The Steel Guitar Forum

Also I would try I think to concentrate on a black guitar whatever.these for some reason,I dont know if it is psycological or what seem to sell quick.I have seen some outstanding guitars<I must admit yes I admit it EMMONS guitars>that arent black,but maybe dark blue or red,both of which I love the color of,sit for several weeks to several months,before they sell.Black sells quick if not in a few hours maybe in just a day or two. Richard

hey Richard,
when I bought my first steel,guy who I bought from told me that.You can play better on black guitar.I don`t think that is true,but it may be something about that color.It never did nothing to me tho,I know that.

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http://hometown.aol.com/damirzanne/damirzanne1.html

Hey Guys. all i can say is I love my black ZUM D-10 w/8-5, Got it new in 1990 and ever had to do any thing to this guitar, I think that should say something, everyone tell they love tone that this Zum has and the way it play So if the BIG BOYS like playing a ZUM, That all I need to hear.It all what feel good to you, there a lot of GREAT steel guitar out there, BUT my first choise will away be a ZUM.
ZUM DO AND ZUM DON'T
STEELIN FOR JESUS.
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by GARYPHILLIPS on 06 March 2001 at 04:26 PM.]</p></FONT>

No matter what anyone says, the ultimate sound is a combination of the man, or woman, and the equipment they use. There is no ultimate steel. You just have to figure what sounds best with your playing style, amp and effects.

I agree with Larry,my favorite sounds are this man and his woman playing with the equipment they have!!!

I owned a Kline for sixteen years and it was the easiest playing steel I ever used. The Achilles heel of the guitar was the overwhelming treble on the guitar and I never did get it set to my satisfaction. So I sell the Kline in 94 and buy a Le Grande which seemed to have a really stiff action but the first night I take it out the Bar owner runs over and says man that thing sounds great!. A couple of weeks later I run into this girl singer from my old band. She listens to the band and walks over and says "It doesn't have that awful treble the other guitar did" so believe me people do notice sound.I would recommend an Emmons....Peter

I didn't know Voltaire was a steel player...Man, you just never know!

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Steel crazy after all these years.
Emmons Lashley Legrande 111 S-10, Nashville 1000, Peavey Stereo chorus 212, Peavey Classic 50/410, Lexicon MPX 100

Brett,
For some people there is no such thing as the perfect guitar. Steel players in general (myself included) are always looking for something more from their guitars. It's almost a kind of paranoia, "Have I got the best possibe gear?" "Does that guys rig sound BETTER than MINE?!?"
Then there's the mentality of pride-of-ownership. Once you own a certain brand of instrument it's like you've joined this fraternity whoose honor and name you're obligated to defend.
Guitars are tools, not humanity. We love 'em, but spend too much time on them and not enough time on their actual function of producing music.
It's not hard to find a great guitar, there are tons of them out there. I recommend that you buy a used one. Chances are you won't stay with the first one you buy and if you buy it new you will lose more money when you sell it.

I have heard almost every kind of steel. IMHO I think the player makes all the difference. My favorite steel player plays an old P/P Emmons and it sounds great! He was helping me tune up my MSA student guitar and made it sound wonderful. I tried a Emmons and couldn't tell the difference from it and my student model. But for some reason I just love to see the Soulfull old Emmons played.
just make sure it's black My favorite.
BTW I'm talking about my good friend Bill Dearmore

Justin

Amen...

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http://hometown.aol.com/damirzanne/damirzanne1.html

You can't go wrong with a Derby.

Dave

: -)

Hi brett , i have a sho bud pro II late 70's and i love it. it is also the only guitar ive really played so i have nothing to compare it to.

I saw you live in boston, If you want to play my guitar feel free to stop by. THeres also a guy in new london Ct who has a couple of Zums and maybe another guitar, im sure he wouldnt mind if you played them.

Cory

Brett, what are you playing now? just curious.

Anybody have any thought on Marrs Steel Guitars?

Dear Stephen,

I'm sill playing my sierra artist..

Thanks for the guitar ideas fellas. I think I'm beginning to understand why players want more than one pedal steel guitar. Thanks for the offer to try your guitar Cory. If I can ever get to Saybrook, I'll take you up on that!

Brett, it's a tough decision today with so many brands to pick from. There are a lot of good builders out there. If I were looking for a new steel, (which I'm not) I would definitely try out a Fulawka. I would also try out a new Carter, Fessy, Zum and an Emmons. I hear GFI makes a nice guitar. From what I hear, Bobby Bowman builds a fine instrument too.
The Fulawka sounds a bit like a Sho-Bud to me and looks like a Sho-Bud too. Beautiful workmanship on these guitars, and a very easy and super quiet pedal action. The changer axle never needs lubricating. Ricky Davis (FORUM member) could tell you more about these guitars.......Good luck with whatever you decide on.......Regards, Carson <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Carson Leighton on 30 July 2003 at 06:08 PM.]</p></FONT>

I think Donna Hammit and Paul Franklin get very good sounds out of their FRANKLIN Steels. You might want to test drive one of the FRANKLINs. I personaly own and play a Mullen Royal Precision, and 2 Emmons P/P (but not at the same time) and I can get the desired tone that I want from either PSG however, I do have to tweak the amps and fx units to suit the PSG involed. Should you find the PSG that "fits" you...you can always change pickups and fx units to achieve "the sound". Donny Hinson gave you some good useful advice. Re-read what he had to say. Good luck my friend...

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kd...and the beat goes on...

Brett.

Although you answered you own question. I'd say that the BEST thing to do if you are so fortunate is to get to a place like Bobbe's place, and sit down with a half dozen different guitars. Preferably through the same amp. Punch them volume wise, and play with the pedals seeing if they are easy to find, and push and return TRUE if barely touched. Knee levers too.

It's really funny, because when I took my lessons from a "big guy" he played a SHo Bud, so I got my start thinking that they were the be all and end all. Turned out that it wasn't even his guitar, though he'd go on to get one years later. The "type of guitar" wasn't "the thing.

I like the solidity of the Fessies that I've seen. I do also like the with of my Sho Bud, and I have never liked the "spread on Emmons', and so probably would thnk that Zums were too narrow too. Too bad, They're being sung as the "finest" here lately. Also mid body neck switches confuse me...

Look around, and do as I said, if you can.

Resolve to not buy one the first day, and don't ask the price til you find the one you like.

If you think it has a "stupid name" you can always put a decal over it and call it anything you wish, or just sand it off and call it a "Brett".

EJL

I'm wondering: have you thought about getting something that isn't brand new?

As with cars, where driving it off the lot takes a third of the value off the purchase price, you take a hit on value immediately. I can see the upsides to going for a new instrument... but you might want to think about looking in buy and sell here and talking to some folks about their instruments.

I did that, and I couldn't be happier with the results... though I fight GAS all the time. The seller was kind enough to send with the axe a CD of his playing, using what was now my guitar. When I had doubts, I'd put the CD on to remind me that what I wasn't getting was my fault.

Fessenden has their shop up in Vermont, if I remember right. That would be a pretty big plus if I were in your shoes, buying new, having the guy not too far away would be pretty cool.

I feel that we, as steel players, are very lucky to live in a time that has such a large variety and number of brands of well-made steel guitars that play and sound great.

What each consumer needs to decide for him/herself is what features are most important to him or her. That decision is different for everybody.

Steel Guitar Buyer's Guide:<FONT SIZE=-2>www.steelguitar.com/esource/howtobuy/howtobuy.htm</FONT>

John Fabian
Carter Steel Guitars
www.SteelGuitar.com

It's kind of interesting to think what makes a steel guitar a "top pro model"? As I look at the CDs and videos of top pros, they play every steel on the market. I don't think anybody here would have the you-know-what's to tell Junior Knight that his Carter isn't a pro model steel. Tommy White has blessed many brands with the "pro model" designation. The list of pros who have played Sho-Buds, Emmons, Mullen, JCH, and on and on and on is too long to list. And isn't there a "pro" out there who plays a Franklin?

Bottom line, buy a steel because you want it, period. Don't need any more reasons than that.

ps, i agree with b0b about getting a steel that you like to look at. Looks aren't everything, but they don't hurt either.

Brett,
I play a 1975 d-10 rosewood emmons push-pull with 8 pedals and 6 knee levers and I love it.But what you need to do is try the one that feels great and sounds great to you.If its an emmons;all pull or push-pull thats great,If its a jch;thats great,zum,carter,sho-bud what ever brand it might be.All thats matters is if its got the tone u like and if u feel comfortable sitting behind it.Just my two cents.I hope that helps.
Robert Rogers<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Robert Rogers on 31 July 2003 at 02:29 PM.]</p></FONT>

I noticed Damir got upbraided a bit a few months back for giving straight shot opinions about a variety of steels. He then felt compelled to apologize.
Then Jeff L. pointed out a very good thing.

If we don't give our accurate opinions here, then no one learns anything.
Especially newbies.

It may tweek a builder's ego a touch to hear a negative opinion, but it should also be considered a USEFUL feedback for the continued developement of his instrument.

For each negative feedback, there is usually a corresponding positive feedback,
though often extolling a different point about the instrument.

For the builders I can just say. Listen whether you like it or not.
An informed and very picky player is your best feedback.

Otherwise you are just improving from your own ideas, and multiple heads are better than one.
If we only stroke the builders and not critique also, it doesn't move forward developement.

He who doesn't learn from history,
is doomed to repeat it.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 01 August 2003 at 01:39 AM.]</p></FONT>