What Brand's are Still Making Steels?

Instruments, mechanical issues, copedents, techniques, etc.

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Bryan Parnell
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What Brand's are Still Making Steels?

Post by Bryan Parnell »

I'm new to pedal steel, and in my search for my first PSG, I am finding a lot of guitars from brands that are no longer building instruments.

Since I want to get something with easy access to parts for repairs and changes to copedents, I want something from a builder that is still operating.

So far I am aware of these brands still in production:
-MSA
-Mullen
-Williams
-GFI
-Sierra
-Stage One
-Rittenberry
-Jackson
-Show Pro
-Justice
-WBS

Here are some I am not sure are still making guitars? Can anyone confirm?
-Schild?
-Desert Rose?
-Beck Musical Instruments?
-Fessenden?
-Excel/Fuzzy?
-Texas Pedal Steel?
-Infinity?

Am I missing any?

After looking around at Billy Cooper's shop and sitting behind a PSG, I want a D10 or D12 that I can setup to E9 and C6.

Playability, stability, and tone are all much more important than weight. I don't mind if it weighs a ton. Anything I should look for? Happy to hear about pros and cons. I understand prices vary quite a lot.

Are there any brands out of production that are easy to get parts for?

Thanks! :D
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K Maul
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Post by K Maul »

BMI and EXCEL are still in business. Maybe Schild. The others are not,I believe.
Kevin Maul: Airline, Beard, Clinesmith, Decophonic, Evans, Excel, Fender, Fluger, Gibson, Hilton, Ibanez, Justice, K+K, Live Strings, MOYO, National, Oahu, Peterson, Quilter, Rickenbacher, Sho~Bud, Supro, TC, Ultimate, VHT, Webb, X-otic, Yamaha, ZKing.
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Tom Campbell
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Post by Tom Campbell »

Desert Rose is most definitely being built.
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Dave Grafe
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Post by Dave Grafe »

Sounds like you should give Chuck a call, he's building some really nice instruments.

https://desertroseguitars.ltd/
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Ron Funk
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Post by Ron Funk »

Emmons - new ReSound models
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Jerry Overstreet
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Post by Jerry Overstreet »

Fessenden nor Infinity are presently building steels.

Far as I know, Texas Pedal Steels is....at least I haven't heard anything about them shutting down.

I'm surprised we don't hear more about them due to their close association with the MCI, EMCI guitars which were great sounding and playing compact units and were hugely popular in the mid to late 80s at least.
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baxter vaughan
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Post by baxter vaughan »

Texas Pedal Steels are very much still in business. I’ve had one for about 4 years now. Played the living daylights out of it haha. Great playing guitars.
Baxter
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Bobby D. Jones
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Post by Bobby D. Jones »

Rains Steel Guitars web site is not operating at this time.
Anyone know what there status is?
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Brett Day
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Post by Brett Day »

Beck Musical Instruments(BMI) is still building steels because "Cowboy" Eddie Long, who plays steel with country artist Jamey Johnson just got a new steel from them. Jackson is still building great steels-they now build the Pro V, the Maverick, which is a six string pedal steel. Jeff Surratt is still building ShowPro steels, and Emmons now has the ReSound '65. Mullen is still played by many steel players.
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