Who builds the best pedal steel?

Ray Mangrum · Post by **Ray Mangrum** » 1 Aug 2010 8:07 am

I agree that it's the one you are sitting behind. (wish I thought of that first) However, I have an Emmons Legrande III that Dave Robbins modified for me that is one sweet guitar. I have owned a Franklin,MSA,ZB, Kline, Sho Bud, aCustome Built One, and now the Legrande, and I'll take the Emmons over all of them. I think the Zum would be my next choice. Having said that, I believe some players like Jernigan, Franklin, Sigler and of course the Big "E" could play a string of barb-wire on a 2x4 and make it sound good.

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 1 Aug 2010 8:33 am

This is one of them threads that I have initial apprehension about lookin' at.

The food fight scene from "Animal House" comes to mind.

Elton Smith · Post by **Elton Smith** » 1 Aug 2010 8:40 am

As I expected,to have fun with this Question.It all comes down to personal prefrence.My interest was spurred by ball bearing guitars,and those that don't.I play a MSA so guess what my choice is?Slobering at the Msa millinium it became clear that paying that much for one instrument,1 its gotta be tough,2. It must last a life time,3.Its gotta sound good.That one guitar cost nearly as much as my entire arsonal.Thanks everybody

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 1 Aug 2010 9:48 am

As Basil pointed out, the question is ambiguous. You really need two topics...
[1] What is the best pedal steel that has ever been made ?
[2] What is the best pedal steel currently manufactured ?

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 1 Aug 2010 10:11 am

And how do you define "best?" Sturdiest? Most precise mechanically? Smoothest pedal action?

If we are talking about mechanical precision, Sierra has to be included on the list.

Johnny Cox · Post by **Johnny Cox** » 1 Aug 2010 10:25 am

The question: Who builds the best pedal steel guitar.
Answer: Me.
We are just talking opinions anyway aren't we?

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 1 Aug 2010 10:32 am

Johnny Cox wrote:The question: Who builds the best pedal steel guitar.
Answer: Me.

Johnny, I have to agree. You did a great job building mine.

Al Collinsworth · Post by **Al Collinsworth** » 1 Aug 2010 11:18 am

Johnny is absolutely correct!!!! I have several of his guitars!!! Thank you Johnny!!!!

Bill Howard · Post by **Bill Howard** » 1 Aug 2010 12:33 pm

i cannot believe I'm going to waste some DNA on the keyboard for this but here goes.
the BEST Steel EVER made is the one the the PERSON who likes the one he has the best.
I Owned a Transmission shop,I was always a Chevy person so one day these guys started in about Chevy VS FordVS Chrysler (back then:).
One Chevy Guy said "tell this Ford Guy the best transmission ever made, (this guy knew I liked Chevy:)
OK a FORD C-6 is one of the BEST!. OVER a turbo 400?.
YEP thats my opinion,don't get me wrong a TH400 is a killer so is torqueflites but neither can top a C-6 for Durability. How about that little C-4/5 Ford used in Pintos Pick ups,fairlanes Galaxies, one of the BEST little Transmissions ever made, again turbo 350's were put in more vehicles than ANY unit ever made good little transmissions.
Now same is true for Pedal Steels I owned 3 Sho Buds a Franklin,and an Emmons personally I like the tone of the Emmons better than the others,also has better sustain,same goes with AMPS someone ask the best AMP
The one you think sounds best how about that?.
I have heard Great sounding Steels in EVERY BRAND going!.S Buds,ZB's,Becks,Franklins Emmons,ZUM's,MULLEN'sDESERT ROSE,RITTENBERRY,JACKSONS,MSA's ALL have good points choose the one YOU like best!,thats the right answer

Tracy Sheehan · Post by **Tracy Sheehan** » 1 Aug 2010 3:12 pm

Speaking of cars is a Hugo built as good as a Lexus?
Everything sure gets off topic quick.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 1 Aug 2010 3:26 pm

Tracy Sheehan wrote:Speaking of cars is a Hugo built as good as a Lexus?
Everything sure gets off topic quick.

I think Hugo was a Hurricane and YUGO may be a car... But I could be wrong..but probably not... actually..not...

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 1 Aug 2010 3:57 pm

Markrite & Sho-Bud Maverick. 23 skidoooo!

Greg Moody · Post by **Greg Moody** » 2 Aug 2010 12:28 am

I have been playing push-pulls for several years in Branson.I just bought a new Justice and I'm really enjoying it.Fred builds a fine guitar check one out.

Keith Murrow · Post by **Keith Murrow** » 2 Aug 2010 8:33 am

Robbie Daniels · Post by **Robbie Daniels** » 2 Aug 2010 8:46 am

IMHO in most cases the PSG one is playing and if it fits the player and one is adept to playing it, will be by far the best steel. As long as a steel is manufactured to a quality of professional standards then they are all about equal. What is not equal are the players themselves. The player, as a rule, determines the quality that is heard out of the instrument. Emmons or Jerry Byrd could make a Multi-Chord sound great.

Jamie Lennon · Post by **Jamie Lennon** » 2 Aug 2010 9:42 am

Franklin.....best out of the 3 guitars I ever owned

Terry Miller · Post by **Terry Miller** » 2 Aug 2010 11:23 am

Who builds the best steel, The company that you ordered it from. For me it is a ShowPro. Great quality in the guitar, as far as workmanship and materials. The best made guitars come from the best people. In my case that is Jeff Surratt. Other best guitars come from another great person,Harry Jackson, He did his dad proud. Great guitar Harry. Terry Miller

Jim Simon · Post by **Jim Simon** » 2 Aug 2010 11:44 am

Which ever brand and model Lloyd, Buddy, Ralph, David, and ............ are playing today.

Tracy Sheehan · Post by **Tracy Sheehan** » 2 Aug 2010 12:11 pm

Back in 1959 or 60 i was playing fiddle and steel in a band in Lubbock.Tx. I had a srting master and bought a multi kord to see what the pedals did. I have told this before. One night Jimmy Day and Buddy Emmons came in and set in on the MK. They had a blast and sounded good but far as i know neither bought a MK as it was a piece of junk. Bob White also played on it later but don't think he traded his Bigsby for a MK either.
Later i bought a Fender 1000. It was built like a tank and weighed about as much and soon became out dated. The point being,the artile was about the best constructed steel. Not tone,ect as was pointed out in the second post i think it was.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 2 Aug 2010 12:13 pm

There is only pone way to settle this. We all have to contribute to a fund to buy one of our members one of every steel guitar made today, and let him or her decide on the basis of playing them all.

Having and test driving all those steels will be tough, but I volunteer for the job.

Cliff Trent · Post by **Cliff Trent** » 2 Aug 2010 12:20 pm

I've owned and played 4 MSA, 2 Emmons, 1 Sho-bud, and now I have a SKH Legrand Ron Lashley had built for me in the mid 80's All were great guitars!! Now I have a Williams that I dearly love! Thanks to the Dr. Bowman touch, they are both my favorites!!!
Any guitar the has the feel and tone you want is a great guitar! What's behind the guitar is as important than the guitar itself, I think.

Kevin Mincke · Post by **Kevin Mincke** » 2 Aug 2010 12:42 pm

I'll buy that yugo from you Tony.....really I mean the Yugo not you go as pictured.

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 2 Aug 2010 4:05 pm

I prefer the Adobe over the Hugo,It's much easier to fix an Adobe.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 2 Aug 2010 4:49 pm

stu..i picture you in an adobe igloo....for that touch of the southwest up there with your sled dogs!

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