Wanted: Pedal Steel guitar for around $800 for beginner?

Doug Tewksbury · Post by **Doug Tewksbury** » 7 Apr 2009 4:55 am

I'm a new pedal steel player, about six months playing, and I'm hooked for life. This is the instrument that I'd always wanted to play since I learned guitar 15 years ago, and I can safely say it's been everything that I thought it would be. I simply love it.

But I think I'm learning on the wrong instrument. My current guitar is a Fender 400, 3 pedal, two added knee levers. It sounds wonderful and plays fine, but I don't think it's the right guitar for me at the moment. Not to learn on, anyway.

Ideally, I'd love a guitar that I could use for at least the next 5 years without outgrowing, but I also know $800 isn't a whole lot for what I'm looking for. But I'm a poor doctoral student and it's all I can afford these days.

Thanks to all - the forum has been a fantastic place to learn!

Dave O'Brien · Post by **Dave O'Brien** » 7 Apr 2009 6:07 am

Bobbe just received a shipment of new Carter Starters. contact him at www.steelguitar.net.

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 7 Apr 2009 11:52 am

I think you will need to spend more money to get something you won't grow out of pretty fast. You might get lucky though.

Ron ! · Post by **Ron !** » 7 Apr 2009 3:52 pm

Why not put the Fender up for trade with an additional $800.......that would put you in the ballpark of $1200-$1400(depending on the Fenders condition).

I'll bet you will find someone that is willing to trade on that.

Ron

Casey Lowmiller · Post by **Casey Lowmiller** » 7 Apr 2009 5:20 pm

Check with Bob Simmons of Simmons Pedal Steel Guitars. They sell new ones & used ones. He makes the Genesis brand steels that seem pretty neat and are affordable.

Here are his two websites:

http://www.simmonspedalsteel.com/index.htm

http://www.genesissteelguitars.com/

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 10 Apr 2009 1:30 pm

Hey Doug,
This one is on the Forum right now. OOPS, sorry, it already sold. I guess I better scroll down before posting.
Happy Hunting!
Duncan

Ray Thomas · Post by **Ray Thomas** » 12 Apr 2009 6:14 pm

Doug, I know where there is an older sho-bud with 3 and 2 for 850, its going to need a little work to get it up to power, have you considered a carter-starter ????.If you want to look into the sho-bud let me know,, Ill get you a phone number.

Bobby D. Reed · Post by **Bobby D. Reed** » 28 Apr 2009 5:12 am

Doug;
If you're still looking I have a SD10 Wilcox that looks and plays good. It could use a little buffing as the metal is cloudly but the guitar is solid. It has a Goerg-L pickup and 3 & 4. $900.
Thanks Bobby 615 824 4187

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 28 Apr 2009 5:20 am

Here's a great deal in California:
http://modesto.craigslist.org/msg/1127671580.html

Wayne D. Clark · Post by **Wayne D. Clark** » 28 Apr 2009 3:57 pm

Doug, try Billy Carr's Steel Guitar Shop. carr@bayspringstel.net. I also have his phone # and addess. give me you Email and i'll sent it to you. I had an PGS a couple of years ago, sent it to him and he sold it for me.I know he has traids. Give him a try. A nice S10 3/2 or 4 should last you for 5 years.You can get a lot of music out of that set up.

Desert Rose s10 3/5
Goodrich Pedal
Peavy 110

Doug Tewksbury · Post by **Doug Tewksbury** » 29 Apr 2009 6:35 am

Thanks to everyone who replied and offered suggestions. You know, I'm still new here, but am amazed by people's generosity. I probably received 20 offers, privately and publicly.

I ended up going with a BMI S-10, 3x4, which arrived yesterday. It's a great guitar, and I think it'll last me for a long, long time. So big thanks to all who offered to get me started, but particularly to Buddy Maxell, who seems like quite a nice guy all around.