Many Thanks to Doug Earnest of Stage One PSGs

Ray Gehringer · Post by **Ray Gehringer** » 17 Jan 2022 6:16 am

I just wanted to take the time to say "thank you" to Doug Earnest after receiving my Stage One Pedal Steel Guitar this past Friday.

It was an easy set up without much fuss at all with only very minor adjustments to the pedals/rods. Once set up the Stage One was a joy to play... it has a really nice substantial feel with great pedal and knee lever action.

Sound-wise... I started with all my amp controls set at noon and then plugged in. With only a few tweaks the sound is nearly perfect to my ears without noise as it has a humbucking pickup.

I'm used to playing a D10 and after setting up the Stage One with relative ease and it taking up so much less real estate it almost seemed too good to be true but the Stage One stays anchored nicely and the overall feel is substantial. I still need to put the Stage One through the paces but at the moment I couldn't be happier. I'll add that I got the Stage One volume pedal, it's comfortable to use and I like the feel of it.

Lastly... Doug Earnest is a really good guy who is very easy to work with and makes a high quality product in every way that I can see for an excellent price and I can't ask for more than that. Continued success, Doug, I think you said that you've made at least 1400 Steels and that's impressive, I wish you another 1400... at least.

Ben Lawson · Post by **Ben Lawson** » 17 Jan 2022 7:15 am

Ray, I have to agree with you about Doug. I've dealt with him over the last ten or so years and he's a great guy! Praying he returns to good health and more steel building soon. I'm trying to lighten my load so an Encore is in the plans.

Ray Gehringer · Post by **Ray Gehringer** » 17 Jan 2022 2:59 pm

Ben Lawson wrote:Ray, I have to agree with you about Doug. I've dealt with him over the last ten or so years and he's a great guy! Praying he returns to good health and more steel building soon. I'm trying to lighten my load so an Encore is in the plans.

I bought my Stage One for the same reason... to lighten the load. I was tempted by the Encore but had to be realistic re finances and so far I'm over the moon with the Stage One. Doug seems in real good spirits and is chipping away. Best of luck with your plans for an Encore and yes... prayers and good thoughts out to Doug!

Larry Dering · Post by **Larry Dering** » 17 Jan 2022 6:04 pm

Ray, I bought a used Stage One several years ago for a lightweight easy gig guitar. It has been excellent and trouble free. I added the Don Blood armrest because I am used to D10s and SD10s. It's not my only guitar but I give it lots of playing time and it holds it own with the rest.

Norbert Dengler · Post by **Norbert Dengler** » 18 Jan 2022 3:50 am

thank god for guys like Doug who keep things affordable at these troubled times. I don`t have one of his steels but would not hesitate to get one anyday. But i do own two volume pedals that he builds for a more than fair price and love them so much that my goodriches stay at home.
Thank you Doug!

Ray Gehringer · Post by **Ray Gehringer** » 18 Jan 2022 4:36 am

Larry Dering wrote:Ray, I bought a used Stage One several years ago for a lightweight easy gig guitar. It has been excellent and trouble free. I added the Don Blood armrest because I am used to D10s and SD10s. It's not my only guitar but I give it lots of playing time and it holds it own with the rest.

I am considering an armrest as well and have looked over Don Bloods website. My only steel until now is a D10 but oddly since I've been playing the Stage One I have been doing okay with not having anything to rest my arms on. Honestly I have to take note of my form but it's not been as bad as I thought either. I'll see how I'm doing in a month and then decide about one of Don Blood's arm rests.

Ray Gehringer · Post by **Ray Gehringer** » 18 Jan 2022 4:49 am

Norbert Dengler wrote:thank god for guys like Doug who keep things affordable at these troubled times. I don`t have one of his steels but would not hesitate to get one anyday. But i do own two volume pedals that he builds for a more than fair price and love them so much that my goodriches stay at home.
Thank you Doug!

Norbert, so far I really like my Stage One volume pedal. In the past I have used either a Morley or Sho-Bud volume pedal but I find the Stage One pedal more comfortable and easier to use than the Bud or Morley pedals. And I agree that it is a pleasure to do business with a fair minded guy like Doug.

Larry Dering · Post by **Larry Dering** » 18 Jan 2022 6:56 pm

Ray, if you are OK without the arm rest that good. I was playing a BMI S10 without one for a good bit of time and adjusted to it OK. Your seat position is different and closeness to the pedals. Still prefer my SD10s for comfort.

Ray Gehringer · Post by **Ray Gehringer** » 19 Jan 2022 4:35 am

Larry Dering wrote:Ray, if you are OK without the arm rest that good. I was playing a BMI S10 without one for a good bit of time and adjusted to it OK. Your seat position is different and closeness to the pedals. Still prefer my SD10s for comfort.

Being closer to the pedals is actually taking a little more getting used to than not resting my forearms.

Jim Fogarty · Post by **Jim Fogarty** » 19 Jan 2022 2:03 pm

I had a Don Blood armrest and liked it.......but got an Encore with the stock, smaller, lighter armrest that Doug sells, and I prefer that. Fits in the case, less of a hassle to install and does the job.

Just fyi.

Ray Gehringer · Post by **Ray Gehringer** » 19 Jan 2022 3:23 pm

Thanks for the info, Jim... appreciated.

Larry Dering · Post by **Larry Dering** » 20 Jan 2022 6:02 am

Jim I agree on the armrest from Doug. Mine won't fit in the original case and I don't plan on a bigger case. I played it on gigs without the armrest for the time being. Since gigs fell off I haven't worried about it.

Ray Gehringer · Post by **Ray Gehringer** » 22 Jan 2022 10:44 am

Just got done practicing and still not really missing resting on the C6 neck… out of sight out of mind I guess.

Karl Paulsen · Post by **Karl Paulsen** » 22 Jan 2022 11:53 am

It's a bit fiddly, but I can fit the encore/stage one armrest in the case with my Encore. I like having the rest.

Edward Efira · Post by **Edward Efira** » 27 Jan 2022 4:12 pm

Ignorants should read Bruce Zumsteg biography, they would see that Doug was the builder in charge when Bruce was still active to allow him (Bruce) to produce more "pro" guitars.
What Bruce wrote about Doug should free the mind of those who are more influenced by a brand name than by their ears.