Looking for information about affordable Pedal Steels

Shane McCowen · Post by **Shane McCowen** » 9 Oct 2022 10:16 am

Hello, everybody! I’m currently in the market for a S10 PSG. As I am new to this instrument I am not looking for the best of the best, but something that is in good condition that doesn’t need work and that also is in the $1,000-$2,000 range. SD10’s and what they are selling for is a little out of my price range as of now, but would like to upgrade to one in the future. As I am still new to this instrument, I appreciate any advice/recommendations anyone would have for me on what guitar/model would be suit a new player. Thanks!

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 9 Oct 2022 11:23 am

Moved from For Sale: Steel Guitars to Pedal steel, and title changed to reflect content - you appear to be asking for advice about a good guitar to get in an affordable price range.

When you figure out what you're looking for, please post in Wanted to Buy. For Sale: Steel Guitars is for selling a guitar one owns.

There are lots of recent threads on this topic. There are also many options for affordable steels. For example, in a new steel, in no particular order:

1. Justice Jr. in the $1000-1600 range, depending on how many pedals and levers you want;

2. Doug Ernest's Stage One, which has 3 pedals and 4 levers and is definitely in your price range;

3. Mullen Discovery, which is at the upper end of your price range;

4. Stage One Encore, which is also around the upper end of your price range, also made by Doug Ernest;

5. GFI has an entry-level guitar also.

Another option is to find a good used guitar. Some brands that periodically come up in your price range:

1. 70s or early 80s MSA

2. BMI

3. Occasionally an S10 Carter

4. Dekley

5. Even occasionally a good 70s Sho Bud will show up in your price range.

There are others, but those are probably the most common at a good price. The most important thing is that the guitar plays well and doesn't require a bunch of mechanical work. It is probably a good idea to either have an experienced player go with you to look for one if there's anything local, or deal with people that are reputable - either dealers (there are a few) or well thought of people on this forum. I generally discourage new players from dealing with the uncharted waters of pedal steels on places like ebay or reverb. There are a lot of people out there with pedal steels that know essentially nothing about them. My opinion, of course.

It would also be useful to know if you have something to play now, or are you are totally brand new to this and don't have anything to play. If you have something, you can probably afford to be more patient in searching for something in a good used steel, or get on a longer waiting list for a new guitar. I find that persistence and patience is usually rewarded in the search for a good pedal steel.

To find more info on the forum, either use the forum search function (which is not great) or use a search engine like google with the search tag site:bb.steelguitarforum.com added.

Larry Jamieson · Post by **Larry Jamieson** » 10 Oct 2022 4:41 pm

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=385327

Here is a good guitar in your price range.

Larry Jamieson · Post by **Larry Jamieson** » 10 Oct 2022 4:46 pm

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=385306

Here is another nice MSA in your price range. MSA is a solid, well built guitar that plays easily and holds up well if taken care of. My first one I played for 20 years with never a problem.

K Maul · Post by **K Maul** » 13 Oct 2022 5:46 am

I don’t know how backed up their production is but you should seriously consider a Justice. They’re very well made, use modern tech and don’t weigh a ton like many older steels. You can get 3 pedals, 4 knees well under your budget limits. Talk to Ron. http://www.justicesteelguitars.com/S10.html