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Topic: Advice on a new steel |
Gino Cecchetto
From:
California, USA
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Posted 26 Nov 2016 6:01 pm |
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So I'm looking to by a new steel. I've played banjo for over forty years, and some years ago bought a 400 series Williams D10 Keyless, that before eventually selling, I had gotten far enough on to play some tunes with the band I was in at the time. That said I'm back at it again but have to consider myself a beginner.
A while ago I bought a Remington SD12 Ext E9th and have spent some time getting it back into correct playing condition, but it's probably not the easiest playing guitar for someone learning. To that end I've been thinking a lot lately about buying a really nice S/SD 10 E9th guitar to simplify things, and align with the available instructional materials.
My interest in pedal steel isn't playing the standards and old country tunes. My main influences are players like Eric Heywood and Greg Leisz, with bands like Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo, etc.
I've been looking at a 700 Series keyless Williams ($2300) on the forum, but also a couple of guitars a very nice local gentleman has for sale. One of the local guitars is a Mullen G2 SD10 ($3000). It goes without saying that this is a stellar guitar, but it's also the most expensive, although still a great buy at the cost it has been offered to me at. The other guitar he has is a Lamar S10 Keyless with the new horizontal pull changer ($2000), and is a 25" scale. It's a beautiful guitar, and built like a swiss watch, but there isn't really any info available on them, so It feels like a bit of a risk. Ive seen the G2 and the Lamar and they are both in beautiful condition. I haven't seen the Williams since it isn't local, but it's also supposed to be very clean.
So, looking for some thought from the collective wisdom as to which way to go.
Thanks
Last edited by Gino Cecchetto on 26 Nov 2016 9:58 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 26 Nov 2016 6:42 pm
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You literally, factually cannot go wrong with any of the three.
I have a personal inclination for the Williams, but if I didn't have my Zum, I'd be ecstatically happy with any of them, and there are no reasons not to buy any of them.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Robert Parent
From:
Gillette, WY
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Posted 26 Nov 2016 7:31 pm
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My vote would be for the Williams of the three you have listed. I have been a Zum player for many years but have several friends which play a Williams and they are very nice guitars. Williams service is top notch based on my friends experience should you need parts or factory service in the future.
Robert |
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Gino Cecchetto
From:
California, USA
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Posted 26 Nov 2016 9:16 pm
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Yes, I'm drawn to the Williams as well, and know first hand what a good guy Bill is. I have to admit though, the Lamar S10 is a very sexy guitar, and I'm intrigued by the horizontal pull changer and the 25" scale. It's a very light and compact instrument though, so I wonder about sustain, and if it moves around a lot when actuating the knee levers.
No, I haven't played or heard the guitar yet. I originally went over to his house to look at a beautiful D10 Lamar that he was next to giving away. It was obvious by all of the cases around the music room that he had many other guitars, so I asked what else might be for sale and that's when the S10 Lamar and the Mullen came out. Seems he's just kind of remembering what he has, and is figuring out if he wants to keep it or sell it as he goes. His wife had something planned for the day, so he had to leave, so there wasn't time to get too indepth with the other guitars.
I'm surprised that both replies thus far have favored the Williams. I was expecting the overwhelming response to be "buy the Mullen". |
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Jeremy Threlfall
From:
now in Western Australia
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 26 Nov 2016 11:15 pm
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Williams has the brass fingers (or the newer ones do, dunno about the one you're looking at) and that angle that both keeps balls out of the changer and makes changing strings easier.
They're also prettier than the Mullen.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Bill Lowe
From:
Connecticut
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Posted 26 Nov 2016 11:58 pm
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G2, I think they are the best guitars on the market.....but I have never played a Williams
_________________
JCH D10, 71 D10 P/p fat back, Telonics TCA 500C--12-,Fender JBL Twin, Josh Swift signature. |
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Gino Cecchetto
From:
California, USA
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Posted 28 Nov 2016 9:08 am
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| Well, it's down to the Mullen or the Williams. Wish someone that has experience with both the 700 series Williams and the G2 would chime in with some opinions on playability and tonal differences between the two. I'm looking for a guitar that plays like butter. Unfortunately only the G2 is local, so I can't compare them. I like the idea of the cross shaft on precision sealed bearings in the G2. |
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Gino Cecchetto
From:
California, USA
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Posted 28 Nov 2016 8:22 pm
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| Sooo, brought home the G2 today. Waiting for the wife to turn in for the night before I pull it out. I'll post some picks in the next day or so. Hopefully I've made the right choice. At least I know I'll be able to sell it easily if it turns out not to float my boat. The willy I was looking at has been for sale for some time now with no real interest. Now that I've bought the G2 a beautiful Ritt Prestige will come up for sale:) |
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