The Steel Guitar Forum

The D10 is a standard and, should you ever decide to part with it, will most likely keep its value best of all. Plus the C6th neck is a whole new world with awesome sound (just listen to some of the greats on C6th).

A single ten is a great Steel if you are not thinking C6, you can cover tons of ground with a single ten and never look back. Think 4 plus 5 on a single ten and you will be set for a very long time. Make that VERY long !

t

That's right Mickey we're still at it. Please let me know when you are in the area and we can meet up here in Watford. Take care Jim.

I just took delivery on my second Carter a few weeks ago. I wanted to have a few things done to my '02 D-10, so I called to see if there was any way I could drive up to the factory to pick up the new guitar and at the same time get my old one worked on. I really only had one possible day that I could do it, and I called Ann and she managed to work me into their busy schedule.

John set up my new guitar, and tweaked my old one to perfection. (I had bought that one used, and had changed the setup around myself, so there were some things that I could have done better.)

Basically echoing a lot of what's been said already. The Carter sounds great, records great, plays great, stays in tune great (no need for over-return compensators. Solid as a rock, great price.

I do not own a Carter but have played several different ones. Excellent guitars. I would not hesitate one second about buying one if I were in the market for a new guitar.

I just wish they'd use aluminium stops instead of those bent tin ones, and proper allen head scews for the pedal travel stops instead of those little black grub screws that seize up, and have the split tuning facility at the endplate. They are almost the only maker that doesn't have them. I know they are built to a price. I just think they are a little bland with little character and are a rather basic guitar.
I know there are lots of satisfied customers who swear by them and good luck to them, but for me (IMHO) there are better guitars out there. Each to their own
Barry

I bought a carter steel, from a forum member.and i have to say it was the biggest mistake,i made. that steel was a poc, I tried to get it repaired ,and i had several other steel players, that know steels,and they said it was a piece of crap. I ended up giving it away. I ended up buying a new mullen G2. best move I ever made. some people have some nice carters guitars, some really sound nice. there is good and bad ,in just about everything.tk

Terry (Kinnear), your last sentence is spot on and I totally agree with you. There are good and bad on most things, even cars. Identical cars may differ, one may last a lifetime the other may need constant repairs. The previous owner of the Carter you had "MAY" have tinkered with something and messed it right up. I was one of the lucky ones, mine was also used when I got it because the guy who ordered it new from Carter's had never played a "pedal" steel before, only Dobro, and to take on a full blown universal was just too much for him, so I got myself a good guitar at a reduced price, it was as new. This was back in 2003...it was a 2000 model. Since then it has done too many gigs to remember and has been top notch all the time and totally reliable. I still have my Sho-Bud universal which I got in 1977, but it doesn't do my back any favours, so the Carter is my gigging guitar. I always "Customise" my steels. My Carter is the same as my Sho-Bud...full engraving on all the Alluminium parts, Pedal rack, end plates etc....heavily engraved.....it's just me ....engraving is my hobby. When I was in the States working a 6 months stint way back in 1984, Bikers got me engraving their Harleys. I had to do a good job for my own safty

Micky Byrne United Kingdom

www.micky-byrne.co.uk

If Ulf Edlund plays one... then I must endorse also.
I Know.. it's only a Universal but I like IT!!

I owned one Carter (new) and had it about 3 – 4 years before selling it. As I saw it the Pro’s were:

1. Lightweight - good if you’re gigging
2. East to set-up
3. Good pedal and knee travel/action

Cons:

1. IMO rather cheesy looking necks (I know there is an option to upgrade those now)
2. I always had substantial string slippage/breakage on the 3rd string.
3. Tone

That last one was the killer for me. I never was able to get “the sound” I wanted out of that guitar. I own or have owned 4 or 5 other brands of steels and the Carter was my least favorite in that area and that is why I sold it – even my band mates noticed the difference. I know there are a lot of happy Carter owners out there and that’s great, all I can say is for me personally, the overall sound was uninspiring. As Barry said, to each his own I guess.

Micky,I found later that the changer was no good, the fella ,I gave it to ,loved it. sometimes my luck is good, sometimes it"s not.but that"s the problem with buying used steel guitars, you take your chances.tk

I love my Carter. All previously posts of excellence are true !
Ann took good care of me, had it a my house in 2 weeks!
Rick

I've owned some nice guitars, an old P/P, several ShoBuds (I still have a round front Pro II) but I absolutely love my D-10 Carter. I got turned on to the Carter guitars by Tommy Detamore, and all I can say is I concur with all the opinions. Mine has incredibly stable tuning, I've literally pulled it out of the case many times and never touched a tuner. It sounds great, sustains wonderfully, and the overall 'feel' is of high quality.

I bought mine third hand but it was really like brand new and still is. It's been a very good guitar...stays in tune well and has been very dependable. I've never gotten quite the tone out of it that I hear in my head but of course maybe that's just a technique thing. I'm not into brand loyalty and my next steel will be something else, just for the sake of change. There are so many builders out there and I'd like to experiment a bit. The Carter will go to someone else and they'll get a heck of a guitar.

I ordered my SD-12 Carter 9 years ago. When it arrived, it fit me like a glove (I am 6' 6").

Still sounds great, always works flawlessly (with zero maintenance!), and the Ebony Birdseye mica is the classiest thing on stage.

And it's light.

Chris

Shane, I am also a very happy Carter owner. I have a D10 and mine sounds great. If you order one, be sure to check out the pickups on their web site. I personally like the George L 10-1s, and use them on both necks.

When I bought my Carter I was working in a theater show and was having many problems keeping my Sho-Bud Super Pro working and in tune.

My first show on the evening I bought the Carter was played without any time to acquaint me with it's workings....but everything went great, and I was entirely comfortable with the new guitar.

As a plus, the Carter tone sounded almost exactly like the Sho-Bud that it had replaced.

Carter can compete with any steel-guitar available!

Gene Jones

As for the current question, to wit: S10, Sd10 or D10, it will depend on your particular situation. I got a C6 S10. I don't play the kind of country music that would call for an E9. Also, I have been playing C6 non pedal for some years now. I don't think I could learn to play a second tuning well especially given my late in life start.
If you're as old as me and maybe just interested in the E9 country sound, you may want to go with an S10 in E9. But to get the broadest range of country, including western swing, you would probably want either a D10 or a S12U.
As for the Sd models. Lloyd Green used one. Jeff Newman says resting your elbows is a very bad idea because it interferes with your technique. I wouldn't want to spend the extra money or carry the extra weight of an Sd myself. I hope that's helpful.

Great guitar. Bud knew what he was doing. However ! Better hope you never need a part or a lever kit or change of any kind. The people you have to deal with, at Carter, are Godly. They know everything and you are stupid !! My Opinion, and past experence.

Bill Moran wrote:Great guitar. Bud knew what he was doing. However ! Better hope you never need a part or a lever kit or change of any kind. The people you have to deal with, at Carter, are Godly. They know everything and you are stupid !! My Opinion, and past experence.

Bill you can go to their web site and order any part you need.

Joe Smith wrote:Bill you can go to their web site and order any part you need.

I will never know ! I have owned my first and last Carter. Don't want to deal with them again.

Thanks Guys I really appreciate all the advice & opinions. I have made up my mind . Thanks again !!

Shane Glover wrote:Thanks Guys I really appreciate all the advice & opinions. I have made up my mind . Thanks again !!

Good deal Shane. Please keep us posted. We would love to know what you end up getting.

I have a new as it can get Carter Magnum pro-select 8 & 5 d-10. It is black. I can't keep it tuned. If i tune the c-6th side the e-9th side is off. If i tune the e-9th side the c-6th side is off. The tone is not as good as a regular Carter d-10. I know i had one. The bad part is i let it go.I can't afford a new Carter or i would sell this one and get a new one. Oh well.