Stores in DC area?

John Kingsley · From: Los Angeles, CA

I'm going to be in the DC area for a few days, helping the 'rents move into their new digs. Bank of Mom and Dad may be willing to help me out with a new steel...is there anything in the DC area that carries steels?

Thanks,
John

Gary Lee Gimble · From: Fredericksburg, VA.

John, your best bet is located in Orange, Va at Billy Cooper's. He has a huge inventory of steels waiting for you to give them a test drive. A good estimate for travel time, DC to Orange, would be about 2 1/2 hours. To the best of my knowledge, there are no music stores directly in the DC area that carry pedal steels.

Brint Hannay · From: Maryland, USA

If you don't have the time to get to Billy Cooper's (I would do all you can to make the time), Washington Music Center in Wheaton, Maryland (D.C. suburbs) carries the Carter Starter, and I think they would also be willing to order a pro model Carter. That's the extent of their steel guitar involvement, but at least it's something.

Ken Pippus · From: Langford, BC, Canada

Washington Music is an incredibly cool store, and a great place if you're looking for a vintage trumpet, but for steelers it's going to be a bit of a disappointment.

KP

Howard Parker · From: Maryland

I'll second Gary's recommendation although Coopers is only about 1:45 to two hours from DC proper.

Way too much eye candy down there. It's a scary place to go if you have any residual $$$ at all.

h
_________________
Howard Parker

03\' Carter D-10
70\'s Dekley D-10
52\' Fender Custom
Many guitars by Paul Beard

Brint Hannay · From: Maryland, USA

Please note that I seconded Gary's recommendation as well. Billy's a good guy and his store has to be one of the best anywhere.

As to Washington Music Center, I live about two miles from there and drop in about once a week, so I have accurately reported their (tiny) involvement with pedal steel. It's not clear from his post whether John is a beginner or already a steel player and owner, so I thought it was worth mentioning, in case it might interest him if his schedule won't permit the basically day-long trip to Billy's (two hours each way, more if you hit the atrocious Washington area rush hour, and you can't not spend at least a couple of hours there!).

John Kingsley · From: Los Angeles, CA

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the info...I should have time to head down to Billy Cooper's...I have a Carter Starter now (i posted a want ad in the forum the other day), and have been playing/gigging up in the Boston area for a while now...the Starter is falling apart at my feet (literally)...it was great for me 6 years ago, but I'm looking for something more sturdy (and in tune!)

Thanks,
John

Dave Van Allen · From: Souderton, PA , US , Earth

I third GLG's recommendation...
Billy Cooper's is a really fine shop with many (repeat: many!) steels set up and ready to play, accessories, lessons, sheet music, recordings and an immaculate repair facility.

Also the legendary maestro Buddy Charlton teaches there.

Billy and Wanda are truly fine people to deal with.

Our band van stopped there on a road trip last year... our drummer's comment: "That's absolutely the cleanest music store I've ever seen!"

it's true! Very Happy

Gary Lee Gimble · From: Fredericksburg, VA.

Howard, when you mentioned residual, there is prior notification yielding the right of way to wifey’s approval. Disposable would be out of site, out of mind…in the side pocket.

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

Billy Cooper's is the best option.

I used to deal at Chuck Levin's when I lived in Laurel. In 1971 they were an Emmons dealer and I bought my 71 D-10 through them. I always liked that they were basically 40 percent off just walking through the door.

Howard Parker · From: Maryland

GLG says

Gary Lee Gimble · From: Fredericksburg, VA.

Nope, by my ankle. Heir Barretta is in a closer proximity.

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Washington Music Center may have some steels in stock which are not on display. I was in ther 4-5 years ago, and they had several in the basement. When I asked a salesman why they weren't on display, he said "they take up too much room", and that they seldom see customers who are interested in pedal steels. The store itself is an experience, though - something between Grand Central Station and the trading floor at the New York Stock Exchange. The last time I was at Bill's Music House (in Catonsville, just west of the Baltimore beltway), they had two used steels on display. A phone call to either of these stores might reveal a "sleeper"!

The previously mentioned Billy Cooper's store is the largest steel guitar store in the world, and though I haven't been in there in over a decade, I can assure you that you will find most anything you're looking for there. It's another place you have to visit at least once, if only for the experience of seeing that many steels in one place! Cool

John Kingsley · From: Los Angeles, CA

Well everyone, after reading all the posts here, I decided to make the trip down to Orange, and 2 hours and 3 historic Civil War Battlefields later, I walked out with a GFI s-10. The price was much lower than I'd seen elsewhere, and Billy and Wanda Cooper are two of the most genuine people I've ever met. Thanks for the reccomendations!

A. J. Schobert · From: Cincinnati, Ohio,

Glad to see you are happy I deal with Billy Coopers strickly, Wanda is very nice, I just got back from there a few weeks ago.

Bo Borland · From: South Jersey -

Is this the same Billy Cooper that played steel for Bird Dog & the Road Kings.?
_________________
Bo Borland
Rittenberry SD10 , Derby D-10, Quilter TT12, Peavey Session 400 w/ JBL, NV112, Fender Blues Jr. , 1974 Dobro 60N squareneck, Rickenbacher NS lapsteel, 1973 Telecaster Thinline, 1979 blonde/black Frankenstrat
Currently picking with
Mason Dixon Band masondixonband.net

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