Lap Steel to sound like a Pedal Steel

Make a Lap Steel sound like a Pedal Steel

[@acousticdoug]

My mind is officially blown. One of the best most understandable videos on lap steel ever. Had one for a few years, never got the nag of it. I’m bout to crack that baby out now!! I can’t say thank you enough.

[@larsvdwerf1873]

Wooooow! I've been playing lap steel for a couple of years now, but this single video opens the instrument up to much more than I thought it was capable of! Thanks!

[@chrisb1460]

Hi Tony, I'm new to the lap steel. I've been watching a lot of videos to learn. This particular video is amazing. You are showing how to play strings behind the slide. Thank you for showing the technique slowly and step by step.

[@nightfall6420]

Nobody has ever explained this topic as well as you have here. Would enjoy more of same. Thank you.

[@tonyrbutler]

I've been so busy that I haven't done more but I hope to do so soon.

[@Jamestele1]

That is a perfect lesson and explanation. I have to dig out my lap steel and try this. I have a pedal steel, but have an interest in playing with my lap steel to try this. Thanks!

[@ronnie5129]

Tony, thanks for this video here, i have a 1950's Supro lap steel my pickup looks very similar to the one you have here, this is my favorite instrument to play, i can just make up things that i never played before and get lost in it and forget about the worlds problems, it is my best friend, Cousin Figel

[@mutangpadan5311]

Excellent. Tony you don’t know how grateful I am for this video. Did I say that this could possibly save me the cost of a bender?

[@bigjandthehbombs5552]

You just opened the swingin’ saloon doors to a whole new world of honky tonk for me, sir! THANK YOU! I bend on the guitar all the time, but have not considered doing it on my lap steel. I tried slant bar technique and can’t quite get it. Soooo exited to try this. Again, thank you!!!!

[@guidomauriziodoria]

I am learning lap steel after several years of playing guitar. This is really usefull thanks!

[@Ryanvatz]

Wow, mind blown, it’s so simple, I have never thought about that!

[@glowaves]

Fantastic info to make it simple for beginners. Thanks!

[@AndySalinger33]

I really appreciate how you teach. Man, so logical. So useful. I know many people will improve drastically because of your methods. Thanks my dude. Crucial stuff.

[@skateup2291]

I’ve been playing guitar for 4 years now I consider my self pretty good but this guy just taught me what people mean by naming chords by numbers in the most basic way possible. I don’t know why some people just have a knack for teaching… this guy really has it

[@patrickpuzzo416]

Thank you! This saves my butt on a tune that is using a pedal steel guitar. This concept will work well enough to get me through!

[@chrispile3878]

That is so simple. Why didn't I think of that years ago? It's basically behind the fret (or nut, or slide) bending.

[@skeletonshorror5184]

I’ve been playing a Harmony H1 Lapsteel for 15 years and have never seen anyone done that - thank you! 💀🔥💰

[@WhiteNacho]

Wow I just found this little gem while havin coffee before goin to work and it's fryday guess what I'm goin to be doin this weekend!

[@brianrodrigues6693]

Hi Tony God Bless thanks very much for showing the skills of how to get the Lap sound like pedal its so nice to teach this method Ive recently picked up my Dads Lap steel guitar as He is up there in heaven and I just am happy to see you show your technique and skills I will be practising the method youv'e mention Thank you......

[@jodyguilbeaux8225]

foreward or reverse slants resolving back to the next chord ( bar in vertical position ). the pedal steel uses suspensions by using the pedal. the lap steel player needs to locate the suspensions by moving his bar to that position, and then resolve. the pedal steel is a very complicated instrument and has is own style. the lap steel once true placing of the bar to ring in the perfect timbre of note, at 1st is the real challenge but the lap steel has a beautiful sound all in itself. listen to jerry byrd and alan akaka for starters, there are many great lap steel players out there. but using your inside finger to bend it to the 4th is a cool idea.

[@gabrielklassen9043]

Junior brown has a good demo on how he does that

[@jeffrobuck6338]

I've never seen anyone do that before. Genius!

[@bluegrasstransport5266]

Thanks for showing that, nice lesson.

[@Guitarista129]

Great video, Tony. I used to play open E and C6 doubleneck, but now I'm just playing E7 with a rentrant G natural because it sounds more country to bend to the 6th. And pulling behind the bars seems easier to me than those palm levers that are popular now. Heck, if I was that coordinated, I'd use pedals! Of course, I also bend the other strings sometimes to get all sorts of suspensions and work in some slants as well, but pulling the 5 to 6 is a bread and butter lick. I'd love a follow up video if you have more to share along these lines.

[@scootmcgoot570]

Bro nice bend on that acoustic. Nice sounds

[@csakennyitakartam]

the most important thing can be heard at 4:17

[@thelonglife5772]

Great info .. I need to start playing one of those things .

[@jeffaadkins]

Damn you make it look so easy

[@AncientEgo]

Thank you for this great video!

[@samholloway9211]

Awesome. This is great

[@komet1536]

Thank you very much, this was so helpful.

[@markh7523]

great tip Tony thanks

[@ronniegreen3513]

There are many instruments that can make similar sounds. Pedal steels can sound like lap steels, dobro's etc. Six string guitars can produce licks from all of them. But one things is true. Each instrument can produce sounds that no other instrument can produce, This is a wonderful video for laps steel players. As a player of all of these, I will tell you, no matter which you play, you can add some sounds that no other instrument can reproduce. Keep playing !

[@kane6529]

This is awesome thanks so much Tony! I'm now buying a Lap Steel!

[@tradscendence]

Okay, so, on one hand, you just saved me thousands of dollars. And then on the other hand, you just saved me about 200 dollars from getting a multibender. This video is the only coupon I needed. Bravo!

[@mattolsonmusic8683]

Gotta tell you though, I was doing it this way then I got a multi bender and it really took it to the next level. That being said, the behind the nut stuff is very slick and I still use it for certain things that I can’t do with my benders (like half step bend on the B strings or any bend on the high E) and it’s a very handy trick to have in your tool belt. But yeah, the certano benders are way worth 150-200$ or however much they are now.

[@tradscendence]

@@mattolsonmusic8683 Seems like a lotta work to me to be honest (mixing the multibenders in), if that makes any sense. Since this comment I've enjoyed the freedom of being able to bend wherever I want to however many steps I want, even two strings at a time, and I quite often use the high E. I'm not sure I'm convinced that the bender is worth it... however I'm still kinda split on the idea.

[@tradscendence]

@@mattolsonmusic8683 However, I'll add that I play guitar (including 12-string), a Sitar, a Baglama Saz, Banjo, and bowed stringed instruments as well, so might be because I'm already used to manual bends and trust my tone at this point... It's just bending from a different angle is all. But given my general experience, I probably wouldn't recommend this technique for everybody, wherefore multibender might be more practical option if that makes any sense .-,

[@randyaquatoad8975]

This is extremely helpful.

[@nathanaeldavenport2251]

Well why the hell didn't I think of that??? Made my day.

[@charlessmith3727]

When you’re trying to show somebody something we’re playing a song they need to know what tuning you’re using that makes a difference in playing a song

[@deeman524]

Very helpful, thanks

[@tsmberk]

Great stuff!

[@bankhead9285]

awesome stuff. looks fun... think i gotta get a pedal steel.

[@sethhurst751]

Mind. Blown.

[@freddievara8649]

Well that ends learning guitar to complicated🫢

[@BernardGlorian]

simply great !!

[@kevinjones2145]

Great to know

[@frizell10]

awesome tip

[@indiandave1642]

WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOU PLAY WITH A CD

[@poorboysadventures4636]

Heck yeah!

[@deeman524]

Can you play all chords in one tuning on a lap steel

[@tonyrbutler]

Yes but that is a loaded question with many tunings and variables.

[@paulamorgan28]

What is your third string is it a round or is it a plane string so you can bend it my lap steel on the third string is a round string I like how you make it sound like a pedal steel

[@tonyrbutler]

A wound third string is too hard to bend. I like a plain string. At least an 18 plain. I normally only bend the third string up a half step so you can go heavier after you get used to the bending technique.

[@juicebox9465]

Let's go padres!

[@frets52]

hi Tony , What gauge strings are you using and are they round ,semi flat ,or flat wound,oh and do you use a wound G string?I just got a 51 Supro and am a Guitar player for years.Thank you so much.Great playing

[@tonyrbutler]

I forget the string guages. I use roundwound strings. Trying for the brightest sound. The flat and half-rounds are getting a lot better but I’m still using rounds. Probably 12, 15, 18p, 28, 38, 48. I’m out of town, when I get back I will give you the exact guages, if I remember…

[@robbertsmidt4536]

Wow this bending trick,

[@johnnydynomite6596]

What kind of slide guitar is that? I like the small size

[@tonyrbutler]

It's an old 'Supro'.

[@timothyferiyadi5743]

What brand is your lapsteel. It looks awesome

[@tonyrbutler]

It is a 'Supro'. Bought it 40 years ago at a Goodwill for $65. At the time it was overpriced but it has legs which is why I went for it.

[@timothyferiyadi5743]

I played guitar for quite a while and im looking to buy a lapsteel now. But where im from lapsteel are a rare thing to find, I probably just gonna build one

[@paulamorgan5456]

Sir are you picking the first and second string

[@tonyrbutler]

Yes. This lesson concentrates on only the first two strings.

[@EdsontvgggMauricio]

Qual é essa afinação

[@Hipppy1001]

WOW!!

[@paulamorgan5456]

To get that sound

[@235buz]

From one Butler to another, thanks. You play dobro?

[@tonyrbutler]

Yes, but not Bluegrass style. I mainly play lap steel because I can use strings that allow me to do the bends behind the bar.

[@blndrckr]

Thanks Tony. I caught the country bug... just scored a nice Tele.. been playing rock for 50 years...I also wanna visit the lap steel or pedal steel. I understand all the theory. Should I start with a lap steel or jump on a pedal steel? I appreciate your help and input! What state are yu in?! Also, what should I purchase? I know nutn :(

[@tonyrbutler]

It really depends on your age and amount of time available to practice. If you are 50 or older, I would stay with a lap steel. If you are 16 I’d go directly to the pedal steel. Either way you will need to really spend lots of quality practice time if you want to excel...

[@blndrckr]

@@tonyrbutler i'm going to prove you wrong friend~ thank you

[@tonyrbutler]

@@blndrckr Awesome!

[@jmsjms296]

Supro!

[@flemmingerichsen8621]

What kind of slide is He using? 👍

[@tonyrbutler]

Don't know the brand, just a round slide bar with a round end.

[@jsg.guitar]

Open E?

[@kane6529]

I’m guessing since fifth fret was A

[@chrispile3878]

Yes - listen again, he spells it out.