What's the best steel you own/played?

Liam Sullins · Post by **Liam Sullins** » 12 Feb 2021 10:27 am

This has probably been discussed before but who cares! Drop a picture if you can!

Ryan Lunenfeld · Post by **Ryan Lunenfeld** » 12 Feb 2021 10:30 am

for me it's my emci rangefinder welded frame.

It's my only one...but what can I say...it sounds amazing. And I'm glad I picked up a steelaire, definitely improves the sound!

Liam Sullins · Post by **Liam Sullins** » 12 Feb 2021 10:31 am

Great looking steel!

Ryan Lunenfeld · Post by **Ryan Lunenfeld** » 12 Feb 2021 10:33 am

Liam Sullins wrote:Great looking steel!

Thank you! thus far loving it, although wondering, should I have gone for an SD10 to make life easier! ha. But...I think it's got a lot of years on it of learning.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 12 Feb 2021 10:37 am

'95 D10 8+8. Out of at least a dozen brands and models I have owned. Gone but not forgotten.

Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 12 Feb 2021 10:43 am

Any Emmons push pull that I have owned. All way from a 66 bolt on to a late 80â€™s and they have all been great, different but great. Now I have a 72 Fatback and a 74 cut tail. Love the fat back but both great guitars. Zum and Rains up really close.

Ryan Lunenfeld · Post by **Ryan Lunenfeld** » 12 Feb 2021 11:14 am

Jerry Overstreet wrote:'95 D10 8+8. Out of at least a dozen brands and models I have owned. Gone but not forgotten.

looks great! I really would love a mullen, especially since they're so close to where I live in case anything goes wrong!

Bill L. Wilson · Post by **Bill L. Wilson** » 12 Feb 2021 11:14 am

Iâ€™ve had a few steels but this old â€˜95 Emmons beatsâ€™em all.

Pat Moore · Post by **Pat Moore** » 12 Feb 2021 11:55 am

My '78 Emmons PP! Tone to the bone! Stays in tune!
Love my ShoBud LDG too!

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 12 Feb 2021 12:04 pm

Kline. Wish I still had it.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 12 Feb 2021 12:06 pm

Ryan, grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, right? Yes, Mullen guitars and people are great but that guitar you have also makes a lot of players envious.

I owned one of these for a bit.

Those were just absolutely great sounding guitars. Be proud.

BTW, I thought only the MCI were called this and pardon the nit-picking but the terminology is:

Liam Sullins · Post by **Liam Sullins** » 12 Feb 2021 12:28 pm

Jerry Overstreet - Awesome Mullen.

Liam Sullins · Post by **Liam Sullins** » 12 Feb 2021 12:29 pm

Pat - How heavy is that PP? Wondering because I have one coming in March/April. How is that LDG?

Ryan Lunenfeld · Post by **Ryan Lunenfeld** » 12 Feb 2021 12:53 pm

Jerry Overstreet wrote:Ryan, grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, right? Yes, Mullen guitars and people are great but that guitar you have also makes a lot of players envious.

I owned one of these for a bit.

Those were just absolutely great sounding guitars. Be proud.

BTW, I thought only the MCI were called this and pardon the nit-picking but the terminology is:

Definitely understand! I love the way it sounds. It's just a lot of steel to start with!

You're probably right, I've got the name wrong. I don't have any decals on it, not even a serial sticker in the undercarriage.

Ken Pippus · Post by **Ken Pippus** » 12 Feb 2021 1:07 pm

A different week, I might have picked the one in my Avatar.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 12 Feb 2021 1:27 pm

I'd have to say that steels can be rated in terms of many characteristics; tone, ease of operation, ease of user modification, fit and finish, access to manufacturer, extra amenities if any, availability of parts, vintage "mojo" etc. One guitar might have had the tone you've always only dreamed of, but played like a truck with no power steering, while another could be the most beautiful to look at and played like a driving a Lexus, but the tone died at the 12th fret. So the OQ begs the question(s) "best in what respect?"

Out of the many vintage Emmonses and Sho-Buds and Mullen and Fessendens that I've owned, and considering all of the above listed characteristics, I'd say that my 2015 Infinity is the all-around "best" guitar that I've owned. Not #1 in all the categories (though #1 in some), but high enough in each for me to rate it as I have.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 12 Feb 2021 1:49 pm

This custom built gospel Rains is truly an outstanding steel.
It was built by Bob Rains with a body by Mark Giles.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 12 Feb 2021 1:55 pm

Liam Sullins · Post by **Liam Sullins** » 12 Feb 2021 3:00 pm

Mike Perlowin wrote:

Woah, now that's special!

Dennis Montgomery · Post by **Dennis Montgomery** » 12 Feb 2021 3:37 pm

I've gone through quite a few over the years, but my custom vinyl wrapped, BL712 with coil tap, 2018 Mullen G2 SD12 is my forever steel

Pat Moore · Post by **Pat Moore** » 12 Feb 2021 4:28 pm

Liam Sullins wrote:Pat - How heavy is that PP? Wondering because I have one coming in March/April. How is that LDG?

Hi Liam,
Don't know exactly, but a little heavier than a LeGrande but not as heavy as a '72 Emmons fatback with the wide pedals. The extra weight is well worth that PP tone! A little heavy with everything in the case, but I have an SKB case with wheels for the body & a PA stand bag for the pedals & legs.
ShoBud plays great, stays on tune, & being an SD10, quite lighter than the PP. Has that "Bud" tone for sure!
Hope that helps!
Pat

Johnie King · Post by **Johnie King** » 12 Feb 2021 4:31 pm

1967 bolt on Iâ€™m hooked on tone an playability.

scott murray · Post by **scott murray** » 12 Feb 2021 4:36 pm

I've owned BMI, Sho-Bud, Sierra, Williams, Carter, Emmons, JCH, Zum, and I've played several other brands. I'd say the Legrande beats the JCH, but not by much!

Tucker Jackson · Post by **Tucker Jackson** » 12 Feb 2021 7:45 pm

But Scott... the JCH is so beautiful. That counts for something.

Ron Shalita · Post by **Ron Shalita** » 12 Feb 2021 7:52 pm

Not sure which one the best, but I can say the worst I ever had was wonderful!

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What's the best steel you own/played?

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