What would your choice of a new steel be

Jeff Hogsten · Post by **Jeff Hogsten** » 25 Feb 2017 5:22 pm

If you could pick any new steel on the market today. Price no consideration. Has to be currently under production. What would you chose

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 25 Feb 2017 5:37 pm

Mullen or Show Pro.

Douglas Schuch · Post by **Douglas Schuch** » 25 Feb 2017 5:43 pm

I'd be curious to check out one of the new, light, high-tech Excels. Beyond that, though, I think I prefer my MSA Millennium to anything on the market today - light weight, stable body, etc. Maybe a Fulawka? But I'm not sure if Ed is still taking orders.

Edit: it just occurred to me that both of the builders I mention are in their 80's. I wonder where the next round of innovation in the PSG world will come from.

Ben Lawson · Post by **Ben Lawson** » 25 Feb 2017 5:49 pm

Sho-Pro or Fessenden. I like the guitars and the guys that build them. Not to say that the others builders don't make great guitars. It's just that I have had pleasant dealings with them.

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 25 Feb 2017 6:20 pm

My Excel packs the best tone and most function into the smallest lightest and best sounding package I've ever played:

http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Excel%2012%2 ... yless.html

No one guitar has the best in class of everything but this would be my choice. There are many other great choices based on what features are most important to you. There are at least 4 other brands of guitars I would be 100% satisfied with including Williams, Mullen, MSA and Infinity.

Jerry Hedge · Post by **Jerry Hedge** » 25 Feb 2017 6:22 pm

Show Pro!!!

Jeff Hogsten · Post by **Jeff Hogsten** » 25 Feb 2017 6:41 pm

Greg. Does that option come with a keyed model. Have you saw the JET10 tuning BMI has. I'm using I guess what I would call a universal 10. I have no 7th or 9th string. My ninth and 10 are G# and E. I like it. The JET10 is close but puts a C# between the E and B and the ten us G#.

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 25 Feb 2017 6:51 pm

Not sure about a keyed model. Mine has all 10 of the classic E9th strings, no compromises with two more bonus strings. With the simple throw of a lever I get a full 10 string classic C6 , no compromises and two more bonus chromatic strings.

Jeff Hogsten · Post by **Jeff Hogsten** » 25 Feb 2017 6:56 pm

You have any opinion between the sound difference of a 10 and 12.

Bruce Bjork · Post by **Bruce Bjork** » 25 Feb 2017 7:05 pm

How about Justice?

Jeff Hogsten · Post by **Jeff Hogsten** » 25 Feb 2017 7:08 pm

I'm playing a justice and really like the sound

Chris Reesor · Post by **Chris Reesor** » 25 Feb 2017 8:32 pm

Another Excel Superb, keyless, 25.5"scale, much like my current guitar, but single body U12 instead of double. I would add two more knees in the centre,for 8X7 total.
I would also see if Fuzzy could make the lock lever change the functions of the right knees for pure B6 playing. (Probably a piece of cake for Fuzzy)

Last but not least, two pickups with a tele style control plate: volume, tone, 3 way pickup switch.
Colour? Robin's egg blue.

P.S. Sounds like Greg has fallen in love. Didn't take long....

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 25 Feb 2017 8:34 pm

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 25 Feb 2017 11:19 pm

Don't forget Desert Rose. Chuck builds quality gtrs that play and sound great...plus they're really easy on the eyes.

Ned McIntosh · Post by **Ned McIntosh** » 25 Feb 2017 11:26 pm

I've seen a lot of very good comments about the Rittenberry steels, so I'd probably go for a Rittenberry D10. Mullen are also seriously good steels - but I already have one.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 26 Feb 2017 12:24 am

I'd get another MSA, a "Blue Darlin" Legend.

Bill L. Wilson · Post by **Bill L. Wilson** » 26 Feb 2017 1:02 am

Sho-Pro, Justice, Shlid come to mind. Fortunately, my "Old Road Dog" Emmons LGII still plays and sounds good for a 22yr. old guitar. So my final steel guitar is this one, and after pickin' this baby for 12yrs., it's a keeper.

richard burton · Post by **richard burton** » 26 Feb 2017 1:17 am

It won't make any difference what steel you get, you will still sound like you.

I was watching a youtube video recently, Tom Brumley playing a Legrande, he sounded exactly like he did when he played a Mullen, and when he played an Annapeg (imho)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBhMLjIawcM

Jeff Hogsten · Post by **Jeff Hogsten** » 26 Feb 2017 2:32 am

You will sound similar on different steels but there is a difference. Listen to david hartley. He sounds similar on different steels. Same touch. Same touch but different. If you can't hear it don't worry about it. Years ago in the 70s sho bud and emmons were primarily all that was available to me. Please don't tell me there was no difference in sound. Was one better. No. Different. I've read that lately they all sound the same. I just dissagree

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 26 Feb 2017 4:18 am

I'd take one of each !

Robert Parent · Post by **Robert Parent** » 26 Feb 2017 4:34 am

For a current production guitar I would pick a Williams.... They are about as close to what I currently play which is no longer available.

Robert

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 26 Feb 2017 5:03 am

On the basis of mechanical features and cool engineering, the top of the heap appear to me to be, in no particular order: MSA, Williams, WBS, Schild and Sheffield. Those who dig vintage vibe shouldn't forget Jackson or Kevin Hatton and his new ZB style guitars.
On the basis of "OMG, what a gorgeous combination art and machine", the ones that spring to mind are, in no particular order: Sheffield, Ben-Rom, Williams, Show-Pro, Desert Rose, the Giles-body MSA and the Desert Rose. WBS and Schild get a special mention for taking the simple, sleek aesthetic of the original mica Emmons to a little bit farther.

The makers not in those two lists of outstanding are still damn fine guitars and I'd proudly play all but one, whose builder has personally left a bad taste in my mouth (two if you count Voldemort). And I'd still play one of those, but I'd rebadge and refretboard.

Generally speaking, Ford, Kia and Chevy don't count among the "OMG, I am in love with this car" but I'd buy another Kia in a heartbeat

Wesley Medlen · Post by **Wesley Medlen** » 26 Feb 2017 5:20 am

The Judge by Justice

Ken Metcalf · Post by **Ken Metcalf** » 26 Feb 2017 6:47 am

Hard call

MSA Mullen

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 26 Feb 2017 7:00 am

Fulawka,Ben Rom, or one of Kevin Hatton's ZB tributes.... bob

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