Steel Guitar Pricing

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 26 Mar 2011 7:21 am

Kent Thompson wrote: In my opinion

Single neck price new $800.00
Double neck price new $1000.00

Make it affordable to the mainstream..

For a minute I though I was in the humor section.

David Griffin · Post by **David Griffin** » 26 Mar 2011 7:29 am

My question is: If you don't own a pedal steel,how in the world can you pass judgement on Sho-Bud guitars?

Pedal steel would definetely not be what or where it is today if Shot & Buddy had not started building instruments. Sho-Buds are beautiful instruments,both in sound & appearance. Of course you ARE entitled to your opinion,however weak that opinion may be.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 26 Mar 2011 7:40 am

As far as used goes..I'd like to see a Emmons Legrande Double neck for go for less than $1500.00

That of which thou speaketh does not exist here in the Real World of men. You will have to search the World of Dreams to find that myth of which you speak.

Ross Shafer · Post by **Ross Shafer** » 26 Mar 2011 8:11 am

I've been involved in manufacturing since I was in high school working in a machine shop. For the last 35 years I've supported myself and family making and designing all kinds of stuff ranging from custom bicycle frames to medical lighting. Along the way for fun, I've built guitars, amplifiers and a host of other stuff...someday a pedal steel or two will be added to that list.

Its already been said...and I'll say it again...for all that's involved Pedal Steel guitars are a dang good deal and you're way off the mark saying their price is driven by greed.

I have to agree with Mr. Hatton...the genesis of this thread is very uninformed and is obviously based on very little thought (or knowledge) given to what it actually takes to get something like pedal steel out the door and into a customer's hands.

I also have to agree with Mr. Berner, that greed from buyers expecting something for less than is realistic is a major factor in this discussion.

The greed of large corporations added to the public's Walmart (why pay retail?) mentality is a primary factor in so many manufacturing jobs leaving this country (leaving...hells bells for the most part they're gone!). In many industries (the bicycle industry for instance) this is so rampant as to force many companies to source overseas if they want to be competitive and profitable (gotta have a profit to put food on the table...that ain't greed). Yes, I know another subject...that we probably shouldn't enter into here.

As far as making steel's or parts for them off shore where its cheaper to do so...that's just fine if you have the quantities needed to do so (and don't mind bucking the "buy American" attitude that I know is popular amongst steelers)...unless we get back to or even beyond the steel sales levels of the mid 70's...those quantities are not attainable except for maybe some of the simplest bits.

Believe me for I know very well from personal experience....getting stuff made correctly overseas is not just a phone call away and you better be ready to make & sell big piles of your product if you want the project to be anything but a time and money hole.

lastly....Kent, you say you've been attending shows and talking to builders off and on for 14 years...are you really saying those passionate guys building steels for the love of the instrument, with the goal of making a living that allows them more than peanut butter sandwiches for every meal are greedy?...c'mon now...I've only been to two steel shows so far and it obvious these guys are not rich, love the instrument and judging by the amount of time they generously offer to talk about steel guitars whether to a potential buyer or not, I'd have to say they are quite far from being greedy.

Sorry to all for the rant, but I feel a bit better now. My heart is warmed knowing that the bulk of you involved in this thread do get it.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 26 Mar 2011 8:22 am

You stated in your initial post that it would be good to have a more affordable way to get started, I agree, so why not get a starter Steel like a Maverick and get started ? $400 or $500 , a small amp and you are on your way. I started on a Maverick, many here did, so there should be no BEEF about starting on a Maverick or similar Steel in that price range.

So there ya go !

problem solved...

YOU CAN GET started for way less than the cost of a new Steel, , many of us right here on this forum did !

AND

Many still do !

wishing you the best on your journey

t

PS..I have a great friend who spent more $$$ on a boat, trailer and truck to pull the dang thing than I spent on all the Instruments I have ever owned and still own ! Today, I still own all my Instruments while his boat is finally gone after sitting in his driveway for about 3 years un-used !

It's all relative....

Dave Hopping · Post by **Dave Hopping** » 26 Mar 2011 8:31 am

Someone mentioned outsourcing as a way of cutting prices.Makes me glad that our community is too small to attract the attention of large outfits whose business is to make money rather than quality instruments.I don't fault the OP for assuming he has a right to receive according to his need;there's been a lot of that going around for a long time.

Ray Anderson · Post by **Ray Anderson** » 26 Mar 2011 8:46 am

Some things are just not easily gotten, I'm 57 years old and always wanted to have a steel but providing for my family was the key issue at the time and one that I don,t regret. But time and determination changes things so that it can work in your favor if you seek the opportunity and have the desire. Long story short:These were not meant for someones whims but are objects of affection for those that love the instrument and these usually make the best players and do the instrument justice. Soooooo, If you can't run with the Big Dogs the stay on the porch. IMHO! You can always do like most of us, Play on the installment plan. Peace Out!

Olli Haavisto · Post by **Olli Haavisto** » 26 Mar 2011 8:47 am

Another bright side: because the steels are not available for 200 bucks, we`re spared some of the endless A&B mashing in wannabe altcounrtry bands.

Just kidding, maybe...

Antolina · Post by **Antolina** » 26 Mar 2011 9:09 am

I'm sitting here gazing at my 50 yr old sho~bud. I'm wondering how much a wonderful piece of maple would cost. Now after working the wood, how much the changer and other things might cost to complete the project. I seriously doubt I could get it built for $1800 dollars. Nice to imagine though.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 26 Mar 2011 9:49 am

Promat steel guitars are made in Serbia and seem to be competitive with instruments produced here in America. So much for saving money through outsourcing. Apparently, steel guitars are just as expensive to produce elsewhere in the world …. $:\$

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 26 Mar 2011 10:25 am

we need a squire 'classic vibe' line of pedal steels.

of course the problem is too small a market to develop.

Ken Metcalf · Post by **Ken Metcalf** » 26 Mar 2011 12:37 pm

An American Telecaster is over a thousand bucks..
And that's a production guitar...
You should build and sell some PSGs and then report back.
Ridiculous.. Rant.

Dave Hopping · Post by **Dave Hopping** » 26 Mar 2011 1:10 pm

chris ivey wrote:we need a squire 'classic vibe' line of pedal steels.

of course the problem is too small a market to develop.

That's a blessing,not a problem.

Jeff Spencer · Post by **Jeff Spencer** » 26 Mar 2011 1:22 pm

ah c'mon guys, you know you CAN make a small fortune making steel guitars!! You just need to start with a big one

Serious though, as a industrial tech teacher who teaches metal machining, metal fabrication and woodwork, I tip my hat in admiration to the craftsmen (craftswomen?)who create these "machines". ("machine" seems such a dirty word for something capable of producing something so buitiful)
It's on my bucket list to make one and my estimate is around 8 grand (labour included):eek:

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 26 Mar 2011 2:55 pm

Sheesh! I'm not sure what to say! I worked for a steel manufacturer, and the profit margin was ridiculously small. The economy hit a speed bump, and we went out of business! Just look at the price of bender Teles. They freakin' bend one string, and they're as expensive as an S-10. A good steel should be twice the money they're getting today. Just too small a market. This guy is a troll! Clueless!

Whip Lashaway · Post by **Whip Lashaway** » 26 Mar 2011 3:53 pm

It's the old "I wish" logic. I wish I could afford to buy one. I wish I could play one. It's all a matter of priority. I looked for awhile till I found a beginers model for $85 (back in 1983). I played it till I figured I was gonna be able to and then spent $1600 (in 1984). Then I got busy with it and started making money with it and spent $4000 (in 1988). We'll stop here (even though my buying didn't). Same story on the I wish I could play. Most people who say that would still be saying that if their garage was full of steel guitars. They just want it to majically happen. Hey folks, if it was easy everybody would have one, play one, make money with one, etc....I wouldn't want anything worth while to be easy. Somehow that takes the reward out of the equation. Food for thought. As always, God Bless. Whip

Kent Thompson · Post by **Kent Thompson** » 26 Mar 2011 4:37 pm

David Griffin wrote:My question is: If you don't own a pedal steel,how in the world can you pass judgement on Sho-Bud guitars? Pedal steel would definetely not be what or where it is today if Shot & Buddy had not started building instruments. Sho-Buds are beautiful instruments,both in sound & appearance. Of course you ARE entitled to your opinion,however weak that opinion may be.

I go back to the point of arrogance here on this quote.. Just because you play the instrument does not mean your opinion is any bit superior to mine.
I was told by a couple of players (who by the way are HUGE Buddy fans) that ShoBud is a nice instrument,but because of the materials it was not the best to get started on..

I was also advised not to buy a student model..I would be much better off to get a pro model so I would not have to purchase anything else in the next few years..

It upsets me that a person such as myself who has shown such an interest in learning has not found anyone who is willing to show me how the instrument works or is built underneath..

If I knew how it worked,I would probably try to build one on my own..

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 26 Mar 2011 4:42 pm

Yeah, and my name is Kevin Hatton Melancamp.

Kent Thompson · Post by **Kent Thompson** » 26 Mar 2011 4:44 pm

Dave Hopping wrote:
chris ivey wrote:we need a squire 'classic vibe' line of pedal steels.

of course the problem is too small a market to develop.
That's a blessing,not a problem.

Chris,you are correct..This is what would blow the doors open on PSG.. I'll bet if there was a PSG that was easy to get into and chaper,you would see the PSG world burst..

Dave,you are wrong. Again this proves my point of ya'lls little secret society..

Pat Comeau · Post by **Pat Comeau** » 26 Mar 2011 5:04 pm

Kent Thompson said = It upsets me that a person such as myself who has shown such an interest in learning has not found anyone who is willing to show me how the instrument works or is built underneath..

If I knew how it worked,I would probably try to
build one on my own..

There you go Kent...don't want to be rude but it's always a good thing to learn about it an understand the instruments before asking a wrong question ect....
if you want to learn...come to our building forum and we'll be glad to help you if you decide to build one.

http://steelguitarbuilder.com/forum/index.php

Pat C

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 26 Mar 2011 5:14 pm

I looked in the mirror the other day and there were monkey's flying outta my butt.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 26 Mar 2011 5:24 pm

Just because you play the instrument does not mean your opinion is any bit superior to mine.

Kent, in your case that is not entirely true. There is a definite difference between an informed opinion and an uninformed opinion. Yours is the latter because of your self-professed lack of knowledge about the instrument.

Dickie Whitley · Post by **Dickie Whitley** » 26 Mar 2011 5:34 pm

Kent Thompson wrote:It upsets me that a person such as myself who has shown such an interest in learning has not found anyone who is willing to show me how the instrument works or is built underneath..

If I knew how it worked,I would probably try to build one on my own..

With all due respect Kent, I don't think this Forum is the place you would be looking to learn how to build a pedal steel, I don't think that was ever the purpose. As Pat Comeau has suggested, the Builder's Forum might better suit your needs.

This Forum covers more of information on the instrument of how to play, chords, tablature, electronics, items for sale, personals, just to name a few. Don't think I've ever seen much on anything of how to build one although there have been posts by those who have.

I think someone else has stated the obvious, the market for Pedal Steel guitars is not like the market for cars, computers, TVs and such, we don't have millions of PSG consumers, more like thousands, and not a high number of that. The economies of scale are just not there for the numbers of mass production that would be required to get to the numbers you are looking for.

All the above is my humble opinion for FWIW. Your mileage may vary.

David Griffin · Post by **David Griffin** » 26 Mar 2011 6:12 pm

Kent: I find it funny that you chose to single me out,musta hit a nerve.

If what I wrote makes me arrogant,then so be it. For someone to say that when their own attitude is more than a bit on the negative side truly puzzles me. This forum is full of some of the best,most helpful people in the world. If pedal steel is the exclusive club you think it to be(which,it's NOT)your approach will never get you through the clubhouse door.

FINIS~edited to add: I find it VERY hard to believe you have been attending steel shows for fourteen years & you have never taken a peek under a pedal steel OR in all that time no one would tell you how one works.

Kent Thompson · Post by **Kent Thompson** » 26 Mar 2011 6:43 pm

Pat, thanks for the link. I will come and check out what you've got going on..Hope to learn a lot.

Dave, as far as what you believe I have done,and whether or not I have been to steel conventions is not the issue..

I have looked up underneath a steel a few times,but no one has ever taken the time to explain how it works..

Incidently I said I have been to Steel convention (Off and on) for over 14 years (not every year)

I wasn't speaking so much of the people at the convention not showing me how it works. They were all way too busy with other players..I'm speaking more of the players I know personally.

All I was doing was simply expressing my frustration on price..You know the old saying "perception is reality" everyone needs to remember..

My intention was not to tick anyone off,but I can tell by the way I have been ridaculed,you'll never see or try to understand where I'm coming from..