Brass or stainless rollers? Guaged or not?

Todd Brown · From: W. Columbia , South Carolina

I would like to hear some opinions on the pro's & con's of Brass vs. Stainless Steel rollers. Seems most builders use Brass rollers nowadays. While I think some still use Stainless.

Also, about the rollers being gauged or not. It seems that some Steels in the $4-5,000 range don't have gauged rollers, but some other less expensive models do. I know the gauged rollers offer some benefit up on the first couple of frets to lessen bar rattle. What else? I'd love to hear opinions on this. Very Happy

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

I've always held that the solution to bar rattle lay in the hands, not the gear.
And that gauged rollers answer an unasked question.
I'm not sure if I have them on my Zum. I know I didn't have them on my Marlen, push-pull Emmons, or MSA.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

I've never had gauged rollers either. None of my guitars, ZB (2), Kline, Sho~Bud (2), Carter, Williams had them. All had aluminum rollers at the nut. Never have seen a guitar with stainless roller nuts either. Some changer fingers may have been stainless, but more likely chrome plated steel (I have seen that). Mullen is the only guitar that I can think of that has brass rollers. Some of the newer brands may use brass also, but I am not familiar with them.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting.

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

All MSA guitars (old and new) have had stainless steel rollers. Some guitars have brass, some stainless, some regular steel, and some aluminum. I figure that if the material did make a significant difference, that all makers would be using the same thing, and that's plainly not the case. Though my newest guitar does have guaged rollers, I don't notice any big difference, so I'd agree with Lane on that one. It's something that some players "think" they need to sound better...kinda like 14-hole pullers. Wink

The answer to sounding good is simply learning to play the guitar. Thinking that some little thing you add or change will make a significant difference and give you an edge up on the next guy is just wishful thinking.

Gary Cosden · From: Florida, USA

On 12 string tunings gauged rollers make sense. Yes the answer to string buzz is in the hands until you get down on the low strings at the first fret where gauged rollers just make life a lot easier. A tool like any other and not a crutch at all. If you buy them thinking it will improve your left hand technique you will be disappointed just like if you were to buy an Emmons pickup thinking that your guitar will now sound like an Emmons. There is a place for gauged rollers (and Emmons pickups) but sometimes it seems difficult find the correct overall perspective. By the way, since push pulls had aluminum rollers they must be the best.

john widgren · From: Wilton CT

Hey Richard,

Derby Guitars have SS changers, My Show~pro has brass roller nuts, and G2 does too.

Best,

JW
_________________
Steel Guitar Services:
Live performance and recording. Instruments, repairs and lessons. Fresh bait/discount sushi.
(203) 858-8498
widcj@hotmail.com

Todd Brown · From: W. Columbia , South Carolina

Thanks guys. Just was wondering if there was some other benefit, other than what I had mentioned, about gauged rollers. Same with brass vs. stainless, or aluminum. I guess not, unless it's a 12 string with heavier gauged strings?

There are several builders now using brass rollers. That seems to be the most popular material choice. Just not many offer the gauged roller thing. I've never owned a steel with gauged rollers, so I don't know first hand. I figured it was just something else to sell it. Like I said, you've got $4-5000 steels that don't have them. Then, you got the newer ETS for $2000 that comes with them.

Don't try to read between the lines, too much. I didn't say I was having any trouble with my bar hand. I'm just looking at getting a new steel, and looking for some insight on some of these options that are being offered.

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Thanks John. I'm sure there may be others too. I need to get out more. Laughing

Gotta agree with Donny on the following though.

Todd Brown · From: W. Columbia , South Carolina

Maybe no rhyme or reason behind choice of material for roller nuts. Availability, sourcing, and cost maybe?

John McClung · From: Olympia WA, USA

If you play a steel with 12+ strings, you definitely will find gauged rollers a big help when playing at fret 1. I had a set of rollers that were threaded and could be raised up and down so that the top of strings were absolutely level with each other. Lost them when selling that MSA D-12, and getting accurately gauged rollers for my Mullen D-12 has proven oddly difficult.
_________________
E9 INSTRUCTION
▪️ If you want to have an ongoing discussion, please email me, don't use the Forum messaging which I detest! steelguitarlessons@earthlink.net

Bent Romnes · From: London,Ontario, Canada

I agree with Gary that the gauged rollers make life a little easier. For the seasoned players it might not make much of a difference - they are used to it. But for a new player and one who has never really overcome the buzz with bar pressure, they are a godsend. Why not make life just a wee bit easier by putting gauged rollers on? It's sort of like setting the pedal heights to your own comfort level- just a dot over the "i".
The rollers on my guitars are brass (or other material if you insist on it)where the groove is turned to match the string gauge according to a mathematical formula.

Brass - well that's just me- I think it has great sonic qualities and looks pretty. Brass fingers and brass rollers.
_________________
BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

Give me gauged rollers anytime I can get them. Unless, there would be some detriment to tone I can't see any reason not to.

Guitars I've owned with them: Williams, Derby, Lamar, Sierra.

Looking through the Mfg. links, there are quite a few builders who use them. Fulawka, Emmons included.

Other features I'd like to see standard on all pedal steels are interchangeable pickups and split tuning capability on all strings.

It there's any differences in the alloys use for the rollers, I wouldn't be able to tell it. There are so many other differences among brands, it would be hard to evaluate that unless you just tried some different ones.

Brian McGaughey · From: Orcas Island, WA USA

I was real hot on getting a set of gauged rollers shortly after acquiring my current guitar, but over time the string buzz at the lower frets went away! Smile

Greg Wisecup · From: Troy, Ohio

I put brass gauged rollers on my Derby just because it makes the look of it pop! I can't tell any tone difference and I can't tell you if there was any benefit to them being gauged. I can tell you that it really makes the guitar stand out visually. Giddy up!
_________________
Derby SD-10 4&5 Black!(duh)/
Derby D-10/Steelers Choice/
Goodrich 120/ 2- Katana Boss 100's
/Nashville 400
RV-3/ Zoom MS-50G
As long as I'm down in the mix I'm Fantastic!

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

I can see where builders, who see varying opinions on this, might not want to take on the extra work and inventory. Say a builder wanted to have enough rollers on hand to make ten D10's. With unguaged rollers, he'd only have to make and stock 200 rollers. If he used guaged rollers, all of a sudden that 200 number goes up to 1700 or 1800, and he also has to take time and special care to see that they don't get mixed. Whoa!

I figure a "simple addition" like this might cost a builder a couple of thousand dollars over a few years, and that could be enough to affect his bottom line...significantly. Especially if he's only selling a few guitars a month.

Forum Index > Pedal Steel		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: