P1
E
B    C#
G#   A
E
D
B
G#
E 

www.genejones.com

[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 20 March 2004 at 07:25 AM.]

This is the tuning he placed on it and informed me at the time that this was Issac's exact tuning and pedal set up: Top to bottom, of course.

E

B........C# }
G#.......A } Pedal #1

F#

D........E } Pedal #2
B........C# }
G#.......A }

E

At that time, Issac's used two pedals to raise a total of five strings. Both foot pedals; NO knee levers.

[This message was edited by Ray Montee on 19 March 2004 at 09:45 AM.]

And here's some biographical stuff:
http://www.seattlewesternswingmusicsociety.com/budisaacs.htm

I thought I remembered him saying somewhere that it was an E9 tuning he added the pedals to. But I can't find that now. The Bigsby statement above would seem to confirm that. But they may have been talking about Bud's setup at that time, rather than the setup on his very first steel with pedals.

[This message was edited by David Doggett on 19 March 2004 at 11:17 AM.]

quote:

---

"Carl, the tuning you posted would be an E7th rather than E9th, right? Do you have an idea about when the 9th (F#) first appeared?"

---

Joe,

Yes, that was E7th rather than E9th. And it is possible that Bud's open tuning was indeed E9th, but I'm not so sure. Here is why I feel this way. Most who played with the F# in there, ALSO had a C# in there:

E
C#
B
G#
F#
D
B
E

This tuning was referred to as E13th although some (even today) call it E6th. But in any case, the more popular tuning was straight E7th. And this tuning has a middle E string.

Buddy Emmons did have the F# in there on his E9th tuning, but I am not so sure he used an "E9th" on his prior non-pedal tunings. Course that is up to him to set us straight. And he indeed did not have an E in the middle on his PSG. Buddy told us it was Jimmy Day who added the E and removed one of the bass notes. Remember they were all 8 strings at that time.

So from my recollection, the E9th tuning almost came along with the pedal guitar AFTER BI did his thing. Or at least that is my recollection. So the F# (E9th rather than E13), just happened at the same time.

I am sure some will know for certain, and I will sincerely stand corrected if any of the above is not true,

carl

I thought Bud Isaacs added a single pedal to his guitar when he recorded "Slowly". Is it my understanding that it was Bigsby who added 2 pedals on Bud's guitar? Has my understanding been wrong all these years?

If it was Bigsby who added the pedals, then was it a brand new guitar, or did Bud ship it back to him and he added two pedals and shipped it back to Bud?

In other words, is the record straight that when Bud recorded the song, he had two pedals on his steel and his tuning had the F# in there?

Or is it that the 2 pedal scenario came after "pedal" popularity skyrocketed after his unprecedented recording?

My Bigsby had been on order for several years prior to the April 1956 delivery date to me, so when Paul wrote me as he prepared to build my guitar, it was understood that he would build it "JUST LIKE ISSACS" and also the 3 necks like Speedy West. When it came to me it was tuned and constructed just like we had discussed.

quote:

---

"Hi Bud,

Would you please set the record straight for me? When you recorded "Slowly", HOW many pedals did you have on your guitar?

Also, did you put the pedal(s) on it, OR did Bigsby?

Also, what tuning did you use on that recording?

There is a discussion on the Steel Guitar Forum; and I believe we need the correct information directly from you.

Thank you sooo much, and may Jesus richly bless you and Geri always,

carl dixon"

---

Today I received the following:

quote:

---

"Hi Carl, Thanks for your e-mail. Geri is doing this e-mail for me, I will try to answer your questions the best I can. I recorded Slowly in 53? or 54?? Bigsby put the pedals on my steel for me. I used the same tuning on Slowly and all of my recordings as well. I recorded 2 others songs with Red Foley with my pedals "Blue Guitar" and "Walking In The Cold Cold Rain" Before I recorded Slowly with Webb. Hope this helps.Thanks for asking. God Bless you, Bud ( A note from Geri) I am going to try to attach Bud's tuning on this e-mail. Hope I can. Let me know if you get it. I am sending it to Andy too I don't do very well trying to post on the forum. I get nerious. I always goof up. So I will let you post it for me. THIS IS BUD'S TUNING THAT HE USES TODAY. ------ THE TUNING HE USED ON SLOWLY IS THE SAME EXCEPT FOR THE 2 LOWEST STRINGS AND OF COURSE NO KNEE PEDALS. Thanks Geri"

---

The following is the tuning:

     1  2           KL   KL
E                        F#
B    C#             Bb
G#   A
F#
D       E
B       C#
G#      A
E
C#
A

Note: I was unable to copy and paste Bud's tuning properly, so I reformatted it to fit correctly on this SGF. Also, I was unable to get the following to align properly, so the following are Geri's words from Bud, but in my own writing:

quote:

---

OPEN----- 2nd, 3rd, & 5th-------Deminish -----5th, 6th, 7th------------Deminish I use to use an Ab on top, but it broke too many strings. Besides that I don't like to much high pitch stuff.

---

It appears that I was incorrect and several posters were right. I respectfully stand corrected. The stories I had heard for years were apparently hearsay. I apologize for this Andy.

My sincere appreciation to Bud and Geri for taking the time to respond. May Jesus bring joy to Bud and Geri and ALL of you,

carl

[This message was edited by C Dixon on 24 March 2004 at 08:19 AM.]