The Steel Guitar Forum

I've heard a lot of people critisizing the Carter Starter but due to financial pressures I have just bought one (second hand) and I reckon it is a great little guitar, it took me about 20 minutes to convert it to a "Day" setup and away I went. This is the first number I've played on it, which is our honeymoon song because back in 1981 it was the only country song on the Juke box at the pub we went to during our honeymoon and we just about wore it out. Dave.

http://youtu.be/aTGUEjlJYwM

Personally, I think it sounds great, and in the hands of a fine player, too.
Dave, you shouldn't ever feel the need to apologize (apologise, U.K.) for your guitar, unless it embarrasses you, somehow. I don't see how this one ever would.
One of my best pals plays a competitor's equivalent - A 'Zum' Stage 1, on a multitude of sessions, and he couldn't be any happier with it...
And, BTW,...Happy 32-nd Anniversary.
Your pal,
DH

Not to put down the Carter Starter guitar, I take exception to the comment that the Zum Stage One is an equivalent. I have owned a Carter Starter and upgraded to the Staqe One. Stage One is a better guitar all around. Quality build, stays in tune, much better quality as to materials. Just my thoughts. [/b]

Not to put down the Carter Starter guitar, I take exception to the comment that the Zum Stage One is an equivalent. I have owned a Carter Starter and upgraded to the Staqe One. Stage One is a better guitar all around. Quality build, stays in tune, much better quality as to materials. Just my thoughts. [/b]

I guess that you've served the purpose of making my point for me, Rich. It isn't all about the guitar, it's all about the player, and his ability to convey a specific, particular, musical message to his targeted audience - Regardless of his choice of instrument. It sounds good, and he's happy with it,..So, leave it at that.
This isn't the sort of thread that's intended to be a 'side-by-side', comparison/pissin' contest with the Stage 1...
I'm truly sorry that I've (inadvertently) invited yet another un-wanted vein of exchange, here.
Thanks again, for my well deserved, cherry-red-ass'ed, embarrassment here, Rich...
DH

Hi Dave,
I got a slightly used Carter Starter and it served me quite well for many years. Sure there are some drawbacks like lack of a deep rich tone and sustain but it always stayed in tune,was light weight for traveling to gigs, and gave me the basic building blocks to start with learning so I could hit all the notes I needed. I wasn't sure if I would stick with PSG or not because I play many other instruments. It was the only steel available at the time for the price, and so if I hadn't aquired the starter then I probably wouldn't have played in a few classic country bands and I would probably still be stuck in the blues and classic rock realms...ha,ha,ha. Now I am the proud owner of a GFI Ultra DBL that I love and takes my music to a whole new level, however I probably would not have come up to this point with out first rattling around on the Carter Starter.

Dave, any make and model sounds great in your hands my friend. You are a talented musician and a fine steel player who plays with his brain. Great tune as usual!
By the way, I couldn't see a comments section for this one on YouTube

Thank you all for your comments, as for the Stage One I have never tried one so I can't comment but if anyone wants to send one over to me I will be only to willing to compare them and give you my opinion. As for tone Aaron I find nothing wrong with the tone and I think sustain is often how you use your volume pedal.

you probably got the carter for at least half as much as the zum...and you couldn't have changed the zum to a day setup. so that's two plus for the carter! sounds just fine to me!

I like the song and I like the playing.
Great Job!
Thanks for putting it up Dave.

Roy T.

there is a handful of players on the forum that could put strings on a cigar box and get beautiful music from it .
that said it doesn't make the c/s a good guitar

I brought this up a while back, Terry Crisp appeared in one of Bobbe Seymours youtube videos when he
had the remaining Carter Starters for sale and there was a clip of Terry playing the Carter Starter, he sounded pretty good to me on it.

I brought this up a while back, Terry Crisp appeared in one of Bobbe Seymours youtube videos when he
had the remaining Carter Starters for sale and there was a clip of Terry playing the Carter Starter, he sounded pretty good to me on it.

Now thats good playing Dave, I get tired of the Carter bashing. You proved them wrong \. I almost left this site because of the carter starter bashing, thats all I could afford and I like mine. Thanks for the posting Dave

Dave , I think your Carter sounds real nice !! I used to play a Fender 1000 but gave it up for a nonpedal Rick DW D-8 console. I've always felt that most of a steels tone came from the amp . Your set up sounds real good and I think most anyone would be very satisfied with your Carters tone !! S/the olde geezer