I installed Certano Benders on a Gretsch G5700 Electromatic Lap Steel Guitar
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- Опубліковано 29 чер 2024
- I installed the Certano Benders on a Gretsch G5700 Lap Steel guitar as I wanted to try to come as close as possible to the sound of a pedal steel guitar.
Not only did I install the Certano palm benders but I also installed the Certano Roller Bridge for a better tuning stability. This is not the first time I install Certano Benders but I installed his G and B benders on my Telecaster about a year ago.
In this video I also discuss the two main tunings I've been playing around with, the C6 tuning and the Open D tuning and also talk about my favourite Kemper profile for the lap steel guitar.
You can support my work by joining me on Patreon where you can access all my TABS and exclusive guitar lessons:
www.patreon.com
You can buy the Gretsch G5700 Electromatic here:
thmn.to/thoprod/169643?partne...
And here is a link to David Certano's website:
certano.fr
00:00 Pedal Steel Guitar on the cheap?
01:04 About the Certano Benders
01:52 Installing the benders and roller bridge
03:46 How to adjust the benders?
04:50 C6 tuning or Open D tuning?
06:45 I'm playing through a Kemper
07:20 Does it sound like a Pedal Steel?
For sounding like a pedal steel set your volume on your amp with the volume pedal about 65% of the way up, then use the extra volume on the top to squeeze the pedal for sustain. It would be too loud picking while the pedal is all the way on, but you pick a chord and let it sustain and slowly raise the pedal as the chord quits sustaining, giving you a longer sustain.
Absolutely one of the most beautiful sounding instruments created. No one will convince me different
Kind Sir, you might find this interesting. I'm sorry it is long...
For What it's worth, I began playing a "Hawaii Guitar" (as they called it back then) since 1945. And when the pedal Steel Guitars in 1954 came on; I began playing them. Very sadly, I was NEVER a good player atoll. So I made my hobby; in working on SG's and PSG's to the nth degree.
And that made me friends; with many of the greatest Steel Guitar players. So many of them asked me to write a book on the "Evolution of the Pedal Steel Guitar" It was copyrighted in 2008.
So, I said ALL of that boring "trivia"; to say that, "Duesenberg" builds "multi benders" for their SG's. Expensive but awesomely too. And one of their great features is: you can raise OR lower each string; that has a bender on it. And it is done very cleverly and as easy you could do.
In addition: they say you can put up; to 5 Benders on the guitar. But get this; I was able to put 6 Benders, simply by thinning the nylon washer between each string.
So, thank you kind Sir for this video. Because it caused me "tears of nostalgia"; taking me back 77 yrs; with my career on the most beautiful instruments in the world, IMHO.
If you find this comment is too long; delete it and I will understand.
Thank you for your input, very interesting indeed. This is exactly what the comment section is for.
I have seen the Duesenbergs around and I was very tempted to buy one of theirs but as I am completely new to the Lap Steel I decided to go for a less expensive alternative.
Really interesting what you said about the 6th bender, I mean I would love to have 6 benders, that would be awesome!
I’m quite happy with the Gretsch although I might swap pickups and go for a humbucker. The single coil sounds sweet but I played my first gig using the Lap Steel a couple of days ago and got a lot of hum out of the single coil.
One day I will upgrade for sure and either go for a Duesenberg or even a Pedal Steel.
Thank you for watching ☺️🙏
@@Kbald You might also like this, kind Sir. One of the Greatest multi-bender SG players. His name is Luke Goetze. And after he got his Deusenberg a while; he added a 3rd Bender; on the 1st string. It lowers the D to Db(C#).
And that gives him several more chords; that he was not able to get before.
Here's the link to see him using all 3 benders. I could listen to it all day. i believe you would enjoy it also.
ua-cam.com/video/KyiNuBXsNBg/v-deo.html
He is a great player. I have actually been following him for a while and love his playing.
Great,Heartfelt Comment....God Bless you ,Sir..............
I have the same lap steel and this video is genius… I think it would be a cool project…. Thanks for your work … awesome 👏
Add the roller nut from Certano and locking tuners of your choice and you will have a rock solid rig !!!
Thank you for this! I have the same lap steel and have been going back and forth on a Certano bender for ages - this convinced me to pull the trigger.
I’m sure you’ll love the benders ☺️
Certano benders. I'm sold. Thanks for the video.
Wonderful video! I’ve been looking for something like this!
Thank you ☺️
I Just got shipment of the Epiphone Lap Steel and it's going in the box to where it came from. I should have spent the extra money on the Gretsch and after see your video (and kicking myself in the a**) I'm also contacting Certano to get the benders as well as the Gretsch. As Jon W said before me absolutely beautiful sounds that these guitars make....Totally timeless and brings a realness to the mix that's like none other. Great video Liked and Subscribed.
A great video; well done! Your lap steel playing is quite good for being so new to the instrument! We’ll done.
Thank you man ☺️ It really helps to have a lot of guitar experience but then Troy Brenningmeyer’s channel was a great help when I was getting into playing the lap steel.
Thanks so much, this is the information that I was looking for. I also am looking to get some benders for my “value” lap steel. Like you said, They don’t make it easy for someone to get into a genuine pedal steel guitar. Your video helped me out tremendously!
That’s great man, I really happy that you found the video helpful. Hope everything goes well with finding the right benders for your Lap steels. I highly recommend the Certano benders 👌
Excellent informative video. Thanks!
Thank you so much for this fantastic video!!!🙏
Thank you for making these awesome benders 🙏☺️ Glad you enjoyed the video.
I also picked up the benders recently. They are fantastic!
Holy shitttttt! I’ve been looking for something like this… thanks for this video, I need something similar to PSG.
Great feel on the playing!
Thank you man🙏 Appreciate it.
Very nice, I'm certainly interested in trying this. Thanks.
Great information. Thank you.
Great video!...thanks for sharing!...
I love it. I play a lot of pedal steel on my Telecaster with no pedals, but a volume pedal, but I also like the mechanical sound. To get a more pedal steel sound, don't start with your volume pedal all the way down, you'll get a better pedal steel effect if we can hear the attack of the picks on the strings. Keep going, you'll come up with your own sound.
Hey Don, thanks for the tip 👌☺️ I will definitely post an update video in a few months when I have found my way around playing the lap steel.
You contradict yourself in the same sentence. The volume down on the pedal IS the full volume that will give the attack on the strings - which you advise AGAINST in order to get ‘attack on the strings’. This player is using volume swell (also called violin technique). Learn the correct terminology before asserting nonsense dressed in funk.
@@johnr.b.murray3417 I take it to mean "with the volume turned all the way down". And what Don wrote _isn't_ nonsense. Picking with a little volume before increasing the volume is far better than picking with the volume turned right down.
@@ParaBellum2024 I suggest you go and try, or buy, a volume pedal to see how it works before getting tongue twisted. Listen:
The full volume IS DOWN. ...and again: The FULL VOLUME ... IS... DOWN.
When the pedal is UP... NO VOLUME. PEDAL UP= NO VOLUME.
If you pick a string while the pedal is UP there will be NO ATTACK because? Yep... because NO VOLUME.
BUT... if you pick a string while the pedal is up and then lower the pedal to more or FULL VOLUME then you will get a VIOLIN EFFECT as it simulates the violin bow, which GRADUALLY builds in volume.
So to recap: Don says: “You’ll hear a better pedal steel effect if we can hear the attack of the pick on the strings”...
which he suggests is while the pedal is UP, and hence NO to little volume, which is wrong and I’m I’m sure he now realises that fact.
I’m sure he was confusing the mechanical stretch of the string as in VIBRATO rather than the volume amplitude which is TREMELO.
If you are still confused then perhaps it would be more profitable to select a topic that you have, if only tenuously, a grasp.
@@johnr.b.murray3417 I'm not confused. Why are you so angry? Like Don Coyer, I'm partial to playing pedal steel-type licks on my Telecasters (and my other guitars, for that matter), with the swell from a volume pedal making it all the more authentic sounding, especially when the pedal is set to a low volume before picking the strings. Another great technique is using the vibrato arm on a Strat when playing lapsteel-type licks. Ask any guitar player: they'll tell you.
If you are still angry, then perhaps it would be more profitable to sit down and try some deep breathing exercises.
When I did mine... About six months ago... I also built a new nut to raise the strings flat... Also don't forget to raise the pickup too ... As it is to low to pickup the sound best... Had to add some spacers. Happy playing
I actually installed a DiMarzio mini-humbucker in my Gretsch last week, there was so much hum coming out of the single-coil.
I might do an update video with some tone samples 👍
@@Kbald Would love to see that video - the single coil of the Gretsch is so noisy. Which minibucker did you go with?
I too started on a Gretsch lap steel and eventually moved to pedal steel. I now have a home made bender on my lap steel which works great but it is nothing like pedal steel. Great video nonetheless!
Ever since I heard Brian Eno's Weightless I've been hot on playing pedal steel but the price is out of my league. Something like this will work for me.
Cool. Just order a set. David Certano was very helpful, but you should get commission!
that is pretty awesome
I bought the same bender and bridge for the Gretsch as well, the bridge was quite a bit taller than the stock bridge. Maybe I bought the wrong one, but it was the only 6 string bridge I saw on the Certano website. It doesn’t appear you had the same experience.
awesome👍🏼
Thanks 🙏☺️
AWESOME........
Double G is a good tuning as well.
I have a question about all the kind of effects, such as which kind of volume pedal, delay and reverb and other kind of amps than the Kemper profile you're using to get that very nice "buttery sound.
Beautiful video! I got the Certano Benders earlier this year and put them on my cheap SX lap steel. I can honestly say those benders were one of the best purchases of my life. I’m not a great lap steel guitarist, but the simple licks and sounds I can get are amazing. I sometimes find myself playing slowly, experimenting with the benders and I end up in a trance or meditative state. Any recommendations for a cheap but decent volume pedal?
Mine was stolen and I’m on the hunt. Thanks
Hey Cameron! Glad you enjoyed the video 🙏 Those Certano Benders are awesome, glad you’re also happy with yours.
To bad to hear about you volume pedal being stolen. In the video I use the Mission engineeering pedal with my Kemper but I recently got myself a Dunlop Mini Volume Pedal for my analog rig.
That one is awesome and easy to fit on any pedalboard.
As a pedal steel player I prefer the most popular Goodrich L120. However a few use the Ernie Ball but with a 500k potentiometer installed. Stock they have a 250k. I have a couple Ernie Ball pedals and they are good quality but a bit awkward for pedal steel.
I using Gear4Music Lap Steel with Duesenberg Multibender, and I utilizing E/B/G- Bender.
My own tuning is little bit weird because it is sort of C#Minor/#Major tuning, C# G# F# G# C# E, but I also utilizing Zoom G1N ext Multi effect pedal to change the tuning, without using tuning nobs. This not only make the playing feel much more easier, (because I already using the tuning that feel little bit more natural to me.) but it also make lap steel sound even more like a pedal steel.
This sounds really interesting, so I assume that your low C# is a semi-tone below my low D (in the open D tuning). Would love to give this one a go. As I mentioned in the video I am very new to the lap steel so I'm very open to trying out different tunings. The reason I started out with C6 and Open D is that I found loads of lessons and arrangements online for those tunings.
@@Kbald Well, I have planning to do a video about my lap steel set up. And...
There is a catch about that tuning. I actually using Pyramid Slide Set strings in my guitar. Those are much more "flexible" for that tuning, because my tuning is little bit "higher". But again, it's the gear and pedals that helps me to get that right tone and sound. And little note, this is just my personal favorite tuning, but it doesn't mean it's everyone tuning. It is very individual and subjective which tuning fits each player.
I myself had to search for my own favorite for a longer time, because the open E, D and A tunings didn't really suit me. I went to a website that had a list of different open tunings for dobro, lap steel, and pedal steel.
I found a C#Minor tuning there, aka E C# G# E C# G#, which I used for a while. It wasn't until I got the Multibender that I got it into my head to
try tuning C# G# F# G# C# E, and the more
I used it, the more natural it felt to me.
So I recommend looking for the kind of open tuning that feels the most natural to you.
If you want concrete example about my tone and sound, this is probably my best example, from my other channel.
Casper Esmann - Tears In Heaven (Lap Steel Play Along)
ua-cam.com/video/RreEE90Mg5c/v-deo.html
Thank you for the link, this sounds very nice.
I would also be very interested to see the video about your lap steel setup.
@@Kbald I finally managed to make that video about my Gear And Settings.
Now on my main channel.
ua-cam.com/video/Megd3pCKRtc/v-deo.html
Great stuff, I will check it out.
At 6:14 when he’s barring the G chord, I’m trying to wrap my head around him saying the bender raising the second string a whole step makes the chord a Gsus2. In open D tuning, that bender would be raising the 5th of the chord to a 6th, turning the G chord into a Em or a G6 depending on the strings played.
Awesome video! What gauge strings do you use for c6?
@kbald What bridge did you buy for this Gretsch model? I just got the Gretsch and the Certano benders, but realized I need that top-loading bridge, too, in order to finish this mod. Thanks.
Hey this seems really cool but I’m not sure exactly which bridge and bender I should buy from the Certano website?
All good
Lap steels have a very emotional sound. I used to think they had too much of a hillbilly country sound to them until I heard David Gilmore play them in Pink Floyd.
Pink Floyd and the song high hopes turned me on to lap steel ...I have never looked back!
Ben Harper has his own style of lap steel playing ....check him out
I just received my bender and bridge in the mail and am very excited! Any tips for getting the bridge in just the right spot? I'm nervous about goofing this part up! Haha...
Hey man, it would probably be best to measure the distance between the nut and the bridge and make sure you set it up in the perfect scale length for your lap steel.
I didn’t do the measuring but just made a mark with a pen to put the new bridge in the same spot as the old one.
Probably not the best way to do it but it worked out fine for me in the end ☺️
@@Kbald terrific! Thanks so much! Your vid is super inspiring… thanks for putting this out there and for responding to my questions! 🤙🏼✨🎶
Good !
I’m so bummed my Rougue doesn’t have enough space to mount palm benders
I bought one of these Gretsch 5700's also, and went for the Duesenburg Multibender, still searching to find a 1.875" replacement roller nut
Awesome man, how do you like the multibender? I’ve never tried one of those.
@@Kbald I just got it, so I haven't installed it yet, I found your discussion on differences between C6 and open D very informative. I been doing Dobro on and off in GBDGBD, mostly bluegrass, but looking for that sudo pedal steel sound on the Grestch. I'll keep you posted 🍻. Liked your benders on the tele as well !👍
Hope you’ll find the right roller bridge and that the installation goes well. I’m sure you’ll have a lot of fun with the benders.
Definitely keep me posted 👍
I’m going to build a lap steel from a C.B. Gitty kit. Can you recommend a length I should get to be able to install Certano benders? Thx
Boa noite como faço pra adquirir uma guitarra havaiana dessa preço por favor obrigado!
I was bored, then I discovered slanting the bar. Unfortunately you then have to learn all your double stops and in a weird tuning. 6ths up and then maybe slant the bar back to the appropriate 5th will get you there, but the sky is the limit.
Exactly what I'm plantning to do with the green Gretsch... 💚💚 What strings do you use for D tuning....?
Awesome man, I’m sure you’ll have a lot of fun with the benders.
I’m using Ernie Ball 15-20-26-36-46-58 for the open D but I used 15-17-20-26-32-36 for the C6
@@Kbald are these slinkies?
Yes they are indeed, I use the slinkies for all my guitars.
the two benders bend each 1 string, right? its a very nice setup!
They do indeed, so one bends string “2” while the other one bends string “3”. This is such a nice tool 👍
Can you show how to set the bender on the Tele please
Here you go ua-cam.com/video/giJ9ABfFX3g/v-deo.html ☺️
🤯
Both strings bent at the same time, you almost played satisfaction 😉
where did ya get the roller bridge
Very nice! I should have considered this type of bender on the lap steel I just made! Check it out on my channel. I also use Open D tuning on my lap steel.
What do you call that pedal you are using?
Can you use a lap steel capo with the benders?
Hey Gary, I haven’t tried it so I’m not entirely sure but would love to find out.
Hello! Can I tune it to c6 with that bender ? Sincerly Jan
Hey Jan, yes you can. I tried it but didn’t really find a way to play any cool licks etc.
I played in open D for a while but now I moved on to GBDF#AD.
I’m sure you can find a way to use the bender in C6.
How much room behind the bridge do you need to install the bender?
What type of a Lap Steel have you got?
@@Kbald Guyatone Conqueror HG306 C 6 string.
Since the bridge does not have compensated saddles, do you notice any intonation issues?
Well, the low D string is a bit sharp actually.
I’m using a .58 at the moment, perhaps going up to .60 would make it slightly better. Mainly because that would give me more string tension.
All the other strings are fine in terms of intonation.
The original bridge didn’t have compensated saddles either so it would have been the same issue I guess.
@@Kbald I think a .060 would make it worse. As you go thicker, the bridge needs to go back more. It’s already too far forward for the .058.
Yes that is true but the less string tension the more the string “bends” up in pitch while I press the slide bar against it.
This is perhaps just a matter of developing a better feel and technique.
Before I put the .58 in I was using a .56 and things got much better with the .58
@@Kbald However, as I understand it, you don’t want it to “bend up to pitch” because it’s already too high. Whatever works out in the end, I guess. If the .060 works best, that’s they way to go.
For what it's worth Michael, I know of NO Pedal Steel Guitar; that has "intonation Correction". And I have played them every since 1954. Because it's so easy to slant the bar and correct it.
IE: the late "Buddy Emmons": is the Greatest SG there will ever be; and he used "slight slants" of his Bar all the time; throughout his unbelievable Career. And he was dead on Always!
May Jesus rest his precious Soul. A dear friend and I shall never forget him.
Incidentally, the Deusenberg's "'multi bend" SG's; do have intonational corrections. By an adjusting screws, for each string.
For what it's worth.
Nice video. For further information check out the great videos and lessons @ Troy Brenningmeyer.
Thank you! Troy’s channel is amazing, great lessons 👌
I've noticed alot of pedal steel guitar players really hate to be emulated
Great Joke: Ask the steel player: "Is that electric?" -Yes it is. "Then, why do you have to pedal it?" Ensure its a dead pan question... 😂
I am trying to make an offer on Reverb for this instrument but it won't let me for whatever reason.
I'm able to pick it up in person.
Seven hundred cash or will trade.
I hope you get this message.
Where do you get the benders?
certano.fr
To get to the install skip to 2min…..
@2:00 not clear on how to put the bridge in the perfect spot.
Without this the install is faulty.
What is the point of reference to get the perfect spot?
The point of reference should be from the nut or frets???
As you can see in the chapters I set up for this video 😉
The point of reference is the nut. It's always about the distance from the nut to the bridge. If you have ordered a Certano bender you have most likely received a letter from David Certano with the correct measurements and the template sheet as well.
Thank you for this help.
I don’t recall seeing you measure from the nut in the video. I will watch it again. I fear messing up. Perhaps I am mechanically challenged. Also are there instructions on how to use the template? I will look at again at the FAQ’s at Certano web site.
I have a good repair shop in Chicago USA that mostly likely does them.
No, not even close to what a pedal steel is capable of creating.Though,very cool.
I have a pedal steel, and I seems fairly close to me. Obviously can't do all that a PS can, but what it does sounds very similar.
Wondering what you feel, is "not even close"?