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Author Topic:  New Member and a tone Question
Brian ONeil


From:
Minneapolis, MN USA
Post  Posted 16 Dec 2007 8:17 am    
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I folks,

Just joined the forum and I have to say there is a ton of info on this site! I've been playing for about 5 years, and I totally have the steel guitar "fever".

A forum member and I are thinking of trading guitars, my GFI S10 for his Carter S12 Universal. It looks like a good trade, we're both after what each other has. I'm wondering about Carter tone...my GFI cooks, it sounds awesome. But I really want a Universal for the best of both worlds.

Question: Can anyone give me some feedback on the tone of a Carter? Also, I really enjoy the pedal action of the GFI, do the Carter guitars have the same pedal feel? Is it possible to make the pedals feel a bit stiffer? I had a BMI that was super sloppy as far as pedals go, so I'm a little worried about that.

Any info. would be great. So far I've found everyone to be very friendly and helpful.

Thanks so much! Very Happy
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Delvin Morgan


From:
Lindstrom, Minnesota, USA
Post  Posted 16 Dec 2007 8:28 am    
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Don't know anything about the Carter, ( I have a Williams and a Emmons P/P ), but welcome to the forum. Where abouts in MN are ya?
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Williams S-12,Nashville-112, VK 100 head/Justice 15" BW speaker cab, Peavey Pro-Fex II,5 guitars and a banjo
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Brian ONeil


From:
Minneapolis, MN USA
Post  Posted 16 Dec 2007 8:29 am    
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Minneapolis and thanks!
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Jon Light (deceased)


From:
Saugerties, NY
Post  Posted 16 Dec 2007 8:36 am    
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I won't touch the tone question because you can't put two people in a room and have them come out knowing what the other one thinks is 'good tone' and because I have no experience at all with a GFI for comparison.
But suffice it to say that Carter guitars are excellent instruments that sound, at the least, as good as any other steels being made. You will get many testimonials in this thread to that effect. My Carter SD-12 (E9/B6 Uni) sounds different from my Fess SD-12 sounds different from my p/p SD-12 sounds different from my 'Bud S-12......which one sounds 'best' depends on what day of the week it is.
Of the steels that I know well (mine), the Carter is, I believe, the most adjustable in terms of length of throw/touch. You can adjust the bellcrank slot, the changer hole, the pedal stop---you can choose your feel to suit your preference. Forget about slop---it is a precision machine.

FWIW, I have found that there are pros & cons for all choices of pedal feel and that ultimately, provided they are not extreme, you can get used to anything, to the point of changing your preferences to whatever it is that you are accustomed to.
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Brian ONeil


From:
Minneapolis, MN USA
Post  Posted 16 Dec 2007 8:40 am    
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Thanks Jon!

That's pretty much what I've been hearing, that Carter makes some great guitars that sound and play great.

I hope the guy I'm trading with would be as happy with my GFI!
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Jim Peters


From:
St. Louis, Missouri, USA, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 16 Dec 2007 11:00 am    
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I have had both, the GFI is very good, I think the Carter is a little bit sweeter sounding to my ears, and a little more traditional looking, if that matteres to you. The GFI has got to be the among the easiest to work on of all steels. JP
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Carter,PV,Fender
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Larry Strawn


From:
Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 16 Dec 2007 11:41 am    
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Brian,,

Welcome to the Forum, I think you will enjoy your time here.

I'm like Jon, I won't touch the tone question except to say that I have a Carter S/D 10 and am well satisfied how it sounds. Very Happy

Larry
_________________
Carter SD/10, 4&5 Hilton Pedal, Peavey Sessions 400, Peavey Renown 400, Home Grown Eff/Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"
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richard burton


From:
Britain
Post  Posted 16 Dec 2007 11:44 am    
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Brian,
I learned this the hard way, but now my one golden rule with pedal steel guitars is that if I can get the tone out of them, I keep them.

If you are getting the tone out of your GFI, keep it.
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Brian ONeil


From:
Minneapolis, MN USA
Post  Posted 16 Dec 2007 12:46 pm    
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Thanks for all the advice, it's a huge help.

I was speaking to a friend of mine who also plays steel and he had a good point: "you can put two players at the same guitar and they'll sound completely different." With that being said, I think the trade with the other guy and I will be a positive one. He gets an S10 that's light, sounds great, and will be fun to take to gigs. I would get a lightweight S12, the tuning I'd like to explore, and piece of mind that we both made out on the deal!

I really do appreciate the community here, it's an incredibly valuable resource! Very Happy
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Dale Gray


From:
Colorado, USA
Post  Posted 16 Dec 2007 2:17 pm     Carter ?
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Take a look at this video, it sure convinced me I want a Carter. Dale

http://www.bodybuilding-pics.com/video/Rx-l6RVbzbk/I-Love-You-So-Much-It-Hurts-Me.html
_________________
GFI SD10.Vegas 400, Oblong pedal, Rocket Scientist.
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Brian ONeil


From:
Minneapolis, MN USA
Post  Posted 16 Dec 2007 2:39 pm    
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yeah, that's nice. REALLY nice!
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