The Steel Guitar Forum

Hey Guys,

I am new to the pedal steel world. I just got my Carter Starter last Friday and have really been enjoying it. I mostly play guitar but have wanted to learn pedal steel for some time now. And today I found a teacher!

OK, anyway, I have a question. I have looked at other pedal steels and checked out prices and am wondering why the Carter Starter is so inexpensive. I have been playing it for about 5 days now and like the tone a lot and it's set up pretty well. I am just wondering what I am missing out on.

Thanks in advance! I look forward to learning a lot from you guys!

I've been playing a Starter for a year and just got a Carter D-10. The things missing on a Starter you won't miss for a while..........they've done a good job for the bucks. The hardware is not all adjustable, it's light, tuning pegs are less expensive, etc. I changed out the pickup on mine (which I'm getting ready to sell) and put on Gerge L's 10-1's. I got sounding and working good..........enough so that I could learn,take lessons, and move along enough so that I am able to confidently invest in a Pro model. When you get a Pro model you'll find it is more customizable it terms of feel and smoother in terms of the action. I could'nt have asked more for what I paid for it.

Chris there is alot of differances, you did the smart thing to buy a starter and to see if you would stick with it, it sounds like your still new so give it some time. When you do decide to upgrade try as many PSG as you can, heck just visit the websites and you can see the differences from pro model to your starter (the price to!), back to your question I think off the top of my head the biggest difference would be the ease to add extra knee's and the changer is better, but for the money you made a good choice. It really isn't fair to compair the two.

Chris,
You cant go wrong with the Carter-Starter for beginning. I started out on one, and upgraded to a pro model after a few months. There are alot of differences. The main differences I saw were in the the Knee Levers and the over all stability of the instrument. The knee levers is where they cut corners big time and I ended up wearing out my RKL. Also in the knee levers you cant adjust the travel. Pedals are also a big difference. But, on the other hand it has a very good sound for the money. Billy Phelps made an album called "Starterized", where he recorded the whole CD with a Carter-Starter, I know of a person who took one out and played it on a professional gig a couple times. The Starter, did for me, what it was designed to do..get you started on PSG and see if this is really something you want to invest alot of time and money in, without paying alot of money up front....also the quick start video is excellent!

I have never owned one but have played on a couple. To me they are better than what I started on. My starter had 3 and 1, and nothing could be changed.

I wish they had been around in the 60's! I probably could have talked my folks into getting me one and I'd be a monster PSGist by now!

Dennis

When I started I bought a used sho-bud s10 on a double frame, luckley it wasn't that bad of a guitar if I had to do it over agian I would have gotten a starter.

Thank you guys so much! I feel really good (and even better now) with my purchase.

Do you guys have any advice for practicing or anything like that for a total beginner? I will be starting lessons in about a month or so but would really like to start learning some stuff on my own.

My backround as far as music goes is guitar and bass. I have mostly played in rock bands and have never really finger picked or used finger picks.

Thanks again everyone!

Get a copy of the Winnie Winston book and read it cover to cover!
JE:-)>

Jim Eaton wrote:Get a copy of the Winnie Winston book and read it cover to cover!
JE:-)>

That worked for me and I'm sure countless other aspiring (and perspiring!) steelers....You'll learn "Silent Night" in plenty of time for next Christmas!

Dennis

Thank you Jim and Dennis!
I am going to try and find that book in a local shop asap! Anything you guys can recommend on the net? Warm ups or Scales or anything?

anything from Jeff Newman

Hi Chris,

did your starter come with a dvd? Thats a good place to start till you get your lessons and the winnie book. as for free stuff on the web, the carter site has a video or two if I remember correctly. "Demystifying the pedal steel for guitarists" or something like that...look for it here:
http://www.steelguitar.com/

I come from the same place you are...rock...never used finger picks before, guitarist/bassist, Im a little more than a year into it now and just starting to get the hang of it a little. get them finger picks on and start practicing your chord grips up and down the neck. strings 10,8,6....8,6,5....6,5,4...5,4,3 .best of luck.

edit: this is a good one for basic E9th theory intro
http://www.b0b.com/infoedu/e9theory.htm

I bought a Hal Leonard Guitar Method for Pedal Steel Guitar book and it seems to work well, it has a play along CD. I also have been taking lessons once a week since Jan. 2nd this year. I hear the Jeff Newman material is the best, and the Winnie Winston book is something to get also. I would work on the major triads as Ben noted. It helps memorize for finger muscles to the spacing of the strings. Also you need to familiarize and study your steel, know what notes your pedals and levers change to and such. Learn how to read TAB for steel guitar. Also tuning is essential. You'll need a Chromatic tuner, if you cant tune by ear. And watch the Quick Start Instructional Video that came with your starter. Joe Wright is the instructor on it. What kind of amp are you using?
Brandon

Hey Brandon,

Right now I am using a Peavey 5150 2 12 combo. I know it isn't the best for pedal steel but I was planning on getting a Roland Jazz Chorus as soon as I can save up enough.

Thank you for the advice!

Chris

Chris Dixon wrote:Thank you Jim and Dennis!
I am going to try and find that book in a local shop asap!

You can get it from the Forum Catalog. Item #I-200. But it's cheaper locally if you can find it. I had to jack the price up to cover shipping.

I bought a Carter Started for a different reason, we spend the summer at a campground in a trailer in PA. There is not enough room for my GFI D-10. With the Starter, I can at least take E-9th with me. It is a sub-set of my GFI copedant.

The only issue I have with it is what I would deem excessive travel on LKR (lowering the E's) Perhaps there is an adjustment possible to correct this. I plan to ask the folks at Carter at the TSGA Jamboree next week.

Carter knew which corners to cut to make an inexpensive PSG. They didn't cut the corners that are important.
The object is affordability, and I think they excelled with their Starter. I had one, I recommend it; I started out on it and traded up to another Bud Carter design, the MSA Classic.
Can't go wrong, you can recoup your investment. Get one and enjoy it, keep it as long as you can (until you really get familiar with the pedals and levers). THEN you can get an MSA.

Chris, My name is Dave, I started with a Carter Starter about 1 year ago, played a min of 2 hour per night, loved the steel,the key is lots of practice,lots of blocking, both plam and pick blocking, I am also a guitar player for over 30 years, also started banjo 2 1/2 years ago, and a few more toys... So I did the big move, did my homework, and order a pro-steel, I got it 2 months ago, love it, plays like a dream,great tone,action, I got a RP SD10 MULLEN...also run the Hilton Volume pedal, and Hilton sustain, DD6,RV5,GE7 into NV112, I did not know if I could learn the steel, So a Carter Starter was a good choice to start with. and after lots of playing, I GOT IT, STEEL FEVER !!AND MOVED UP, So keep playing, and when you feel own your fingers,and can afford it, Get a Pro Model, There are many GREAT GUITARS out there, good luck with your playing,

David Arel
Mullen SD10

The only issue I have with it is what I would deem excessive travel on LKR (lowering the E's) Perhaps there is an adjustment possible to correct this. I plan to ask the folks at Carter at the TSGA Jamboree next week.

a steeler wanabee here that i helped get a Carter Starter sent me approx the same remark concerning LKR

we'd love to get some advice/solution/help on this

Hmm, CrowBear, this makes me think--on my used Starter there was a worn spot on the wood rail that acts as a pedal stop. I used a small piece of metal, less than 1/16", to build that place up, to make the stop firmer.
Seems that on one lever, I could have left the bracket screw slightly elevated (maybe with washers) to stop the lever more quickly. Perhaps the addition of a screw on the lever bracket could form a higher stop, one that would be somewhat adjustable.

Thank You Charlie
i'll study the phenomena

Something i was wondering about a C S...If i remember the chart i saw once, then the two RK levers each lower their strings, 2nd & 5th?, a half tone. Is it possible by readjusting one of these string's stop screws that these can be set to lower the strings by a full step?

C.C., if I remember correctly, there is a bottom plate on the changer that has cuts in it where there are lowers. These cuts seem to act as stops and might limit travel. However, if that plate weren't there...? I don't know.

The Carter-Starter is a great choice for a first guitar. The neck is probably as good as the pro models. When you get ready for smooth action all around, you'll need to get a Mullen.