Which new guitar would you go with

John Knight · Post by **John Knight** » 7 Jun 2002 11:54 am

If you were in the position to order a new guitar who would you go with and why?

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D 10 Thomas with 8&6, '61'D-10 Sho-Bud 8&4
S12 Knight 4&4
Nashville 400 and Profex II
81' Fender Twin JBL's
Asleep at the Steel

Richard Plummer · Post by **Richard Plummer** » 7 Jun 2002 12:01 pm

Emmons legrande 11.This not only for the superior tone but also the resale value is great.

Emmons:The standard to which all others are judged.

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 7 Jun 2002 12:59 pm

Emmons LeGrande III. If set up properly the extra pressure necessary to engage the pulls is negligible and no cabinet drop and it still "sounds like an Emmons". Next choice would be a LeGrande II which I also play often. As far as builders, I like several of them very very much and I like their guitars, just personally prefer Emmons guitars and have since 1981 when Bryan Adams built my first one. Hooked on the sound.
Jerry Roller

Rex Thomas · Post by **Rex Thomas** » 7 Jun 2002 1:50 pm

I was, & I did; a Derby. Why? Because upon a good, thorough test drive, the tone, build quality, & customer service was right for me. To MY ears, the tone is reminiscent of my Emmons p/p of 23 yrs., only better which I can only say that the tone I get now with this steel has made me a "dyed in the wool" Derby bubbahead. Then as far as "if" goes, I would have another Derby, probably with a different pedal & knee setup, but same stock pickups & mica. Then, if I were in a position to keep the two Derbys & get another steel, it would be a D-10 GFI Ultra keyless with GFI 2's in both necks because it has a different & unique tone which I like very much.

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 7 Jun 2002 1:58 pm

I would wait and take a strong look at the new MSA. Some of the thing they are doing are interesting, and I love my old Classic SS.

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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording

Tim Harr · Post by **Tim Harr** » 7 Jun 2002 2:24 pm

I have heard GREAT things about Carter Pedal Steels...

What is a good general compairison to ..say an Emmons LL II??

Gimme the straight opinions...

TH

autry andress · Post by **autry andress** » 7 Jun 2002 2:51 pm

You will get the most bang for the buck with
the Fessy. Go with a wood body, Alium. Neck.
& BL pick up. Can't explain it you just have to test drive it. I think you will be happy.
When I ordered mine it only took 1 1/2 months or less. I ordered a Green one.
Good luck.

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 7 Jun 2002 3:14 pm

I would have to agree with Darvin,I can`t wait to see the new MSA

Damir

slick · Post by **slick** » 7 Jun 2002 3:54 pm

New MSA.

Slick
Wayne Broyles

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 7 Jun 2002 5:04 pm

If you were in the position to order a new guitar who would you go with and why?

I think it would depend on what I was planning to use it for. Factors like what kind of music and what kind of gigs are important. If you have a sit-down gig, weight is less important. If you play rock, the traditional appearance is less important. Some people like flamboyant designs, like Zum's fancy front aprons, while others prefer plain black (for tone, I presume

). Some manufacturers don't make 12 string models.

I have 3 pedal steels, and I use them for different things. If I wanted another one, it would probably be to replace one of the three. Nobody but Williams makes a crossover, though, and nobody but Sierra has interchangable pickups. So I guess I'd replace them with the same brands that I have now!

I have dreams of a different kind of steel guitar, but nobody makes one that matches my ideas. yet...

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b.gif" width="64" height="64">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (F Diatonic) Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6)

Chuck Martin · Post by **Chuck Martin** » 7 Jun 2002 8:11 pm

I wouldn't buy new. There are so many nice used steels available at substantial savings compared to buying a new one so why buy new? If you're uncomfortable buying a used steel from an individual then buy one from a reputable dealer like Bobbe Seymour or Billy Cooper. If you tell me that I have to buy new then my answer is that I'll wait to see the new MSA. I started on an MSA and still own several. I think they were ahead of their time 25 years ago so I'm anxious to see and hear what they've got in store for us now in their latest offering.

P Perry · Post by **P Perry** » 7 Jun 2002 8:12 pm

I chose a JCH. Because of the tone, sustain,the feel, the appearence, and most of all because when Jimmie Crawford builds one it is built with love and care and unmatched craftsmanship and it simply must be perfect or it does not leave his shop.

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 7 Jun 2002 8:55 pm

For my back, I am interested in Light weight with Stability.

I have a used D10 Carter right now, that is lightweight and has a great sound with those George L's and BCT. It has to sound good, it is BLACK. Lol

But if I were buying a new guitar, I would echo Darvin and Chuck's post.

I would take a good look at the new MSA. I know it will be lightweight and stable.

And we'll see about the rest of it. I'll bet they will be right up with Carter on fast delivery too.....al

Steve Miller · Post by **Steve Miller** » 7 Jun 2002 8:59 pm

Well, I bought a Derby as well. Great tone and sustain, etc., etc. I don't know how much this thread is going to really help you though. A better question might be "How should I decide what brand to buy?" My advice is to go to a dealer and test drive as many different steels as you can. You'd be surprized at the many little differences that you may or may not like, and there's no way to compare tone unless you play them side by side(IMHO). Also, you may like the tone of brand X but not the pedal action. There are lots of variables, comfort not least among them. --Good Luck, Steve

Rex Thomas · Post by **Rex Thomas** » 7 Jun 2002 9:03 pm

I'm with Steve on that; compare-shop is the best way.

Kenny Davis · Post by **Kenny Davis** » 7 Jun 2002 9:04 pm

If I had enough money,(Keyword:Money)I'd commission Duane Marrs and Paul Sr. to take a month off their regular gigs to build me a "real" 2002 Sho~Bud. Think about it! Built in Tennessee again, and by some of the old crew! Since that probably won't happen, I'd tell (ask) my wife I was getting a new guitar, promptly send my Pro II to Duane Marrs and have him completely go through it. I'd also have him refinish it to a beautiful clear charcoal stain so she would not recognize it as my old one. I would then rat-hole the savings (at least half of what I asked her for)and then plot what I'd do with my new found wealth. Maybe sell my mint 8/5 SS, add that to my stash, then use MSA's financing program on a new Millennium??? Hmmm....

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 8 Jun 2002 1:47 am

nobody but Sierra has interchangable pickups.

The new MSA also has this feature.I must admit, I'm VERY curious about it.

But of the guitars CURRENTLY available, I would choose a Mullen with a lacquer finish and a wood neck. I love the way they sound. [This message was edited by Mike Perlowin on 09 June 2002 at 08:44 AM.]

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 8 Jun 2002 2:34 am

Well, I've owned 3 Sho-Buds, 1 MSA and 1 Carter, still have 1 Sho-Bud and the Carter, ( both D10's) so I guess it's time to add a Black Emmons to the fold, actually long overdue, so for me, I've never owned and Emmons so it would be a Black D10 with at least 8 + 6 which I most likely will aquire pretty soon down the road.
tp[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 08 June 2002 at 03:35 AM.]

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 8 Jun 2002 7:55 am

If I was to buy a D-10, (which I won't be doing), I would buy an Emmons' LeGrande III.

Why?

There are many great sounding guitars out there. I understand that the Carter with BCT is fantastic. And Carter Guitars has proven HOW to give fanstatic professional customer oriented service like NO other.

Also, guitars like Mullen, Zums, etc have quite and admiring following of player's loyalty. Still I would buy an Emmons' LeGrande III.

Why?

A new player cannot go wrong buying a Carter starter. A seasoned player would probably love a Zum or a new full fledged Mullen or Carter or any other new PSG. But I would still buy an Emmons LeGrande III.

Why?

Ok, for 3 reasons. All major for my tastes:

1. The sound is there. Always has been. God help Ron Jr to carry on the Legacy.

2. They use 14 hole bellcranks. The greatest single improvement to the PSG since its inception.

3. They have the "counterforce" modification. The 2nd greatest improvement to the PSG since its inception.

Now, if they would only offer adjustable (up and down) nut rollers, they would have the 3rd greatest improvement since the PSG's inception.

Finally, if Emmons' would offer all the above plus the following items, they WOULD have IMO, the finest guitar EVER built in history for a long time to come:

1. A 12 string on a 12-10 body.

2. An Excel type changer WITH reinforcement between each set of changer fingers. Which of course has a 5 raise 5 lower capability.

3. Sierra type replacable PU's

4. Easily adjustable legs and pedal rods to fit any player from age 6 to 96 in heights from 4 foot 2

to 7 foot tall.

5. Keyless choice, with Sierra or GFI type tuners.

6. An undercarriage which can NOT be heard in a room with NO other sound and all amps OFF. NO matter how hard a pedal or knee lever was engaged!!

7. A lighted fret board using the original Emmons' P/P typw chrome markers.

8. Sierra type pedals with this modification. Roll them during manufacturing so that it is easy to roll one's foot like when using the A and B pedals.

9. Ball connectors on both the pedals AND the crossrod cranks.

10. Pedal "stops" like Emmons' uses.

11. Knee lever stops like NO body uses today. In other words a knee lever stop that is Rock of Gibraltar hard. With NO possibility of give, like on RKL of all Emmons' "all pull" guitars.

12. Crossrods with NO flex, twist or give.

13. Pull rods that do NOT use a stupid "E" clip that is easily changed and little possibility of flying off in the wild blue yonder when one is changing, removing or installing a pull rod.

14. BCT technology.

15. A tone control AND a tone defeat switch on TOP of the guitar very near the right hand whose height never gets in the way of either hand.

16. A volume control AND a volume control defeat switch like the above.

17. NO cabinet drop. NONE, Zilch! (I will settle for the III if it cannot be totally eliminated otherwise

).

18. Absolutely NO hysterisis. NONE! Zilch!

19. A built in tuner with accuracy down to + or - 1/1000th of a "cent". With light if needed. NO batteries. Plugs into AC!!

20. A PSG guitar that has NO "beats" between any two strings under any condition that fits into the musical world of ET!! (Now, there's a novel idea!

)

And, finally last but NOT least.

21. A PSG built like an Anapeg, but has a wait time of less than 6 weeks!

Mr Steel Guitar manufacturer, YOU build a steel like the above and you can name your price! I would morgage the farm to have one.

God bless you all,

carl

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 8 Jun 2002 8:37 am

Guy`s, I got a few Emails from Reece about the new MSA and I think that the new MSA is going to be something else.Can`t wait to see it (and hopefuly buy it).If you`re in the market for the new steel,my tip would be definetly,wait and check out the new MSA.
Damir

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http://hometown.aol.com/damirzanne/damirzanne1.html

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 8 Jun 2002 9:45 am

Emmons Legrande II or III. Resale value. Tone. Playability. Can't go wrong. Call Bobbe Seymour now.

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 8 Jun 2002 10:40 am

Wait a few day`s and you`ll see

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http://hometown.aol.com/damirzanne/damirzanne1.html

Gil Berry · Post by **Gil Berry** » 9 Jun 2002 12:16 am

I, too an anxiously awaiting the new MSA guitar....but, no matter how good it turns out to be, there are at least a dozen manufacturers of "working" steels that you couldn't go wrong with. What would I buy (assuming I had a really fat wallet, which I don't)? Anapeg. No question. Sure, it costs a lot more than anything else out there, and you may have to wait years to get it, but I'd order it not so much to play it as to admire a work of art. And, as far as an investment goes, the best only increases in price, the "average" sinks. So, to play, maybe (?) the new MSA (we'll see in a couple of weeks) but just because I would, if I could, an Anapeg. (Kinda like drive the chevy and keep the rolls in the garage..)

Dennis Detweiler · Post by **Dennis Detweiler** » 9 Jun 2002 1:54 pm

There are several top brands. The best way to decide is to attend the convention in St Louis and play every brand on display at the manufacturers' booth. Narrow your choices down and sit down again at those final choices. Feel the pedal action. Listen to tone and sustain. Examine the quality of workmanship. If price is a factor, consider that also.
I did this in 1983 and based my purchase on it. There are a few more top brands available today. My choice might be different?
You'll most likely get recommendations of a certain brand because that's what that individual is currently playing. And in their opinion, it is the best. You should make the choice on your own findings. Everyone has a slightly differnt point of emphasis when selecting a guitar.
Dennis

Bowie Martin · Post by **Bowie Martin** » 9 Jun 2002 4:51 pm

Most of the players posting opinions on the forum are certainly far superior in ability than I am and in addition have much more mechanical ability to work on a steel. However, when I play on the local show at the convention center, I always get the comment super sound and great tone (not great speed, great playing). And I attribute it to the Emmon's steels, because they hold the tuning, and do sound good. It helps me because I am a middle quality player, and feel like the Emmon's has never let me down, in quality or service. There are many great steels out there, but Emmons has to be the standard...I have a Lashley Legrande, Legrande II, and Legrande III; I play all interchangably, and could not really tell a preference...Hope the best for Ron and the company...What a history...