Alembic Guitarists... What amp are you playing through?

[laytonco]

Bill, is going stereo just a matter of pluggin into two amps? I have a 65 Fender Twin and a Heritage Patriot (2x12 like the twin). I've actually never tried to use them both at the same time. Is there a trick, or is it that simple?
 
Gil

[lbpesq]

There are a few ways to accomplish this.  Of course if you have a stereo instrument, such as a Series 1 or 2, or a Rickenbacker with ric-o-sound it's just a matter of plugging the two channels into two different amps.  (By the way, a ric-o-sound box works fine on a Series insrument).  For a regular mono instrument you can:
 
1.  Use an ab/y box.  This way you can switch between the amps, or use both.  You might want to try running your effects to one amp only and leaving the other signal dry.  The really cool thing to do is put a slight delay on the signal to one of the amps;  
 
2.  Use a stereo chorus to split the signal to the two amps.  This will also enhance the separation like using a delay as described above;
 
3.  This is a system I'm experimenting with.  I use an old Nady 201 wireless.  It was made about 20 years ago, but it works.  (In fact, last year I bought one of those guitar bug wireless systems, figuring my Nady must be obsolete by now.  The expensive bug sounded like crap - the Nady was much better.  Back went the bug).  Anyway, I bought an extra receiver for a song on eBay.  I set up my regular receiver on the floor by my pedal bord.  I set up another on the Fender and go into it dry.  So far this seems to work very well and I haven't encountered any ground loop or other noise problems that are commomn with a wired system.
 
WARNING:  Once you try stereo, you may find it difficult to go back.
 
Bill, tgo

[tom_z]

Hmmmmm . . . Bill - you have me thinking about the Bandmaster again. I've been going back and forth on this amp so much I'm getting seasick.  
 
Life is so simple right now - Lonestar combo + a couple guitars + Mu-Tron III = quick and easy. But, it looks like I may be getting involved with a studio project where I could probably leave some gear. Sooooooooo . . .  
 
Tom

[lbpesq]

Tom:
 
How often do you get a chance at a classic amp in good shape at a good price?  You can always sell it down the line.  I don't think 60's Fender amps will be going down in price any time soon.  My (probably) '67 blackface Pro Reverb w/JBLs is worth upwards of $2000 these days!  (I picked it up from a friend for about $200 25 years ago). I can almost guarantee that if you don't pick it up at some point in the future you'll be kicking yourself.  Especially in another 10 years when you see 60's Bandmasters going for $10,000 on eBay.
 
Bill, tgo
 
(Message edited by lbpesq on March 23, 2006)

[tom_z]

I know what you mean Bill. I think the amp I'm looking at is more a player's amp than for collectors. It's a '68 silverface that is no longer close to original - but it plays and sounds exceptional. It would be a nice back up for my Mesa but I'd also need a good reverb unit and an OD.  
 
Anyone getting rid of a Lexicon LXP-1??? Preferably with the Audio Upgrades mod?
 
Tom

[pace]

FWIW Tom, I'd buy the Bandmaster... I have an original '68 which I wouldnt trade for the world!! Its a different beast than the Mesa (less headroom, no reverb, etc etc..) but I love it to death!!!!  sorry if my opinion sounds too subjective.... but seriously..... go for it!!!!!!
 
Does anyone know if Poor_Nigel sold that Dual~Shoman?!?!!?

[tom_z]

Alright folks - you (and my wife) talked me into it. As I mentioned above it's far from original (note - grounded power cord) but it sounds spectacular - very tight and sweet.  

 

  Tom

[bigredbass]

Pace:
 
What kind of steel is that in the Mesa picture, and WHAT does it sound like through the clean side of that rig?
 
J o e y

[David Houck]

Hah!!  I had no idea what that was!  Never saw one upside down.  Thanks Joey!!

[bigredbass]

Yes, Dave, a doubleneck steel (e9, c6 necks).  The four legs and pedal rack/rods screw into the four corners to right it and play.  The shiny bars pointing to the ceiling are the knee levers.  You rock your legs to the left or the right to actuate them. These along with the pedals and knee-lifts (like the levers, except you raise your leg to push them) all are keyed to raise or lower a given string to alter your tuning.  The WHOLE thing is a B-Bender!  There's no standard instrument as far as these go.  You see some with only a few pedals and levers, then others you can't imagine how there's room for the guy's legs there's so many under there.  All depends what you need and want.
 
I LOVE pedal steel.  My brothers-in-law are terrific players, and of course you see them a LOT here in Nashville (duuhhhh!!).  A good friend of mine is Doug Jernigan, one of the greatest steel players on the planet (www.digndoug.com), a wonderful player and educator, and a truly terrifying speed picker.  Also plays wonderful jazz on it that sounds NOTHING like country music.  Not a lot of steel players that have Charlie Parker in their set list!
 
And they are utter MONSTERS to learn to play:  Fretless, the tuning must have been sorted out by roulette wheel, one pedal pulls one string one way, the next the other, it makes me dizzy to think about it.  But in the hands of the right person, they make magic.  Not just the tinny, whiny thing most people think.  Gilmour and Garcia get LOTS of brownie points just for being able to play anything on one!
 
J o e y

[David Houck]

I've always been a big pedal steel fan too!  Played with a pretty good steel player in the mid '80s.  And I loved the Burritos and Poco.  I tried playing one once a few years ago.  It only had a single neck and just a few levers and pedals; but monster is a good description!

[kmh364]

I understand Buddy Cage gives pedal steel clinics and/or private lessons.  
 
I'd love to try myself, but I already s*ck at two instruments and have spent a small mint on them, LOL! I did try my buddy's 60's-vintage double-neck Fender steel (like the one Steve Howe uses) with comical results, LOL!

[lbpesq]

Where does Buddy Cage teach?
 
Bill, tgo

[pace]

I didnt mean to hi-jack the thread..... next time I'll take my gear to a photo studio.... lol....  
 
Joey,
 
That's a MSA D-12 which I am changing the copedant on (still need to thread some more rods, and buy some bellcranks)..... When it's all done the E9 neck will havea couple of extra changes, and the lower neck will be an extended Sneaky Pete B6 tuning. Steels sound great thru the Mesa. Come to find out, Paul Franklin uses a Studio Pre, so it's a hot item among psg players!!
 
I envy your location, Joey!!! Aside from several psg conventions up here in the fall, there really isnt much of a scene or community. Doug & Herby Wallace are two of my favorite C6 players.... I never realized a steel could swing so hard until I heard them!  
 
Bill & Kev;
 
Last time I sat down with Buddy was in June. He's been busy with all the NRPS stuff, but usually when he finds time, he e-mails all his students and does lesson tours within the vicinity of NYC.... He helped me out of a rut a couple of years ago & its kind of embarassing to listen to stuff I did prior to then!!!  
 
OK.... back to amps & Alembics..... alright?!?!    
 
-Mike

[lbpesq]

I picked up a Shobud Maverick - 3 pedals, 2 knee levers.  The tricycle with training wheels of the Pedal Steel Guitar world.  Even this simple one is pretty overwhelming.  I don't know how you guys do it!
 
Bill, tgo