Testing the waters for a possible pedal steel purchase

Mike Neer · From: NJ

I'm considering a possible pedal steel purchase. A little history--I once owned a Carter Starter and just didn't enjoy the instrument at all. However, I have developed a desire to play some pedals sounds and am looking for advice.

I'm very much into the sound of Ralph Mooney and Tom Brumley. Lloyd Green and Jimmy Day, too, and of course, Big E. But I also love the styles Speedy West and Bud Isaacs; so you see, I'm much more interested in the basic setup, not looking to push the envelope or break any new harmonic ground, but I am looking for a great sounding instrument, maybe a ZB S-10, and I'm looking for the most basic setup.

Does anyone care to offer some simple advice or describe the pros and cons of an older steel vs. a newer model?

My appreciations in advance.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links

mike nolan · From: Forest Hills, NY USA

Mike,

I am sure that you will get a lot of good answers... I am in Long Island City, NY. just one stop into Queens on the E or V train. I have several Sho~Buds, a couple of Emmons, and some modern guitars, both keyed and keyless. If you want to play some different models before you jump, come on over to the studio.

In general you want a mechanically sound axe with at least 3X4... S-10 or possibly S-12.

Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

I've got a few you could check out also. Maybe we could all meet someplace. I have a couple other friends with great collections they would be happy to show off.
_________________
Bob

Jim Eaton · From: Santa Susana, Ca

If you want a great quality, good sounding, good playing guitar for a great price, check out the Stage One guitars being made by Doug Earnest.
JE:-)>

Calvin Walley · From: colorado city colorado, USA

Mike , do what Jim said
having had both the carter starter and the Zum stage one i can tell you first hand that i would not still be playing the steel if i had kept the carter starter. the Zum stage one however is a great steel at a great price, its very close in quility to a pro model. a wonderful steel to learn on

signed... been there and done that one
_________________
proud parent of a sailor

Mullen SD-10 /nashville 400
gotta love a Mullen!!!

Guitars that i have owned in order are :
Mullen SD-10,Simmons SD-10,Mullen SD-10,Zum stage one,Carter starter,
Sho-Bud Mavrick

Stu Schulman · From: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)

Mike,May I suggest the Desert Rose guitars,Mine sounds like Tom Brumley's ZB with great mechanics,The hands down best pedal steel guitar that I've ever owned,and
I've owned most of them.There is a beautiful Red SD-10 3+5 in the instrument section of the forum at a great price,Stu
_________________
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952.

Mike Neer · From: NJ

Thanks for all the offers, gentlemen. Bob, Mike and several others--I may take you up on your offers!

To add a little kindling to the fire, I've been considering a Fender pedal steel, and someone reminded me about them. That is a sound that I'm very interested in. Are there still a lot of playable 400s and 1000s out there?
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links

Gary Preston · From: Columbus, Ohio, USA

Mike take these guys up on their offer . It's best to sit down and play different steel guitars for yourself then you decide without any pressure from anyone . But understand that all the guitars even though they are the same brand don't have the same feel to them . I have played many name brand guitars with a little difference to them .

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Henry Nagle · From: Santa Rosa, California

I don't know why, but I have found that older guitars have a huge and timeless tone. Some would disagree, I'm sure.

Older guitars that I've owned include: 3 ZBs, 2 Sho Buds, 1 Emmons.

All 3 ZBs sounded fantastic. One of the Sho Buds sounded great. The other, quite good. I could never get the Emmons to sound right for me, but there was no denying that it had a special sound.

If you can get a ZB that is set up well, go for it! Otherwise, I'd suggest a Sho Bud.

And I mean that from the bottom of my heart Smile

Justin Griffith · From: Taylor, Texas, USA

Mike,
I think Donny hit the nail on the head in regards to the old Fender guitars.
Please take up the offers to test drive different guitars.

As far as the new vs. vintage there are many arguments each way.

A "Modern" guitar should play smoothly and stay in tune. If you need to change the setup and or add knees/pedals the parts are usually available from the builder. The all pull mechanics are going to be easy to understand. It should handle all the pedals and knee levers you could ever want.
It is also going to sound like a modern guitar. You may or may not like the sound. To me all the new guitars sound hauntingly similar.

There are also a bunch of vintage guitars out there that play and sound as good or better than anything made today.
If you are somewhat mechanical minded you can pretty much do anything with it that a new guitar will do. Sure some of the older guitars will need to be adjusted from time to time, but so will the new ones someday.
A properly set up and maintained vintage guitar will not give any more trouble than a modern one.

To me vintage guitars have this indescribable magic to them that is not found in new guitars.

There are many, many great guitars out there, Dive right in.

It all boils down to your budget and taste.

You have been given a chance I wish I would have had to try out several guitars before you take the plunge. Take them up on the offer.

The main thing is buy what YOU want.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

Best,
Justin

David Doggett · Posted 6 Sep 2007 10:20 am

So the kernels of truth that I glean from the above comments, and that I agree with from experience, are that recent model new and used pedal steels are more consistent and similar sounding, and easier to work on in terms of adjustments, setup changes, and finding parts. Vintage instruments have more variety of tone, which will be good if you get one with tone you like, but can be bad if you get one with tone you don't like. And vintage instruments can be more difficult to work on and find parts for. Some of them may have had less than ideal mechanics to start with (there are reasons why the mechanics have evolved over the years), and some may have started out fine, but may now have wear problems.

Mike Neer · From: NJ

Well, I've decided to go ahead and purchase a Fender 800. It's 60s guitar, hopefully not needing much work. Looks pretty good, though refinished.

Just looking to have a little fun with it, that's all.

Thanks for all the advice and generous offers.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links

Ernie Pollock · From: Mt Savage, Md USA

Mike: GFI Economys are great little guitars, that have the quality construction that all GFI's have, welded frame with maple top, up to 4 levers & hardshell case. I have used one in Church many times, including tomorrow. I have my low bass tuning on mine & it has the GFI II pickup & through any of my 3 amps [Fender Steel King, Evans SE-150, Nashville 400] it sound great.

Ernie Pollock
http://www.hereintown.net/~shobud75/stock.htm

Brendan Mitchell · From: Melbourne Australia

Good luck with your Fender Mike . I also prefer the "mojo " of vintage instruments . I have a ZB and an Emmons and would love to add a Fender and a Bud . One day .

Paul Redmond · From: Illinois, USA

Mike - If you just bought an 800, you really won't ever have to look for another guitar. If it doesn't do the job for you, the others won't either. After a half-century, this damned thing is still bullet-proof and still (given a relatively simple setup) will do what it was intended to do very well. That is a guitar that will endure forever. Plus you'll be pickin' on a piece of steel guitar history. No, the pedal action isn't 2007 and they may seem stiff or whatever, but for the usage you describe, that thing will be around and doing well when your grandkids have gray hair. What a monster instrument. Thanks, Leo!!!
PRR

Ron Randall · From: Dallas, Texas, USA

http://www.b0b.com/infoedu/future1.htm

Read this before you decide.
Just the facts ma'am, just the facts.

Tim Whitlock · From: Colorado, USA

Reece makes a good case for the "universal" setup, from a mechanic's point of view. I think Mike made a great choice for what he wants to do and am glad that he's giving a home to an older steel with lots of great music left in it.

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

uuuhhhhhh....
get a steel....learn to play it!

Billy Carr · From: Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)

S-10D with 3 & 5. Single neck on a double frame. Modern guitar, used. You'll spend more time on top of it rather than under it.

Ron Randall · From: Dallas, Texas, USA

Tim,

I posted this in good faith. I did not know a choice had been made. I am glad a good guitar was found.

Why is universal in quotation marks? I hope this is a mistake in grammar.

Who are you to judge the article? The article was intended for the man trying to make a decision. Not you.

I try to help as many people as I can, and I like to "pass it forward."

Yes, all good deeds will be punished at some point.

Tim Whitlock · From: Colorado, USA

Sorry, Ron. I meant no offense. Just stating my opinion on an open forum. You know what they say about opinions!

Oh, there was one typo in my post. I meant to say "so called Universal setup".

Guess I'll crawl back under my rock now...

Russ Tkac · Posted 19 Sep 2007 4:38 pm

Stay out from under that rock Tim. As a Fender guy I like your input. Very Happy

Russ

Forum Index > Pedal Steel		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic