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Topic: Ex-Carter owners comments requested |
Guest
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Posted 19 Jan 2005 4:57 pm |
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| I have never owned a Carter but am tempted to try one for the lighter weight. I'm an Emmons D-10 push-pull player, love everything about it except the weight; has anyone gone this route to a light weight guitar? Why do you see so many late model Carters for sale? What don't people like about them? I once tried an S-10 Emmons and thought it was too light. I was kicking it around the stage. Your comments? |
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Joey Ace
From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 19 Jan 2005 5:59 pm
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You love everything except the weight?
I own two Emmons Push Pulls. I hate the way the strings attach to those pins, even more than the weight.
I also own and play Carters. I'm not an ex-owner so I won't respond further, except to say I like all my guitars.
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Bill Moran
From:
Virginia, USA
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Posted 19 Jan 2005 6:28 pm
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The guitars are fine. Beware if you need help down the road !! 
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Farris Currie
From:
Ona, Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 19 Jan 2005 6:38 pm
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Bill,explain please,never had one,but sounds like no help to be had if problems!!
well,i am sho-bud,and they don't exist,but plenty of help on forum for them.
farris |
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Al Marcus
From:
Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)
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LeRoy Sawyer
From:
Walton, NY 13856
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Posted 19 Jan 2005 8:37 pm
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Dave, I have six brands of steel guitars set up here in my music room. In some brands of steels I have more than one model…S10, D10 etc. Each guitar has its own characteristics and good and bad features. In my collection are an Emmons Fatback D10 and a Carter S10 they are both excellent guitars with different attributes. Each guitar is played differently and you must learn to play the instrument and not let the instrument play you. Guitars within the same brand play differently.
I have had my Carter since 1999 and over that time I have been in contact with the Ann, John, & Bud at Carter Guitars and they have always been very helpful.
This Forum has more than 4,000 members and I am sure you will get as many opinions as there are members but weight, action of the mechanics, suitability for use on stage or off stage, in the studio, what ever is very subjective.
If I am playing in my church praise band I would take my Carter before I would take my Emmons…why I am 67 years old and the Emmons is just too heavy to haul. I do not have a favorite guitar it just depends on my situation…Roy
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James Pennebaker
From:
Mt. Juliet, TN
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Posted 19 Jan 2005 9:06 pm
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I've only owned a few pedal steel guitars in my time. A Fender 400 followed quickly by a Sho Bud Lloyd Green in the '70s and then a '73 Emmons D10 I acquired around 1990. All pretty heavy guitars. Even the Fender. I can't respond as an ex Carter owner, only as a current one. It's the best playing and sounding instrument of those that I've owned. I got excellent service from Ann Fabian there and my guitar arrived much quicker than I ever expected. It played beautifully right out of the case. I adjusted the height of the "A" pedal a slight bit, but nothing more was needed to suit my setup. I still love my old Emmons but the Carter beats it hands down.
JP
[This message was edited by James Pennebaker on 19 January 2005 at 09:38 PM.] |
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David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
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Posted 20 Jan 2005 4:44 am
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| I have always got good service from Carter regarding parts, advice etc. I think the reason you see more used Carters than anything else is because they sell more steels than all the other manufacturers combined? Musicians in general seem to be a finicky bunch, always buying and selling instruments looking for the magic one that will make them sound great. |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 20 Jan 2005 5:07 am
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Dave, as many know I am a Carter owner as well as friend to John ,Ann and Bud .
I am currently playing my second Carter D10..
I am not certain as to what the comment of "Why do you always see so many late models for sale" means ? other than it's incorrect.
A quick tally of the For Sales shows there is only 1 PRO Carter for sale ( not including the Starters) as opposed to 30 or 40 entries for all other Steels including several Emmons, Sho-Buds and wow..even a ZUM or 2 ...( past 10 days)
This thread could easily digress into the typical "Carters are SUB standard Steels" if we are not careful here , and I believe that is not your intent.
My Carter is a '96..D10..9+8..it has more music on it than I could ever conquer in my lifetime and is as reliable as an old Chevy..
Stays in tune, does not break strings ( more or less that any other brand) and sounds good..
Play the Steel you want..play music..forget what others think because at the end of the day I'm thinking "recently" that many that criticize probably are not even gigging musicians anyway...
I loved my old Sho-Buds..I even liked my old D12 MSA ( heavey beast though) and I REALLY love my Carter..it fits me and what I am attempting to do to a Tee...and I like my friends Emmons Steels too..
Play in the Zone..the Steel is only part of the Zone..A Carter Steel would fit in the Zone as well as any other brand of consideration..perhaps even better if weight is a factor.
just keep this in mind.. opinions which state that only a few select brands are worthy are not part of the zone...
and yes..I gig pretty much every week..and I practice pretty much everyday..I am in the working bandstand Hack catagory...I lug my Steel, a Tele or Strat and 2 amps to gigs all the time..my comments are based on my experiences..weekly, monthly, yearly...decade'ly ( is that even a word ?)..
good luck
t
[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 20 January 2005 at 05:20 AM.] |
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Lee Bartram
From:
Sparta, Kentucky, USA
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Posted 20 Jan 2005 6:50 am
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| i have owend only a sho-bud ldg, a D-10 Derby,a D-10 Mullen,and a D-10 carter.All of them were really great guitars,but the carter is and was from the first day the best feeling and playing guitar of all of them i cain't put my finger on just what it is but it just feels different to me. |
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Bob Carlucci
From:
Candor, New York, USA
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Posted 20 Jan 2005 6:56 am
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Dave... I bought a s 10 Carter w 5+5 a year ago,and the lightness of it was a major consideration. I told Ann that the Carter looked "small'.. She explained that it was a "low profile" guitar and it is. It is not as "impressive' looking as a decked out old Sho Bud or a new Williams, Fulawka,or other "pretty" guitar.
It is however, A VERY WELL made,LIGHT,easy to play VERY efficient hi tech steel guitar,and you can tailor the sound anyway you like. Mine has a bright 60's "twangy" steel sound because of the pickup I had custom wound for it. John and Bud will work with you in pickup selection to tailor the sound to your liking.
Any problems are resolved quickly, and thier service is OUTSTANDING as should be expected from a fine builder.
They put up with a lot of crap from me, and it is well appreciated. I would say you can not go wrong with Carter... they are built as well as any steel I have owned, and I have owned a bunch... I don't know of any company building a steel as light as Carter at this time.. and believe me, They are a JOY to carry compared to every other steel I have tried to "transport"... [This message was edited by Bob Carlucci on 20 January 2005 at 06:59 AM.] [This message was edited by Bob Carlucci on 20 January 2005 at 07:00 AM.] |
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Fred Jack
From:
Bastrop, Texas 78602
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Posted 20 Jan 2005 6:56 am
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Very well said Tony!
Farris, I read a description of you several years ago and even though I did not know you then I know it was written about you. It goes like this:
Little man,so spic and span,where were you when the s$$t hit the fan? He replied, I turned it on!
Why do you continually stir when you don't even have a reason? Fred |
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Bill Moran
From:
Virginia, USA
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Posted 20 Jan 2005 7:10 am
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| Like I said, the Carter guitar is ok. I had a problem with Ann Fabian when I ordered a pedal kit. I fixed the problem. I no longer own a Carter. I hate Bud has to work around people like Ann. |
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John McGann
From:
Boston, Massachusetts, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 20 Jan 2005 8:03 am
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I am a current Carter D-10 (w/ TrueTones which I 100% swear by) owner and dealt with John Fabian, who is a Forum member as well as a great guy who talked me through changing around my setup- a pretty complex change for a mechanical newbie- the customer support I had when dealing with John was top notch. Friendly, patient and knows his stuff!
The instrument is not so light that it moves when you are playing- at least mine doesn't- if you are 450 pounds and slam the knee levers, YMMV. But it is lighter than most in the case, so hauling it is easier than most D10s.
I had mine in a room full of Emmons p/p's (at Tom Cass's shop) and it sounded great among them- not the same, but each p/p had it's own thing apart from the others, too! But even a p/p diehard like Tom was impressed by the Carter.
------------------
http://www.johnmcgann.com
Info for musicians, transcribers, technique tips and fun stuff. Joaquin Murphey transcription book, Rhythm Tuneup DVD and more...
[This message was edited by John McGann on 20 January 2005 at 08:06 AM.] |
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Steve Stallings
From:
Houston/Cypress, Texas
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Posted 20 Jan 2005 8:05 am
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I played Carter guitars for a few years and really enjoyed them. They are well built, pro guitars that sound great. I received excellent service both before and after the sale and consider the Carter folks friends.
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God Bless,
Steve Stallings
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Larry Phleger
From:
DuBois, PA
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Posted 20 Jan 2005 8:42 am
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| I own a S12 Carter. Ann helped me find it and hooked me up with the seller. I have owned it for 7 years, and she has always helped me promptly remedy any problems I encountered. Personally, I find the Carter to be the a superior instrument that sounds great, is easy to carry and has never let me down. IMHO the people at Carter are top notch. |
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Allen Peterson
From:
Katy, Texas
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Posted 20 Jan 2005 9:10 am
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| I owned an S10 Dekley that was a good guitar but I needed a fork lift to haul it around. I sold that and bought a D10 MCI Waco model that was pretty light. I think they advertised it @ 39lbs. I traded that for a Carter D10 in 2000. It is the finest guitar that I've owned thus far. It sounds great and is light. I have never owned an Emmons or Sho-bud, but would like to try one sometime. I love the sound of those guitars too. |
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Drew Howard
From:
48854
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Posted 20 Jan 2005 9:41 am
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Go ahead and get your Carter, you won't be sorry.
Drew
------------------
Gazornktron T-16 w/ FranistatSUX2000 mod
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George McLellan
From:
Duluth, MN USA
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Posted 20 Jan 2005 9:55 am
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I've had mine about six years and haven't had any kind of problem. It's still as smooth as the day I got it.
Geo |
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Joe Alterio
From:
Irvington, Indiana
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Posted 20 Jan 2005 10:54 am
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This is like asking "Why do you see more late model Chevys for sale than late model Saabs?"
Well.....there are a lot more Chevys sold new than Saabs. Same with Carter vs. many other brands. Carter (and I believe Mullen) have the machinery and employees that allow them to produce many steels per month, versus many other builders who have just one employee...the builder (Zum, Derby, Williams, etc.).
I owned a Carter, and it was a fine instrument. Kept in tune, mechanically solid and easy to work on, easy to get in touch with the folks at Carter to ask questions and get any parts to make modifications like adding a pedal or lever. I wasn't thrilled with the tone, but that may have something to do with a mismatched pickup (standard George L on a Universal).....I have no doubt the pickup played a large part in the dark tone that I wasn't liking.
Get a True-Tone on the Carter, and you'll have a great instrument.
Joe |
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John Cox
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 20 Jan 2005 4:00 pm
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Dave, I have an B/L pick-up on mine and the tone is super! I've had very good service with these poeple, I'd go with the Carter.
J.C. |
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Mark Lind-Hanson
From:
Menlo Park, California, USA
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Posted 20 Jan 2005 4:35 pm
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| I will go with the people who like the service they get from the Fabians. I have only had to call in twice in the two yars I've played mine, and both times they were incredibly friendly & sensisitive to my "newbie" questions. The guitar stays in tune (even the pedals), rarely breaks strings except when I neglect to change 'em, and the copedant setup it came with works perfectly fine for me. Oil it two or three times a year and it makes very few "odd" internal noises. Enough "name" people use them & you rarely read THAT many complaints about them on this forum, or at least, I have noticed very few. Certainly was an excellent deal for an "entry level" instrument for the price. Although, I think I'll be playing out with mine soon enough, as it really seems pretty road-worthy and I've adjusted well to the "low-profile" after a couple years working with it. |
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Dennis Detweiler
From:
Solon, Iowa, US
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Posted 20 Jan 2005 6:15 pm
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I bought a new Zum in 1983. Never had to call Bruce. Never had any problems with it. However, I installed a knee lever kit and TT pickup recently. It's a great guitar in every aspect. There is one player in my area that plays a Carter. It sounds great and it plays well.
DD |
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John Drury
From:
Gallatin, Tn USA
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Posted 20 Jan 2005 6:31 pm
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Doesn't appear to be any "Ex" Carter owners here on the forum!
I have had my D-10 for a little over a year now, I don't know of any steel on the market today that I would want to replace it with.
When I get the money together I plan to have an SD-10 built, it will be a Carter.
John Drury
NTSGA #3 |
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Damir Besic
From:
Nashville,TN.
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