Starter Gutars

[Wally Taylor]

I have noticed on the Forum, that there has been many a discussion about the good, the bad and the ugly concerning starter guitars.
And I somtimes think that players forget what it was like when they first started playing the steel.
A new player is a "starter" anyway and a starter guitar makes perfect sense. You do not need all the bells and whistles to "start" with and the price allows you to get started. Furthermore, you arn't limited to owning and playing the guitar the rest of your life. As you progress, you are going to want better equipment, but the starter gets you going.
How many 6 string players started out with Strats and Les Pauls? They probably did like me, got a beginner 6 string accoustic and progressed from there. Now, how many 6 string players only own 1 guitar? 1 amp? Same with the steel.
I have never played the Carter Starter, but Bobbe Seymour has a video on his web site that shows what the Carter Starter is capable of. It gets you started! Then, you will work your way up from there.
So for the new players, get you a starter guitar and then..........well, get started and have some fun!!
Thanks,
Wally

[Tracy Sheehan]

We could only dream of something like the starters back when us older pickers first started steel many years ago.Most pedals were home made from things we got at a hard ware store.Thats what most of the so called greats started on and most of the new pedal steels coming out at the time were not any better.
IMHO a beginner should not worry so much and use what they can afford.

[Bobbe Seymour]

The Carter starter is a God send to the new young player that can't afford to dump two grand up into any other steel guitar, AND to the ole' pro that needs guitar #2 or 3.

The argument used to be that a player would be better off with a used pro guitar than a "starter",,, Now days a single used Lloyd Green, used Zum, Mullen, Emmons etc. is way over two grand. The best values in steels today from a players stand point are a guitars, and the Carter Starter is the one that does everything at the lowest price by far. ( a '96 Camero is a lot less money than a '68 Camero)
The folks that don't like these guitars just plain don't understand and probably haven't owned one, sure there are better guitars in the world, but you'll have to pay the price to get one!

I feel a BMW is a lot better than a Ford Escort too, but by the time both get to 200.000 miles, the money difference shows up, the price shows up in the beginning also.

Over all, listen to Wally, he knows of what he spaketh!

LeBobbster

[Wally Taylor]

Bobbe, Tracy, yep, you both hit it on the head. We talk of getting more people into playing and loving the steel and the price and quality of todays modern steels lets you do that.
Most of us started with a cheaper steel, because that was all we could afford. So, like Jack said, play what you can afford, but get in there and start playing and spreading the word about the steel.
Hey, the more, the merrier, as they say!!

Wally

[Tony Prior]

Haa..I started on a Gibson Melody Maker then to a Gretsch from there ! Then off to the Fenders. early to mid 60's...My 1st new Tele I think was $180 from Rudy's Music , NYC 48th street.

Back then the guys that dreamed up re-issues weren't born yet !

My brand new D10 Pro III was $1250 from Sam Ash Music in White Plains NY, I think around 75 or so, maybe a little later... That was a lot of money to pay for a Steel Guitar for someone who basically had no clue what the other 6 Pedals and 3 knee levers did ! I bought my Maverick from these same folks, I think it was $290 new with the case, 3+1

had there been a Starter with 3+4 back then I would have brought it home in a NY minute.

[Wally Taylor]

Hey Tony, bet'cha wish you still had the Gibson and Gretsch now, don't you? Ah, the times, they are a changing.

Wally

[Tony Prior]

Wally for sure ! But if I could go back in time for a few moments I would come back with my early Corvettes !

There are no Chinese re-issue 1966 and 1967 Corvettes !

tp

[Abel Khineche]

Hi all,

Can someone tell me how much a basic starter pedal steel would cost, and where to find it?.

Thank you much,
Abel

[Matt Steindl]

Not sure how often they come up on ebay, but Dekley had a nice student guitar.

[Abel Khineche]

Matt,

Who is Dekley?.
I am new to this forum and to the steel.

Thank you much,
Abel

[Matt Steindl]

An extinct builder from the 70's. They come up time to time on ebay and on the buy sell forum here.

[Mike Winter]

Abel -- I've heard good things about the Zum Stage One:

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... sc&start=0

[Abel Khineche]

Thank you Matt and Mike,

The Stage One is superb and I missed a deal with Jim Eaton who was willing to sell me one for $750.
I wasn't ready at the time(last L.A. Steel jam).
I am not sure I am ready now, it still is a big investement.
I went to the thread mentioned by Mike and Doug said that he had a couple of used ones. I' ll ask him for the price.

God Bless,
Abel

[Bob Blair]

There is a GFI student model on the buy-sell right now.

[Les Anderson]

I can attest that a new player does not have to start with a two or three thousand dollar pedal steel. I happened on a yard sale a few years ago and propped up against the carport wall was a Guyatone D8 steel guitar, the hard case (both in mint condition) , volume pedal and a Fender Princeton Reverb amp. All for $50.00. I could have talked the old lady and her daughter down in bucks because they had no idea what that stuff was worth. (my nice guy personality showed up so I just handed over the $50.00)8)

It was on that much belittled and cursed Guyatone guitar (one of our SGF members even so far as to call it a piece of Japanese, particle board) that I leaned to play steel guitar on.

I have progressed somewhat from that Guyatone but, I still play it every chance I get. In fact, if I play at a bar or a Hawaiian setting gig, that's what I use. All for $50.00