Let's talk $$$$$$$$?

Danny Bentley · Post by **Danny Bentley** » 22 Apr 2002 9:45 am

I plan to buy A new SD-10 4&5 guitar later this year. Mr Franklin ask me $4,000, how does this price compare with the other top of the line guitars?

Keith Murrow · Post by **Keith Murrow** » 22 Apr 2002 9:56 am

..[This message was edited by Keith Murrow on 26 October 2004 at 04:04 PM.]

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 22 Apr 2002 10:08 am

Franklin is somewhat of a 'designer guitar'. It is handmade by a master craftsman. If you have the money, it's probably worth every penny. I have NEVER heard anyone complain about this brand of guitar although I've never owned one.

The price is higher than most, but not the highest. I believe that an Anapeg (made in Australia by another master craftsman, Noel Anstead) is more expensive, but I've never seen a price list.

The Franklin is in the 'upper echelon' of steels, price-wise. Emmons, Mullen, Sierra, and ZumSteel fall into a similar price point. There are other brands that are less expensive. Fessenden and Carter are among the (slightly) less expensive guitars that I like personally.

This is not a poor man's instrument, unfortunately. But if you must have a new guitar and it must be a Franklin, you've pretty well locked yourself into that price range. It's also a fact that used Franklins are very scarce.

Good luck with your quest.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Emmons D-10 9x9, 1971 Dobro

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 22 Apr 2002 2:10 pm

What Larry said!

ROBERT MYERS · Post by **ROBERT MYERS** » 22 Apr 2002 3:56 pm

Danny, check out the Derby.

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Bob Myers Derby S10 3&4

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 22 Apr 2002 4:37 pm

My way of getting over this type of sticker shock is to visit a guitar shop or two.
You can look at Les Pauls going for $4000+ or more all day long.
When you compare the number of parts, assembly, craftsmenship, ect..., Pedal Steel Guitar prices start to seem like a pretty good deal!

Danny Bentley · Post by **Danny Bentley** » 22 Apr 2002 4:45 pm

"Upper Echelon guitars"?
Are they built better than less expensive brands? Do these guitars have parts that are more expensive to get?[This message was edited by Danny Bentley on 22 April 2002 at 05:47 PM.]

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 22 Apr 2002 5:36 pm

I visited quite a bit with Eddie Fulawka at Chattanooga last week.
He makes avery part of his axe by hand, including winding pickups, making cords, ect...
I forget the exact number he told me, but there are over 1000 parts total in each axe.
He makes them all himself.

Some brands farm out part orders to machine shops which is less expensive and less time consuming.

Just one example of why one brand might cost more.

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 22 Apr 2002 5:56 pm

Danny,
What denotes an upper echelon guitar to me is the endorsement (not necessarily a monetary one) of major players. If Buddy Emmons or Paul Franklin or John Hughey or Herby Wallace or . . . plays your guitar your stock goes up. If more than one does, all the better.

In answer to your question, no two pedal steel brands are exactly alike, to my knowledge. The design differences, although sometimes subtle, can make discernable differences in tone. The overall sound of the guitar, as judged by the best experts (top players), is something most builders stake their reputation (and their price) on.

(Nowhere did I say I subscribe to any of that stuff. I love the sound of my Fessenden and no top pros play it -- except perhaps Robert Randolph and that's not exactly classic pedal steel tone.

)

It's all smoke and mirrors anyway. Think about it: No all-pull guitar has achieved the push-pull qualities, though many have tried. It's more art than science in many respects. There are still a multitude of mechanical problems to correct, as well.

Bottom line is a guitar is worth what folks will pay for it.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Emmons D-10 9x9, 1971 Dobro

Kenny Davis · Post by **Kenny Davis** » 22 Apr 2002 6:52 pm

I'm thinking......

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 22 Apr 2002 10:20 pm

Every guitar has its own sound and there are very big differences between the different brands. The Franklin steel has a stable tone that acentuates the even overtones. This gives it a very focused sound that makes it my guitar of choice for recording and for playing most gigs these days. It is very clear and bright while at the same time it has a richness to its caracture. A guitar that can sing like that is worth whatever money they guy building it wants to charge.

I can see how some people don't like the sound of the Franklin but they are like Camaro drivers that think BMW drivers are weenies

Hmmm..... wait a minute.... BMW drivers are weenies so forget that last analogy

Bob[This message was edited by Bob Hoffnar on 23 April 2002 at 11:29 AM.]

Matt Steindl · Post by **Matt Steindl** » 23 Apr 2002 7:49 am

Bob, I will take my 1972 BMW 60/5 motorcycle over anything Harley has ever made!

Oh yeah, I drive a big BMW car as well, wouldnt trade it for a piece of crap "bitchin Camaro" ever! Beyond the yuppie label(which I am not), they are some of the best cars made!!!

NOT A WEENIE!

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Mattman in "The Big Sleazy"-:
S-10 Dekley, Suitcase Fender Rhodes, B-bender Les Paul

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 23 Apr 2002 8:44 am

Danny-You must make your own decision on this. If you are rich and got a lot of money , then you percieve what is the best in your opinion, and get it.

I go along with Larry Bell on this subject. It seems that all the builders are building good high quality , good sounding guitars.

Maybe a top Artist might need that slight perceived edge that one guitar might have over the other, and be willing to pay for it.

But for me, and my Back, I'll take Lightweight, easy action, good value for the money. Offhand I can think of at least 3, Carter, Excel, and GFI. ....al

Marco Schouten · Post by **Marco Schouten** » 23 Apr 2002 8:54 am

Personally I think Williams is a great deal.

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Steelin' Greetings
Marco Schouten
Sho-Bud Pro III Custom

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 23 Apr 2002 9:13 am

Marco-Yes, Williams is another one, I forgot. Probably a few more too...al

Graham · Post by **Graham** » 23 Apr 2002 9:22 pm

My new left handed Fulawka S-10 with 4 and 5 cost me $2500. It also has a pad on it. Ed does this by moving the neck closer to the front of the guitar instead of putting it in the middle of the top.

Pete:
You may have seen my steel at Chattanooga. Ed borrowed it at my suggestion 'cause you can't go to too many steel shows and try out a left-handed steel, if you are a lefty.

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Rebel™
ICQ 614585

http://users.interlinks.net/rebel/steel/steel.html

Russ Rickmann · Post by **Russ Rickmann** » 24 Apr 2002 1:16 pm

Just from the post on the Zum Steel.....you may want to consider that as a choice. Russ

Reggie Duncan · Post by **Reggie Duncan** » 25 Apr 2002 9:14 pm

Danny, take a Saturday off and go down to Steel Guitar Nashville. Time well spent.

slick · Post by **slick** » 26 Apr 2002 1:36 pm

Reggie is absolutely right,go see Bobbe.

S---K
Wayne Broyles

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 27 Apr 2002 9:57 am

www.billycoopersmusic.com
Great selection-nice folks. Ask for Wanda.

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 27 Apr 2002 12:06 pm

If money is important used steels are a good bet.[This message was edited by Bob Hoffnar on 27 April 2002 at 01:09 PM.]

Bob Carlson · Post by **Bob Carlson** » 27 Apr 2002 7:09 pm

Danny, I bought a new SD-10 Emmons five years ago from Dennis Kirkland down in Casa Grande Arizona. At the time I never thought I would want to learn the C6th neck. I was WRONG. So I would give some thought to buying a single neck. And as far as the price goes, it was fair.

Bob.[This message was edited by Bob Carlson on 27 April 2002 at 08:12 PM.]