The Steel Guitar Forum

Marlen Steel Guitars I can't find any info on these guitars.
I blind traded for one, with pics of course, from Bill Powell a steel man from Hillsbros Ohio Red SD-10 4-4 Triple Double and was wondering if there is anyone out the familar with this guitar or it origin. Or just history about the Marlen Steel Company. I believe Bill told me it was converted with Sho-Bud Parts, (Marrs or Bill Ray??) Unsure! I am told it plays real sweet. Can't wait till it arrives. I'm gonna have $1600.00 in it! TOO MUCH??? I believe Bill runs the Johnny Paycheck Museom. Please forword your thoughts and info. Thanks

This Marlen steel is said to come from the Micky Gilley family???
If so I would be recieving it back here in Dallas where they now live I am told. Who would of thought? I was just told by Bill Powell this morning the Marlen has been totally outfitted by the 1st previous owner with all Sho Bud Pro III parts! Bill said it sounds like a Cross between a Sho-Bud and an Emmons! Can't wait to see and play this thing if this is all true!! Again $1600.00 too much??? I hope not.

Hi David,

I am certainly NOT the worlds foremost expert, but here is what I know about Marlen Guitars.

In the late 1950's or very early 1960's, 2 friends, namely Ron Lashley Sr. and Leonard Stadler Sr. began building Pedal Steel guitars in Leonards basement. This happened in Reidsville, North Carolina. You may recognize Ron Lashley of Emmons Guitar fame. You are correct if you do.

Mr Lashley went on to meet Buddy Emmons and start Emmons Guitar, a story in it's own right.

Leonard Stadler and Marvin Hudson started MARLEN guitar in the very early 60's.

The early MARLEN guitars looked very similar to the ShoBud permanant. I have one of the first 10 that were built. It still plays and sounds Awesome, even though the mechanics are very crude by todays standards. It is definately an old war horse that has been ridden hard. I hope to restore it to it's original glory someday.

Marlen followed the industry progressions of changers, setups, bodies, etc. Their all pull guitars have a sound that is very pleasing. The appearance of the Marlen guitars followed that of ShoBud to some degree. There has been some discussion as to whether ShoBud used Leonards changer design, or if Leonard copied ShoBuds for the all pull. I don't know, and DO NOT have a dog in that fight.

Most of the Marlens were natural wood finishes, although they did produce some mica bodies as well. All were very pretty and well made instruments.

I am fortunate to have a dear friend and neighbor who spent some time working for Leonard and Marvin. He has told me that the machine work on the metal parts was performed at a contracted machine shop in Burlington, NC. The bodies were built in a cabinet shop in Danville, VA and that the assembly of the guitars and setup was performed at the shop in Reidsville, NC.

My friend still has and plays a Gorgeous Laquer Maple D-10 Marlen that he himself built in the late 1970's. It kicks butt when it comes to tone.

Leonard Stadler and Ron Lashley remained friends throughout their lives, even though they were competitors, to the best of my knowledge. I know that they visited each others shops on occasion to "see what the other was up to".

Leonard and Ron Sr. are both now deceased. I don't know about Marvin.

I live in Madison, NC, which is about 20 miles from Reidsville, but I hear very little about the folks involved any more. The last shop building that Leonard operated in is still there, locked up, but you can see some instrument cases and parts through the window.

Leonard has a son, Leonard Jr. (Lenny) that is alive and well as far as I know, but not interested in reopening or carrying on the guitar business.

I hope that this helps, and that anyone who knows more will chime in. This is accurate as far as I know, but I did not see it for myself, so I'm passing along 3rd and 4th hand info.

If the guitar that you bought sounds, looks and plays like the Marlens that I have played, you will LOVE it.

Good Luck!

Thank you for that.
Did I pay too much at $1600.00 for a clean guitar???
Please advise

Hi David,

I play a D10 Marlen, that Leonard Stadler built for me In 1983. I didnt know Leonard Personally, but I used to chat with him by phone at times on saturday mornings. He seemed like a really nice person. If the steel you purchased is anything like mine you should really love it. On My guitar the tone is great, it stays in tune, and it looks good. A little heavy but to me its worth the little extra weight. My set up is 8 floor pedal and 7 Knee pedals. I play nearly every weekend and I have had very few problems with this guitar. Infact, the only problems other than strings, and a little lube is that I broke a pedal rod, a knee pedal and had to replace the neck selector switch. Other than that this guitar had given me no problems. As far as the $1600.00 you are paying, or have paid for this guitar, if you were purchasing mine, you couldnt touch it for that amount. So in my opinion, and I am blind to the condition, but it should be a good price. There was a thread a while back on the forum concerning Marlen Steel Guitars. I dont know how to find it, but if you can locate it or one of the members can guide you to it, there are several pictures of Marlen Steel Guitars, including mine.

Larry Hutchison, Peoria, Illinois

David why would you buy unseen? not a good idea! I feel $1600 is high for a used sd10, you live in the land of milk and honey cant you find a good steel local? If my memory serves me right hillsboro ohio has a Amish community and I never heard of a johnny paycheck museum thats not to say, I hope you are happy.

The time to worry about price is before you buy. My Marlen S10 cost me $700 a couple years ago (I think I got a deal). Bottom line, it's a good instrument and I have no desire to get anything else. Forget what you paid and play it I think you'll like it.

You can see pictures of my Marlen on my website. The "equipment" page has a good front and back photo.
I love my Marlen ...

I own an SD10 3x4 that I love. Red mica. Got a good deal on mine, but I would have a hard time parting with it for any less than that amount. Enjoy!

David, if it sounds as good as some I've heard you've got a keeper for sure. Last year I went to a MASGA jam in North Carolina and there was a steeler there named Arnett Mills playing a D-10 Marlen who without a doubt got the best tone of anyone there. Also, Joe Turner of South Carolina plays a SD-12 Marlen and gets a tone to die for out of that guitar. Mr. Stadler made a fine guitar and I think you'll love the sound of it.....JH in Va.

David you are already selling it in the for sale section?

Yesssss, Mama said I have too much stuff and the reason I traded for it in the 1st place was to bail me out of a Martin Guitar that I got in trade for a Wilcox Steel. I think I'm losing ground here but at least I have a swell playing steel now unlike the Wilcox & that is another story in itself. I gave $600.00 and my Martin SWDGT for the Marlen and it plays much better than my 2006 Carter. Well the pedals feel better anyway! Very smooth and sounds kinda like a Sho-Bud 6139 I had last summer. Extreme highs and very crisp or bright tones.

I thought I had read somewhere that (at least some) Marlens had a unique changer that operates differently from any other type. Like I say, I don't know for sure -- I might have that wrong.

Some time ago I posted some information concerning the Marlen PSG. I have One! 1971 Double Ten Figured Maple 8/3. I got it from Leonard in person. I am trying to get Lenny Leonard's son) to at least do an inventory of parts and post them. I am trying my best to talk him into reviving the Marlen. He is a Methodist Minister in Charlotte, NC (lennystatler.com). I offered to go to Reidsville and complete the assembly of the last guitar that Leonard left on the work bench. He did not completly turn me down. I will keep the Marlen owners/fans posted as I receive any information. I also recently purchased a Sho-Bud Super Pro from Bobby Seymore. The Marlen is P/P the Sho-Bud all Pull. The Marlen is pretty well worn and if I can get Lenny to let me into the parts bin I intend to complety refurbish it. Honestly, I am having a VERY hard time deciding which guitar I would rather play. IMHO they are both great guitars with awesome (I hate that word) tone. I invite comments.

In my last post I forget to add that the price David paid for his Marlen in my opinion is not to much. I would not sell mine for that. As a matter of fact I won't sell mine. I KNOW that PSGs CAN talk, and I'm not letting mine outa sight! might use it for firewood....UMmmmmm.