Six String Fun: Flying with the Eagle

[Bill McCloskey]

Christmas Eve brought me Jimmie Hudson's Eagle, a 20 pound in the case, 6 string, Two pedal, One knee lever marvel. I've been playing this now since yesterday and today and it's blowing my mind. I'm having more fun this Christmas day than should be legal. First, the thing sounds great. I hooked it up the Kemper Profiler and found some really nice profiles that really sound awesome.

I thought there would be major limitations but I'm shocked at how much you can get. I've been working through Jeff Newman's Up from the Top series and there isn't an exercise I can't do on the Eagle, with some adjustments. And it plays more like a guitar than a pedal steel. There is something liberating playing something so simple and yet so powerful, with the whole rig able to strap on my back and go. AI image is taken from the photo I took. Got it pretty exact except the extraneous pedal rods.

Pedal steel guitar in a cozy studio.jpg

[Tony Boadle]

I had one for a while myself Bill. Having given up trying with ten strings so many times, I found myself making really positive progress with the Hudson.
I think the simplicity of six strings, two pedals and (in my case) two knee levers made all the difference.
The end result has been a rekindled interest and now a move up to a Fuzzy 8-string.
Happy festive picking!

[Jerry Malvern]

Hi Bill, could you please post a picture if the underside? I am thinking on getting one but need 4 knees and Jimmy said he is not making them for now.

[Bill McCloskey]

I posted some pictures which have the undercarriage here: viewtopic.php?t=412829