Carter Starter

Roger Pietz · Post by **Roger Pietz** » 7 Oct 2006 6:51 pm

Yes I went back to the person who told me this and he asked me if I referred to the Carter Starter. Sorry folks I guess I should learn a little more before I make comments. The Carter Starter I was told does not stay in tune and is a cheap piece of junk as far as other steel guitars go. I hope this makes sense to those who know what I am trying to appologize for. I guess don't believe everything you hear. Especially when it comes to good female steel guitar players some are so good that others ger jealous of them.

Sidney Ralph Penton · Post by **Sidney Ralph Penton** » 7 Oct 2006 8:20 pm

i had a carter starter for my first psg. it was a very good insturment. it stayed in tune very well. the only difference between the carter starter and a pro model is the legs are non adjustable, the end plates are made of heavy plastic instead of stainless steel. basicly any way they could cut back on cost for building this psg they did it. but when it comes to playing it sounded pretty good. its not as good as my zum but then again there isn't much that can hold a candle to a zum.

------------------
zum SD10 peavy session 400 peavy XR600G
if its not a zum steel it isn't real
just trying to steel for the Lord>

Jeremy Threlfall · Post by **Jeremy Threlfall** » 8 Oct 2006 12:43 am

I can't speak highly enough of my Carter Starter for a learner. I made an excellent choice starting off with it!

I've just taken delivery of an '84 Pro-I and the Starter holds its own tone-wise (qualified: to my inexperienced ear and lack of experience in amp set-ups) The 'Bud has much nicer pedal and knee action, but I never had a tuning problem with my Starter (although the Sperzels on the bud feel nicer) and I won't be too sad if it takes a while to sell it on. In fact, I think I'd be inclined to gig the Carter rather than take the 'Bud out to certain venues. Not that I've played steel in a band yet, but there are some gigs I always take my second tele to.

John Fabian · Post by **John Fabian** » 8 Oct 2006 2:47 am

Carter-Starter was never intended to be or replace a professional level guitar. It is an entry level guitar and over 3000 customers have chosen Carter-Starters to begin their journey into the world of pedal steel guitar. You'll find many of them here on the Forum.

All of our end plates are made of aluminum including the ones used on the Carter-Starter. Carter-Starter end plates are black powder-coated not polished like our pro model.

I guess don't believe everything you hear

Straight from the horse's mouth!

------------------
John Fabian
Carter Steel Guitars

www.steelguitar.com
www.steelguitarinfo.com
www.carterstarter.com
www.magnumsteelguitars.com
<div style="display:none">[This message was edited by John Fabian on 08 October 2006 at 02:51 PM.]

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 8 Oct 2006 3:41 am

My Starter stayed in tune just fine and had no more or fewer problems that plague most steel guitars.
I don't know what the source of such disparaging comments is. Perhaps people who weren't able to learn pedal steel immediately and blamed the tools?

It's amazing that Carter is able to build such a guitar for the price. It is less complex than my MSA--a boon for beginners. Bud Carter designed both guitars, and obviously benefitted from decades of experience in design and manufacturing in building a great entry level guitar.

So Roger, I think your comment was not taken as bad-mouthing, but rather bad information from someone.
Now about those female steel players...

Malcolm McMaster · Post by **Malcolm McMaster** » 8 Oct 2006 4:40 am

I recently got hold of a Carter Starter for a friend who is just starting out on steel.A great little guitar!.Stays in tune, sounds good, I would not hesitate to take this guitar to a gig if my own was broken for any reason. Having met the "Carter Family" at Dallas and Newbury when they visited the UK, I can only praise them for all their efforts to promote steel guitar

------------------

Mullen D10,Peavey Nashville 400,Peavey Profex, Peavey DPC 750, Nashville cabs

Bill Mayville · Post by **Bill Mayville** » 8 Oct 2006 8:51 am

I agree with Charlie.
Many have been over to my place with crap for a steel.All with so-called pro models.
The Starter never did anything but play.It may not fine tune like some of the pro models, but it is a reliable starter from Carter.Anybody can learn while on a starter
from Carter.
Bill

Pat Richardson · Post by **Pat Richardson** » 12 Oct 2006 11:35 pm

I played regular 6 string lead guitar for 30 plus years , and I have a fairly good ear. I bought a Carter Starter and had it for 2 months. All I can say is it held together enough to get my feet wet and qourius enough to say to my self "well I sound ok on this piece of junk , I wonder what Id sound like if I bought a decent guitar" and I did.

The Carter Starter I had simply would not stay in tune. They are just plain not worth the $700 plus price tag. It would be a bad guitar if it sold new for $299. At least you would be getting what you pay for!

------------------
SD-10 GFI Ultra, Peavey Session 400 Limited

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 13 Oct 2006 12:08 am

there are plenty of folks who have PRO Guitars that can't keep them in tune for one reason or another.

Perhaps there was an issue, perhaps something else was going on.

My experience had two players come for lessons, both with Starters , both stayed in tune and played pretty good., certainly not like my D10 PRO Carter, but certainly worthy of learning and playing.

think about the big picture....

If ALL of them had issues and didn't stay in tune there would be a much bigger problem going on.

A. J. Schobert · Post by **A. J. Schobert** » 13 Oct 2006 7:38 am

I want to give my 2cents, keep in mind Pietz posted this aggresive thread on oct. 7, later on oct. 11 he appologized, that thread is closed while this thread is still active? Roger I understand your sorry,but why not try the guitar out before you post threads? maybe you did try it out I don't know. Also for an entry level guitar what do you expect? I would imagine you would have it about a year and decide if you want to continue playing or not, don't think an entry level guitar has all the goodies as a D10!! $700 is not alot, and this is what new guys need, also I don't think carter is really making that much off 'em. (but thats my opinion) I enjoy my carter john and look forward to buying another one !!!GOD BLESS

Mike Winter · Post by **Mike Winter** » 13 Oct 2006 8:10 am

I played a friend's Carter Starter for a while. It think it sounded great considering. The only issue it had was the LKR (E lower) had way too much travel before it engaged...not sure if that was typical or not. Kind of spendy, but all new guitars, whether entry-level or not, seem to be spendy nowadays...and you usually get what you pay for.

------------------
Mike
------------------
Blue Moon Highway
(Country Music...and then some.)
www.bluemoonhighway.com

ZB Custom S-10 (#0509)

Post by **b0b** » 13 Oct 2006 9:21 am

I'm closing this one too.