Newbie needing advice...

Marty Lutes · Post by **Marty Lutes** » 10 Jul 2009 5:55 am

...on how much I should expect to spend on a beginner pedal steel. I've been lurking for sometime now, and have always toyed with the idea of buying a pedal steel. Even went so far as ordering an instructional dvd for beginners just to see what I was getting into. The carter starter seems to be the best buy for the money. Any opinions??? I'm sure this topic has been discussed many times. If so please excuse my laziness in "searching". Thanks in advance.

Also, I have a twin reverb I use for guitar. I assume pedal steels use regular guitar amps, right?? I know, dumb

Rick Barnhart · Post by **Rick Barnhart** » 10 Jul 2009 6:05 am

Hi Marty, there are other amps that are specifically for steel, but your Fender twin will be just fine. More than you will likely ever need. There are lots of opinions about which starter guitar you should buy. Carter Starters are a great buy and they have all the basics, three pedals, four knee levers. You probably shouldn't settle for anything less.

Zumsteel Stage One are outstanding guitars for the money. There are others, you should also consider finding a used pro level guitar. This economy is causing some really fine guitars to go for very reasonable prices. Hang on tight, this is one heck of a journey.

Doug Palmer · Post by **Doug Palmer** » 10 Jul 2009 6:45 am

Marty, the Carter Starter is a great student guitar. Well worth the investment. Check with Bobbe Seymour Steel Guitar Nashville. He always has some great deals and trades. There is a Double neck 10 string Marlen on Ebay for $1000. It's a heavy guitar to haul around but seems like a good buy to me.

Twin Reverb should work fine. Good Luck.

Doug Palmer

Bill Moore · Post by **Bill Moore** » 10 Jul 2009 10:38 am

A USED Carter Starter probably the best value. Pay about 500 for it, keep it till you decide you need something else, sell it for about 500. You come out even.

Mike Dudash · Post by **Mike Dudash** » 13 Jul 2009 5:26 pm

Marty, I too just went through what you are going through. I waited until I found a good deal on an older pro model but it is getting set up right now as I did not know how to do this. I would advise you take this into consideration before you buy. Sure Im happy with my buy so far but be sure to look around. If it was me there is a Wilcox on ebay right now for $875 buy it now price. That is what I was looking for but as usual a deal always comes along after the fact. It is an all pull mechanism and is better than a starter. Beware there are many other expenses involved as well, cords, vol pedal, seat, bar, picks. Good Luck

Marty Lutes · Post by **Marty Lutes** » 14 Jul 2009 5:45 am

Thanks for all your replies. I'm on the look out.

Clete Ritta · Post by **Clete Ritta** » 14 Jul 2009 1:20 pm

Carter Starters are great for beginners (like me). I bought mine used about 3 years ago, and just graduated to a Mulled S10. I'd sell you my Starter, but I keep it as a back up on live shows in case I break a string (most often the 3rd high G#). Its probably the most affordable guitar with a 3x4 setup. The levers are a bit flexible though, and can shift out of position with the stop screws, affecting their accuracy. Some parts that are made of wood on the Starter can flex a little too. This is all part of keeping the cost low though. Get the best guitar you can afford IMHO, but the Starter is a great place to start for the $.

Dave Wright · Post by **Dave Wright** » 16 Jul 2009 7:47 am

There's one at a pretty good price on ebay right now..Its a Carter
http://cgi.ebay.com/CARTER-PEDAL-STEEL- ... .m20.l1116

Clete Ritta · Post by **Clete Ritta** » 17 Jul 2009 10:00 am

Bump for that Carter on ebay. For a few hundred more than a new Starter, its probably twice as good a value, since its much easier customized, a pro-level guitar, and got an armrest to boot!

Roual Ranes · Post by **Roual Ranes** » 19 Jul 2009 5:50 am

Marty,
Just my opinion.
The Carter Starter is just that. To me it is equivilent to a flat top guitar, with the strings too high, for a guitar beginner.
You Fender Twin will work fine. The Twin worked for many years with many steel players. I saw many of them being used by pros and I used one myself.
Spend a little more and get a pro level guitar.....you will not be sorry.

Rick Schacter · Post by **Rick Schacter** » 19 Jul 2009 12:24 pm

Hi Marty,
I have a Carter Starter in very good condition that I don't need anymore.
It has a hard shell case,Carter volume pedal (pot needs to be replaced) and a Dunlop bar.
I'm asking $500 plus shipping for the entire package.

I sent you a pm also. I'll be glad to send pictures if you're interested.

Rick

Ben Turner · Post by **Ben Turner** » 20 Jul 2009 6:45 pm

I would definitely say get a Zum Stage One. They are the closest to a pro sounding & playing guitar in an affordable student form that I have played. They are very affordable considering the quality of the instrument. & they come with a hard shell case included in the price.

Check out Doug's Stage One site. http://www.stageonesteelguitars.com/

Just my two cents.

Todd Weger · Post by **Todd Weger** » 31 Aug 2009 6:29 am

Ben Turner wrote:I would definitely say get a Zum Stage One. They are the closest to a pro sounding & playing guitar in an affordable student form that I have played. They are very affordable considering the quality of the instrument. & they come with a hard shell case included in the price.

Check out Doug's Stage One site. http://www.stageonesteelguitars.com/

Just my two cents.

Hi Ben -- what are the major defining differences in your opinion that make the Zum a better deal for the extra money over the Carter Starter? Doug's site looks good, and I have to say, the Zum looks really nice.

I ask, because I was getting ready to pull the trigger on a Starter. Is the Stage One a 'giggable' instrument?

Thanks!
TJW

Ben Turner · Post by **Ben Turner** » 31 Aug 2009 11:26 am

This is all of course, my honest opinion.. I have nothing against Carter guitars at all, I have in fact owned 2 and loved both, both D10's both pro models, and a Magnum, which was also a fine guitar indeed.

I have personally compared the two. My dad was looking for a lighter guitar because of his heart condition, he played for 40 years on pro guitars so the guitar had to be closest to the same level of a pro instrument as possible. The Stage One plays and stays in tune like a pro instrument. Also, the tone of it compared to other beginner models in the price range will knock your socks off. You won't believe you're actually playing a beginner model, it's full & bright and actually has a really nice sustain. It feels solid, all of the pedal/knee stops are solid, it tunes and pulls true to pitch, very minimal time spent tuning, once the strings are stretched and it's set you don't have to mess with it all that much. I have personally gigged with the Stage One and I would say it is definitely "giggable" without a doubt. I don't think you'll be disappointed, Sure it's a little more for one, but I've always been told you get what you pay for.

Also, When you start out one of the things a lot of beginners run into is the "buy the cheapest thing out there" routine. This isn't always the best route to take, unless of course you have to. You will not get as much enjoyment out of a cheaper guitar. It won't stay in tune as good, or sound as good, or even look as good as a better made/better quality guitar. That being said, you may just decide it isn't right for you. But if you start out on a decent guitar that plays good, sounds good, looks good, it will make your experience that much more enjoyable, thus making you want to learn more.

Hope this helps.

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