The Steel Guitar Forum

When I joined this Forum last spring, it seemes that Tommy White had just broke out a New Carter on the GOO. All I heard was how awsome it sounded and haow everyone could'nt wait to get one. Now, Tommy has a new MSA and it seems now that its the best thing since water and everone now wants a MSA. I am so confused I don't know what to buy. Something in the back of my head keeps telling me that guitars and gun stocks should be made out of wood though. I guess now I should back away from this computer before I get punched in the nose. (hee hee)

What you are seeing sir is the POWER that the top players in nashville have to promote any product they choose to promote. Its like Tiger playing the Nike ball and Phil playing the titleist ball. Its called SALES and it means were all trying to make a living. Almost any Steel made in the last twenty years is a very good choice to play. Go play and choose!!! and remember, Have Fun!

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Frank Parish on 22 January 2003 at 04:03 PM.]</p></FONT>

I find it difficult to believe that a Tommy White or Johnny Cox or and other top player would promote a steel on the GOO, because it was for "sales".

The fact of the matter is, the Carter PSG (particularly with BCT technology) is one fine sounding instrument. It is the ONLY guitar I have EVER sat down to that said to me,

"let's me and you make music".

So is the Zum one very fine PSG. In fact terms such as incredible and awesome are befitting euphamisms without question in when expressed for the above instruments.

The Emmon's P/P and the LeGrande are Behemoths of their time. And from the sound of Tommy's guitar last Saturday on the opry, I think that Maurice and his staff just may have hit upon something unbelievable regardless of what its made of.

And unless it is proven beyond a shadow of a doubt, I will never accept that Maurice and company paid Tommy or Johny or anyone else to laud this guitar as they have; and are doing. The new Millenium is incredibly beautiful. From a purely mechanical standpoint I believe there are a few things that are not the best mechanically. But none of these take away from the sound.

I believe in time that they will correct one of these flaws thru customer complaint. But again, the sound of this instrument that I hear can cover up a multitude of sins.

God bless Tommy White, Johhny Cox, Maurice and company and all of you,

carl

Carl, I agree that Tommy and Johnny always sound great on whatever guitar they play. However, in this thread:
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum4/HTML/003843.html
Tim Hurst said

<SMALL>I was at the Opry on Friday night. Johnny was playing the red MSA and Tommy was playing a black Carter.</SMALL>

In this thread:
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum15/HTML/003373.html
I asked about the guitar with a cover on it beside the red MSA that Johnny played, and that it looked black from the back when the cover was off. It seems that Tommy was playing a guitar other than his MSA on both Friday and Saturday.

Geeezzz fellas I certainly have no knowldge of anyone being paid to play the new MSA

Even if they are paid, endorsed,or not, either way it promotes the PSG world by not lettin it get stagnant. Everytime one of the BIG boys play a different guitar it helps a guitar company sell guitars and that is a good thing. It could keep some little mom and pop guitar company,that possibly makes a great guitar,from going out of business. Remember. We, the PSG world, are a small world unlike Ford or Chrysler. So I like to see them play different brands. They show me that they can make any brand sound good.

I will not speak for anyone other than myself but I will do that. I now, nor have I ever been paid to play any pedal steel guitar. And furthermore I don't have any freebies either.

Johnny Cox (steel player)

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Johnny Cox
MSA Customer Service
www.msapedalsteels.com
www.thetimejumpers.com

Come on guys, get off Fred's butt. He never said anything about steel players making money with endorsements. He merely stated that big names using a product directly results in big sales.
You can't argue with that.
Pat

"I now, nor have I ever been paid to play any pedal steel guitar."

Really!! so when you are being paid as a working pro musician what instrument are they paying you to play if it's not a Pedal Steel Guitar? Maybe a Ektara ? I get paid to play a Pedal Steel Guitar as an amateur. They just don't pick the brand and I don't have any endorsements. OK OK we know what you mean. Just having fun.


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I dont get paid either but after playing a MSA Millennium Mon in my room for 9 hours I'm Gitt'EN one before long. The only BADD thing i seen was when it went out my front door headed back to Cleveland Ohio. Hey Carl why dont you send the company a letter about the guitar they may like your ideas. Man it has some great features.
All the pedal rods are the same. I love the little adjusting wheel up underneath you can reach under while your sitting at your seat and adjust your pedals where ever you want them in a split second or two. No more looking for pedal rod numbers. And them pickups slide in and out instantly. And like i said my strobe tuner shows every move and when i rocked the pedals up and down it seemed to go back exact every time. So many people like these wood bodys and i'm trying to make someones day with my Excel Superb on here for sale. Now when you play one i think you will be convinced. If not great, you have different taste. I hope every steel player gets the exact guitar that makes him or her happy, SERIOUSLY!!

Gary Steele

<SMALL>Geeezzz fellas I certainly have no knowldge of anyone being paid to play the new MSA</SMALL>

Neither do I, but if they need somebody, I volunteer

<SMALL>I now, nor have I ever been paid to play any pedal steel guitar. And furthermore I don't have any freebies either</SMALL>

I don't doubt this but many top pros get special "deals" or "loaner guitars" when they endorse a guitar. I don't understand why anyone here would be shocked or upset at the possibility that a top level pro would be reimbursed for endorsing a guitar. This is a standard business practice in virtually all areas of commerce. There is nothing wrong with this folks. I find it a little silly that the steel guitar world seems to think there is something sacred about anyone playing any particular brand. These guys sound good on anything... now me, well that's a different story




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God Bless,
Steve Stallings

www.thenightshiftband.net

Steve,
I agree... As a golf pro, I was treated to special deals and incentives on everything from balls to clubs. What does it matter if a professional steel player endorses a certain product? I feel that by achieving a certain level of exposure to a sizable audience, most pros in any profession would be approached to endorse a certain brand. Just my $.02...
Jake Lowe
Jake Lowe

Steve's right, of course - these are the commercial 'facts of life'. We've seen Tommy playing Derby, Carter, and now MSA - whether or not there is any sort of concession or 'deal' in place between these parties is a matter for idle conjecture and, in my opinion, nothing more. He has endorsed all these guitars by virtue of the fact that he's played them in public and has been comfortable with the association; we know that they're all fine instruments in their own way, so why not?

Both Carter and the latest MSA are relative newcomers to the PSG scene - therefore it makes perfect sense that they would want to foster a link between themselves and players of note. Like all advertising, this has a subliminal effect on the market-place and we end up 'pairing' the significant players with a particular make of steel.

The 'established' big-name manufacturers like Emmons and Zum have long waiting-lists - their 'promoting' days are far behind them - and I'd venture to suggest that their position is reasonably secure. The reason? Consistent high-quality AND a star-studded 'artiste roster'!

(I can't help wishing that Sho-Bud would re-enter the 'arena' - now THAT might change things!)

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Roger Rettig

When I buy a steel, I look for one that <b>I</i> like! I could care less what the "big dogs" play. Anyone that thinks that having the same guitar as (insert famous-name player here) _________ will make you play as well, or sound as good as he does...is really in for a shock.

But usually, that shock doesn't set in until about a year after the purchase. Then...you hear the question "What else is he using that I'm not?"

Invariably, the answer is..."talent and experience".

We know of one guitar that Tommy White was given for free: the beautiful old Sho-Bud that his wife gave him. Now there's something to envy (the Sho-Bud AND the thoughtful and considerate wife)!

Donny,

I'm sure the majority of us select the steel we buy for the same reason you do, and I very much doubt that anyone with any sense would seriously believe that acquiring the same instrument as one of the 'Big Shots' would, in itself, improve their playing.

Despite that, the fact remains that these player/steel 'associations' ARE powerful selling points in many peoples' minds - one only has to look at the success of 'signature model' six-string guitars to see how effective a ploy it can be. I don't know what the production figures were, but it would appear that the 'LDG' was a big seller for Sho-Bud; as for 'Emmons', the name is synonymous with quality and excellence - the instrument AND the man - how many have been sold over the years simply on that reputation?

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Roger Rettig <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Roger Rettig on 23 January 2003 at 10:25 AM.]</p></FONT>

...I am getting checks from several steel guitar manufacturers for NOT indorsing their product...
www.genejones.com

Yeah! and I'm cashing Gene Jones' checks and I'm not even his agent......

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The spirit be with you!
If it aint got a steel, it aint real

MSA Millenium, When its the ONLY thing Tommy
and Johnny play, then I might consider paying
the PRICE. I'll bet its not THAT GOOD.

Donny my friend,
You you got a sharp hammer today,cause you nailed it.
Its like rushing out to buy a new Ponyiac cause Tony Whatsisface won a race Sunday.

BF

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Bill Ford<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Bill Ford on 23 January 2003 at 02:58 PM.]</p></FONT>

Boys, Boys, Boys: I started this thread and I think most of you did"nt catch my drift. Nothing was said about anyone getting paid to play anything. It was more of a Monkey see Monkey do thing.And I'm not calling anybody a Monkey either.I'm realy not confused about what kind of guitar to buy. I don't even want to buy one. I just hope TW does'nt break out a Fulawka. Poor ED would never see the light of day.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">quote:</font><HR><SMALL>Donny my friend,
You you got a sharp hammer today,cause you nailed it.</SMALL><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Bill,that's a blunt hammer and sharp nail. ...whatever;___Donny sure layed the peen square on the head.

I agree;___my instruments are a personal thing. To me they are just like my jockey shorts. My steel guitars must fit me just right. And my jockey shorts must fit just right without choking me. I have a 32 inch waist; but I buy size 40 jockey shorts and when washed, they shrink up just right.

I look for a steel guitar that comes as close to fitting my taste and personality as I can find. Then I make the changes to make it complete,___for me.

Rick

I give up ('til the next time, anyway)!