First Pedal Steel Guitar Purchase

Cameron Mitchell · Post by **Cameron Mitchell** » 12 Feb 2012 11:11 am

Hello all, first time posting on the forum.

I'm looking to buy my first PSG. The models that interest me most are GFI and ETS. Both S-10's are in the $2k range, which is right about my budget. Does anyone have any insight on which brand they would prefer? Or maybe another option I haven't considered?

BTW, this forum is EXTREMELY helpful. Thanks to everyone for contributing and educating a rookie!

Cameron

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 12 Feb 2012 11:48 am

Both fine guitars. The ETS will feel different, being aluminum body.
I've never played one, but I trust Bud Carter.
GFI? Sure.

Neither would be my first choice (ETS doesn't yet make a D-10 or S-12, and I love my 6th tuning), but I'd be happy to own either.

Cameron Mitchell · Post by **Cameron Mitchell** » 12 Feb 2012 12:13 pm

Lane, is there something else you'd recommend in that price range? I'm looking for a S-10. I'm not sure I need a D-10 yet. Thanks!

Jim Pivarnik · Post by **Jim Pivarnik** » 12 Feb 2012 12:19 pm

Pick up a slightly used Fessenden. They come up on the forum regularly. You won't be disappointed

Quentin Hickey · Post by **Quentin Hickey** » 12 Feb 2012 12:24 pm

If you are willing to wait, I'm sure a nice lighlty used carter S-10 will pop up on the forum here. They play pretty good ad sound good too. Personnally I have a GFI on order. Great service, great product backing. ETS is good as well so you are in the right direction with any of these choices.

Steve Lipsey · Post by **Steve Lipsey** » 12 Feb 2012 12:49 pm

Watch the used for sale section and don't be so hung up in brand...a good used pro steel will serve you better than a new student steel...

I just bought my second GFI, they are well designed, light and lubricated for life, I like the low maintenance aspect for my more portable practice/jam steels...

Larry Baker · Post by **Larry Baker** » 12 Feb 2012 2:10 pm

Cameron, you will get all kinds of advice, but being a Mullen player, I would check out the new Mullen Discovery. Very capable of taking you to any level of playing, and just a little over 2 grand. Next, check out the Stage One from Doug Earnst down in Branson, Mo. A very pro guitar at a great price.
That's just my 2 cents. Good luck, Larry

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 12 Feb 2012 7:33 pm

Isn't the Justice Lite in your price range?
TBH, I don't pay attention to S-10 prices.
My only objection to the GFI is cosmetic.
They play nice, and sound nice

Jerry Bailey · Post by **Jerry Bailey** » 12 Feb 2012 9:03 pm

Check out the Justice pro lite. Looks good to me I think its 1995.00. Its an pro machine with pro parts. same pickup as the judge . plus its a SD 10.and to top it off Fred Justice is a great guy and will call you by phone to talk PSG. answer all e mail you send to him ........ Jerry Bailey

Larry Jamieson · Post by **Larry Jamieson** » 13 Feb 2012 5:13 am

Cameron, There is a black Rittenberry on the Forum in the Steel Guitars for sale section right now for $1500
if it has not already sold. This is an excellent, well
built pro-quality guitar for the money. I'd jump on it...

Larry J.

Carl Kilmer · Post by **Carl Kilmer** » 13 Feb 2012 5:52 am

I'd go for the Rittenberry. A great steel and what a super price.
That would last you for many years. If I didn't have 2 already
that one would be on it's way to Illinois by now.
Carl

Ransom Beers · Post by **Ransom Beers** » 13 Feb 2012 6:16 am

I bought a BSG(Burrows Steel Guitars),a professional built guitar SD-10 w/pad & is in your budget,has 5 knees & 3 floors,plays like a dream & stays in tune.Check em' out or call Don Burrows,click the "links" tab on top of this page & go to the BSG link & see what Don has to offer.

Quentin Hickey · Post by **Quentin Hickey** » 13 Feb 2012 6:43 am

So there you have it Cameron. You have mucho options. All great guitars mentioned. Just make sure that the guitar you buy has at least 3 pedals and AT LEAST 4 knee levers if you want to play stuff that youre hearing in modern country music.

Sandro Rocco · Post by **Sandro Rocco** » 13 Feb 2012 6:47 am

I just purchased my first pedal steel from Al Brisco in Ontario and he had his ETS set up in the shop. It is a wonderful guitar. Aluminum body, a little bit lighter and different feeling. The GFI's are also extremely nice, you really can't go wrong with either.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 13 Feb 2012 6:52 am

Whatever you buy, make sure it has a minimum of 4 knee levers. Don't buy anything with less than that.

Ransom Beers · Post by **Ransom Beers** » 13 Feb 2012 8:12 am

Mike Perlowin wrote:Whatever you buy, make sure it has a minimum of 4 knee levers. Don't buy anything with less than that.

And a speedometer,& 3 floor pedals.

(jus' kiddin' bout' the speedometer)

John Ely · Post by **John Ely** » 13 Feb 2012 9:45 am

Consider calling Bobbe Seymour at Steel Guitar Nashville, or Billy Cooper at Billy Cooper's Steel Guitar in Virginia, or Jim Palenscar at Steel Guitars of North County in San Diego and ask about their prices on GFI S-10's (or other brands). Or bOb and other ETS dealers. All of the other suggestions being posted are excellent as well. When I was in your shoes a few years ago, the new GFI S-10 I bought from Bobbe was well under your $2K budget. Bobbe, Billy, bOb and Jim have been trustworthy in my dealings with them.
Good luck, Cameron.
John

Jos Roderkerken · Post by **Jos Roderkerken** » 13 Feb 2012 9:49 am

ivé got a stage one here and it plays like a charm.
they cost around 1200 euro,- (how much is that in dollars?)

And with the rest of the dollars you can buy a nice steel amp

Chris Dorch · Post by **Chris Dorch** » 13 Feb 2012 10:47 am

I second the BSG.. I have one.. Loves it...

I hear great things about Stage One's as well...

While Mooney played a GFI, I couldn't really get into them...

YMMV

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 13 Feb 2012 10:48 am

According to the Stage 1 website, they're 949, presumably plus shipping and tax (if Missouri)

Cameron Mitchell · Post by **Cameron Mitchell** » 13 Feb 2012 11:18 am

Thanks to everyone for the great feedback. I really appreciate all the advice! This forum is EXTREMELY helpful for someone like me just starting out.

Ransom Beers · Post by **Ransom Beers** » 13 Feb 2012 12:16 pm

Cameron,I was just browsing your website,cool,different.Hope you find the guitar of your dreams,course when you get one you'll want another 'n' another 'n' another...........

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 13 Feb 2012 1:36 pm

Don't forget to look at the used steels in the classifieds here. There are some real bargains.

Human nature being what it is, everybody is going to recommend the brand they themselves use. I'm no exception. I like MSA.

But speaking as objectively as possible, a used MSA is probably your best bang for the buck. Back in the 70s, MSA was the single largest manufacturer of steel guitars, and there are Lord knows how many out there, still in use. The lack of scarcity means that they are not sought after collectors items, and not worth as much as an Emmons or Sho-Bud from the same time period. It's a buyer's market.

But they are excellent instruments. You've read in an earlier post "I trust Bud Carter." Back then, Bud worked for MSA and designed and built the guitars.

The guitars are built like tanks. It has been said that in the event of a worldwide nuclear holocaust, the only survivors will be insects and MSA steel guitars. That may be an exaggeration, but it indicated just how well those guitars were made.

Check out the "show us your MSA" thread to see just how many of those old guitars are still being played today, and what people are saying out them.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 13 Feb 2012 3:54 pm

Mike, truth be told, two things account for the reduced price: not just the quantity out there, but the HEFT.
Were they as light as modern guitars, I'd wager 2-400 bucks would appear in their price.
I love my MSA Classic (choosing to play it and lend my Zum to my student), and my "one that got away" was a lacquered natural S-12 Universal. But geez, they're heavy.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 13 Feb 2012 5:22 pm

The Justice Pro Lite is a pro model
well built & reliable
good bang 4 $ if you plan on buyin' a new one
3 pedals, 4 levers & case : 1995 $
http://www.fredjusticemusic.com/id28.html

the Mullen Discovery is a Pro model as well
3 pedals & 4 levers : 1520 $
http://www.mullenguitars.com/Econo.htm

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