Posts: 851
From: Fishers, Indiana
Registered: JAN 2000

posted 19 May 2000 10:33 AM         

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Hi everyone,

As I am still learning the steel via replicating Red Rhodes' playing style on the Mike Nesmith albums, I have found it increasingly difficult to replicate some of the licks he did with my conventional E9 setup. I have read before that Red used an alternate tuning (E13?).

Could someone please post the EXACT setup Red used (tunings, # of levers/pedals used and what they did). Specifically, I am looking for the setup he used during his years with Nesmith (1970-1974).

Also, does anyone know what type of steel he tended to play during this time period?

Thanks very much!!!!

Joe

Posts: 6731
From: Los Angeles CA
Registered:

Posts: 1131
From: Blue Bell, PA., USA
Registered: MAR 2000

posted 19 May 2000 01:16 PM         

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I remember him playing a Dekley when I knew him in '77 through '80. Amp wise, believe it or not, I was supprised to see him playing through the old Session 400 that I traded to him for the souped up "black face" Super Reverb that I bought from him. Go figure!

Boy I wish I had not sold that amp in the early 90's. One of those things you're sure of until you realize you made a mistake.

He was a very nice guy, it's too bad we lost him. His style was unique, you always knew who you were listening to. I hope you get to play music in Heaven.

Regards,
HH

Posts: 6399
From: Plano, TX, USA
Registered:

Posts: 4687
From: Los Angeles CA USA
Registered:

posted 19 May 2000 01:26 PM         

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    LKL  LKV  LKR  1   2   3   4   RKL  RKR
F
Bb
G                     +Ab      +Ab
Eb +F                     ++F           -D
C  +Db  +C#               ++D      +Db
Bb      +B    -A  ++C
G                     +Ab      -Gb
Eb                                 ++F
Db                             -C       +D
Bb                ++C         --Ab

Notes:
1. Red played a Fender then, which had a shorter scale than most modern steel guitars, so he could use high Bb.
2. It's very simple to change the second string from Red's high Bb (which may break) to the D string that most E9 players are accustomed to.
3. I'm not sure that the RKR above is correct. He may have lowered low Eb to D, not raised low Db to D.
4. I think the biggest difference between this and the normal E9 is that you would expect an F string between Red's 7th and 8th. I think sometimes he had a pedal or knee lever that raised his 8th and 9th from Eb and Db to F and Eb, so he could copy some E9 stuff.
5. Red sometimes used a 10-string Eb diatonic scale on his second neck; Low Eb to high G with a couple of pedals.
6. Around '77 or '78 he got a Dekley.
7. This is copied from the Winston book.

Posts: 2535
From: Sylmar,Ca. USA
Registered: OCT 98

Posts: 851
From: Fishers, Indiana
Registered: JAN 2000

posted 20 May 2000 06:38 PM         

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Thanks everyone for the responses! His setup seems to be a bit tricky to learn....anyone ever try playing this type of setup?

Also, does anyone have any pics they can post of Red?

Thanks!!!

Joe

Posts: 812
From: anchorage,alaska
Registered: OCT 98

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