The Steel Guitar Forum

Early in the summer I purchased a beautiful ETS steel from a Forum member.
I discovered more than a few modifications and botched "improvements" that I was not made aware of before the sale.
Through the Forum I then met Al Brisco from Steel Guitars of Canada. He kindly recommended that I contact Bud Carter directly to solve the "issues" that this potentially great guitar had. Boy, am I glad I did !
After a few phone conversations with Bud I shipped my ETS off to Texas.
In less than a week Mr Carter had totally re-built the underside of my guitar! He replaced every stripped screw, re-did all of the tuning rods, tightened and reset the knee levers to the standard Carter set up.
"It'll play just the way I like them to play" he assured me. He charged me a VERY fair price for all of his labor and shipped it back within seven days!
It is now a brand new ETS steel and I love it.
Thank you Al for your advice and thank you Bud for your knowledge, wisdom, talent and kindness! I'm not sure that Bud even uses the Internet, but this message is a testimony for members who have or who are thinking about playing any of Bud Carter's guitars.
Ray Eicher, Baltimore, MD.

I agree about BUD.. great guy and no one anywhere can make a steel that plays better.... bob

Speaking Of ETS guitars, have they recovered after the owners death and are they still in business?
I'm interested in one.
Bill

Bud Carter, None Finer. We all have talked about him
and bragged on him but has he ever been giving the
recognition someway that he so deserves. In my opinion he has done more for the modern day steel than anyone. Start with M.S.A., MCI, EMCI,ETS and
Carter of course. In all the years at Carter he was never given a new steel as a gift. Bud is now in his Sunset years and it would be a great thing if all us forum members could find a way to honor him. Any thoughts fellow members? Thanks To All, J.R.

How can a fella get in touch with Bud? I've bought 2 guitars from him an MCI and a Carter, The old phone # I have doesn't work! any help would be appreciated...

How can a fella get in touch with Bud? I've bought 2 guitars from him an MCI and a Carter, The old phone # I have doesn't work! any help would be appreciated...

903 288 7195

Bud Carter is indeed a fine gentleman. I had a problem with my ETS, sent it to Bud, he worked his magic on it and sent it back better than new! And now it plays so fine.

Thank you Bud Carter!

After my original post about Bud Carter, I was so happy to see so many people respond with the kindness and respect that he deserves. He just sent me a copy of a live show he played at a steel guitar convention with some hand picked musicians playing jazz standards. It is awesome!
Late in the fall I was lucky enough to buy my second ETS steel here on the forum and I immediately sent it off to Bud to go over it.
One week later I received what seemed to be a brand new feeling guitar! It's pedal action was so smooth, it's pedal rod adjustments perfect. This particular steel was built before Bud began his relationship with ETS. The changer was a different model and the fretboard was different too. Some of the rods weren't cut to the right length and the hex ends would pop off when being adjusted. He took the whole under carriage apart and started over with all new tuning rods and hex ends. The knee levers are now are firm, precise and properly positioned, making my average playing sound and feel so much better!
I don't believe he'll ever read all the nice comments and praise he receives here on the forum, but if anyone reading this speaks with him please make him aware. I've told him often that I can't thank him enough for the fair priced precision work he's done for me and many others and the pedal steel guitar in general.
My hope is that he will be able to one day restart production of the ETS steel. It is really a great light weight, professional,affordable 3x5 steel guitar.
Ray Eicher,
Baltimore, MD.

Bud Carter - the name says it all!

Master craftsman, builder, genius and absolute true southern gentleman! Its an honor to be acquainted with him!

AMEN !

Any steel player who survived the Wagon-wheel on the Highway 66 strip at Waynesville, Missouri during the early 1950's, as Bud did, deserves all the accolades that comes his way.

I have visited with Bud Carter several times at the Texas steel show and even at his office when he was in Mesquite,Texas. I have found Bud to be a humble man not looking for the limelight. He is so kind and courteous and a great builder. He replaced a pickup for me one time and I was impressed just watching put the strings back on. Top that off with him being a fantastic player and you just have to look long and hard to find someone like him.

I've only talked to Bud once, before John Fabian's passing. He was a nice guy from the first word, and when I mentioned my old pal Charles Reece (RIP), I knew I had a friend for life. We talked about Charle's guitars, his great skills at working on push-pulls--Bud mentioned that Charles BUILT a great push-pull. Charles never told me that, probably because he knew I wanted one...
Bud is HIP, too. If I never get to meet Bud Carter, my life is still better after talking to Bud. Great guy.