New to Pedals...

James Trout · Post by **James Trout** » 3 Nov 2015 7:49 am

All,

I am a guitar, lap steel/weissenborn, and resonator guitar player. I am wanting to start learning pedal steel and have been looking at possibilities for purchase. I tried to learn a few years ago with a Carter Starter but was very frustrated with the process. I am hoping that if I buy a better guitar that it might help with keeping me interested (not slamming the Carter but it is what it is). All that being said I have the following question:

If I set my budget at $3000 for the guitar, amp, bar, and volume pedal what would you suggest? I also want the guitar to be a D10...

I am also in Elizabethtown KY so if there is any local steel groups or teachers I would be interested...

I appreciate everyone's comments in advance.

Thanks

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 3 Nov 2015 8:05 am

You can get decent steel amps for $350-400, used volume pedal for 150 and bars for 35-50.
That leaves $2450 for the guitar. That's doable .

James Trout · Post by **James Trout** » 3 Nov 2015 8:09 am

Thanks for the quick reply - what type of steels would you suggest? What type of amps should I be looking for in that price range?

New?

Used?

Are there some steels I should stay away from?

By the way, I still remember being blown away as a young musician by your Dad's bass playing with the Scene - there were so many trend setters in that band...

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 3 Nov 2015 8:25 am

A double neck new will be well over 3K.
So if you want doubleneck, you're buying used. Either get an experienced player to try your guitar first or buy from a dealer. There's a dang good chance that you'll be looking at a thirty year old machine, and you may well not want to give it extensive dismantling and cleaning.
There are no brands of doublenecks that I'd avoid. Just avoid the ones that look like their pullrods and bellcranks are brass: those parts are almost always stainless or aluminum, and if they look like brass, that's probably either nicotine or WD40

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 3 Nov 2015 9:13 am

I don't know where Chalybeate is, but here's a dang fine guitar in Kentucky.
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=292300
This one is farther away, but should be in good condition http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=292053
Darvin does good work, I'd buy this guitar http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=290303
If you have time, you could go to Nashville, where Damir Besic and Vic Lawson both have dealerships. You probably won't get a Mullen or Zum in your budget, but there are loads of good doublenecks in your range.

Jeff Harbour · Post by **Jeff Harbour** » 4 Nov 2015 4:35 am

GFI! You can't get a better new steel for the price. You're not very far from Steel Guitars of Nashville. If you can make it down there, you should be able to test a few out. I'm pretty sure Vic still stocks them, but I haven't been to the store since the post-Bobbe change-up.

As Lane hinted though, if you're set on a D-10 you'll have to up your budget a bit, unless you find a used one. GFI's are designed to be very low maintenance, so I suspect they should hold their value well. I've been playing one for eight years and have no desire to change brands yet.

Jeff Harbour · Post by **Jeff Harbour** » 4 Nov 2015 8:28 am

I'm going to catch flack for this next statement, and it will likely transform this thread indo a debate...

You don't need a special steel guitar amp, a GOOD quality guitar amp will work fine.

I've always used a well-known clean tone guitar amp, and I've always had compliments to my tone. Just letting you know that you may be able to sacrifice the new amp for more steel money...

Jeff Harbour · Post by **Jeff Harbour** » 4 Nov 2015 8:39 am

Now with that being said, the same does not apply with volume pedals. It's best to get one made for steel guitar use. Steel volume pedals have been carefully designed for height, comfort, impedance, and being rugged enough for constant use. Some guitar pedals may be suitable, but most are not designed with all those factors in mind.

I recommend a passive Goodrich L120.

James Trout · Post by **James Trout** » 5 Nov 2015 5:49 am

Thanks to everyone for their helpful comments - I love this forum!

Jeff Harbour · Post by **Jeff Harbour** » 5 Nov 2015 8:04 am

Let us know what you get!

Jack Hargraves · Post by **Jack Hargraves** » 6 Nov 2015 2:44 pm

I've been playing a GFI for four years, and haven't had to do anything to it except new strings and wipe it down. Also, your volume pedal should have a 500K or 470K pot. You can get these at Steel Guitars of Nashville in Hendersonville TN. Vic is a great guy to do business with.

James Trout · Post by **James Trout** » 23 Nov 2015 5:05 am

Just wanted to pass on a quick note that I was able to purchase a fabulous D10 over the weekend - thanks to everyone for their feedback!

Chris Sattler · Post by **Chris Sattler** » 24 Nov 2015 4:24 pm

So................ come on..........what did you get????

Tom Sosbe · Post by **Tom Sosbe** » 24 Nov 2015 4:57 pm

James check out louisvillesteelguitar.com great bunch of guys. you can also find them using the links bar at top of page.

Dan Robinson · Post by **Dan Robinson** » 25 Nov 2015 8:27 am

James Trout wrote:I am wanting to start learning pedal steel...

Me too!

40 years, and still learning.

Welcome to the obsession, James. It's a "nice little hobby."

Best,
Dan

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