I mean a free accesible site that explain "hardware" features possibly explaining differences between models (for example: do I really need for more than three pedals, etc. do I relly need two neck etc.)

I'm not interested in any "traditional" music notation manuals cause I would approach pedal steel with a experimental / free approach (you know ... I'm playng strange ambient music :)

I only need the basics for understand what instrument is suitable for my approach (I would like a "student" instrument )

btw, do someone may suggest how can I buy it in Italy ? At the moment I didn't have find a dealer in Italy ?

Do a search on this site for anything that you wish to learn and you will probably find more than you can digest. If you have a question that HASN'T been discussed yet, post a new topic and you will have the world's best advice (and then some) in mere hours.

You will also find that you are not alone in pioneering new approaches to music utilizing the pedal steel guitar.

Welcome aboard!

[This message was edited by Dave Grafe on 03 May 2005 at 09:41 AM.]

>You will also find that you are not alone in >pioneering new approaches to music utilizing >the pedal steel guitar.

I just started a thread of discussion about new style and approches on using steel guitars here : http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum15/HTML/009130.html

please share indications of new artists (possibly with a web link to music to be listened)

What model your refer exactly ?

My problem is that I have to buy in Italy to minimizing shipping costs and customs problems ... in fact *seem* that is "problematic for USA's producer to export here selling directly to the customer ...

I'm looking for a itaian dealer of Carter but it's soo difficult because in Italy the pedal -steel is an unknow instrument!

>I live in Miami and the pedal-steel is an >unknown instrument down here, too. My >neighbor just called it a giant Zither:

Indeed ... zithers are very interesting instruments ... but what is interesting for my personal point of view is that electric instruments may be "processed" electronically in a more suitable way ... :)

>how much would shipping be to Italy?

theorically ... too mutch ...
pratically it's a quasi-disaster :)

This the answer of very helpful Mr. Bob Littleton from "West Coast Steel Guitar":

"I just checked with the USPS and found out that we cannot ship musical instruments or parts to Italy! I was not aware of this restriction. Thanks for your interest."
http://www.pedalsteel.com/westcoaststeel

In fact I don't know way !?! :(
Maybe USA/state governement suspect bombs-trade inside pedal-steel bag ? :)
I'm joking! :)

Another complication would be realted to Italian Custom Office ... it happen that in case of heavy box ... randomly checking ... Custom apply very expensive add-on taxes.

It's a disaster in therme of feasibility and money saving!

>Have you called the Carter people?

In fact I didn't contacted yet Carter;
I'll do asap! Maybe they have some dealer in Italy (I'm pessimistic about passing through dealers too because they claim costs adding this on the overall cost the customer (me) will pay...)

Anyway, I'll fight for a fair solution! :)

>By the way, I loved the playing at your site. Is that you?

Of course! it's me: solyaris = music made by giorgio robino = me :)

>(No offense to the lap steel, which I also >love. But, if you can do that on a lap, I want to hear what you can do on a pedal!)

you are too kind Adrienne :)
In fact i just felt (few months) in love with pedal-steel even if i never saw one in my life.

About pedal-lap-etc. dispute,
i indeed think that the instrument is not "so" important for me; don't misanderstand me ... in my ignorance, I think pedal-steel is a really complex instrument really suitable for tonal-atonal fixed-pitch glissando-pich microtonal - wide spreed frequencies extension ... ALL!

but I also think (as general point of view) that is not so important the vistuosism realted to the instrument details expertise ... I really think without rethoric that it's important the "cosciuosness that become awere of themself" ... in the creative/art "process";

what do you think about ?

Maybe we can share the "pseudo-philosophy" on the thread: http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum15/HTML/009130.html

and if you enjoy my music, i'll be very glad to post your review on my web site.

btw, what kind of music you do ?

http://users.interlinks.net/rebel/steel/steel.html

Many decades of intros and solos, some with tab.

[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 08 May 2005 at 07:22 AM.]

>you might want to check with Bobbe Seymour >at steel guitar nashville, he might be able >to ship you a steel guitar,

I'll check, thank you!

>I have a friend who's family goes to Italy >for a contractors convention maybe I can >find out when he is going the next time and >he might be able to bring a guitar over >there somehow.

It's very kind of you
I'm looking now possibly for a used instrument in Europe (maybe in Germany) and possibly in Italy for minimize costs (of shipping and mainly of the base cost of a new instrument that generally expensive for my budget)

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´75 Emmons p/p D10 8+4, '96 Emmons Legrande II D10 8+5, ´76 Sho-Bud Pro III Custom SD10 4+5, Peavey Nashville 1000