Who builds the best pedal steel?

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 2 Aug 2010 4:51 pm

Chris Right On!

Tommy Shown · Post by **Tommy Shown** » 2 Aug 2010 5:08 pm

I have owned two Sho-Buds, one a Maverick and a Pro-III, and an Emmons.I even had the chance to sit down behind a Zum recently. The Emmons and the Zum,to me are the best for sound. Gosh that's a hard decision to make becuase there are so many great steels out on the market today. Such as Rains, Mullen, Pedalmaster, MSA, and Carter. It's really hard to decide.
Tommy Shown
SMFTBL

Robert Parent · Post by **Robert Parent** » 2 Aug 2010 6:22 pm

I have owned most every brand at one time or another and my 1989 Zum D10 is the best thus far.
Robert

Pat Comeau · Post by **Pat Comeau** » 2 Aug 2010 8:24 pm

Michael Douchette wrote:Over the years, I have had a Franklin, several push-pull Emmons, and several Sho-Buds. (Living here in Nashville, that's kinda what was here.) Hands down, the best recording guitar I've ever owned is my Zum Stage One. It has the best presence in a track over any of them, and for me, that is most important. YMMV.

This is puzzling me...

, i've heard only good things about the Zum Stage-One steel guitar as one of the best student model out there but...how can someone compare a 1200$ PSG to a 7000$ Franklin or Emmons ect... and say that the Zum student model sounds better?, something ain't right here, i have never play a Stage One or a Franklin so someone enlight me please cause i'm confuse

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 2 Aug 2010 9:04 pm

Pat, the only enlightenment I can add to my post is that while the odds of an expensive instrument sounding better than a less expensive one are higher, it doesn't mean that it's a rule. (The late Jimmy Colvard, who played lead on countless sessions, had a $99 Univox Les Paul copy that was his main guitar.)

In my years of recording (since 1974), the Stage One that I currently own and use is the best sounding guitar in a track that I've had. It's not just my opinion; I've had many other players and engineers remark about the excellence of the sound.

One does not have to spend a huge amount; one does need to shop around, however, and find what is the best for oneself.

Louie Hallford · Post by **Louie Hallford** » 2 Aug 2010 9:08 pm

Sho-Bud,MSA,Emmons,Mullins are guitars I have owned, or now own.

Derby,Carter,Zum,Marrs,Justice,Rains,Blanton,
Fender,Exel,Williams,and least two or three others that I can't recall,are guitars I have tried out.

My opinion although I have never owned one,is that the Zum guitar is the most most well constructed,quietest,easiest playing guitars I have ever played. Most Mullin guitars and especially the new G2,in my opinion runs a close second.

The best sounding guitar I ever owned payed or heard, was a 1965 push pull in mint condition,that belonged to Gary Hogue when he died. My wife could be in the back of the house and could get it right 100% of the time when I would swap amp cords between it and my early (92 or 93) LeGrande,which I love and still have.

My personal sound preference is Emmons, I have a very slight preference for the G2 sound over the Zum. If I was buying new today,I would try them both again before I bought.Emmons would not be one of my choices today.

Danny Bates · Post by **Danny Bates** » 2 Aug 2010 10:17 pm

What Keith Murro said.

I heard any guitar sounds as good as a push/pull if you rub peanut butter on the strings and paint it black. So just get a Carter starter and some non-crunchy Jiff.

Glyndon Woosley · Post by **Glyndon Woosley** » 3 Aug 2010 4:41 am

A few months ago I bought a Sierra Session. At first it seemed much different from the others that I've owned or played. But the more I play it, the more I like it (I think more than the others). I'm wondering now why this brand is not mentioned or seemingly "not liked". Is there a problem with them that I haven't noticed? I would like to hear what some others think about the Sierra.

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 3 Aug 2010 5:39 am

These "best" discussions can get quite lengthy...

Ken Metcalf · Post by **Ken Metcalf** » 3 Aug 2010 6:00 am

Out of the ones I have owned
Best built, Thomas
Best sound, Emmons PP
Best action, Carter
Best in coolness ZB
Best price Free Thanks Larry!
Best color Black

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 3 Aug 2010 10:13 am

Michael Douchette wrote: In my years of recording (since 1974), the Stage One that I currently own and use is the best sounding guitar in a track that I've had. It's not just my opinion; I've had many other players and engineers remark about the excellence of the sound.

One does not have to spend a huge amount; one does need to shop around, however, and find what is the best for oneself.

So you see Pat, your Comeau or my BenRom might be downright amazing sounding. Plus they both look cool and everything else

Ulf Edlund · Post by **Ulf Edlund** » 4 Aug 2010 3:09 pm

I believe the best steels to be:
Carter, Emmons, Williams, Excel, Zum, Rittenberry, Rains, Anapeg, Show Pro, Mullen, MSA, Jackson, Promat, ... and a few others.
Then there's a bunch of other ones that are just as good...

Roual Ranes · Post by **Roual Ranes** » 4 Aug 2010 5:06 pm

I think someone need to make a "BRAND X"!

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 4 Aug 2010 5:36 pm

Bruce Zumsteg and Jeff Surratt would be my 2 top choice guitar builders ....

Chuck McGill · Post by **Chuck McGill** » 5 Aug 2010 6:34 am

Any steel that Lloyd,Buddy,Tommy,Paul, are connected to!

And of course many others

Brad Malone · Post by **Brad Malone** » 5 Aug 2010 8:47 am

Hey Chuck, Lloyd, Mike Johnson and Tommy white all like SHOW-PRO...not a bad trio to listen in on.

Chris Lang · Post by **Chris Lang** » 5 Aug 2010 10:47 am

EMMONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, When it is all said and done, they are compared to an Emmons

What?
Holy Toledo!

Emmons has done their best to run their business in the ground with their "customer service"

Comparing another steel guitar to an Emmons is NOT a compliment!

Sheesh........

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 5 Aug 2010 11:36 am

Have we ascertained which is best yet?

Adam Goodale · Post by **Adam Goodale** » 5 Aug 2010 11:56 am

Chris Lang wrote:
EMMONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, When it is all said and done, they are compared to an Emmons
What?
Holy Toledo!

Emmons has done their best to run their business in the ground with their "customer service"

Comparing another steel guitar to an Emmons is NOT a compliment!

Sheesh........

I think what he meant was that most of us compare the SOUND of other guitars to an Emmons. (preferably a P/P) haha. I know i do.

Mike Mantey · Post by **Mike Mantey** » 5 Aug 2010 1:45 pm

I do. Hands Down.

My Brother runs a close 2nd.

Adam Goodale · Post by **Adam Goodale** » 5 Aug 2010 2:32 pm

Mike Mantey wrote:I do. Hands Down.

My Brother runs a close 2nd.

Mike, i got to play a G2 briefly a couple of weeks ago, and even though im an Emmons man, i will admit, the G2 had the best pedal/lever action of ANY guitar ive ever touched. And it sounded as good as any all-pull guitar ive ever played also. Just wanted to give you my feedback.

Peter Freiberger · Post by **Peter Freiberger** » 5 Aug 2010 2:46 pm

Here's a guy who made a cheap six string electric guitar sound pretty good. I wonder what ever became of him?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtznA8yKyAA

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 5 Aug 2010 3:58 pm

wow..ol' glen's got some energy goin' for him there (dancing)!
interesting the 'west coast style' of guitar and steel on that swing tune. don't know who gene davis is...i thought it looked like hal rugg on that fender steel. yeah..it doesn't matter what you play on...just that what you play is cool..hopefully!

Steve Stallings · Post by **Steve Stallings** » 5 Aug 2010 4:39 pm

uhhmmm.. what was the question?

I'm pretty sure I like em all!

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 6 Aug 2010 4:32 am

I believe it's who is sitting behind it that really matters. Pedal steel guitar builders have advanced a great deal over the last 30 years or so. I don't really see a clear #1 or #2 guitar out there. But in my opinion, here's my top five: Rains(with the upgrade), any pro model Mullen guitar, Williams, Excel and the Show-Pro guitars. (Not in this particular order)What am I playing at the moment? A CarpSteel. I've got it smooth as butter and plays like a dream. Great session guitar also. Next week it might be something else. My only requirement is, an all pull changer. I don't care for the pull release system. Interesting topic here!

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Who builds the best pedal steel?

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