r/pedalsteel

Hello! I was wondering if anyone is aware of musicians who might have explored music genre not typically associated with pedal steel? Any reggae, jazz fusion, doom metal or any other surprising style out there?

I left my PSG in my home town when I moved away a few years ago. I was missing it the other day so I vibe-coded something I could play in the browser: https://josephweidinger.com/pedal-steel/ Thought this community might enjoy. Let me know if there is a major inaccuracy in the instrument (I went for the standard setup that I have, as good as I could remember anyways) or if there is some obvious improvement that could be made.

Curious how does a 1/1 changer work for something like string 5 that gets raised by pedals A and C.

I have a 3/3 changer so separate tuners for pedals A and C on string 5

My cables are tearing one by one on my old Harlin MultiKord. I have a 6 pedal model and I’ve been rigging the pedals with bicycle break cable and “o” hooks but it’s not ideal. Anyone know where I can find someone selling replacements or maybe some advice on how to install rods?

A (hopefully) good story from my days in Nashville in the 80’s. First - I am a drummer. I know. I know. I’m not a real musician and I’m taking great liberties in posting in this particular forum. But- I hope you pedal steel folks will enjoy it. I had a good run off and on for 8 years. Some artists you would be familiar with, most you wouldn’t. But one of the greatest highlights was working with The Man. It was a small world back then. No internet. Getting any gig was built on relationships. You had to be able to play but it was really who you knew. So - the guy that cut my hair was in an office building on Music Row. Every time I was there I was looking to meet someone. Anyone in the business! About a year in and the barber who was probably in his mid 30’s mentions he is putting a group together for a weekend to play 2 clubs in his hometown area in South Georgia I knew he played guitar and he gave me the dates and I was available. He said it will be all standards. Country from the 60’s to early 80’s. This was in 1985. No rehearsals- he would get me the set lists and to be ready. He said he would have solid players and it should be smooth and fun. He then throws out that John Hughey would be playing steel!! I was 23 or 24, but had been in town long enough to know that he was a freaking legend. We travel down in a van with a trailer. John sits in the front passenger seat and I am behind him. 6 hour drive and I probably asked him 200 questions! I could Google this but I know he had left Conway and I think he was with Vince Gill in 85. John was incredibly kind and very humble. So easy going. He took me through his career step by step. I kept thinking I’m in a van traveling to shows with country royalty! Both gigs were out of this world. Sheer perfection. (drums were very average!) Both dates were standing room only and 3/4 were steel players! All of them were sitting in front of John and he did not disappoint. During the breaks he spoke with every person there to see him. Both shows he spent as much time as he could with his fans. To be on stage with him was a dream come true. The band was tight and we were pretty much backing up John! His playing was the smoothest I had ever heard. While I had played with other steel players, this was an entirely different level. One of the greatest of all time. The trip back on Sunday John slept most of the way and I just sat in the back knowing how lucky I was to get the opportunity to play with a living legend. We shook hands when we got back to Nashville and that was that. I saw him a few more times over the next 10+ years with Vince and he just got better with time! Sorry for how long this is! I’m 65 now and have rarely told the story. Gave me the opportunity to share a highlight of my brief musical journey. The Pedal Steel is an art! I’m amazed anytime I see someone playing which seems to be getting more rare. But to see some of you younger players on here has been a blast. Keep playing and keep the pedal steel alive!