Stage One Steel Guitars!

Instruments, mechanical issues, copedents, techniques, etc.

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Steve English
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Stage One Steel Guitars!

Post by Steve English »

I've got over 50 gigs on my Stage One guitar now and I'm just as happy as can be with it!

It plays better than I do, stays in tune, gets many compliments on how it sounds, and is just a pleasure to own. I played it for the first three months with the factory strings,and finally changed the set before an important opening act gig. It's light as a feather, yet doesn't walk when playing, never needs any adjustments, has a smooth, positive feel to all the changes, and travels with the greatest of ease.

Between the guitar and amp, I just barely have $1200 invested, making this combo the best cost/income ratio I've ever achieved.

It might not be for everyone, but for me it's a perfect match for my needs.

Thanks Bruce for the design, and Doug for the build, enhancements, and customer service! :D

I wish I needed another one!! :lol:

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Bent Romnes
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Post by Bent Romnes »

Steve that guitar has a very solid look to it.
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John Turbeville
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Post by John Turbeville »

looks just like mine, i gigged it a few times a week. great tone, light! added a volume control on it helps too.
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Andy Sandoval
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Post by Andy Sandoval »

Hi Steve, nice guitar. I've heard a few demos on YouTube and I think they sound and look great for an entry level instrument. :)
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Fred Glave
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Post by Fred Glave »

Steve, I just ordered a black one just like yours. Should be coming in a couple of weeks.
Zum Encore, Zum Stage One, Fender 2000, Harlan Bros., Multi-Kord,
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Steve English
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Post by Steve English »

Andy,

That was one beautiful guitar you just received recently!!! One of the nicest I've ever seen! You're a lucky man :D


Fred,

I hope you'll be as happy with yours as I am with mine.

My Rittenberry is still the King in my collection, but all things considered, the Stage One is every bit as valued for all that it does.
Always remember you're unique..... Just like everyone else
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Allan Jirik
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Post by Allan Jirik »

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Here's my red Stage One with my elevated effects pedal board. I love my guitar and have had nothing but fun and good luck with it.
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Fred Glave
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Post by Fred Glave »

Steve, you mentioned enhancements, what would those be?
Zum Encore, Zum Stage One, Fender 2000, Harlan Bros., Multi-Kord,
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Michael Douchette
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Post by Michael Douchette »

Andy Sandoval wrote:Hi Steve, nice guitar. I've heard a few demos on YouTube and I think they sound and look great for a pro level instrument. :)
Fixed it for ya... ;-)
Mikey D... H.S.P.
Music hath the charm to soothe a savage beast, but I'd try a 10mm first.

http://www.steelharp.com
http://www.thesessionplayers.com/douchette.html

(other things you can ask about here)
http://s117.photobucket.com/albums/o54/Steelharp/
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Steve English
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Post by Steve English »

Fred,

I was referring to the adjustable legs and aluminum neck that, I think, Doug is responsible for.

Might be more.....? Anyone know?
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Michael Douchette
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Post by Michael Douchette »

Steve English wrote:Fred,

I was referring to the adjustable legs and aluminum neck that, I think, Doug is responsible for.

Might be more.....? Anyone know?
Steve, better tuners... metal pedal bar... pickup... my first one, while great, isn't quite as nice (cosmetically) as my newer two.

BTW, yours is gawgeous...
Mikey D... H.S.P.
Music hath the charm to soothe a savage beast, but I'd try a 10mm first.

http://www.steelharp.com
http://www.thesessionplayers.com/douchette.html

(other things you can ask about here)
http://s117.photobucket.com/albums/o54/Steelharp/
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Joe Drivdahl
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Post by Joe Drivdahl »

Do they come stock with the adjustable legs?
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John Turbeville
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Post by John Turbeville »

Hey, you changed the pickup on it? It seems like theres not enough room to try anything else, what did you put in it? It sounds pretty darn good stock.

Mines starting to get a little beat up from so much gigging, works perfect for me. Im not sure what more I would get from a much expensive "pro" instrument, seems pretty pro already at least in terms of function and tone.
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Fred Glave
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Post by Fred Glave »

Michael, are you saying that the better tuners, pedal bar and pickup are standard issue on new guitars, or optional upgrades?
Zum Encore, Zum Stage One, Fender 2000, Harlan Bros., Multi-Kord,
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Michael Douchette
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Post by Michael Douchette »

Fred, they're standard. Those are things that have changed since my first one was built.
Mikey D... H.S.P.
Music hath the charm to soothe a savage beast, but I'd try a 10mm first.

http://www.steelharp.com
http://www.thesessionplayers.com/douchette.html

(other things you can ask about here)
http://s117.photobucket.com/albums/o54/Steelharp/
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Steve English
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Post by Steve English »

Fred,
Everything mentioned is standard equipment now...

Michael,
Thanks for putting the "Professional" in the Stage One. It was your initial critique and use of the guitar that originally interested me. Karen Sarkisian also helped me a lot with pictures and good info.....So between the Pro and the newbie (at the time), I added everything up, divided by two and ended up buying one. :D Thanks to the both of you!

John,
I do have a different p/u in mine. I like to experiment. Can't say it's any better than the stock one, just different. I like them both. I'm about to try an Alumitone (sp?) soon....just for grins.
Always remember you're unique..... Just like everyone else
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Michael Douchette
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Post by Michael Douchette »

Steve, thanks for letting me know that. I appreciate it. Glad you're liking the guitar. They are really excellent, and with the price... well, it's pretty darn unbeatable.
Mikey D... H.S.P.
Music hath the charm to soothe a savage beast, but I'd try a 10mm first.

http://www.steelharp.com
http://www.thesessionplayers.com/douchette.html

(other things you can ask about here)
http://s117.photobucket.com/albums/o54/Steelharp/
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John Turbeville
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Post by John Turbeville »

Mine doesnt have enough room to put in a different pickup, did you cut a pocket underneath it or something?
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Steve English
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Post by Steve English »

Nope.... I put a Truetone in it the first time I changed strings. It's not for the faint of heart, but is doable. I had to drill a new hole for the wire to pass through the guitar, and cut a small chase for the wire so the p/u would sit level, but all that's under the p/u, and if the original was replaced, you'd never see anything.

I don't have pics at the moment, but will post some when I get home. Definitely a tight fit, about 1 quarter's worth of space between the strings.

But it sure sounds good! ;-)
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Steve English
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Post by Steve English »

My mistake...it is a nickle's worth of space between the strings and p/u.

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The p/u is held in place by the thinnest double-sided tape I could find.
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Chris Tweed
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Post by Chris Tweed »

Steve,

do you have any sound samples for the different PUs in the Stage One? I also have a Stage One and I'm delighted with it, but I'm always open to new opportunities and sounds.

Chris
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CrowBear Schmitt
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Post by CrowBear Schmitt »

Bang for $, the Stage One is probably the best there is out there
Doug really goes out of his way to offer a quality steel
i've gotten 2 of them for some steelers here & they seem quite content
i've noticed that quite a few pro players use them as well
Andre Sommer from Holland is 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXbaQbS0 ... re=related
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Matthew Schwartz
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Thanks!

Post by Matthew Schwartz »

CrowBear Schmitt wrote:Bang for $, the Stage One is probably the best there is out there
Doug really goes out of his way to offer a quality steel
i've gotten 2 of them for some steelers here & they seem quite content
i've noticed that quite a few pro players use them as well
Andre Sommer from Holland is 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXbaQbS0 ... re=related

Thanks everybody for the great reviews of the Stage One Steel. I just ordered one for myself and am looking forward to playing it.
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Allan Jirik
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Post by Allan Jirik »

Matthew, depending on where in Michigan you are, you are welcome to come pick on mine while you wait for your Stage One.
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Bob Vantine
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Post by Bob Vantine »

I've had mine since the end of June 2010 ..... and love it !
Thanks to Allan , Karen and Mikey D for helping me pick this out ...... and mostly Doug
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EQUIPMENT:
"TEAK" ZUM STAGE-ONE Steel / C6th Lapsteel
Peavey NV112 , CLASSIC and EFX112 amps
Peavey Guitars
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