The Steel Guitar Forum

I have a zum steel starter and want a pro sounding steel.

I have tried a D 10
And c-6 is not for me

So an s-10 is the way for me.
It is also lighter and easy to travel with.

I have read a bit about different models
But will not name Them here as i want
Your opinion

Good sound and pro made with option for
Vertical lever. And lowering string 4 and 8
With rkl.

Looking forward to hear you guys opinion

As far as i know, any Pro brand guitar that you choose will accommodate your co-ped choice. They all have killer tone and hardware, it's almost impossible to find a reason 'not to like' any specific name, and most are all made by hand in small shops unlike regular 6 string guitars!!

To be quite honest, i don't see a huge amount of difference between one brand and the next, and the player's input will be more different than the guitar, but that's an un-political thing to say around here

Russler steels are awesome
I just bought an sd-10
light and strong and killer tone
heres a pic


contact Gary Skelton under russler steels
if your interested
Mike

Larry Bressington wrote:To be quite honest, i don't see a huge amount of difference between one brand and the next, and the player's input will be more different than the guitar, but that's an un-political thing to say around here :)

Not exactly--the politically correct thing to say around here is that there's not much difference between one brand and the next other than the Emmons push-pull!

Kennert,
Quiet a bit depends on your budget.
Do you want a single body steel or an SD10?
Is weight a big factor ?
Should it be new or used ?
Wood or mica ?
Looks: Vintage, traditional, High tech and do you want a choice of color ?
Do you need it quickly or can you wait on a special order ?

There are many steels being made these days that are light and not to expensive. I don't think many of them are much of a step up from your Zum. Some of the new light steels raved about on the forum are not even as good as your Zum.

Hey Mike, cool guitar. I really like that amp sitting next to you.......

well Bob my steel is not a student model
(or the like)
and is every way as good as a zum
ive played about every steel made
and this Russler is top notch
i would ten to one rather have it then a pp/a zum
or mullen or any other brand
but thats for me every one has there own choice
Mike

thanks Bill!!
yes its a great steel the mechanics are way ahead
of most and its lite weight makes it easy on this
ole back of mine without lossing tone or playability
the pedal stops are so good on this guitar also
solid a sa rock check out Garys post on new russlers
and the web site

the amp is new little walter which in itself
is a tone monster 50 watts of tube and a 112 cab
its not priced like peaveys or the like
so its a little costly but man it rocks
also sold by Gary Skelton right her ein my home town!!! Mike

Thanks for the input so far

Bob because of weight i would prefer s-10 not sd-10
But if the right guitar is sd then so be it.

The color is not the most important.
Tone and long sustain is more important.

What do you recommend ? Make and model?

How long have you been playing? The Stage One that you have is an excellent instrument. There are a few pros who use them and are members here on the forum. I don't hesitate recommending them. On the other hand, I do sympathize with the need for a LKV. The Stage One can take a LKV if you talk to Doug Earnest.

Another good steel is the Jackson BlackJack Custom built by David, Harry, and Dawn Jackson of the Jackson Steel Guitar Company. The BlackJack Custom is an S-10 that is perfect for playin' steel anywhere. It's definitely a pro guitar. It's got three pedals and four knees and you can choose different colors. The sound is similar to a 1960s Sho-Bud and a lot of these steels feature the Shot Jackson pickup. Road players like Tim Sergent, who plays steel for Dierks Bentley play these guitars on tour and they sound great! You can get the BlackJack Custom with or without a pad, and they are easy to set up and take down. The sound, tone, playability, pedal action of this steel guitar is awesome!

Brett

Hi Kennert,

Since you are from Europe you might want to look into some "domestic" manufacturers, like Promat from Slovenia or WBS from Germany. I know that WBS guitars are as good as anything you can buy (I have one myself), and the Promats are supposed to be great guitars also. Like Bob said, depends on your preferences.

Really there aren't many dogs out there.
While you're in Europe, those Schild guitars look impressive.
The biggest factor is what you want to play.
If resale value is your concern, get a Franklin, Fulawka or a Zum in that order; Those first 2 will always be worth more than you paid. But you will have to wait for any of those 3.
If I were after a S-10, I'd see who had one already ready; I bet a Mullen dealer has one ready to ship (or a couple days out if you need a copedent change), and they're great axen. I'm not so lucky, as my next guitar will be a U-12 loaded to the point of goofy, and will have to be custom made.

There are many great S10s out there. My personal favorite these days is an Emmons PP S10. They have there problems and are not as easy to deal with as a modern guitar but I find it well worth it because I'm into the PP thing lately.

Some of those old sho bud S10s look pretty sweet. Other than that used Carter's and MCI s are good solid guitars that are light and cheap.

BTW: I didn't mean to degrade anybodies steel. I just think the zum student guitar is as good as most.

I have heard a few of those zum student models and they seem like nice steels but if you want to upgrade you might consider a good shobud pro 1 for that great old style country but in my opinion mostof the more modern steels are great I really like mullen but emmons is also really great.

Hi there,

check it out this:
http://www.promat-steel-guitars.com/gallery

I have two of them. Very nice guitars ...

Best regards
Zoran

yes you are right Bob the zum steels are great steels as well as many others its all a personal
choice I guess biggest problem I have with
most steel makers is price and waiting times
course thats the name of the game I guess
in any case im very happy with what I got
I played emmons for years and then Ritts
this one is my favorite one of all
good luck to your choices what ever you may decide on Mike

Ah,,, well,,,,,, I'm a Shobud guy,,, except for my Kline Uni. Ricky got 6 knees under my '74 S-10. And the sound? Wonderful!

Thanks for pointing me to brands i've never
Heard of before

When i made this post i keept my
Preference out to hear what you guys recommend.
Gfi ultra s-10 and mullen
What abort those ?

JUSTICE PRO LITE.

Just makin' sure you heard me.

Mullen Discovery

http://www.mullenguitars.com/discovery.htm

Sound Clip Nashville 112 and Goodrich L120 Volume Pedal That is It.

http://www.mullenguitars.com/soundclips/discovery.wma

Hi Kennert L. the Zum is really hard to beat. I have a Justice Pro- Lite & I love it. however I played the Justice S-10 3X4 & it just blew blue me away with the Quality of tone & playability & light weight. I think most all of the new lite weight steel guitars are very Good for a starter. this is just my personal preference. I wish you well in whatever your choice is. Jerry F.

I'm sure I'll get corrected, but from what I'm reading I think Kennert is wanting to go a notch up from what he has which IMO is at the Stage One/Discovery/S-10 3x4 level which is why I'm suggesting the Pro Lite. Pro mechanics, expandable, etc. Right, it's a little bigger than an S-10 but not as big/heavy as an SD-10.
If my assumption is wrong, then any of the above S-10 steels mentioned are great.

Hey, I just realized I overlooked something in reading the OP.
He said he wants a "pro-sounding" guitar.
I suspect he needs seat time. Assuming by "student model Zum," he means the Stage One, I've never thought it sounded weak, never played the old one.
Student model Emmons: great tone
Maverick: Bud tone.
Maverick/Red Baron: many thought they sounded better than the Classic.
I suggest if TONE is your issue, as a newer player, a Marlen or Fingertip would disappoint you as much as the Zum does.
If the MECHANICALS are your problem, then get a modern guitar.
The secret of tone is in your butt. Your butt needs to sit behind the guitar more

Thanks for pointing me to brands i've never
Heard of before

When i made this post i keept my
Preference out to hear what you guys recommend.
Gfi ultra s-10 and mullen
What abort those ?