The Steel Guitar Forum

Could anybody give me an opinion on this 40 year old Dekley, (Url below),verses a new Zumsteel Stageone or a new Carter Starter. It's on E-bay australia in Aus$.
The price would be similar for any of the 3 with freight to Aus, + duty + tax on the new ones. About $1300 U.S.

[url] http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Pedal-Steel-Guit ... dZViewItem

thanks everyone for all the help so far too. Much appreciated.
jeremy

I don't know the history of the Dekley guitar company, but I don't think they were being manufactured that long ago. 40 year old Dekley? 1967 or older? I think there's no such thing. If I am wrong here, someone will correct me. And that looks like a student model, if so, $1300 US is probably too much. I like Dekleys but think I would go with the new Carter or Zum.

That Dekley is probably a nice guitar but it has only one knee lever. Even though there is a lot of good music to be made with only one knee lever, I would go with four which the Zum and the Carter both have. I own a Stage one. I can't comment on the Carter because I've never sat down behind one of them. I do like the Zum however and I have been playing 30+ years. It's just a good solid pedal steel.

Nice PS Guitar. It is a "Pioneer". Aluminum Exstrution Body. I have one, I took off the vinyl covering, built an Alum Pedal Bar, and I just had it all powder coated Gloss Black, looks great. But $1300.00 US is too much. I believe it is a much better built psg than the Carter Starter, but it has a simple Pull/Release Changer,.. sounds good, but a bit limited, and the legs it comes with are not adjustable. This is an easy retro fit , but just adds to the price of the guitar. I figure on asking around $500.00 for mine with original case.

Oh, by the way, these were built in the 70's. For a year or so, it was even offered as a kit. It is advertised in in one of the old PSG mags.

Forget the Dekley. You absolutely do not want a guitar with only one knee lever. If you buy it, as soon as you read about the other levers, you will have outgrown the guitar.

The carter Starter is has 4 knee levers. That factor alone makes it a far better choice. I cannot comment on the stage one as I have never seen one.

But it is better to have more knee levers on the guitar that you can grow into, than not have enough and have a guitar that will slow down your progress and limit your growth.

i still suggest a Zum Stage 1 Jeremy

unless, you want to shop around some more
(Right here on the Fo'...............................bro'))

Based on the number of complaints concerning Carter Starters, I would strongly encourage you to avoid them... at any price.

rc

Thanks again SGF people.
I am still churning over all the advice and comments and after contact with Doug Earnest at Zumsteel, am starting to lean that way a little. ( a lot really)
Will make a decision soon after the "Tamworth Country Music Festival" in New South Wales, Australia, which starts this week. I have a few friends scouting around there for me. Best odds in this country to find a PSG for sale!
regards and many thanks
jeremy

Hi Jeremy, do you know Donna Boyd, she is a very good friend of mine, if you see her give her my best regards..

IMHO, as the owner of 3 Dekleys, I say that guitar is too limited. It's not expandable at all. That's a starter Dekley at best...

ZUM Stage One all the way!!!!!
JE:-)>

Hey Jim, could you bring the stage one to the jam in March so we can all try it out?

I recommend the StageOne. I am very pleased with mine. It is physically stable, stays in tune and sounds good.

I cannot compare it to the Dekley. The Carter Starter was not a good "fit" for my large frame.

...this 40 year old Dekley

Dekley was in business from about 1977 until about 1984.

Them StageOne's must have got sharp knee levers

Just trying to get on CMT anyway I can!! LOL
JE:-)>

Zum Stage One

Jeremy,

I have a Dekley very similar to the one pictured, but mine has 3 KL. It's a nice guitar, the only pedal steel I've played, but I can see the limitations compared to others.

It sounds real pricy for what you get.

my thoughts on 'starter' guitars or 'student' guitars, is that you'll get tired of that connotation soon...plus most are too expensive as far as i'm concerned....i recommend finding a used pro model for less money and higher self-esteem!

Jeremy,

I will be at Tamworth playing steel gigs all week from this Friday, and I know a fair few other steel players will be there also. Let me know if there is anything I can do.
0412 169 439
Damien

Also,

You could try posting a wanted ad - follow this link
http://www.brissteelguitar.com/index.shtml

well, lets talk conversion

Live rates at 2008.01.15 01:49:22


1.00 AUD = 0.899216 USD

EDITED for correction:



The Carter Starter costs $795 new 3+4

The Zum stage 1 is I believe around $895 with 4 Knee levers.

The Dekley ( 3+1 ) in the add is $1450 AUD which is $1290 US.

It appears that the selling prices are not the same, the Dekley in the add is the most expensive .

Initially I had the Stage One confused with the Black Jack. Sorry.

The Stage One is $895 and comes standard with four knee levers unless somthing's changed since I bought mine.

Tony, to set the record straight the retail (selling) price of the Stage One is $895 with 3 pedals, 4 knee levers and a hardshell case.
http://www.stageonesteelguitars.com