what to buy?

[Michelle Durham]

You guys have all been so helpful! Steel guitar players are definitely among the most friendly people we have met! Thank you so much. We have even been able to meet some local steelers.
So far, we are leaning toward the Peavey Nashville 1000 (though I know you all say the 112 is enough- Joey still has too much macho in him!)
We are still looking at the brands of instruments... leaning toward Desert Rose or GFI??? He's thinking four pedals and four levers...???? still not sure about the pad on the double frame... never had any experience with it- does it give you a little more stability and accuracy, because of having an anchoring point? or is it just a comfort issue?

[Larry Robbins]

Hey Michelle,
I am about 20 minutes South of Lake George in Fort Edward..My wife is from Gouverneur,NY and we pass through Fine all the time!. I wont give advice as to which steel or amp to get other than what has been said here before...and that is to be sure and get a "name brand" but if there is anything i can do to help you folks....I will send you a PM with my e-mail!

Larry

[Larry Robbins]

Hey Larry Jamieson,
We just played a resort in Lake George Monday night for the NYS, DEC at The Fort William Henery Resort. Nice place and as good crowd.
If you see this soon enough post where your playing in Lake george and I'll try and get out to see you....so far ..I am off tomorrow night but, I may get a fill in job if some friends cant find another back-up. Always nice to meet another player

Larry

[Brett Day]

You guys have all been so helpful! Steel guitar players are definitely among the most friendly people we have met! Thank you so much. We have even been able to meet some local steelers.
So far, we are leaning toward the Peavey Nashville 1000 (though I know you all say the 112 is enough- Joey still has too much macho in him!)
We are still looking at the brands of instruments... leaning toward Desert Rose or GFI??? He's thinking four pedals and four levers...???? still not sure about the pad on the double frame... never had any experience with it- does it give you a little more stability and accuracy, because of having an anchoring point? or is it just a comfort issue?

Michelle, the pad is like an armrest if you're playing a single neck steel on a doubleneck frame. A lot of singleneck steel players use the SD-10 steel with the pad to rest their arms on while playin' or it can also be used to rest your arms when not playin'.

Brett

[Stu Schulman]

Michelle my Desert Rose is not quite a Double body,it's a body and a half and it's really comfortable,I don't really lean on the pad when I'm playing so I prefer the slightly smaller body,A single neck is a little uncomfortable for me.My guitar came with 4 pedals and 5 knees and has everything that I need.Chuck Back is one of the greatest guys I can't stress this enough,he's talked to me on the phone a few times about making adjustments and will always take time out of his day for me,he's sent me parts this is really important because I live in Alaska and it's hard to get certain things up here.I have a friend who owns a GFI and it's a great guitar I'm just partial to the Desert Rose.

[Bill Howard]

One thing I think a LOT of People forget is resale value and just plain WILL it sell.
Watch a ZUM or an EMMONS, a Franklin,Mullen almost gone the instant it is listed, Now some of the Guitars that have been mentioned have been listed on the For Sale section and there are about5 brands that just don't sell to well say what you like but resale is important especially to someone just starting all of us know that you have to grow into knowing what you want when you first start.
Resale is a KEY factor Michelle it has nothing to do with how good something is if it doesn't sell well,Behringer Amps are GREAT but try to sell one Impossible.. almost and they are great AMPs.
That Zum Stage one is a good place to Start and A Nasville 1000 is a great Amp,it will help your husband build Muscles

[Thom Ferman]

One thought with the SD frame and arm pad, since Joey is a guitar player he may find the SD padded frame gets in the way if he doubles on six string. When I gig I constantly switch back and forth and having the narrow S-10 style frame leaves a little room to play six string without moving my seat.

Also, I had the NV1000 and although it had a lot of low end oomph for steel, I found it very sterile for six string. Another vote for Fender tube amps.

[Nathan Sarver]

still not sure about the pad on the double frame... never had any experience with it- does it give you a little more stability and accuracy, because of having an anchoring point? or is it just a comfort issue?

Since he's been playing the Fender 1000, does he feel more comfortable playing E9 on the neck closest to him or resting his arms on the back neck while he plays the front neck? If it's the former, he'll likely be more comfortable with a plain S-10 without a pad. If it's the latter, an SD-10 would probably be right up his alley.

[Michelle Durham]

Interesting point Thom. Thanks for bringing that up! He plays on the neck closest to him, so is not used to playing where there would be a pad, but he was thinking it might be more comfortable, BUT yes he still wants to be able to double on his six string! Still thinking on that point I guess!
He did get the Peavey Nashville 1000 and loves it for the steel, but will probably continue to carry the Marshall for his six string.
NEW QUESTION/consideration: What about the weight of these different brands/models? Noticed someone is buying a new instrument so that he can get something heavier??? Joey needs heavy! He needs something that can stand up to "animation." He is a very high energy player and needs an instrument that will stay put and not get destroyed! Any suggestions of what to look for or avoid?

[Mike Perlowin]

What about the weight of these different brands/models? Joey needs heavy! He needs something that can stand up to "animation." He is a very high energy player and needs an instrument that will stay put and not get destroyed! Any suggestions of what to look for or avoid?

If you want a heavier guitar, get a used MSA or Dekley. Both are built like tanks, and are very sturdy and quite heavy.