Well, i need to chat with some Derby Players
Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn
- William Johnson
- Posts: 388
- Joined: 31 Jan 2005 1:01 am
- Location: Statesboro, Georgia, USA
Well, i need to chat with some Derby Players
As a few may know, i am looking for a new PSG. i'm looking at the GFI and lending that way, BUT i keep coming back to the Derby.
Who's playing a Derby and tell me about the Derby PSG?
later,
billy
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William Johnson (Billy)
Grievous Angel Productions
Statesboro, GA. 30461 USA
www.grievousangelpro.com
Who's playing a Derby and tell me about the Derby PSG?
later,
billy
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William Johnson (Billy)
Grievous Angel Productions
Statesboro, GA. 30461 USA
www.grievousangelpro.com
- Jerry Overstreet
- Posts: 12622
- Joined: 11 Jul 2000 12:01 am
- Location: Louisville Ky
Never played a GFI so can't help you there.
The Derby is a smooth playing, high quality guitar with a clean tone that is clear as a bell. The aluminum parts are machined from billets and the cabinets are hard rock maple.
Charlie will build you a standard single on dbl. or D10 mica guitar or one of his custom lacquer models and you will have in a few weeks in most cases. Charlie and Margit's customer service is great also.
[I was just over there buggin' him this week and saw this beautiful lacquer custom guitar he was getting ready to send out. Kind of a rose red and natural combo with some gorgeous fiddle edge figure.]
Each person has his own idea about the sound, feel and playability of guitars, so I would suggest a test drive of any guitar you are consider buying.
Derby will be in Texas in Mar. if you are going to the show there and is at some of the larger events.
Or you can call Charlie Stepp or visit his shop and check out his operation here:
Derby Steel
465 N. Myers Road
Brooks, Ky 40109
502 957/1059
The Derby is a smooth playing, high quality guitar with a clean tone that is clear as a bell. The aluminum parts are machined from billets and the cabinets are hard rock maple.
Charlie will build you a standard single on dbl. or D10 mica guitar or one of his custom lacquer models and you will have in a few weeks in most cases. Charlie and Margit's customer service is great also.
[I was just over there buggin' him this week and saw this beautiful lacquer custom guitar he was getting ready to send out. Kind of a rose red and natural combo with some gorgeous fiddle edge figure.]
Each person has his own idea about the sound, feel and playability of guitars, so I would suggest a test drive of any guitar you are consider buying.
Derby will be in Texas in Mar. if you are going to the show there and is at some of the larger events.
Or you can call Charlie Stepp or visit his shop and check out his operation here:
Derby Steel
465 N. Myers Road
Brooks, Ky 40109
502 957/1059
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- Posts: 965
- Joined: 18 Oct 2002 12:01 am
- Location: Hoover, Alabama, USA
Charlie and Margit are great people and the Derby is a quality PSG. I picked one up at the Dallas show last year. It will stay in tune and sounds great all the way up the fret board. I personally love the sound that comes from my Derby. As stated, everybody is looking for a certain something in a guitar. But, I can't imagine not finding it in a Derby. Take a road trip to visit Charlie. It'll be worth your time and make the decision easier. You can also stop by Steel Guitar Nashville and play a GFI and other steels. Better yet, go to the Dallas show. You'll have about anything you want to choose.
- Craig A Davidson
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- Location: Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin USA
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- David Decker
- Posts: 1254
- Joined: 10 Dec 2001 1:01 am
- Location: Canton, Ohio, USA
- Ron Elliott
- Posts: 913
- Joined: 30 Mar 2004 1:01 am
- Location: Madison, Tennessee, USA
- Contact:
I've have 2 Derbys, one S-10 and a D-10. If any of you know who I am, I'd be glad to talk to you about them. I love'em both. My E-mail is rpesr@bellsouth.net, or a call would do at 615/865-5069 or a cell:615/972-0353. I'm saying it like that because I think most of you don't know me. Thanks, Ron
(I'm one of the early players from the 1800's)<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Ron Elliott on 16 February 2005 at 12:20 PM.]</p></FONT>
(I'm one of the early players from the 1800's)<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Ron Elliott on 16 February 2005 at 12:20 PM.]</p></FONT>
Billy, if you're looking for a Derby, Charlie Stepp builds them in Brooks, Kentucky or you can find them at shows like the Texas Steel Guitar Jamboree and the International Steel Guitar Convention. I play a GFI, but I think Derbys are good steels too. Brett, Emmons S-10, Morrell lapsteel, GFI Ultra D-10<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Brett Day on 16 February 2005 at 01:17 PM.]</p></FONT>
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- Posts: 528
- Joined: 16 Apr 2002 12:01 am
- Location: New Bern, North Carolina, USA
Hi Billy, I liked my first Derby so well that I bought another identical to it except for the pickup and color. They play well,sound as good as any and don't have any mechanical problems, at least not yet.
I've had 2 Gfi SD10's and I liked them also, it's just the Derby looked better and appeared to be better quality.
I've had 2 Gfi SD10's and I liked them also, it's just the Derby looked better and appeared to be better quality.
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- Posts: 22
- Joined: 8 Jul 2002 12:01 am
- Location: Fern Creek, Kentucky, USA
Billy; I've been playing Charlie Stepp's
DERBYS since he began building them. I had
S/N 0003 to begin with; then progressed to
S/N 0027 - and finally to S/N 0072. I still
have the two later models & have never seen
any reason to change instruments. They are
simply as good as you'll ever need.
Good luck, in your hunt. Boogie Sherrard
DERBYS since he began building them. I had
S/N 0003 to begin with; then progressed to
S/N 0027 - and finally to S/N 0072. I still
have the two later models & have never seen
any reason to change instruments. They are
simply as good as you'll ever need.
Good luck, in your hunt. Boogie Sherrard
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- Posts: 64
- Joined: 24 Jan 2005 1:01 am
- Location: Edgewood, New Mexico, USA
Billy I am a novice when it comes to playing a PSG, but I do know quality in both material and workmanship. The Derby rates an A+ on both. Charles and Margit Stepp was most gracious, helpful and kind before, during and after the purchase of my SD10 3x5. I truely enjoy this instrument.
Wishing you success in your endeavor.
Wishing you success in your endeavor.
- Rex Thomas
- Posts: 1202
- Joined: 17 Jan 2002 1:01 am
- Location: Thompson's Station, TN
Well, STICKING WITH TOPIC, I am a Derby player/owner, I have played a GFI, courtesy of Mr. Seymour, & I owned an Emmons push/pull for 23 yrs.
Before I go on I have to say that I have much respect for Nick Reed for him establishing (?) NTSGA & I've observed him to do plenty to promote the instrument we all love. I'm just a little surprised by the above thread hi-jack as I don't consider that Nick's style, but hey, small taters. There was an earlier Derby thread where a gentleman had mentioned he got rid of a Derby because it sounded like a plywood guitar. I'm not mentioning his name because after some e-mail correspondence I found him to be a VERY knowledgeable and really an all around good guy. Though for all I know the Derb he had could've very well been a dud as with any brand you'll run into that. But you'll run into those that will try to diss ANY brand to get you to go their direction for reasons other than build quality/tone.
So having said that, COMPARE/SHOP. The reason I settled on the Derby is because it has the tone I'd been searching for in the off/on 34 yrs. I played steel. And the Derb's tone blew my p/p's tone away hands down. Now I really like GFI's & their unique tone & would definitely have one along with the Derb, but I can afford only one so it's the Derby.
Uncle Charlie's got it all covered; tone, playability, & customer service. I dropped by early this week, he & Margit are doing fine & he's trying to keep up with demand as gtrs. are going out as fast as he/they can build 'em.
I'm nuts about mine.
So there, you got to chat with a VERY SATISFIED Derby player.
Before I go on I have to say that I have much respect for Nick Reed for him establishing (?) NTSGA & I've observed him to do plenty to promote the instrument we all love. I'm just a little surprised by the above thread hi-jack as I don't consider that Nick's style, but hey, small taters. There was an earlier Derby thread where a gentleman had mentioned he got rid of a Derby because it sounded like a plywood guitar. I'm not mentioning his name because after some e-mail correspondence I found him to be a VERY knowledgeable and really an all around good guy. Though for all I know the Derb he had could've very well been a dud as with any brand you'll run into that. But you'll run into those that will try to diss ANY brand to get you to go their direction for reasons other than build quality/tone.
So having said that, COMPARE/SHOP. The reason I settled on the Derby is because it has the tone I'd been searching for in the off/on 34 yrs. I played steel. And the Derb's tone blew my p/p's tone away hands down. Now I really like GFI's & their unique tone & would definitely have one along with the Derb, but I can afford only one so it's the Derby.
Uncle Charlie's got it all covered; tone, playability, & customer service. I dropped by early this week, he & Margit are doing fine & he's trying to keep up with demand as gtrs. are going out as fast as he/they can build 'em.
I'm nuts about mine.
So there, you got to chat with a VERY SATISFIED Derby player.
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- Location: Scotland.
- Arnie Craig
- Restricted
- Posts: 12
- Joined: 25 May 2004 12:01 am
- Location: Bastrop, Texas, USA
I HAVE BEEN PLAYING A 1980 S112 7&4 DEKLEY SINCE 1980 VERY NEAT DEPENDABLE,GOOD SOUNDING GUITAR,STILL HAVE IT,BUT IN NOV.2004 I GOT A NEW DERBY D10 8&5 THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF WORKMANSHIP,CHARLIE KNOWS HOW TO BUILD UM, VERY EASY PEDAL ACTION AND I REALY LIKE THE SOUND AND IT STAYS IN TUNE,
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- Posts: 549
- Joined: 21 Jun 2004 12:01 am
- Location: Moberly, Missouri, USA
scott henderson in missouri plays a psg like your asking about. i play a zum. i feel that the zum is the best but i never played a derby. don't see many derbys come on the forum for sale. when a zum comes on it only last for a couple hours and it is gone if it is a good price or not. there is a waiting list for a zum but call bruce he'll talk to you and set you streight. thanks doc
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zum SD10 peavy vegas 400 peavy session 400
if its not a zum steel it isn't real
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zum SD10 peavy vegas 400 peavy session 400
if its not a zum steel it isn't real
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- Bob Knight
- Posts: 5096
- Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
- Location: Bowling Green KY
<IMG SRC='http://usera.imagecave.com/bnit/bobderb.jpg'>
My old Derby</b>
<IMG SRC='http://usera.imagecave.com/bnit/jerryvderb.bmp.jpg'>
Jerry VanHoose and his Derby</b><FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Bob Knight on 20 February 2005 at 04:34 PM.]</p></FONT>
My old Derby</b>
<IMG SRC='http://usera.imagecave.com/bnit/jerryvderb.bmp.jpg'>
Jerry VanHoose and his Derby</b><FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Bob Knight on 20 February 2005 at 04:34 PM.]</p></FONT>
- Rex Thomas
- Posts: 1202
- Joined: 17 Jan 2002 1:01 am
- Location: Thompson's Station, TN
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- Posts: 72
- Joined: 22 Jul 1999 12:01 am
- Location: Charlottesville Va.
I started on a Shobud Maverick....then an emmons p/p '66 and purchased a D-10 Derby in 2000. I second everybodys favorable comments regarding the Derby and i havent looked back once at the ol'emmons....needless to say I have hung onto the emmons for sentimental sake and if i wanted to get a more vintage sound playing the emmons thru my '66 black face twin. Like a car, sit down and play a number of them...tone, mechanics etc. may differ even with the same models. I love the Derby!! The real innovation to me would be to make these turkeys about 40 lbs lighter...it's still a pain to haul the stuff around and i aint getting any younger and want a double neck.
Good luck, take time for this big investment.
Good luck, take time for this big investment.
- Johan Jansen
- Posts: 3328
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- Location: Europe
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- Lynn Owsley
- Posts: 343
- Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
- Location: Hendersonville, Tennessee
- Contact:
Billy,good luck in your search for the right guitar. I have played Derby Guitars since 1991 almost from the first when Charlie and Margit started the business.Prior to that I played Emmons and ShoBud for many years....I always wanted something that was kind of a cross between a ShoBud and an Emmons,the Derby is as close to this as I've found.
There are so many quality guitars on the market now days so I suggest you take your time and try many,give consideration to all aspects of this kind of business.I can say nothing but good about the Derby...I currently have 2 and I have never had anything major to go wrong in all these years,(oh I did break a 11ga string one time which was determined by the Derby Engineers that the ball end pulled loose on the string itself)
I would like to commment about the fact that steel guitar builders stay with it because they love it,I don't think they are getting rich doing this.Charlie Stepp has always been one who take no shortcuts and always puts out a high quality Derby Guitar.
The forum Buy and Sell Instruments currently has 2 used Derbys which look like good prices.Contact Charlie to talk about a new one....Happy Steelin....
There are so many quality guitars on the market now days so I suggest you take your time and try many,give consideration to all aspects of this kind of business.I can say nothing but good about the Derby...I currently have 2 and I have never had anything major to go wrong in all these years,(oh I did break a 11ga string one time which was determined by the Derby Engineers that the ball end pulled loose on the string itself)
I would like to commment about the fact that steel guitar builders stay with it because they love it,I don't think they are getting rich doing this.Charlie Stepp has always been one who take no shortcuts and always puts out a high quality Derby Guitar.
The forum Buy and Sell Instruments currently has 2 used Derbys which look like good prices.Contact Charlie to talk about a new one....Happy Steelin....
- Ron Elliott
- Posts: 913
- Joined: 30 Mar 2004 1:01 am
- Location: Madison, Tennessee, USA
- Contact:
Thank you, Lynn. There's not too much I can add to that, except I'm playing my 3rd one and I love it. Next, there is no lag-time in shipping to you. Charlie has various guitars made up...so all he has to do is put your set-up on, and ship it out. My compliments go to that kind of business. I'm spending the day with Charlie and Margit Sat. and he'll give mine a 50,000 mile check-up and then we'll play for the Kentucky Steel Guitar Club on Sunday. I'm really looking forward to it,..BTW, you'll really like your Derby Steel Guitar. Thanks a Lot! Ron
- Lonnie Portwood
- Posts: 934
- Joined: 7 Aug 2000 12:01 am
- Location: Jacksonville, fl. USA
For everyone's info, Charlie worked for Emmons Guitars for about ten years before deciding to build his Derby. Go figure! Ron I'm afraid to say I know you because people will think I'm as old as you!!Lynn, we love you and none of us here in Florida really believe that "stuff" folks are saying!! Lonnie P.