The Steel Guitar Forum

Just one more thing, then I’m out: JUSTICE S-10 is all pull 3 raise 3 lower. You can start with 2+1 for under $1K if you want. Easy to add changes on later. I got one to experiment with different setups and find it to be an excellent build.

Of course, no one should ever start on a "starter" or beginner's model. If it doesn't have at the very least 3+5, just forget it for several years until you have a few grand saved up. The same goes for cars and learning to drive. If you can't afford a Corvette or a Cadillac, don't even think about learning to drive in a Toyota Corolla or a Ford Fiesta. You'll get tired of them in just a few months.

(I played for almost 9 years on a D8 with one lever on E9th and one lever on C6th. Even toured with it and backed artists like Cal Smith, Stan Hitchcock, and Del Reeves.)

If you can't afford a Corvette or a Cadillac, don't even think about learning to drive in a Toyota Corolla or a Ford Fiesta

Yeah, but what if I told you that you could upgrade your Ford Fiesta and get a Corvette for only $1,000 more?

I was just on Doug Earnest's site for Stage One and Encore steel guitars. He is currently open for 100 orders. I'd put in an order ASAP for one of his. If you can afford it, go for the Encore. It's a bit over your stated budget, but they typically sell for more on the used market than Doug charges, and they sell fast. Money well invested.

https://www.stageonesteelguitars.com/

Bill McCloskey wrote: Yeah, but what if I told you that you could upgrade your Ford Fiesta and get a Corvette for only $1,000 more?

So...are you gonna give me the extra $1,000?


It's not what you play, it's how well you play it!

As an example, this song has one of my favorite rides ever played on pedal steel. Buddy Charleton, A&B pedals...and that's it! No levers, no magic tunings, nothing but a great player on a simple guitar doing something that I'd guess 98% of us can't do as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkjKOClJuvM

Stay out of the water until you learn how too swim.!

Probably better too start out on lap steel like all the steel guitar hero’s we love!

Hold on to your cash Jordan!
Keep your eyes open and before you know it you'll find a great used pro model Sho-Bud out there with your name on it or an old MSA for even less at a price you want to pay and NO $1500 isn't an unrealistic number
99% of guitars listed on the forum are way overpriced, but it always comes down to what some sucker will pay for one LOL
I worked for Bobbe Seymour at Steel Guitar World in Millersville outside of Nashville when I first moved to Nashville. One day there was a customer in the shop from somewhere like Wisconsin and the customer asked me what the BEST sounding guitar on the sales floor was.
I asked Bobbe and he replied "look in the book and see which one has the most markup" LOL
Enough said?

They are out there, you just have to keep that cash in hand and not be in a hurry
If you have any questions about anything you're looking at feel free to contact me, I'll call you back and give you my two cents worth and try to help you get a good deal
Keep the faith
WC Edgar

Another vote for Stage One.

I started out on one and stayed with it for 3 years (2 hours a day + local gigs) before “upgrading”, which I did two years ago because I could, not because of any particular shortcoming regarding the Stage One. It is also nice to have a backup instrument in case one of them needs work, or new strings, or a good polishing.

Donny - Thanks for posting that tune. Not that it’s a particularly great song, but it is a heck of a steel solo and a great example for what is being discussed here.

I think it all depends on one question that you have to ask yourself. Do you think you want to learn to play pedal steel, or do you know with a desire that you want to learn pedal steel? The reason I say this, is if you have a desire for it, get the best you can afford. If it’s something that you just want to tinker with, and you have it in the back of your mind, that it’s okay if it doesn’t work out, then get the less expensive. If you have the talent and the desire to play steel, chances are, you already hear and know the things that you want to learn, and chances are, a good deal of those things, you won’t be able to accomplish with 2 pedals and 1 knee lever. If you just want something to make noise on, and only play the very minimal basics, a student guitar is just fine. But here’s what I’ve encountered when I used to teach, the guitar still has to be good, and has to be stable enough to somewhat stay in tune. The guitar has to feel somewhat comfortable to you. The same principle applies to professional guitars as well. I’ve seen more students get discouraged and quit because of tuning and mechanical issues.The last thing I will say, my recommendation, would be to get something that has at least 3 pedals and 3 knees. 4 knees would be better, but don’t worry about a 5th lever, unless you come across a good buy on something that has a 5th lever. As far as D10’s go, you can sometimes come across a decent used D10, that costs about the same as what some SD10’s cost. Like I said, a lot of this depends on how serious you are and what your ultimate goal is.

Any well built steel guitar with 3 pedals and 4 knee levers will have the same notes and chords available on the guitar.
A starter steel setup in E9th tuning and 3&4 pedals and knees you can play the same tunes on as a hi end steel with 3 pedals and 4 knee levers.
The question really is, How much do you want to invest in your first steel guitar.
What ever your first steel guitar is will be your starter guitar weather it is a $1395.00 3&4 Growler or a $5795.00 3&4 Emmons. What ever you buy first is your starter steel.
A guitar player and a Golfer has a lot in common.
The golfer buys a $500.00 golf club thinking it will make him or her a better player. The Steel guitarist buys a hi dollar steel guitar thinking it will make him or her a better player. Now for the Facts. PRACTICE will make you a better player. Cheep guitar cheep golf club Or hi dollar clubs and guitars will not make you a better player.
Practice on what you can afford. That will make you a better player and should not brake your bank account. Have fun. And keep it simple.

You might want to check out Steel Guitars of North County. It's owned by Jim Palenscar, and he usually has around 30 Steel Guitars for sale.You can see what he has online. The bad news is, he's in San Diego, but he ships guitars everywhere. It will arrive playing perfectly

order a new Stage One from Doug , it will serve you good for a long time … I know few Nashville players playing Stage One on their jobs …