What about Fessenden

Mike Wheeler · Post by **Mike Wheeler** » 22 Nov 2006 4:41 pm

In an effort to add balance, I'm another "outlier". (is that a real word?) I had a Fessy S12U that sounded fantastic. But the mechanics were not smoothe at all. I tried to correct them and succeeded to a large degree, but when I found my current Dekley S12U I felt what smoothe really was! Sold the Fessy, kept the Dekley. (yes, the Dekley is a tank!!)

That's why I strongly advise try-before-you-buy.

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 22 Nov 2006 5:03 pm

I agree Jerry Fessenden is a great guy, and he helped me as much as he could from a distance. The Fessy has great tone, and it is not easy to be as completely honest about the mechanics as I am being here. But I buy all my steels used and live far from any steel techs, and have to be able to setup and maintain my own instruments with no glitches. There was something about the bell crank design that gave a twist to the pull rod at the end of travel that prevented a smooth solid feel. And a couple of strings had an intermittent pop at the changer at the end of travel that I could never get rid of. Jerry is a great guy who is dedicated to his product, and I can only hope he will take my comments as constructive criticism that will help him improve his otherwise great product.

Robert Cates · Post by **Robert Cates** » 23 Nov 2006 6:33 am

I did it..Got myself a new Fessy sd-10..Black mica with TT pickup. I think I'm going to like it. Thanks everyone for replying to my post. I guess some of the same things get rolled over and over on here(the forun). Jim Gorrie sent me back into the archives and the Fessy had two pages on it..thank you Jim..I read all of them...

Thanks...Bob

Jim Palenscar · Post by **Jim Palenscar** » 23 Nov 2006 7:07 am

Great guitars- and - again echoing other posts- Jerry is a fantastic guy to deal with!

Larry Strawn · Post by **Larry Strawn** » 23 Nov 2006 7:36 am

Well Robert,, How about a pic of your new "Baby"

Larry

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"Fessy" S/D 12, 8/6 Hilton Pedal, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

Dan Beller-McKenna · Post by **Dan Beller-McKenna** » 23 Nov 2006 7:47 am

Robert,

did you get one from Dana Flood at All Steel Guitars?

Dan

Tommy Cass · Post by **Tommy Cass** » 23 Nov 2006 7:54 am

David, I have had 2 used Franklin Guitars and a Sho-Bud SuperPro, that were not smooth. I took the changers apart, cleaned and rotated the shaft, and lubricated the shaft and fingers. After that they played as smooth as if they were new. I own a Fessenden, that I would say plays as smooth as the above mentioned guitars, and sounds every bit as good. When you buy a used guitar, you really don't know who has messed it up, or if it was lubricated properly... changers do gum up. Also the rodding has to be in the correct order.
Just my 2 cents worth. Tom

Robert Cates · Post by **Robert Cates** » 23 Nov 2006 7:59 am

Yes..Dan
I met Dana for the first time about a week ago and immediately liked him. He knows alot about steels. Its a 2 hour drive from here but it sure is nice to have someone even that close. We graduated the same year in the same county.(different schools). Hes a good ole Maine boy. I don't want to say to much more about him because he might be listening....lol..just kidding..great guy.........Bob

Larry.I can barely turn this cimputer on!!! I could never figure out how to put picture in...[This message was edited by Robert Cates on 23 November 2006 at 08:07 AM.]

James Quackenbush · Post by **James Quackenbush** » 23 Nov 2006 9:16 am

Robert,
If you get a chance , check out Robert Randolph and the Family Band , and see how he beats on his Fessy...I figure if he can beat on a pedal steel the way he does, it's gotta be made STRONG !!...The Fessy sounds great too !!..Jim[This message was edited by James Quackenbush on 23 November 2006 at 09:17 AM.]

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 23 Nov 2006 10:42 am

Tommy C., you are probably right. From others comments, it is certainly possible to setup a Fessy to play smooth. The twist of the pull rod was worst when the bell crank was far over from vertical. If the rod length was right to keep the crank more vertical, it probably wouldn't have been a problem. The popping at the changer seemed to have something to do with the tension springs, and probably an out of whack changer finger. I haven't had such problems with other used steels. So maybe I got a lemon, and maybe the Fessy is a little more finicky and needs to be setup just right. I know Emmons push/pulls are like that. They can be setup so clunky you can hardly play them, or they can be as smooth as silk.

A. Roncetti · Post by **A. Roncetti** » 24 Nov 2006 4:53 am

Here's mine......

this purple beast even earned a spot on the Fessy website. Beautiful sounding guitar.

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Purple Fessenden SD-10 4X5

Joe Smith · Post by **Joe Smith** » 24 Nov 2006 7:08 am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IECE2Q3MKRQ
This is a link to me playing my Fessenden.
It is one of the best sounding steels I've ever owned.

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My playing sounds more like it did before than it does now

Winston Street · Post by **Winston Street** » 24 Nov 2006 8:42 pm

Jerry built me a U12 with 10 and 9. I love it. And Jerry will kill himself to satisfy you. Great guy, great guitar.

winston

KENNY KRUPNICK · Post by **KENNY KRUPNICK** » 25 Nov 2006 6:05 pm

Winston, I'd like to see some pictures of your U-12.

Curt Langston · Post by **Curt Langston** » 25 Nov 2006 6:42 pm

Great playing and tone Joe!

Dan Beller-McKenna · Post by **Dan Beller-McKenna** » 27 Nov 2006 4:58 pm

Just heard from Jerry that my S-10 (4x5) is ready. I'll be picking it up Friday and will get pics up over the weekend (if I can stop playing long enough to take them!)

(I may sound very calm and collected but on the inside I'm bouncing off the walls with excitement.)

Dan

Fred Justice · Post by **Fred Justice** » 27 Nov 2006 5:21 pm

Dan I'm happy for you buddy, ain't nothing like getting a brand new ax that was built just for YOU!!!.

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Fred Justice,
Justice Custom Cases & Cabinets,
Fred's Music, www.fredjusticemusic.com

A. Roncetti · Post by **A. Roncetti** » 27 Nov 2006 5:49 pm

Dan I know how you feel. When I got the word my Fessy was on the way it was like Christmas day! If I'm not playing it I tend to stare at it,it's a real purdy geetar.

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Purple Fessenden SD-10 4X5

Chris Bauer · Post by **Chris Bauer** » 27 Nov 2006 7:46 pm

Just got word that my new-to-me-but-used SD-10 (4x5) is on its way to me. Looks like we've got a veritable Fessy-fest going here!

Tom Mossburg · Post by **Tom Mossburg** » 28 Nov 2006 12:35 pm

I was in the market for a new steel and was primarily concerned with tone. A friend of mine, who is an excellent picker from San Diego, recommended Fessenden so I bought a U-12 recently from a forum member. Another friend of mine, also an excellent player, picked it up for me. The first time I got a chance to play it was at a jam session back East with the Allegheny Steel Guitar Club, a great bunch of guys. The guitar sounded good. I didn’t! The guitar was 1” over height. I couldn’t hit the LKL “F” lever or vertical lever. The “D” lever was in the wrong place and I was playing through someone else’s amp! The guitar didn’t feel right at all. But I could tell, just by feeling the resonance in the cabinet, this was a nice guitar and fun to play. A guy wanted to buy it from me on the spot! My initial thought was I can’t wait to change the copedent. Well the airline destroyed the case on my way home but I was relieved the guitar survived with no damage. I got my Allen wrenches out and went to work. I got my copedent on it, properly rodded it, replaced a couple ill sized, non Fessenden bushings, and plugged it into my 1000. It sounds great and plays smoothly. I’m thrilled with the guitar and can’t wait to gig with it. I talked to Jerry Fesseden about height adjustment and a few other minor issues. He was eager to help in getting the guitar exactly like I wanted it. He’s a great guy to work with. I don’t think you can go wrong with a Fessenden or working with Jerry.

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MSA U-12 Fessy U-12
[This message was edited by Tom Mossburg on 28 November 2006 at 03:42 PM.]

Robert Cates · Post by **Robert Cates** » 28 Nov 2006 1:08 pm

WOW..Lots of replys from all you wonderful people. Thank you...I really do enjoy this forum.

I am very happy with my new Fessy. I can't say that it is any better than any other guitar because I don't know that...But one thing is for sure..Lots of you guys think that its a good one and that says a lot to me.

I am a closet player but I'm ready to get out there and let the Fessy go wild. YEEEEE HAAWW You know what they say..(JUST DO IT). I thank this great forum for providing all this good information. Its been a big help to me.

Your humble steel picker...Bob

Winston Street · Post by **Winston Street** » 28 Nov 2006 2:27 pm

Kenny, check your email. Don't know how to post them on the forum.

Winston

KENNY KRUPNICK · Post by **KENNY KRUPNICK** » 28 Nov 2006 5:00 pm

Winston, Got'm! Nice guitar. Love the laquer finish.

A. Roncetti · Post by **A. Roncetti** » 28 Nov 2006 7:07 pm

Jerry really is a great guy. I'm really happy with my guitar. I had it made just for me. It's a mini me steel. Ok not quite but I did have it made specially for my height.
********
Winston are you a left-handed player?

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Purple Fessenden SD-10 4X5

jerry harkins · Post by **jerry harkins** » 28 Nov 2006 7:24 pm

I have 2 Fessys and they are great guitars.
Jerry is the man, he knows his stuff.