahead and try some of the pickup recommendations above if all you want is a simulated steel tone.

But check out Arlen Roth's instructional tapes (Hot Licks) for some good pedal-style intervals and bends using your fingers alone; or Will Ray's tapes for licks based on a B-bender.

Note, the B-bender is by far the best way to go. For my money the Parsons-White is the way to go but there are many alternatives.

Alan

 

[cnoteseven]

Re: Pedal steel sounds for a Telecaster

I meant TONE. Licks I am OK with (sort of).... I just want to approximate the tone. I use a volume pedal pretty well already and am able to get the swells and such... The rich sound and sustain is what I am hoping for. I use a SS amp with a big speaker in it (left over from my archtop jazz sound quest). If I had more time and money, I would just buy a pedal steel... but I don't really have time to learn a new instrument and having another tele around never hurt any guitar player.

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Pedal steel sounds for a Telecaster

I find the Fender CS Nocaster to be steelier sounding than the JD or Antiquity I, but any of those or an alnico 5 lead could work depending on style, technique, rig, and tastes.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Pedal steel sounds for a Telecaster

Actually, the lack of compression is key. Pedal Steel guitars' tones are very clean, bright, and crisp. A solid state amp like a Peavey Nashville series would be a good amp. As far as pickups, I would say a good alnico 5 pickup.

I agree. I have a Jerry Donahue in my slide Tele but it's leaving. Not bright enough. It's great for overdiving an amp but not so great for pedal steel and steel guitar tones. I thought the warmth and mids would be a plus and might help eliminate string rattles, etc. But it's just not quite right for a steel guitar tone.

Personally, I think a player needs to study the phrasing and licks of the great steelers. The attitude and phrasing are key...as is a clean tone with strong tight clear bass. No farting out allowed!

But it's the phrasing that's really important and often overlooked...it's not just the notes.