There's something about a black guitar.

Larry Baker · Post by **Larry Baker** » 27 Nov 2021 5:28 pm

I guess you all havenâ€™t heard that Red is the new black!!!

John Brock · Post by **John Brock** » 15 Dec 2021 3:51 pm

Donn Lewis · Post by **Donn Lewis** » 15 Dec 2021 4:18 pm

Yes!

Frank Carter · Post by **Frank Carter** » 20 Dec 2021 10:07 pm

here's mine

Gary Peaslee · Post by **Gary Peaslee** » 20 Dec 2021 10:52 pm

OK. I'll play:

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Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 21 Dec 2021 3:02 am

I just bought a new GFI Ultra S-10 with pad, keyless. It is Black.
Bought from Billy Coopers.

Bobby D. Jones · Post by **Bobby D. Jones** » 30 Dec 2021 8:55 pm

Here is my black steel, Affectionally named Marie Laveau. A S 12U GFI Ultra.

Their are many stories I have heard about Black Steels is, The black covering used on most steels, Is not true Formica. It is a thinner plastic laminate, That has no sound deadening backing. When laminated to wood does not deaden vibration.
At the Washington, PA Steel Show, Someone asked Mr. Huey at his booth, Why he only played a black steels. He talked about the lamination being thinner.

Derek Puckett · Post by **Derek Puckett** » 8 Jan 2022 1:23 pm

Must Be something with black

Larry Ball · Post by **Larry Ball** » 9 Jan 2022 8:58 am

Reflection is stage lighting…

john widgren · Post by **john widgren** » 9 Jan 2022 9:40 am

Zumsteel post production bolt on. Black of course!

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 9 Jan 2022 10:54 am

I agree. While I occasionally lust after a teal green guitar, I'll have this beauty for the rest of my days.

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 9 Jan 2022 2:14 pm

Bruce built this bewty for me in 2008 :-} - still going strong!

Henry Doepel · Post by **Henry Doepel** » 9 Jan 2022 3:41 pm

With all these beautiful black steels posted here I figured someone should represent Fessenden

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Bud Harger · Post by **Bud Harger** » 10 Jan 2022 5:11 am

Bud Carter once told me that a black guitar allowed him to concentrate on his playing… and not ever be distracted by a “Color”… maybe that explains the presence of “frequency” or lack of “frequency “.

I agree!

bUd

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 10 Jan 2022 6:05 am

There's something about a black guitar

Sure is! They show dust and fingerprints worse than any other color. Plus, they get inordinately hot if you're playing in the sun.

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 16 Jan 2022 12:13 pm

My other "Black" guitar - had this old boy since new 1986 .... never misses a beat and always look fabulous :-}

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 16 Jan 2022 12:49 pm

Tom Brumley's ZB Custom D-11

John De Maille · Post by **John De Maille** » 16 Jan 2022 1:34 pm

My 2003 U-12 ZumSteel.

Flip Brown · Post by **Flip Brown** » 30 Jan 2022 3:14 pm

I woke up this morning with a Red MSA PS, and this afternoon it's now black carbon fiber. Actually, it was carbon fiber all along, but you couldn't tell.

I was indeed fortunate to pick up old #22 of the first generation of Millennium pedal steels. Going from my good old Sierra Artist to this was like getting out of my trusty old Volkswagen and getting the keys to a Mercedes. I didn't really like the red, though, and there were numerous nicks and scratches, befitting an eighteen year old instrument that had seen some use - indicated by the wear on the case. Plus, I had seen some of the Millenniums finished with what appeared to be a clear gel coat over the original carbon fiber, and I loved that look.

I'm not sure how I first came across it, but I ended up buying some 3M 2080 vinyl wrap (actually, a whole kit with the right quantity of wrap and all the tools I needed for $49.95 on eBay). You've probably seen cars around town that look like rolling billboards with the stuff, or if you want your Mustang to be neon lime green this is the way to go.

Just for the sake of comparison I took the PS to my local auto accessories shop where they do this work and they quoted me $335 to wrap it. Ouch! It took me about three and a half hours (not counting re-stringing) but it was fun.

While there are a few places where you can see the red (like under the changer) and there are some minor wrinkles here and there, I'm very happy with the way it turned out. It's now "my" pedal steel (being the last one I'll own), and I agree that there is something about black and chrome that is special.

Of course, just because I think it looks better doesn't mean I'll play it any better. Gotta get back to practicing! I enjoy being part of this community.

John De Maille · Post by **John De Maille** » 30 Jan 2022 5:52 pm

Here's my 76' S-11 RusLer with 5+4

K Maul · Post by **K Maul** » 31 Jan 2022 11:34 am

I’m still fine tuning this “Faux~Bud” SD 12 I picked up recently. It was probably made by an employee “off campus” according to Ricky Davis’ analysis. It’s like a Super-Pro underneath so I replaced some of the pot metal knee lever parts with Michael Yahl’s parts. I took the pad off and installed a dobro/lap steel neck. 5pedals+6knees. I’m probably leaving it as extended E9 but am thinking that over.

I also have a black Justice

And this fantastic EXCEL S-11.

Larry Lenhart · Post by **Larry Lenhart** » 31 Jan 2022 1:12 pm

Here are a couple of mine from years gone by...both beautiful, great playing, sounding steels.

David Ball · Post by **David Ball** » 31 Jan 2022 2:32 pm

My first steel guitar was a black Airline lapsteel. I've had bunches of black steels since then--Emmons, Fessenden, Lone Star, Excel, Blanton, GFI and the list goes on. Probably have forgotten a bunch of them! All of my Harleys were black too. There is definitely something there...

Still have the black Lone Star. All of my other steels are lacquered these days, and I sold my last motorcycles last summer. Time marches on.

Dave

Larry Allen · Post by **Larry Allen** » 31 Jan 2022 3:13 pm

Here’s another Excel..black on black

Tom Quinn · Post by **Tom Quinn** » 31 Jan 2022 4:02 pm

The Steel Guitar Forum

There's something about a black guitar.

The ole outlaw

Here is mine

Black Bolty

Fessenden D10

Agree !

Red to Black

Blacky