I am not up to speed on recent comments on Garcia's pedal-steel skills. But some purists have refused to acknowledge his playing. Considering that the pedal steel really only took hold in the 1960's, I think he deserves much more credit than that. I have read that Garcia had a lot of troubles just maintaining and tuning his steel. I am pretty sure the photo shows him playing an Emmons with the dated push-pull system, which in fact, could be very difficult to transport and maintain. I think he also played a Zane Beck steel which would be the same. But considering Garcia being self-taught and this being recorded in 1970, I think he deserves much credit for his playing and his popularizing the instrument. The Steel Guitar Forum is where I have heard from the crusty purists. I would think the discussion is still going on and people can read about it for themselves.

https://steelguitarforum.com/