Advice On Buying An S-10 or D10

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 20 Apr 2007 1:24 pm

Donny, whatever professional model you buy is going to sound better and be easier to play than your Carter Starter. But C6 is not just for Western Swing and Jazz, its main use is Hawaiian, and a lot of C&W is still played on the C6 neck.

Personally I play a D10 and wouldn't go back to an S10. The other alternative, as has been pointed out, is to have an S10 and a C6 lap steel on the side.

Since you'll be playing gospel music, you should also check out straight E and A tunings.

Donny Dennis · Post by **Donny Dennis** » 20 Apr 2007 5:12 pm

Appreciate everyone's input. I talked to Ann Fabian this morning, and because of my size I will be making a trip to the Carter factory this coming Monday for an appointment with John Fabian to place an order, and to make sure that the steel is the correct height for me so that I can reach the pedals/knee levers. My instructor loaned me a seat that he made, and I will be taking it with me to sit on while measurements for my steel are being made. I will also try to locate either a bench seat or pac-a-seat that can be adjusted two or three inches up or down. If I cannot locate the seat that I need then I'll try to make one myself. While I am there I will ask to try both an S-10 and an SD-10 with pad to see which I feel more comfortable with. Right now I'm leaning toward the SD-10 with pad. Mrs. Fabian advised that it will take approximately 60 - 90 days for my steel to be ready, and when it is ready I'll be making another trip back to the Carter factory to pick it up, and perform one final check that everything is ok.

Again, thanks to everyone for your input. Like so many others have said this is a great forum.

Donny

Brad Malone · Post by **Brad Malone** » 20 Apr 2007 8:33 pm

David & Donnie, I just recently found out there is a middle ground between the S-10 and SD-10, it is a S10WB which is not as wide and the SD-10 but is wider than the S-10. As I understand it, it is about 7 inches wide and can be ordered with or without a pad. S10WB stands for S10 wide body. It is made by Williams, I do not know if anybody else makes an S10WB. I just ordered one with the new 600 changer..the 600 series.

A. Roncetti · Post by **A. Roncetti** » 21 Apr 2007 4:31 am

Fessenden builds steels with a half pad also.

Alan James · Post by **Alan James** » 21 Apr 2007 4:44 am

The Carter site shows their S10 to be 8 inches wide.

Donny Dennis · Post by **Donny Dennis** » 21 Apr 2007 5:44 am

Guess I'll find out this coming Monday if the Carter S-10 or SD-10 with pad will work better for me. Thanks again to everyone for your input.

Donny

Brad Malone · Post by **Brad Malone** » 21 Apr 2007 7:58 am

Alan James, I was just informed that the Width of the Williams S10WB is 8&1/4 inches including the wraparound. What is also important is the leg stance, it is the same as a D-10 thus providing the guitar with more stability. The scale length is 24 and 1/4 which is another important factor.

Jim Walker · Post by **Jim Walker** » 21 Apr 2007 1:12 pm

Hey Donny, That's good news. Glad you get to try before you buy. That's not an option for most of us. I'm sure John Fabian will fix you right up.

Mark E, I know where your buddy is coming from. I was low on funds at the begining of the journey as well. Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the Carter Starter. It did exactly what it was suposed to do, "Get Me Started". It did feel small though. As soon as I could, I moved up to a D10 pro model fixer upper, fixed it up and sold it to finace the purchase brand new SD10 PSG. 15 months into this journey, I'm playing with bands every weekend and the gigs keep rolling in.

January 2006

August 2006

April 2007

Richard E. Lee · Post by **Richard E. Lee** » 22 Apr 2007 6:13 pm

Donny,
Just to let you know..there is a little S10 Sierra, white on Ebay..right now!. I have had a couple Sierras..I can tell you they are VERY user friendly. and built like a tank!..You can't hurt these things. Many little features that most guys won't comment on..ie the pedal board is adjustable ..right to left for your confort. The pickups are slide iN's..The keyless is very nice..easy to change strings..All and all..a very nice steel Plus..Tom Baker..at Sierra..is one of Gods great people..Talk about customer service..This guy wrote the book.
This one comes with a pad. (which I like)..and a case..and is now at $660 on the bidding..but can be bought for $1500..(I think it said)..
All of us have our favorites..for one reason or another..but I can't say enough about the Sierra.."SESSION" models steels..If I was in the market..I would take a long look at the Sierras.
Or give Tom a call at Sierra..and he will give you the straight talk, ..on steels. So thats my 2cents anyway...right from the heart, OK? Good luck

Casey Lowmiller · Post by **Casey Lowmiller** » 22 Apr 2007 6:55 pm

I believe that Simmons makes S-10 Widebodies & I think that Gary Rittenbery builds them too.

I have a LaGarritt that he built that is a 1/2 pad or S-10 Widebody.

Casey

Donny Dennis · Post by **Donny Dennis** » 24 Apr 2007 6:36 am

Just to let eveyone know I met yesterday with Mr. John Fabian, and ordered a Carter S-10. The SD-10 with pad just would not work for me as my knees would not reach the knee levers. Mr. Fabian was very helpful, and gave me a tip regarding wearing of the finger picks. My S-10 will be ready in 90 days or less, and I can hardly wait to receive it.

Will post a photo or two when I get it.

Thanks again to everyone for your input.

Donny

Brad Malone · Post by **Brad Malone** » 24 Apr 2007 8:19 am

Hey Casey, How wide is your S-10WB?

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