re 40 year Dekley verses new Zum Stage 1 and Carter starter

Jeremy White · Post by **Jeremy White** » 13 Jan 2008 8:09 pm

Could anybody give me an opinion on this 40 year old Dekley, (Url below),verses a new Zumsteel Stageone or a new Carter Starter. It's on E-bay australia in Aus$.
The price would be similar for any of the 3 with freight to Aus, + duty + tax on the new ones. About $1300 U.S.

[url] http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Pedal-Steel-Guit ... dZViewItem

thanks everyone for all the help so far too. Much appreciated.

jeremy

Steve Gorman · Post by **Steve Gorman** » 13 Jan 2008 8:34 pm

I don't know the history of the Dekley guitar company, but I don't think they were being manufactured that long ago. 40 year old Dekley? 1967 or older? I think there's no such thing. If I am wrong here, someone will correct me. And that looks like a student model, if so, $1300 US is probably too much. I like Dekleys but think I would go with the new Carter or Zum.

Earl Foote · Post by **Earl Foote** » 13 Jan 2008 8:43 pm

That Dekley is probably a nice guitar but it has only one knee lever. Even though there is a lot of good music to be made with only one knee lever, I would go with four which the Zum and the Carter both have. I own a Stage one. I can't comment on the Carter because I've never sat down behind one of them. I do like the Zum however and I have been playing 30+ years. It's just a good solid pedal steel.

Fred Bova · Post by **Fred Bova** » 13 Jan 2008 9:20 pm

Nice PS Guitar. It is a "Pioneer". Aluminum Exstrution Body. I have one, I took off the vinyl covering, built an Alum Pedal Bar, and I just had it all powder coated Gloss Black, looks great. But $1300.00 US is too much. I believe it is a much better built psg than the Carter Starter, but it has a simple Pull/Release Changer,.. sounds good, but a bit limited, and the legs it comes with are not adjustable. This is an easy retro fit , but just adds to the price of the guitar. I figure on asking around $500.00 for mine with original case.

Fred Bova · Post by **Fred Bova** » 13 Jan 2008 9:26 pm

Oh, by the way, these were built in the 70's. For a year or so, it was even offered as a kit. It is advertised in in one of the old PSG mags.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 14 Jan 2008 12:02 am

Forget the Dekley. You absolutely do not want a guitar with only one knee lever. If you buy it, as soon as you read about the other levers, you will have outgrown the guitar.

The carter Starter is has 4 knee levers. That factor alone makes it a far better choice. I cannot comment on the stage one as I have never seen one.

But it is better to have more knee levers on the guitar that you can grow into, than not have enough and have a guitar that will slow down your progress and limit your growth.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 14 Jan 2008 1:58 am

i still suggest a Zum Stage 1 Jeremy

unless, you want to shop around some more
(Right here on the Fo'...............................bro'))

Antolina · Post by **Antolina** » 14 Jan 2008 3:10 am

Based on the number of complaints concerning Carter Starters, I would strongly encourage you to avoid them... at any price.

rc

Jeremy White · Post by **Jeremy White** » 14 Jan 2008 3:46 am

Thanks again SGF people.
I am still churning over all the advice and comments and after contact with Doug Earnest at Zumsteel, am starting to lean that way a little. ( a lot really)
Will make a decision soon after the "Tamworth Country Music Festival" in New South Wales, Australia, which starts this week. I have a few friends scouting around there for me. Best odds in this country to find a PSG for sale!
regards and many thanks
jeremy

John Roche · Post by **John Roche** » 14 Jan 2008 5:13 am

Hi Jeremy, do you know Donna Boyd, she is a very good friend of mine, if you see her give her my best regards..

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 14 Jan 2008 7:49 am

IMHO, as the owner of 3 Dekleys, I say that guitar is too limited. It's not expandable at all. That's a starter Dekley at best...

Jim Eaton · Post by **Jim Eaton** » 14 Jan 2008 8:42 am

ZUM Stage One all the way!!!!!
JE:-)>

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 14 Jan 2008 8:51 am

Hey Jim, could you bring the stage one to the jam in March so we can all try it out?

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 14 Jan 2008 9:02 am

I recommend the StageOne. I am very pleased with mine. It is physically stable, stays in tune and sounds good.

I cannot compare it to the Dekley. The Carter Starter was not a good "fit" for my large frame.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 14 Jan 2008 11:11 am

...this 40 year old Dekley

Dekley was in business from about 1977 until about 1984.

richard burton · Post by **richard burton** » 14 Jan 2008 11:22 am

Them StageOne's must have got sharp knee levers

Jim Eaton · Post by **Jim Eaton** » 14 Jan 2008 3:24 pm

Just trying to get on CMT anyway I can!! LOL
JE:-)>

Mike Winter · Post by **Mike Winter** » 14 Jan 2008 3:28 pm

Zum Stage One

Gordy Hall · Post by **Gordy Hall** » 14 Jan 2008 4:20 pm

Jeremy,

I have a Dekley very similar to the one pictured, but mine has 3 KL. It's a nice guitar, the only pedal steel I've played, but I can see the limitations compared to others.

It sounds real pricy for what you get.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 14 Jan 2008 4:47 pm

my thoughts on 'starter' guitars or 'student' guitars, is that you'll get tired of that connotation soon...plus most are too expensive as far as i'm concerned....i recommend finding a used pro model for less money and higher self-esteem!

Damien Odell · Post by **Damien Odell** » 14 Jan 2008 5:47 pm

Jeremy,

I will be at Tamworth playing steel gigs all week from this Friday, and I know a fair few other steel players will be there also. Let me know if there is anything I can do.
0412 169 439
Damien

Damien Odell · Post by **Damien Odell** » 14 Jan 2008 5:49 pm

Also,

You could try posting a wanted ad - follow this link
http://www.brissteelguitar.com/index.shtml

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 14 Jan 2008 5:59 pm

well, lets talk conversion

Live rates at 2008.01.15 01:49:22

1.00 AUD = 0.899216 USD

EDITED for correction:

The Carter Starter costs $795 new 3+4

The Zum stage 1 is I believe around $895 with 4 Knee levers.

The Dekley ( 3+1 ) in the add is $1450 AUD which is $1290 US.

It appears that the selling prices are not the same, the Dekley in the add is the most expensive .

Initially I had the Stage One confused with the Black Jack. Sorry.

Earl Foote · Post by **Earl Foote** » 14 Jan 2008 6:24 pm

The Stage One is $895 and comes standard with four knee levers unless somthing's changed since I bought mine.

Doug Earnest · Post by **Doug Earnest** » 14 Jan 2008 6:24 pm

Tony, to set the record straight the retail (selling) price of the Stage One is $895 with 3 pedals, 4 knee levers and a hardshell case.
http://www.stageonesteelguitars.com