The Steel Guitar Forum

I believe I have owned most brands of steel guitars over the years, but today I picked up a GFI Expo.
A simple, not a lot of shiny guitar, but after a couple hours on it, getting the levers where I like
them and a few other minor adjustments, I have to say I am really impressed.

To be honest, the way they look turned me off for quite a while, but when you get into the way GFI
does things you can really appreciate both the simplicity and the quality of this guitar.

Yes Mike Siglar, I shoulda listened to you Brother.

If you haven't tried one of these definitely DO when you get a chance.
Mine was built 4/1/2010 and it still operates like a brand new guitar.

Well, that's all I got to say bout that.
JB

Can't go wrong...Gene was brilliant.

Great guitars with good tone and a smooth action and easier to carry! Mr. Sigler is correct!

All the above is true. Compared to brands Z or E or M, they seem simple and unsophisticated. But as a Telecaster is to a Les Paul Custom, once you play one and hear it, you forget how it seems to be and appreciate how it is. A big plus is that they're still being built and you can get parts and help on the phone.

perfect road guitar, light, solid, simple, sounds good, and plays fast and smooth... if you are on the road, and your pedal drops on the floor in the middle of the song, you will be glad you have a GFI, turn it upside down, and after 5 seconds you will know whats wrong....I believe S10 GFI is under 30lbs, pair that with a nice Quilter Steelaire, and you have great sounding, and playing pro setup that weighs about 50lbs all together... can't touch that with a stick, especially at my age,,,I was loading and unloading today my Jackson and Emmons D10's in my car... after that, I really started appreciating S10 GFI even more...

You nailed it Damir.
* Easy to see oversized quality 7-hole bell cranks,
* Square cross shafts that don't let bell cranks slip,
* Easy to see and reach rod attachment points,
* Cross shaft holes in metal (not wood) so no off-round wearing,
* Expanding adjustable length cross shafts / nylon bushings
* Highly visible markings on the contrasting blk/wht fretboard
* Solid knee levers with angle adjustment screws
* UNDER 30 lbs

So many things they did right on this guitar.
They really put some logical thought into these guitars
and I am far more impressed than I expected to be.

Now with some blue LEDs mounted underneath and a fog machine at my feet
I'll look like (and sound like) a PSG God out there in the world

Wonderful guitar.
JB

Speaking of pedal drops to the floor. On occasion, I've had the A pedal get disconnected from the pedal rod. GFI has a unique device to attach these using a thumb screw. I discovered if you reverse the hook up and turn the thumb screw the opposite direction--i.e.--toward the pedal rack, it's out of the way and not likely to disconnect. See picture. The rod on the right is connected so as not to come disconnected.

My wife has an S-10 Expo. I hate to say it but it stays in tune better than my Franklin.

I've use the GFI on a couple of jobs and never had the problem with the pedal rods.

Hello John, I am glad you like this guitar, took me a while to get use to it,now I like GFI's.

I fell into a deal I could not pass for a S12U GFI. For the last 15 months it has been my guitar of choice.
Being light and easy to work on makes it my choice.
The steel I played for over 15 years now resides in its case under my bed.
I have E-mailed the factory a couple times with questions. Next night their answer was in my E-mail. Great support.

Last year I purchased a slightly used GFI D-10 from forum member Bill Moore while assembling the guitar the first thing that blew me away was the way the pedals attach to the pedal rack,and the way the rack attaches to the front legs...simple yet pure genius,The guitar has a very accurate tuning system and stays in tune,A wonderful guitar!!

I bought a used S-10 Ultra keyless a while back and have been using it as my main gigging guitar for about 6-8 months. It sounds great and is smooth and solid, the kind of steel you don't even think about while playing - it's just flawless. And it's the "vintage wood" macassar ebony finish, with black trim, and looks really cool. GFI has been very responsive anytime I've called or emailed. I have some other great steels but the GFI is right up there with the best of them.

I ordered my vertical lever from GFI and it showed up in 3 days. Bob at GFI explained it to me very well and I had it on in an hour. Easy guitar to work on.
JB

Love my GFI SD-10 . Black on black . Sounds great !!

Yup, what Stu said

Having neither enough experience or talent to have a qualified opinion, I'm pleased to see the positive reviews of those who do. So far I'm very pleased with my GFI. It's a keeper . .

Thanks guys, all your remarks about the GFI is a total fact..In my 55 years of playing, I started with a fender 400,fender 800, Emmons PP,Dekley great guitars but heavy, back to Emmons LaGrand 111. Last year I got a GFI Expo X1 D10. WOW!!! did put a BL705 on the E9th, super sound and at 75 I can carry it. Still have my LaGrand 111 but it stays home. Love the Expo X1 with my walker SS..GFI doesnt get the attention of other steels but if your in the market I would suggest you look at one.

they don't stay for sale very long in the classified section

I have an Expo just like yours, same color and all. I bought it new in 2011 and have never had a problem with a pedal rod coming off or anything else for that matter. I have it paired with a Nashville 112 Amp, a Deltafex and a Goodrich VP. It sounds and plays as good as any I have played. :)P.S. John, my wife likes your monkey smoking!

I've owned several different brands of pedal steels over the years but back in 2006 GFI was recommended to me. I purchased a GFI Ultra SD10 3 + 4 and have never looked back. I currently own two of them. Great guitars!

Great guitars. Undervalued and under appreciated.Stable tuning, stays in tune as well or better than any guitar Ive owned, and Ive owned more than a few.I suspect that hard die board and metal frame may be the contributing factors. Genes keyless system is very precise. Customer Service is top notch.

Great guitars.