(HELP) Any Body Tried a Carter Starter?

Wendell Fields · From: Clyde, Ohio, USA

Hi this is my first time on Steel Guitar Forum. I am looking to buy a Carter Starter has anybody tried one of these? How do they hold up and sound. I do not want a toy but I do not want to break the bank either.
I am new to Steel Guitar and My last one A Sho Bud LDG 6&5 by the way I still have and is for sale but just to much Guitar for me to learn on.If you can give me some good counsel please reply.
Thanks so much and looking forward to speaking and learning with you all
Wendell Fields

Robert L. Clark · From: Blountstown, Florida, USA

I have the highest respect for Carter guitars, but this is only my opinion. I would spend about $400 more and maybe buy a good used Sho-Bud Pro I, but please check it out first and make sure it hasn't been altered by an unprofessional shop or person

Jerry Horner · From: Tahlequah, OK, USA

Wendell,
Why in the world would you want a Carter Starter when you may have one of the best steels made? Just because it has 6&5 doesn't mean you have to learn all of them over night. If you don't like them all on there, take some off and start with your basic 3 floor pedals and maybe 2 knee levers and as you progress, start putting them back on one at a time. I'm sure there's going to be those that disagree with me but that's what makes this forum so great.

Jerry

John McGann · From: Boston, Massachusetts, USA * R.I.P.

I agree with Jerry- whatever part is "too much guitar", just dont use it, leave the knees you don't want folded up, and the other pedals unrodded. The ABC pedals are the same (maybe in reverse order) on EVERY E9 guitar, so just focus on them and the 4th and 8th string raise and lower levers- 90% of your traditional country is right there.

Learn what those 3 pedals do to what strings, and you are off to the races.

[This message was edited by John McGann on 31 December 2003 at 08:23 AM.]

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

I also agree. I support Carter-Starters and am glad they are available, and have several students using them. But with all due respect to the fine folks at Carter, if you already have a fine pro-model guitar in the house, like an LDG, stick with that. A pro model guitar is always more inspiring to learn to play on; just don't let it intimidate you. You'll grow into it and then be glad you did.

Wendell Fields · From: Clyde, Ohio, USA

Thanks so much for the advice. the problem is the guitar needs to be setup. A friend of mine said I could send it off to be set up but I do not have the extra cash to do this. With me trying to learn on this I do not know if it is the guitar or me making the mistakes if you know what I mean.
I was told that the older Sho Buds need alot of attention to keep them going,I also know that even a Carter Starter will need some attention but I was hoping it would give me a peace of mind or confidence in what I am playing. Before it starts to wear.

Thanks for the fast reply

Wendell

Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Use the SEARCH function on this forum and you'll find a lot of discussion on the Carter Starter.

Almost all reviews are good, but it is what it is, a beginners instrument. It will never be near the instrument an LDG ( or any pro model) is.

If you keep playing you'll eventually want to move up.

If you really want the CS, I suspect you can find many folks that will trade theirs plus cash for yours.

Nathan Delacretaz · From: Austin, Texas, USA

I agree with Jerry - disable or fold up any levers/pedals you may not want to use and just gradually add them in when you're ready...

I passed up an LDG back in Nov. 02 and was sorry after hearing everyone rave about the Sho-Bud sound...

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

(Hi, Nathan!)

I've sat behind a few Carter Starters (I've done a little teaching, and I'd see them quite often), but I found them a little insubstantial. They weren't very stable, and the tuning of the pedals and knees struck me as being a bit 'hit and miss'. I know they're entry-level steels and are priced accordingly, but they're not THAT cheap!

If only todays beginners had the option that I was blessed with in the early-'70s when I first started - the amazing ZB Student guitar with 3 and 1. This steel had identical mechanics to the 'pro' ZBs, and were just as solid - they just lacked the beautiful lacquer bodies of the higher-priced ZB. Levers could be added if desired, but, by that point, one was ready to trade up to an eye-catching birds-eye beauty....

My student guitar cost me 420 Pounds Sterling (half the price of the pro ZB) which is fairly comparable to the Carter's price differential today; no comparison in the quality, though.

RR

[This message was edited by Roger Rettig on 31 December 2003 at 09:17 AM.]

C Dixon · From: Duluth, GA USA

Since you already own a fine PSG, I see NO reason to downgrade to a lessor guitar. Simply do as the above posters have suggested and "grow into" your LDG guitar. If it requires setting up, somehow find the means to have this done and I believe in time you will relish that wisdom.

May Jesus richly bless you in your quests,

carl

Bob Carlson · From: Surprise AZ.

The Carter Starter would be more user friendly. Much more easy to keep set up.

But for someone who had a lot of background with a Sho Bud...then that would be the way to go for sure.

Bob

Wendell Fields · From: Clyde, Ohio, USA

Ok guys you got my attention!!!
How about this? Knowing what you all know
about these types of guitars. Will the Sho Bud if Setup and Gone through by a Pro hold tune and not be a constant thing to work on?
Or being a GREAN HORN NOVICE that I am, Would you recomend a different make of guitar? MSA etc.One of the things that got me interested in the Carter Starter was It was new no worn parts and needed very little setup at least that is what I was told.At this point in my life I am interested in setting down and playing not constantly having to try to tune the pedals every time I sit down to practice. Or is this something that I can expect even on a newer instrument?
I appreciate your advice I am really trying to make a informed decision.

God Bless You All

Wendell

Pete Burak · From: Portland, OR USA

You might contact All Steel Guitar.Com.
They are based in Cuyahoga Falls, OH.
(Looks to be only about 95 miles from Clyde to Cuyahoga Falls.)
http://www.allsteelguitar.com/Home_.htm

[This message was edited by Pete Burak on 31 December 2003 at 10:52 AM.]

Jerry Horner · From: Tahlequah, OK, USA

Wendell,
I play a SD12 LDG model and once I got it set up and adjusted the way I wanted it, I have spend no time at all readjusting it. This is the second 12 Sho-Bud I have owned and both have been super guitars. There was a time when if you owned a Sho-Bud you were right up there with the big boys. Now if you don't own a black Emmons PP, you seem to be somewhere down the ladder.

Jerry

richard burton · From: Britain

Wendell,
Tip your Shobud upside down in the case and look at the guts. Operate some levers and pedals. Spend some time observing how it works, and pretty soon you will see that it isn't rocket science. Shobud LDG's are very easy to understand and set up, much simpler than a push pull Emmons. Have a go, you may surprise yourself.

George Wixon · From: Waterbury, CT USA

Wendell,
I play both a Carter S10 and a Pro III (D10).
I also agree with all above about growing into the guitar.
As I read down further in the post I can see your concern of the guitar being set up correctly.
When I got the D10, I tore the thing completely apart. This was to clean out years of gum and crud that had built up and also do some buffing up on the metal. I then put it back together and set it back up myself. I'm not a smart guy by any means but this is also not rocket science. I wouldn't suggest tearing the guitar apart as I did but I would suggest starting with one string at a time and engaging which ever knee lever or pedal raises or lowers that string and check to see that it comes to pitch both raised and lowered. Then go to the next string and do the same. If you find that a string will not raise or lower all the way or doesn't come back in tune when open then you may have a problem with a stop not being adjusted or something else. Just take everything slow and easy.
Your going to have to learn how to adjust your guitar sooner or later anyway and everyone had to start somewhere.
There is also plently of help on the forum so if your not sure about something you can always ask first. I would also check to see if there is a steel player in your area that may be able to help you out.
George

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Unless it's worn out, I think you'll be much happier tuning the LDG than the Carter-Starter. (Not to mention playing it.) Again, no dig at Carter intended, but we're comparing a serious pro instrument with a student model...

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

Wendell. geez,DO NOT give up your LDG for ANY student model!.. If you want to take the drive to NY state,I'll set it up for you for free,as long as it is structurally sound. It may only need rod length and stop adjustments or few springs or something... I have owned and set up several Buds and I have never seen one that needed much more than minor adjustments... DO NOT get rid of that LDG!!!!! bob

David L. Donald · From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

The Carter Starters a good guitars, with the basic copedent. But as I understand it, you can't ever change them.

They are a boon for people with small budgets,
who want to see if they really want to play steel.

But you on the other hand have a really fine steel.
It can be re-configured as you grow and it has a GREAT sound.

So no reason to change...till you want a D-10.
But I would still keep the LDG even then.

As far a s learning, just take it one step at a time and add functionality as you progress.

[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 01 January 2004 at 02:52 AM.]

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

I too would think that if you have the Sho-Bud..keep it and use it.

Now that being said I will take a different approach, and I have made this comment many many times..and so have many others..

A new era Steel and Student should not have less than 3+4..A Steel with less than 4 Knee levers will have you looking for another Steel in less than 6 months. This does not mean you have to use 4 knee levers on day 1 , but when the day arrives, it's there ready to go.

The "STARTER" is configured 3+4..not by mistake.

New students are hearing tracks and songs with fills and phrases that are drawing them to the Steel. The Starter configuration is appropriate . A Steel with 1 or 2 Knee levers will have you searching for a new Steel that can actually play the licks and phrases you hear and like..soon..

just my take

good luck

t

George Kimery · From: Limestone, TN, USA

Wendell, listen to these guys! They have many, many years of experience and will not lead you astray. My question is, "Why would anybody want to trade a pro-model steel for a beginners model?" The pedal steel is one of the most difficult instruments in the world to learn to play. Maybe a big part of your dilemma is that the pedal steel learning curve is overwhelming you more than the guitar itself. Dropping down to a guitar with less pedals and knee levers is not going to help you one bit. The only way this could help is that it would force you to use the most common pedals and keep you off the ones that you will seldom use. The Carter Starter is set up with 3 and 4 for a reason. These are all you will ever need for years to come, and even the top pros could use this set-up and you would be amazed the stuff they could play. Your guitar is a Carter Starter, plus a whole lot more. Someday, you will grow into it, but for now, ignore all the extra bells and whistles. You don't need them for several years, and even then, you can get along without them.

So, here is what I would do if I were you. On the forum, ask for someone within driving distance, to let you take your steel and amp to them to check them both out. Steels are like cars, never been one made that doesn't require maintenance and adjusting. That is why all those little adjusting screws are on the end and visible, where you can get to them. You need a tuner and somebody to show you how to adjust the stops and pedals. If there is a major problem with the guitar that is going to require a steel guitar mechanic, then that person could tell you that also. If you don't have a steel guitar amp, then you need to plug into one to see if that makes a difference in the sound of your steel. The guys here on the forum are great to help out each other. There should be somebody come forward and volunteer to take a look/see at your situation for free.

Wendell Fields · From: Clyde, Ohio, USA

Ok Guys I have made my decision and I am going to keep the LDG. Thanks to everyone for there help in me in the making of it.Thanks one more time for ALL your input. I did not know people was so willing to help with there oppinions and caring words as you people.

May God Bless

Wendell Fields

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

Wendell... GOOD DECISION!!!

Jerry Horner · From: Tahlequah, OK, USA

Way to go Wendell and good luck. I look forward to hearing you someday.

Jerry

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Attaboy.

(Whew! This is like talking somebody down from a building ledge...)

[This message was edited by Jim Cohen on 01 January 2004 at 10:26 AM.]

Forum Index > Steel Players	Goto page 1, 2 Next	Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic