So, the stage was set....

someone suggested that I be on it

[This message was edited by HowardR on 01 May 2005 at 07:42 PM.]

L>R Bobby Wolfe custom mahogany, Benoit 7 w pegbender, The Weissenater, Benoit Koa

Steels...Sierra S12, Hamos S8, Marrs Cat Can

[This message was edited by HowardR on 01 May 2005 at 07:49 PM.]

I guess that markerboard proves that Howard is the real King of Queens!

Looks like it was too fun for words!

[This message was edited by HowardR on 01 May 2005 at 08:15 PM.]

Very cool, takes some getting used too. This is well built and smooth operating. Dan is even planning to improve on it.

Keep us posted.

[This message was edited by HowardR on 02 May 2005 at 04:23 AM.]

I lived in Southern Califonia in the early 80s.
I remember Cal W well, (and Elvira Mistress of the Dark, before her fame.) Those two made TV worth watching.

[This message was edited by Joey Ace on 02 May 2005 at 08:56 AM.]

Jim also came around to each for some individual instruction and attention.

At one point, Jim asked for a volunteer to come out and play something. Fellow Forumite (Fo' Bro') Gerald Menke was the brave soul who put himself on the line and played "Crazy".

Jim then dissected the tune in depth and demonstrated throughout each part how it could be played better, more creatively, and professionally.

[This message was edited by HowardR on 02 May 2005 at 10:29 AM.]

Jimmy Heffernan is as good a teacher as he is a player.

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"Hats off" to Howard

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"Good one" Daryl !

It was a "Million Dollar" event . . .
Thanks to Jim for the "name-sake" - Lick - !
And all of the other great insights into the "secrets" of playing 'good' Dobro.

I hope that something like this could happen again !
NYC is very assessable . . .
(If there is not a bike race down 6th Ave.)
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Dan Balde
U-12/8&5, S-7/D 3&1, S-6/E,A & G3

[This message was edited by db on 02 May 2005 at 09:00 PM.]

I would also be inclined to host other related workshops if there were interest.

Slide Off to follow tomorrow.

[This message was edited by HowardR on 02 May 2005 at 08:53 PM.]

"This ain't no cutting contest!"

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I'm ofFENDERed

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Jim is a patient teacher who really knows how to communicate the information, I'll never forget his critique of the most nervous version of "Crazy Arms" every played...I've played for thousands in various bands, but I don't think I was ever as nervous as I was playing in front of 13 dobro guys. Jim made great helpful suggestions, especially on vibrato, that bit about using the whole arm is deep, bro.

Look forward to the next one!

That was "Crazy Arms"?.....

I thought it was "Crazy"

Glad you got a lot out of it as did everyone with whom I've spoken.

Again, I'm open to another probably after Thanksgiving, and any other workshop that may be of interest.

Any local or non local proficient players of pedal, non pedal, ukulele, mandolin, OR TRI CONE ( ) ......let me know about teaching, either in a formal or informal way. Could also be just a get together to hone skills. I'm open. From a few attendees up to 15 is fine.

The conclusion of the Slide Off, both in visuals and verbiage, will conclude this evening. You'll have to tape American Idol....

[This message was edited by HowardR on 04 May 2005 at 09:43 AM.]

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My wife and I don't think alike. She donates money to the homeless and I donate money to the topless! ... R. Dangerfield

[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 04 May 2005 at 11:05 AM.]

I never plug in my acoustics when I play in my apartment since there's no need. I had forgotten how the Weiss sounded plugged in. Powerful!

Ok, down to the nuts & bolts of this thing.....

notice the pen. I'm always ready to take an order

[This message was edited by HowardR on 04 May 2005 at 04:12 PM.]

So, we had the Asher S6, a Fry Pan Tradewind S6 (very nicely made wooden pan), a Harmos S8, a GeorgeBoards S8, the Sierra S12, & the MSA Super Slide S12.

There was not a steel present that you would not be happy, if not thrilled to play. There was nothing less than above average quality all around.

The general concenses.....the Asher Ben Harper is a gorgeous, well made guitar. It has a variety of tone, on the bright side but good midrange, and bass. It really cuts and is everything everyone says it to be. I would not hesitate to buy one of these.

A few years ago I saw Bill Frissell in concert with Greg Leisze (sp?) who played an Asher (6) and a National Dynamic (8). I was not impressed at that time with the Asher. Perhaps it was the acoustics. I don't know, but the Asher in person, wow! David, congrats on that one. Glad you brought it by.

The MSA and the Sierra are both top of the line. Both very well made, well engineered with attention to detail, and everything, piece & part made for a reason. Both strikingly, visually appealing.

We set the Nashville 122 to mid points on all of the settings. Both steels were tuned to Maurice Anderson's 12 string C6. We all took turns playing and testing. At these settings, the Super Slide had a brighter sound and tone. The Sierra, a deeper, darker tone.

I turned up the treble and backed off on the bass. This brought up brightness to the Sierra and of course more brightness to the Super Slide which didn't need it.

The advantage went to the better string separation of the Super Slide. The bottom 5 strings of the Sierra seemed to roll into one another. No matter how the settings were tweaked, we just couldn't get that crisp separation that the MSA has.

I do prefer the string spacing of the Sierra as I'm more used to a wider spacing, and a pedal steeler would be more used to the spacing of the MSA. The sustain on both are excellent. I would opt for different pick ups on the Sierra to obtain that separation and eliminate the muddiness in the lower register.

So, the Asher Ben Harper and the MAS Super Slide was the preference of all involved in the Slide Off. If you had those two, you'd never have to leave the house, just have food (& beer) delivered.

[This message was edited by HowardR on 04 May 2005 at 04:57 PM.]

Alright, on this one, Bill couldn't hold a candle to me. The Pfaff outsewed the Singer!

The Pfaff is a quiet, and accurate machine. Although it has less traction out of the hole, even with various feeders, it runs smoother and underpinning is a rarity.

Bill had a difficult time keeping his tension consistant. Although his straight stitch was smooth and even, he experienced some gathering (in his shorts I think).

Needless to say, I appreciate you comments concerning the SuperSlide.

Bravo.

Looking forward, hopefully we can have another Jim Heffernan workshop in the late fall as I mentioned. Along with that, "Slide Off II". Perhaps a Fender Stringmaster theme. All configurations of Stringmasters, single, double, triple, quad, & all 3 scales to compare. Also, a "Dustpan Debut" along with the Remmington Steelmaster. Maybe we can get Jody down for that....

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"Dustpan Debut" .... Madison Square Garden?

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Have it at Scores ... and me and my new model ... the Boobpan ... will be there.

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Aiello's House of Gauss

My wife and I don't think alike. She donates money to the homeless and I donate money to the topless! ... R. Dangerfield

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Have it at Scores

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