Pedal-Steel Guitar Tips & Tricks with Paul Franklin

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The pedal-steel legend who's played with everyone from George Strait to Megadeth shares some advice at tackling the hand-jiving, knee-jerking instrument.
A decade ago, Vince Gill and Paul Franklin recorded Bakersfield, a tribute to the raw-boned country music that came out of the rough-and-rowdy clubs patronized by oil-field hands and agricultural workers in the ’50s and early ’60s-packed with songs by Merle Haggard and Buck Owens. And we visited with them for a Rig Rundown then.
Now, just for the good times, these two legends of modern country music-the real deal kind-have recorded Sweet Memories: The Music of Ray Price & The Cherokee Cowboys. Price was known for his warm, baritone approach to melody, which is a perfect springboard for Gill’s and Franklin’s nuanced approaches to their own instruments.
If you don’t know Gill’s work, it’s about time you got informed. He has won more CMA Awards than any performer in history, plus 21 Grammys. He’s also sold more than 21-million albums and is currently in the Eagles, where his sweet tenor voice and skill with harmonies makes him a perfect match. (You can also hear Gill talk about his work on Cory Wong’s Wong Notes podcast, from November 2020.)
Although Franklin spends his time over the pedal steel, this artist is no slouch. He’s played on more than 500 albums, has been named Best Steel Guitarist by the Academy of Country Music multiple times, and is in the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame and the Musician’s Hall of Fame. Franklin is the most nominated artist in CMA history. He is also a member of Grammy-winning outfit the Time Jumpers.
Along with the PG video team, I met them at Gill’s Nashville studio, where they recorded Sweet Memories. The goal: to get a close-up look at Franklin’s steel rig and some of the incredible acoustic guitars Gill used on this album.
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[@Junior-jw1bb]

I play the steel guitar and I use the BJS Tone Bar also. Butch who makes the bars is probably one of the best people you can do business with. He’s very helpful and makes sure you choose the right length bar in relation to the length of your finger. Great guy .
Once again an informative video from Paul. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@damirzanne]

Paul is a great player and a guy , as is his family , the whole Franklin family is a true asset to a steel guitar community

[@zainalak7901]

Paul Franklin is a Steel Country legend. he has played many of the best songs.

[@jaguarsunburst1570]

Really Great Man ❤

[@snapfinger1]

As a non player I thought the Melobar was the industry standard.

[@derbyd10]

Melobar is/was a brand of slide guitar. Paul uses a BJS bar.

[@jaguarsunburst1570]

Really Great Man.👏👍

[@whamni]

Video too short🤔

[@Stevo_Drums]

Watch it twice 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@whamni]

@@Stevo_Drums Is that what you did

[@TomMarvan]

There is a longer 52min clip on this channel with Vince and Paul, where the second half of the clip is the full version of this discussion with Paul. Great stuff. Incidentally, if you want more incredible Paul, listen to Dire Straits You and Your Friend, especially the live version.

[@derbyd10]

Paul has an online school of pedal steel available 24/7/365 with more material than you could ever master.

[@JohnSims3]

I've tried many bars. I have Stevens bars, 10 string bars, 12 string bars and even a 1 inch 12 string bar. After watching this video and this one ua-cam.com/video/FNpIBCd_WA8/v-deo.htmlsi=qqX0API2Jjddag3k I decided on a 4 inch 7/8" BJS bar since I have very long fingers (plus I play a 12 string Universal). It solved all of my bar control issues and I can pick up the bar much easier than a standard length '12 string' bar. Thanks Paul!

[@bouffant-girl]

It's the details that separate the Excellent from the Mediocre!!

[@malamute8257]

This dude is trying really hard to make it look like you can't support a 2.75" bar against your middle finger. Also the bar doesn't have to be perfectly parallel to play in tune. You adjust with your ear. Weird.

[@derbyd10]

There is always someone with an unqualified opinion that wants to argue with one of the best pedal steel players ever.

[@MikeHenrick1]

lol. I’d disagree with the best. Hes fairly good but not in the same league as people like emmons. And he is incorrect about the e bar being the same length as your finger. It’s personal preference and what works for you. Don’t trust anyone’s opinion that slants a bar on a pedal steel. Imo.