First Timer looking for a guitar

[John Criscolo]

Im trying to do as much research as possible in order to find my first pedal steel, but man!! There’s so much more then I thought!! Mullen is a few hours away, but they apparently don’t have any stock or anything for sale. Zum seems to make some nice sets- a nicer Sho-bud would work too. What are your guys thoughts on the Carters and Emmons for sale on here? How many pedals do I really need for playing for fun? From what I’ve figured out, a D10 with a few pedals and knee levers with some George Ls or at least humbuckers would work. We can talk Volume pedal and amp set up next!! Thanks for any help!! Also What the hell is TTT?

[Jeremy Reeves]

TTT = to the top

[Jerry Overstreet]

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=364110

This would be a great place to start if not already sold.

Classified as entry level, I guess, but so much better than the so-called entry level guitars of the past.

[John Criscolo]

To The Top? What’s that? I’m kinda leaning towards more than an entry level- I’m just playing for myself- No studio or live playing for me- I enjoy playing against a CD and having fun- that way the original artist picks up any notes I miss!! I’ll look at that link now-

[John Criscolo]

@Jerry, that looks like a very “base model” (?) option, but I think the double idea to have both neck options would be good/better?

[John Criscolo]

Also, thank you for the responses so far- I think I understand y’all use the C6 neck for more of a Western swing sound and the E9 for more modern country- no? I’ve been in love with the sound since Barbara Mandrel- but it wasn’t till I met Ross Huskinson this summer did I get really excited about the possibility of getting into these. Now I’m downloading Sarah Jory and Watching every YouTube video I can find!

[Jerry Overstreet]

TTT, To the Top etc. is just a way to push one's post back to the top of the page. Actually, any entry you make will do that as the most recent reply goes to the top.

Glad to hear you are interested in a double neck guitar.
Yes, the C6 neck is great for western swing as well as pop and jazz stuff.

I think you would do just fine with a Carter D10 guitar. Zum, Mullen, Emmons LeGrande, etc. would also be good choices. I would caution you against old used and obscure brands as they may require adjustments and repairs you don't want particularly as a new player.

I would encourage you to buy a quality guitar with as recent a vintage as you can afford.

You can always ask here for information and opinions about any guitar you have interest in.

Good Luck.

[John Criscolo]

@Jerry, Thank you! That makes sense now. I figure I’ll give it a try, and as long as I get a good price on a good guitar, I can always find someone who’ll love it next. Sure wish I lived in BNA, damn there are tons for sale around there. Anyone around DEN or front range even?

[Andrew Goulet]

I hear nothing but good things about Justice guitars as well. Brand-new, well-made guitars that are priced for the beginner. I second Jerry's notion to avoid an older or obscure guitar, unless you like tinkering as much as playing.

[Jon Zimmerman]

Hello John: another strategy to start with- any one you know nearby who plays a steel? Set up to let you “take a ride”? That’s exactly how I started out. Many on this Forum did it that way as well. It’s a good guage to tell how coordinated you must be, instead of legs, feet, fingers and ears Akimbo. Or try a shop ready to seat you ‘at the wheel’. And don’t be discouraged. We all are “practice makes perfect” people. 😀👍

[John Criscolo]

I don’t know anyone around me who has a Steel to even try out- too funny I used to play with a group Limbs Akimbo in AZ, I never thought of that as the best way to explain how to run a PSG!! 😂. Anyone around DEN on here? Mullen is about a 2+ hour drive, but they’re not showing any inventory. Thank you to all for the intel!

[Alex Stewart]

As a beginner I highly recommend emailing Doug Earnest at http://www.stageonesteelguitars.com.

The Stage One is a single neck E9 with three pedals and four knee levers. The build quality is top notch and it stays in tune real well. So many people will tell you this is the best economy PSG around. I guess some pros use it for flight gigs because it is light.

I was on the waiting list for about three months when I ordered mine a year and a half ago. Worth emailing Doug and seeing what the wait time is now.

[Richard Alderson]

Hi John - Have you ever played any slide guitar before? Any dobro, or lap steel? What instruments do you currently play? And what's your musical style?

Just curious...

It could help point you in the right direction regarding a pedal steel purchase.

The number one highest seller by far in this market is a single neck guitar tuned to the Nashville E9th tuning with 3 pedals and four to five knee levers. The reason is because that set up is enough to keep the average musician happily confused and entertained for the next 25 years.

But if you have already played an 8 string c6th tuning a lot, for example on lap steel, that starts to change the conversation. Otherwise I think most folks would say start out with one neck.

[Andrew Goulet]

Richard's question is wise.

[Fred Justice]

Andrew, thank you for the nice words about the Justice Steel Guitars.
John, we would be happy to build you a guitar set up the way you want it, and in you price range as well.
Wait time is not too long and before you know it, you'll be picken & grinnen.
Here is the link to the website where you'll find all the models to view. Thanks for looking John.
http://www.justicesteelguitars.com/

[John Criscolo]

I’ve been playing guitar for about 40 years now, my Kindergarten teacher started to give me lessons after school as a way to watch me till my folks came home. I studied Classical for the longest time, I was a huge fan of Big Bang and swing, then in 1992 Dream Theaters second album came out, and I’ve been killing my self playing their music ever since. Over the years, John Petrucci has become a friend of mine, and I’m currently playing his Ernie Ball BFR. I have been in love with the pedal steel since I started playing. As far as slide or anything along those lines, I’ve played some when needed, but that’s about it.

[Richard Alderson]

Big Band sounds, and jazz are more commonly associated with the C6th tuning. That is the second neck on a double ten; or a universal 12 string single neck guitar that does both E9th sounds and C6th sounds. On a 10 string single neck guitar tuned to E9th you can get the C6th sounds by lowering the E's with a knee lever.

Pentatonic blues and rock scales can also be done on E9th;

[Greg Forsyth]

John,
Here's a single neck rebuilt Sho-Bud for sale in Colorado:

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=363942

Another single neck Sho-bud on craigslist in the Springs:

https://denver.craigslist.org/msg/d/col ... 24380.html

Both of the pedal steels listed above are E9.
I haven't seen a double for sale here.
I with the guys who suggest starting with a single neck.
Mullen has a guitar named Discovery that I would check into if you are to buy a new pedal steel. They are built w/ an E9 neck but probably would build one C6.

[Jack Hanson]

I've been a die-hard push/pull guy since 1977. But I don't see how you could possibly go wrong with an entry level Mullen. Especially living relatively close to Flagler. Since I'm also located in Colo, that's where I'd go if I were in your shoes.

[Ben Waligoske]

I live in Denver, and know most of the players around here. Not sure if there are any D10s to be had currently, but I do know one younger player who has a Carter SD10 he's getting ready to sell. There is also a really nice looking Sho Bud Pro 1 for sale in CO Springs currently that Greg linked, but, both those are E9 only...

Occasionally Mullen will have a refurb or extra stock to sell, but you're right, it doesn't look like they do currently. In that case, with them you are usually looking at at least a couple months lead time on a new build.

Have you called the Mullen shop to discuss? They're very friendly people out there, they could likely give you a rundown of current lead times, and who knows, maybe they do have a guitar sitting around they'd sell you...

[John Criscolo]

@Greg thanks for these links! I hadn’t seen the first one yet, the Sho-Bud looks beautiful, it for just a few hundred bucks more I could get a D10, no? Both necks to cover everything Id ever get into. Where in CO are you? Where are these other guys at? I see ALS valley down here- Anyone know if there’s anyone on the south side of DEN?

[John Criscolo]

@Ben where are you? Anywhere Near Parker Castle Rock? I’ve not called out there yet, I was given a name to message and try to reach out to, but I haven’t heard back from them yet.

[John Criscolo]

I was able to reach to Mike at Mullen, he has a D10 that just came into the shop, and there are 2 or 3 on here that are a possibility. Gotta figure which and move onto volume pedals and amps. Sounds like I won’t want to use my Mesa equipment, I should be looking for a Nashville 1-12 or even 1-15. BJS bars are the best? Lastly pedals- Who’s got a pedal steel volume pedal recommendation for me? Thanks again to all who have helped this newbie! I’m closer than I’ve ever been and I can’t wait!! Thank you!

[Terry Elms]

Hey John, I'm in the Springs and in the same boat you are. I sent you a pm.

[Andrew Goulet]

For volume pedals, I think the basic choice is between a volume pot pedal (Goodrich, Ernie Ball, etc) and a light sensor pedal (Hilton, Telonics). A Hilton or Telonics might be more expensive up front, but you will never have to replace a volume pot (other maintenance might be required). I also believe that a light-sensor pedal will give you control over the total range and maybe even sweep ratio.

I feel that height and angle are important; Goodrich pedals are fairly low (and they have an even lower model than their standard). Ernie Ball might be more suited to a standing position.

I've never used a light-sensor pedal, but I've had a Goodrich for a long time now and love it. It's pretty easy to replace the volume pot (it was my second time soldering electronics and I did fine) and pretty cheap (about $30 for a high quality pot). I think Tom Bradshaw's pots are good for something like a million wipes, too, so it's not like you'll be replacing them very often. The Goodrich is well-designed and built like a tank. You can basically fix anything on it yourself.