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Topic: The Downside to Owning A Carter |
Sherman Willden
From:
Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
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Posted 15 Jun 2008 4:33 am |
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The strings don't break!! Recently the 3rd G# did break and when I replaced it I could tell a difference between the strings. I only play in the living room and get so little time that I don't think about changing strings. It has probably been a year or so since I changed them.
Sherman |
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Bill Ford
From:
Graniteville SC Aiken
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Posted 15 Jun 2008 5:04 am
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Sherman,
Change all the strings, you will think you have a new guitar. Everyone has their likes/dislikes as for brand but, a new set of any brand beats the sound of any brand of year old strings.
BF
_________________
Bill Ford S12 CLR, S12 Lamar keyless, Misc amps&toys Sharp Covers
Steeling for Jesus now!!! |
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Billy Carr
From:
Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)
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Posted 15 Jun 2008 11:02 am psg
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| CARTERS are great guitars. Your lucky to go a year without changing strings. I change mine once a month and use a .012P on the 3rd. |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 15 Jun 2008 11:04 am
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| if you only play in your living room it doesn't matter! |
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Archie Nicol R.I.P.
From:
Ayrshire, Scotland
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Posted 15 Jun 2008 2:36 pm
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The thread title is a bit misleading. If the strings don't break, surely that's an upside?
Arch.
_________________
I'm well behaved, so there! |
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John Drury
From:
Gallatin, Tn USA
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Posted 15 Jun 2008 3:40 pm
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Billy,
They are great guitars! I think that both of the Carters That I had built came with .012's.
I never broke a 3rd on either one. I change strings out about every 3 or 4 months.
_________________
John Drury
NTSGA #3
"Practice cures most tone issues" ~ John Suhr |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 15 Jun 2008 3:53 pm
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Well, I'm on my 3rd Carter and I do break 3rds and 5ths now and then but not due to anything related to the Instrument, just normal wear from my regular playing and practicing sessions. Normal. As a general rule I change 3 and 5 before every weekend gig or every two weeks if I am just woodshedding at home.
It's really not possible to say that a string should last for XXX time, it is all dependent on the player, and what they are playing and practicing. How many B Pedal mashes per day/week, month etc...
Remember, you can wear out the same 50,000 mile set of tires in ONE year or maybe over 5 or 6 years. |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 15 Jun 2008 4:11 pm
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I have yet to break a string on my Blackjack, after about 70 gigs with it. I change my strings about once every 10 gigs. I couldn't keep the 3rd string on my Carter D10. I'd get stung on the right hand about every four gigs......ouch! Great sounding axe, though.
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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Ernest Cawby
From:
Lake City, Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 15 Jun 2008 5:28 pm downside????????????
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I heard a U 12 last night at the
spirit Of The suwannee Music park, if guitars sound better than John Le Master does on his Carter I wish to be there to hear it.
I am waiting for John to get his new williams then I will report and let you know.
Downside ???????????????
ernie |
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John Sluszny
From:
Brussels, Belgium
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Posted 16 Jun 2008 1:55 am
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| Quote: |
The thread title is a bit misleading. If the strings don't break, surely that's an upside?
Arch. |
I guess it was just ironic ! |
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Ward Skinner
From:
Mission, TX * R.I.P.
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Posted 16 Jun 2008 7:05 am
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I have never broken a string on this Carter. Ever.
I've had it for around 3 weeks, my second new Carter.  Something about a Carter, it just seems to fit me well. Plus it's lightweight, reliable, has great sustain and you don't have to rob the bank for a new one. Bud knows a thing or two about building steels.
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Larry Bell
From:
Englewood, Florida
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Posted 16 Jun 2008 7:52 am
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Ward said a mouthful.
| Quote: |
| Something about a Carter, it just seems to fit me well. |
There are so many variables -- pedal spacing, scale length, body style, and lots more -- that contribute to the feel of a pedal steel. I find that some brands just don't appeal to me for those and other aesthetic reasons. If I don't like the way a guitar feels (first) and looks (secondary but important), I won't buy it. (naturally, if it doesn't sound like I expect it should it won't make the cut either)
IT IS HIGHLY PERSONAL (as in personal preference). I can tell in 15 seconds whether it feels right. I have tried out several Carter guitars and they just don't do it for me. I feel the same way about GFI -- I just can't get comfortable. I've never met a Fessy, ZumSteel, or Emmons that I didn't like. I'm not wild about the way a Sho-Bud feels either but I love the sound.
The Take-Home Message:
Don't buy a guitar without trying it out. You'll find that some just shake hands with you and say, "Lets you 'n' me make music" and some don't. That's been my experience with many different brands over a lot of years. Your mileage may vary.
_________________
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
2021 Rittenberry S/D-12 8x7, 1976 Emmons S/D-12 7x6, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Quilter ToneBlock 202 TT-12 |
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Bent Romnes
From:
London,Ontario, Canada
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Posted 16 Jun 2008 11:33 am
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That a steel doesn't break a 3rd string isn't such a big deal any more in my opinion. Even my first-built home-built didn't break the 3rd in 7 months.There is nothing in the way of accuracy or special features on this guitar, nor were there any special considerations made in the "engineering" process to try to avoid string breakage.
I will give this opinion: It doesn't depend on the guitar, as much as it depends on the string itself when it comes to breakage.
I can also draw comparisons here, namely: I used to own a 1977 MSA D10 Classic between 77 and 88. It did break its share of 3rds. Those strings were of course of pre 1988 quality.
From this, I gather that it is the string that is the question here, not the brand of steel.
Todays quality of strings far surpasses 70's and 80's quality.
I use the Jagwire Lloyd Green strings that come with the 11.5 3rd. |
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Chris Johnson
From:
USA
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Posted 16 Jun 2008 2:25 pm
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Hey fellas,
I love my Carter. The only .011 I've broken was due to the string being old anyway.
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chuck lemasters
From:
Jacksonburg, WV
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Posted 17 Jun 2008 12:02 pm
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| I don't find the Carter as easy to make setup changes as many guys have posted, but once I made the initial changes I haven't messed with it. I own two, one with the three hole raise changer and one with the four. The pedal action on the three hole changer is noticeably softer. I have broken a G# string or two on one the Carters, none on the other one. I like both guitars as well as or better than any others I previously owned. Light weight, good tone, stay in tune. Unless someone comes up with a guitar that carries itself, these Carters will probably be the last steel guitars I buy. |
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Wayne D. Clark
From:
Montello Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 17 Jun 2008 3:18 pm
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Am I releaved. I thought there was something wrong with the Carter PSG. Change strings? MMMMMMMMMMMM I never thought of that, I'll have to try that, but I think it will still be my playing, or lack there of.
Wayne D. Clark
Desert Rose S10 3/4 |
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