Which new pedal steels do you want to see in a music store?

John Fabian · Post by **John Fabian** » 17 Jun 2008 1:05 pm

Mickey Adams wrote:I dont know of a single steel guitar manufacturer that has enough finished product to supply any 1 store, much less mutiple stores with merchandise......
I cant get Carter on the phone.

We supply Carter-Starters and Magnums to over 240 individual dealerships with more than 350 stores. Since most of the product is sold off-the shelf, dealers know they don't have to have floor models (or at least not a lot of them) to get quick delivery.

Mickey;
Try dialing one of the correct phone numbers
972 475-2324
or 972 288-9100
If you can't reach us it's because you haven't tried.

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 17 Jun 2008 1:34 pm

Pete,
I applaud your efforts! You and your partner are obviously movers and shakers since you dare to take a chance like this. Like our friend Mickey Adams said earlier, the steel is one tough business.I wish there is something I could do to help.
Please list the name of your store on here, with contact info like phone #s and email addr. and website, when you get it up and running.

When I come by that way, I will stop by.

I am sure you make yourselves very visible on the steel shows in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

If there's anything you think I could be helpful with, please email me through the Forum.
Good Luck!
Bent

Cartwright Thompson · Post by **Cartwright Thompson** » 17 Jun 2008 1:48 pm

The most logical steel for a music store to stock would be the Carter Starter. Get people interested (hooked), learn the basics, then they can seek out a high end custom guitar from any of the aformentioned builders. Entry level instruments are the future of the pedal steel.

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 17 Jun 2008 2:13 pm

Steel guitars in music stores has been a problem for many years. What I've seen that really helps and promotes steel guitars are the many steel shows that are happening all over the world. Steel players are a chosen few when mixed in with other musicians like guitar players, drummers, etc. My choice of three guitars to see in a music store are the MAGNUM, GFI & CARTER STARTERS. Why? Very simple. These are affordable for most anybody.

Gary Preston · Post by **Gary Preston** » 17 Jun 2008 3:01 pm

Sho~Buds of course --- Emmons --- Show-Pros . These are my top three but i do have others !

Sho~Bud Pro-ll Custom --- Emmons LeGrande lll

Gary Preston · Post by **Gary Preston** » 17 Jun 2008 3:14 pm

chris ivey wrote:ok gary...i had a shot...now what?

I suppose i don't understand the quote Chris ! If you had a Sho~Bud and didn't like it i would like to know why ? I bought mine new in 1977 and it's still one of the greatest steel guitars that i have ever played and i have played a few ! It's a shame they quit making them in my opinion ! They could have updated the guitars like everyone else did . But i think we are getting off the subject here ! Sorry but i had to see whats going on with Chris .

Pete Woronowski · Post by **Pete Woronowski** » 17 Jun 2008 3:18 pm

Bent Romnes wrote:Pete,
I applaud your efforts! You and your partner are obviously movers and shakers since you dare to take a chance like this. Like our friend Mickey Adams said earlier, the steel is one tough business.I wish there is something I could do to help.
Please list the name of your store on here, with contact info like phone #s and email addr. and website, when you get it up and running.

When I come by that way, I will stop by.

I am sure you make yourselves very visible on the steel shows in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

If there's anything you think I could be helpful with, please email me through the Forum.
Good Luck!
Bent

Thanks Bent and everyone this info is excellent.
The whole experiance so far is very postitive, not only are we going to get players together and learn from each other but the buzz around town has brought out a lot of people who are interested in steel gtr and we are able to hook them up with seasoned players for lessons giving the season player more income as well.

Again if you are ever coming through contact me through my e-mail and I will hire you to do an in-store demo or clinic.
Take Care, Pete

Danny Bates · Post by **Danny Bates** » 17 Jun 2008 3:25 pm

Jackson, Desert Rose, Excel

Ronnie Boettcher · Post by **Ronnie Boettcher** » 17 Jun 2008 4:20 pm

Since the middle 50's, I might be wrong, but in the Cleveland, Ohio area, I have only seen 1 steel guitar in a music store. It was a used Fender 400, And it lasted 1 day. I bought it. That was in the middle 60's. The second steel in a music store was the new Sho-Bud, LDG, that I ordered, and took home the very day it was delivered. To my knowlege, I don't think any store around here has one, or ever had one. Most owners have no clue as to what they are. Sad, isn't it.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 17 Jun 2008 4:28 pm

gary...didn't mean to confuse you..you said 'open for shots'...so i had a shot of whiskey!

i had a sho-bud d10 professional that i loved for a decade until i got a zum with splits and every conceivable change i could use...then picked up a couple d10 p/p's that i love..but the zum is still the best working/sounding all around tool.

i don't think we need to have music store intro-steels to get suckers 'hooked'! evidently, manufacturers can barely keep up with the orders for new steels from players who actually 'need' them!!

however, much of my desire to become a steel player was enhanced by looking through the window of leo's in oakland at a purpleish sho-bud professional that reminded me of a bitchin' custom car back then...

and the following years turned up (in stores) mostly msa's, sho-buds, occassional emmons and a scary 14 string sierra. i don't know if i ever saw a new steel in a store except the sho-bud i had...it was supposedly made for a trade show...white lacquer...but i didn't get it til a few years later when it resurfaced 'used' and the white had yellowed quite a bit.

let's all have another shot!

Jim Ragan · Post by **Jim Ragan** » 17 Jun 2008 6:01 pm

Mickey Adams is one GREAT MUSICIAN.
I have just heard him play Steel and Lead Guitar and Sing at the ETSGA.
You guys should make a point to put him on your visitation list.

Pete Woronowski · Post by **Pete Woronowski** » 17 Jun 2008 6:07 pm

Jim Ragan wrote:Mickey Adams is one GREAT MUSICIAN.
I have just heard him play Steel and Lead Guitar and Sing at the ETSGA.
You guys should make a point to put him on your visitation list.

Mickey is always welcome at our store anytime!
Great player and a gentleman for sure, his you-tube video's have been a great help to me and thousands of others across the world.
I e-mailed him twice and had a response within 10 minutes both times,we have to keep on Mickey to get his video's on DVD, the first copy I am buying!

Thanks Everyone, Appreciate all of you! Pete

Steve Morley · Post by **Steve Morley** » 17 Jun 2008 6:11 pm

Pete Woronowski wrote:
Jim Ragan wrote:Mickey Adams is one GREAT MUSICIAN.
I have just heard him play Steel and Lead Guitar and Sing at the ETSGA.
You guys should make a point to put him on your visitation list.
Mickey is always welcome at our store anytime!
Great player and a gentleman for sure, his you-tube video's have been a great help to me and thousands of others across the world.
I e-mailed him twice and had a response within 10 minutes both times,we have to keep on Mickey to get his video's on DVD, the first copy I am buying!

Thanks Everyone, Appreciate all of you! Pete

They are on DVD, Pete, just ask him.

Ron Randall · Post by **Ron Randall** » 17 Jun 2008 8:24 pm

If I could have my way... there would be entry level steels at every guitar store. Get more new players hooked! E9 3&4.

Most experienced players want something different than stock, anyway. And these guitars go from 3K and up. That will scare off most beginners.

Ron

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 18 Jun 2008 1:19 am

I want to see the Epiphone/Emmons PP Korean copy selling for $149, uhh..with case...

John Lacey · Post by **John Lacey** » 18 Jun 2008 2:12 am

Pete, congrats on having the fortitude to stock steel stuff. Outside of Jeff Bradshaw in Alberta, there's nobody in western Canada doing that that I know of. I would suggest contacting the individual makers and seeing if they could stock you or not. Accessories and strings of course would be the obvious ones and ready cash flow. I'd love to do a seminar for you if I get up to Saskatoon, but I haven't gigged there in years. Maybe we can work something out. Try to make it to Jeff's show this Sunday if you can, you'll make some great contacts.
John Lacey.

Pete Woronowski · Post by **Pete Woronowski** » 18 Jun 2008 2:52 am

Thanks for the comments, John wish I could go Sunday but I had something else booked month's ago and in all fairness to Jeff it is his show, wouldn't be cool of me to show up talking about our plans but I do have his posters up at the store promoting his show.

I have sent customers to Jeff's store and he has treated them extremely well.
Contact me for sure if you are ever close to Saskatoon.
Take Care, Pete

Ernie Pollock · Post by **Ernie Pollock** » 18 Jun 2008 4:03 am

I doubt you'll see many steel guitars in regular music stores. I think if pedal steels would be like trumpets, saxophones & most other instruments that all play the same way, we might have a chance. I had hoped back in the 70's when the so called 'Universals' came in that we were heading in the right direction, but now all the Universal are set up this way & that way, so it just is not going to happen in our life times. Good luck finding one in a music store!!

Ernie

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 18 Jun 2008 5:27 am

now that i understand better the purpose of your question Pete, i can only wish you good luck on your venture
make sure you have guitboxes, basses & other musical gear available cause just havin' steels & psgs might not suffice
steel courses/lessons & seminars should be available too if you wan't to promote the instrument & have clients
i'd agree w: magnum , gfi & carter as good pro models & readily available
as much as i respect the carter starter as a student model, the zumsteel stage one wins hands down

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 18 Jun 2008 9:40 am

Here in South Carolina, it's hard to find a pedal steel in a music store. In 1996, I went to a music store called Dixieland Music and all of their guitars didn't have no strings and there were two Fender steels in there, I believe. A few years later, I went to a music store called Phil's Music in Mauldin, SC, and they carry guitars, amps, and drums. My twin brother went to the store one day and when he came back, he said they had a steel guitar in the shop and my eyes flew wide open! I went to the shop to see the steel and it was a Sierra Artist S-10 with three pedals and one knee. I rented it in 1999. After I rented that steel, they kept it for a little while. The guy workin' in the shop at the time was a steel player, I think.

Brett

Richard Chapman · Post by **Richard Chapman** » 18 Jun 2008 10:30 am

The last time I saw PSG's in a shop around here was when I bought my Bud in 74. The shop had an LDG and as I recall, 3 or 4 s-10's in various colors. I bought mine and as I recall they ended up returning at least a few of them as they didn't sell. I have never seen or heard of steels around here since.

I wish someone carried any brand.

Gary Preston · Post by **Gary Preston** » 18 Jun 2008 5:35 pm

Thanks Chris , I feel better now .

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 21 Jun 2008 4:22 pm

I'd like to see three Bigsbys with a big sign that said "CLEARANCE SALE!"

Oh, wait... you said "new" guitars. Never mind.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 21 Jun 2008 4:31 pm

those bigsby's are so old, they might be wornoutski..

Danny James · Post by **Danny James** » 21 Jun 2008 6:31 pm

I guess in a way I was one of the lucky ones. I was fortunate enough to Start playing a Multi-Kord in 1948 invented by the Harlin Brothers (Jay Harlin).

Harlins had their own teachers. They started students in their studio / store on an acoustic lapsteel guitar. Then they encouraged them to go to an electric lapsteel. Then of course they wanted you to graduate to their Multi-Kords, which incidently were the first patented pedal steel guitars.

I think the principals the Harlins used would work today. They got a lot of young people interested that way. I still have and play a Multi-Kord.

It was a good way.

If someone doesn't do something to get the young people interested the pedal steel will keep dying it's slow death.

It's up to us.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Which new pedal steels do you want to see in a music store?

Re: Steels in Stores

psg

STEELS FOR SALE

Re: STEELS FOR SALE

Re: STEELS FOR SALE

Hate to say it, but?