Why did you buy the brand steel you did?

Sidney Malone · Post by **Sidney Malone** » 16 Jun 2005 9:20 am

I bought a MSA Millenium because it is what I believe to be the most technologically advanced guitar available. Along with this comes the great tone, sustain, in tune, smooth playing, feature loaded, beautiful guitar I always wanted!!

I'm sure the service after the sale is great also but I can't say first hand because the Millenium has performed flawlessly! Great guitar!!

Alan Shank · Post by **Alan Shank** » 16 Jun 2005 9:21 am

I had an Emmons S-12 PP extended E9, which I had lots of trouble keeping it adjusted and in tune. I attended a steel show in Concord, CA and played a Carter SD-10. I liked the way it played and the price was right, so I ordered one on the spot. Later, I changed my order to a Universal. I was very happy with the guitar when it arrived.

A few years later, I decided to go the double-10 route. In the interim, I had read lots of posts on the Forum about different guitars. Seems like everybody loves their own brand. That told me that all the new guitars are good these days. The Carter was still less expensive than most, I knew I would get the guitar promptly and the Carter people are great to work with, so I went for a Birdseye Green D-10 with 9 and 7. No regrets here.
Cheers,
Alan Shank

Lem Smith · Post by **Lem Smith** » 16 Jun 2005 9:29 am

I got a Sho~Bud, because that's what Lloyd plays!!!

Seriously though, I like Sho~Bud because of the tone, looks and heritage. Also, I guess I got lucky, because mine plays great too.

I've never had an Emmons push/pull, and really want one of those for my next guitar...that is, if I ever get a next guitar!

Lem

Terry Sneed · Post by **Terry Sneed** » 16 Jun 2005 9:36 am

I've owned an MSA, a Sho bud, 2 Emmons, a Zum and I'm now playin a 2004 RP Mullen. It plays great, looks great, and the tone is as good as any steel I've heard. wouldn't trade it for any other steel.

Terry

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Mullen D10 /8x5 / session 500rd/ American Strat Highway 1 model
steelin for my Lord

Bill Simmons · Post by **Bill Simmons** » 16 Jun 2005 9:44 am

I've owned nearly every major brand of steels over the past few years...loved them all for different reasons. However, I love my RAINS "The Spirit!" gospel model for it's great tone and playability. Bobby Rains and Gary Carpenter have truly developed an all around super steel.

I also have a great Zum and '68 Emmons...wish I could have kept my Derby...my Carter...my MSA's...my Mullen...my Sho-Buds...my...EMCI...my HA HA[This message was edited by Bill Simmons on 16 June 2005 at 10:46 AM.]

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 16 Jun 2005 9:56 am

Happened to come across a huge yard sale of a old lady who was selling out and moving into an old folks home. I got the steel, a Fender Princton Reverb anmp and a volume pedal and case all for $50.00. It was nice to be at the right place at the right time.

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 16 Jun 2005 10:16 am

I was a die hard Emmons PP fanatic for 25+ years, till I ran into Jerry Fessenden. I ended up trying one of his guitars, and it was like finding your way home. I've never looked back, and am in the process of getting my third on built this summer, and couldn't be happier (not to mention what a fine person he is, both personally and professionally

)...

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 16 Jun 2005 10:54 am

peer pressure.

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 16 Jun 2005 10:56 am

Got it on sale, out of a guy's trunk up at the car wash. The brand name and serial number have been removed...

Robert Porri · Post by **Robert Porri** » 16 Jun 2005 11:58 am

I bought a GFI S10 Ultra (keyless w/pad) after I met Gene Fields at a show. I was impressed with what he said and his instruments, even more when I looked up information about him and GFI on the internet and Forum. I've been very happy with my decision. This is my first PSG. I'll probably only get another when I move up to a D10. I expect it will be another GFI.

Bob P.

Charles Dempsey · Post by **Charles Dempsey** » 16 Jun 2005 11:58 am

I studied pedal steel for a month or two. Decided to get a modern steel that would hold its value, not an antique or a student model. Sat behind a few, wiggled the knees, prodded the pedals, and looked at the works. I rejected one popular make because the hardware looked cheap. I finally whittled it down to three makers, and was stuck. With no rational way to decide between them I asked myself; "What does Marty play?"

That was good enough for me.

Charlie

James Cann · Post by **James Cann** » 16 Jun 2005 12:12 pm

I got a Sho~Bud, because that's what Lloyd plays!!!

Me, too, only half in jest!

Seriously though, I like Sho~Bud because of the tone, looks and heritage. Also, I guess I got lucky, because mine plays great too.

So does mine, and to this, I add 'mystique.' Sho-Bud's give off vibrations meant for a select group, "however distant or far away."

Leslie Ehrlich · Post by **Leslie Ehrlich** » 16 Jun 2005 12:48 pm

When I decided to buy a PSG, I said "Sho-Bud or nothing!"

Rick Garrett · Post by **Rick Garrett** » 16 Jun 2005 1:05 pm

I bought my 66 emmons bolt on because a man I know and trust said it sounded and looked great! He was right on the money too. Finest sounding steel I've ever had and it has that bite in the tone thats really sweet.

Rick

David Wren · Post by **David Wren** » 16 Jun 2005 2:32 pm

Foud out that Bud Carter built the '70 MSA I was still playing in '95.... decided to get one more guitar from him.... smartest thing I ever did.... guess I'll need another in 15 more years by that record.

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Dave Wren
'95Carter S12-E9/B6,7X7; Session500; Hilton Pedal
www.ameechapman.com

Dave Grafe · Post by **Dave Grafe** » 16 Jun 2005 2:34 pm

When I finally decided to replace the old Maverick I looked around a lot. Trouble is, out here on the upper left edge you couldn't (and still can't) just go down to the local music store and shop for the PSG you like the most.

I went over to the Wheeler shop - awesome machine work but they were all so #@% UGLY I couldn't see gettin' in touch with my soul on a regular basis sitting behind that big chunk of lumber.

Went out to Sierra and they played pretty smooth, too, but I couldn't seem to find any soul in the formica furniture, either. At the time the guys out there had several used guitars in the showroom. I especially liked the big D10 ShoBuds but they were all priced well out of reach of a guy with a kid to raise who made a living playing the bass.

I finally found this little cherry red ShoBud S10 Pro I 3+2 that had been sitting in a south-facing window of a downtown music store for about ten years until it bleached out to a one-of-a-kind pale rose-orange hue. Real pretty, sounded great and the best part was that I could afford it -- the store was being sold and the new owner didn't want to mess with a steel guitar that had never sold, so I traded him a Gibson SG and a Music Man bass straight across for it, went home and gave my daughter her allowance back.

After all, it's an old 3+2 S10, I've had my momments with the pot metal on the knees, etc. so I've looked at a few others over the years, I gotta admit I really like what I hear from the old P/P guitars when Larry, Doug and Harley all play them, but my little red wooden guitar has got soul for days and I'm still sittin' behind it, pickin' pedallin' and grinnin' from ear to ear.
<img align=right src="http://www.pdxaudio.com/dgsept03.jpg" width="114 height="114">Dave Grafe - email: dg@pdxaudio.com
Production
Pickin', etc.

1978 ShoBud Pro I E9, Randall Steel Man 500, 1963 Precision Bass, 1954 Gibson LGO, 1897 Washburn Hawaiian Steel Conversion

[This message was edited by Dave Grafe on 16 June 2005 at 03:43 PM.]

JERRY THURMOND · Post by **JERRY THURMOND** » 16 Jun 2005 2:49 pm

I started out with MSA D10,when they quit I got my 1st Zum an I have got 2 more in the last few years they are just one fine guitar. Jerry

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 16 Jun 2005 3:40 pm

Williams is the only company in the world that produces "crossover" pedal steels. The pedals and knee levers are mechanically switched from one neck to the other. I wanted that feature, which is why I bought a Williams.

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/Hotb0b.gif" width="96 height="96">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Williams D-12 E9, C6add9, Sierra Olympic S-12 (F Diatonic)
Sierra Laptop S-8 (E6add9), Fender Stringmaster D-8 (E13, C6 or A6)

J Hill · Post by **J Hill** » 16 Jun 2005 4:07 pm

Why did we buy a certain brand of steel?

Well...because it was beautiful, just beautiful. Its the one I'm getting in July to replace by little Carter-Starter. But I'm not telling one single person what it is yet. Not ONE SINGLE PERSON!

Larry Jamieson · Post by **Larry Jamieson** » 16 Jun 2005 5:52 pm

My first was an MSA Semi-Classic, 3 pedals, one knee lever. It was the first steel I had ever seen for sale in a music store in Binghamton, NY. Played it for twenty years, then I decided I needed more knee levers. I bought what I could afford, a used BMI (good guitar), a used Carter, a Cougar, could not really connect with any of them. Then one day, a guy brought a Zum into my music store for help in getting it adjusted and tuned. After seeing how it was made, and how nicely and precisely it played, I decided to get a brand new Zum. It arrived in 2003 and I am really enjoying it. I know there are many fine guitars being built today, wish I could afford to have one of each! Larry J.

Neil Lang · Post by **Neil Lang** » 16 Jun 2005 6:06 pm

The first time I saw a steel being played that really "Impressed me"! 1965, Darwin "Lefty" Schrage playing a Sho-Bud! Had to get one & learn how! Been playing one ever since! Own 9 of them now! Old Dog..
Old Tricks!

"Bud Nuts"
Neil

D Schubert · Post by **D Schubert** » 16 Jun 2005 10:15 pm

All the steel players on the old records that I loved (and still love) played Sho-Buds or original Emmons. So, I bought one of each. Good enough for them, good enough for me.

Bill Myrick · Post by **Bill Myrick** » 17 Jun 2005 2:47 am

I bought a new Rains with the understanding that Fred Justice was going to load it with some of his hot licks but either he dropped the ball or I havn't found them yet !!!

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 17 Jun 2005 3:22 am

Serendipity. When I got my nearly new Zum I had been trying to play for about four years, but never around other steelers and I had never heard of Zum. My MSA D-12 was so heavey and the Zum was advertised in the paper for $1000, I did not know I was making such a wise purchase.

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Howard, 'Les Paul Recording, Zum S12U, Vegas 400, Boss ME-5, Boss DM-3, DD-3, Sierra Session D-10
http://www.Charmedmusic.com

Allan Thompson · Post by **Allan Thompson** » 17 Jun 2005 12:02 pm

Bought a Promat cause I wanted a brand new Push Pull with great tone.