Sho-Bud Maverick opinions

Michael Stover · From: Kansas City

I am a non-pedal player and I would like to have a single-neck 10-string steel. An MSA Superslide would be sweet when the budget allows, but in the interim I was thinking about picking up a Maverick. I realize that the Maverick is considered the student/budget Sho-Bud model. My question is: are the pedal & lever mechanisms the only part of the Maverick that is 'budget' quality? How do the other components compare to those on the higher-end models? I'm thinking primarily of the pickup, but also tuners, keyhead etc.

Ken Pippus · From: Langford, BC, Canada

What, now you need four necks????

Hope you're enjoying the Custom.

KP

Michael Stover · From: Kansas City

Oh, don't worry--the Custom's great! I'm thinking of something for my rock gigs in which I'm playing electric guitar AND steel. When gigging with multiple instruments, the Custom's a tad--unwieldy.

Ken Pippus · From: Langford, BC, Canada

I believe what you're trying to say is that it's so big it has its own zip code.

KP

Bill Hatcher · From: Atlanta Ga. USA

Its' only too big if it has its' own gravitational pull.

David Doggett · Posted 28 Dec 2007 1:18 am

The main problem with Maverick's is that you can't both raise and lower the Es, so you will be missing one or both of the main levers used on a standard 4 lever pro model - sort of like playing a non-pedal steel with one string missing.

The pickups are passable, and easily replaced.

There were three eras of Maverick keyheads. The early ones had no nut rollers and cheap tuners that wore out. The middle era ones had a standard pro-model tear-drop head with nut rollers and good Grover tuners. The last models (the vinyl covered ones) had Fender ash-tray keyheads with cheap tuners.

The middle era ones are best. But you are still missing two or three major levers that have become standard on pro models.

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

Don't get a Maverick.. They are expensive because of the "ShoBud' name on them.
There are MUCH better choices out there for the same or even less money.. You can find a Mica body MSA Classic with 3 pedals and 4 levers or even 5 and 4, for maybe a hundred bucks more than a Maverick..

The Jackson Blackjack is about a grand, and is also 3 and 4,and is MUCH more guitar than a Maverick will ever be.
I see Mavericks now are in the $7-800 range on ebay, and they are just NOT worth it.. $300 maybe, but NOT $700+. no way. They are cheaply made tinker toys in comparison to a pro model steel.
Please do not be impatient.. Save up till you have a grand or so in cash, and then start looking at real steels.
I think you'll be surprised at whats out there... bob

Michael Stover · From: Kansas City

I guess I should clarify my point: I play non-pedal and I intend to continue doing that. I don't care about the number of pedals/levers or their quality--I'll probably take 'em off anyway. My main concern is the quality of the Maverick's pickup. (I know I could probably build a non-pedal 10-string for a few hundred bucks, but I'm not very handy, no time etc...)

I asked about the Maverick because I've seen some sell on this forum in the $250-350 range. I won't pay 'ebay prices' for a Maverick--I'm looking for a bargain.

Antolina · From: Dunkirk NY

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

My apologies on the Blackjack.. I thought 4 knees was standard...and I guess not supplying case is one way of keeping the cost down... I thought they were around a grand "out the door"... my mistake...

however, $250 for a Maverick??? good luck with that.. You won't find much of a pedal steel for $250...anywhere... even a Little Buddy is a lot more than that, and they are REAL junk,,, bob

Antolina · From: Dunkirk NY

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

You CAN play simple stuff on a Maverick, but will likely become quickly frustrated by its limits. If you want to play "normal" steel, I'd suggest the GFI student models. They are very near pro-quality and won't break the bank. Also very light and easy to handle, and solid as a rock.
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Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

IMO [only]The Mavrick will make a nice CHEAP 10 string NON PEDAL steel,Light weight,and the stock pickup is not real bad,[not great] but don't sound to crappy,The only advantage is you will have ten strings versus 6 or 8,BUT if you want to hook up the pedals you will spend more time keeping it in tune than actually playing it,DYKBC.
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Ron ! · Posted 28 Dec 2007 12:53 pm

Using a Maverick to convert it into a 10 string lapsteel?Not something I would do(been there done that).
There are many builders that can build you a nice lapsteel for a fair amount of money.And you will have a new one.And not only that,you will have a "lapsteel" and not a Tinkertoy like Bob said.
I don't think that the Maverick PUP is one that would be suitable for a lapsteel.
The cabinet of the Maverick is not something I would use either.I know it's sturdy enough to convert into a lapsteel but I have tried this and I didn't like the sound.To dark.
Besides why would you buy a 30+ year old steel for $7-$800 when you can have a good new lapsteel for almost the same amount?

Ron

Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

Ron,I was really just trying to be nice about the mavrick,YOU ARE RIGHT.DYKBC.
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Michael Stover · From: Kansas City

$400
$495
$250
$500
$450

Just sayin'... Confused

This is for an obnoxiously loud rock band. I have a beautiful Fender Custom T8 for country & jazz. I need a beater.

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

i used to see beat up melobars (the old original style) for a few hundred...that'd be perfect for your rock band stuff.....ten strings....look up smith melobars. i used to see them at used music stores. steve's music in sacramento had one awhile ago.

Jay Jessup · From: Charlottesville, VA, USA

Well beyond the quality of the parts, pedals etc it has been my experience that pedal steels in general don't sound all that great for rock music no matter how you process them, mostly because of the thin strings and the output of the pickups. While I think they look dorky maybe the Mellobar suggestion is the best way to go, or maybe just find a S-8 Fender lap of some sort??

Larry Strawn · From: Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

I removed the pedals from my Maverick when I was playing in a rock-a-billy band. I also bought some cheap aluminum tubing and cut it to length for stand-up legs. I tuned to E13th. It worked really well.

I wasn't too fond of the Maverick pickup, so I added a Bill Lawrence pickup. With two pups, it really rocked!

The string spacing is too close for normal non-pedal playing, but rock-a-billy doesn't really require bar slants so I was able to get away with it.

No, it's is not for sale... Very Happy

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mike nolan · From: Forest Hills, NY USA

I have a couple of Alkire Eharps.... not cheap, but really great if you want a rockin' 10 string. Once you go down the pedal road, it is hard to turn back.... You can think of a pedal steel as a stack of different lap steels.... push a pedal, and you have a new tuning.

Paul Redmond · From: Illinois, USA

Check out my prior posts on my 3FP 5KL Maverick and the 3 pics of the guitar. It's under "Hot Rod Maverick" posted on November 20th and 21st (2007).
Paul Redmond

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