The Steel Guitar Forum

As a few may know, i am looking for a new PSG. i'm looking at the GFI and lending that way, BUT i keep coming back to the Derby.

Who's playing a Derby and tell me about the Derby PSG?

later,

billy

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William Johnson (Billy)
Grievous Angel Productions
Statesboro, GA. 30461 USA
www.grievousangelpro.com

Never played a GFI so can't help you there.

The Derby is a smooth playing, high quality guitar with a clean tone that is clear as a bell. The aluminum parts are machined from billets and the cabinets are hard rock maple.
Charlie will build you a standard single on dbl. or D10 mica guitar or one of his custom lacquer models and you will have in a few weeks in most cases. Charlie and Margit's customer service is great also.
[I was just over there buggin' him this week and saw this beautiful lacquer custom guitar he was getting ready to send out. Kind of a rose red and natural combo with some gorgeous fiddle edge figure.]

Each person has his own idea about the sound, feel and playability of guitars, so I would suggest a test drive of any guitar you are consider buying.

Derby will be in Texas in Mar. if you are going to the show there and is at some of the larger events.
Or you can call Charlie Stepp or visit his shop and check out his operation here:
Derby Steel
465 N. Myers Road
Brooks, Ky 40109
502 957/1059

I can't speak on the GFI because I have never played one. But I can tell you that I have a Derby D10 and it is a precision instrument. What I think is most impressive is that it stays in tune and the intonation is right on the money. In my opinion the cost of a Derby is money well spent. jc

Charlie and Margit are great people and the Derby is a quality PSG. I picked one up at the Dallas show last year. It will stay in tune and sounds great all the way up the fret board. I personally love the sound that comes from my Derby. As stated, everybody is looking for a certain something in a guitar. But, I can't imagine not finding it in a Derby. Take a road trip to visit Charlie. It'll be worth your time and make the decision easier. You can also stop by Steel Guitar Nashville and play a GFI and other steels. Better yet, go to the Dallas show. You'll have about anything you want to choose.

Contact Lynn Owsley or Jerry Brightman they both have Derbys.

Jerry, Plays a Performance Guitar now.

I've have 2 Derbys, one S-10 and a D-10. If any of you know who I am, I'd be glad to talk to you about them. I love'em both. My E-mail is rpesr@bellsouth.net, or a call would do at 615/865-5069 or a cell:615/972-0353. I'm saying it like that because I think most of you don't know me. Thanks, Ron
(I'm one of the early players from the 1800's)<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Ron Elliott on 16 February 2005 at 12:20 PM.]</p></FONT>

Billy, if you're looking for a Derby, Charlie Stepp builds them in Brooks, Kentucky or you can find them at shows like the Texas Steel Guitar Jamboree and the International Steel Guitar Convention. I play a GFI, but I think Derbys are good steels too. Brett, Emmons S-10, Morrell lapsteel, GFI Ultra D-10<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Brett Day on 16 February 2005 at 01:17 PM.]</p></FONT>

Hi Billy, I liked my first Derby so well that I bought another identical to it except for the pickup and color. They play well,sound as good as any and don't have any mechanical problems, at least not yet.
I've had 2 Gfi SD10's and I liked them also, it's just the Derby looked better and appeared to be better quality.

Billy; I've been playing Charlie Stepp's
DERBYS since he began building them. I had
S/N 0003 to begin with; then progressed to
S/N 0027 - and finally to S/N 0072. I still
have the two later models & have never seen
any reason to change instruments. They are
simply as good as you'll ever need.

Good luck, in your hunt. Boogie Sherrard

Billy T.
I think you should really consider an Emmons. They're the only Steel Guitars I've ever been happy with. I'd be glad to discuss the pros & cons with you. Nick

Billy I am a novice when it comes to playing a PSG, but I do know quality in both material and workmanship. The Derby rates an A+ on both. Charles and Margit Stepp was most gracious, helpful and kind before, during and after the purchase of my SD10 3x5. I truely enjoy this instrument.
Wishing you success in your endeavor.

Well, STICKING WITH TOPIC, I am a Derby player/owner, I have played a GFI, courtesy of Mr. Seymour, & I owned an Emmons push/pull for 23 yrs.
Before I go on I have to say that I have much respect for Nick Reed for him establishing (?) NTSGA & I've observed him to do plenty to promote the instrument we all love. I'm just a little surprised by the above thread hi-jack as I don't consider that Nick's style, but hey, small taters. There was an earlier Derby thread where a gentleman had mentioned he got rid of a Derby because it sounded like a plywood guitar. I'm not mentioning his name because after some e-mail correspondence I found him to be a VERY knowledgeable and really an all around good guy. Though for all I know the Derb he had could've very well been a dud as with any brand you'll run into that. But you'll run into those that will try to diss ANY brand to get you to go their direction for reasons other than build quality/tone.
So having said that, COMPARE/SHOP. The reason I settled on the Derby is because it has the tone I'd been searching for in the off/on 34 yrs. I played steel. And the Derb's tone blew my p/p's tone away hands down. Now I really like GFI's & their unique tone & would definitely have one along with the Derb, but I can afford only one so it's the Derby.
Uncle Charlie's got it all covered; tone, playability, & customer service. I dropped by early this week, he & Margit are doing fine & he's trying to keep up with demand as gtrs. are going out as fast as he/they can build 'em.
I'm nuts about mine.
So there, you got to chat with a VERY SATISFIED Derby player.

"If any of you know who I am"

Ron, you may have been off the scene for a while but you can be assured you were not forgotten.

I HAVE BEEN PLAYING A 1980 S112 7&4 DEKLEY SINCE 1980 VERY NEAT DEPENDABLE,GOOD SOUNDING GUITAR,STILL HAVE IT,BUT IN NOV.2004 I GOT A NEW DERBY D10 8&5 THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF WORKMANSHIP,CHARLIE KNOWS HOW TO BUILD UM, VERY EASY PEDAL ACTION AND I REALY LIKE THE SOUND AND IT STAYS IN TUNE,

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scott henderson in missouri plays a psg like your asking about. i play a zum. i feel that the zum is the best but i never played a derby. don't see many derbys come on the forum for sale. when a zum comes on it only last for a couple hours and it is gone if it is a good price or not. there is a waiting list for a zum but call bruce he'll talk to you and set you streight. thanks doc

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zum SD10 peavy vegas 400 peavy session 400
if its not a zum steel it isn't real

I currently own two Derby"s, a D-10 and an SD-10. I highly recommend them as a great sounding, virtually trouble free instrument.

If you get a Derby be assured you want have a 2 year waiting period like you would with Emmons or a Zum.

<IMG SRC='http://usera.imagecave.com/bnit/bobderb.jpg'>
My old Derby</b>
<IMG SRC='http://usera.imagecave.com/bnit/jerryvderb.bmp.jpg'>
Jerry VanHoose and his Derby</b><FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Bob Knight on 20 February 2005 at 04:34 PM.]</p></FONT>

Good one, Autry!

I started on a Shobud Maverick....then an emmons p/p '66 and purchased a D-10 Derby in 2000. I second everybodys favorable comments regarding the Derby and i havent looked back once at the ol'emmons....needless to say I have hung onto the emmons for sentimental sake and if i wanted to get a more vintage sound playing the emmons thru my '66 black face twin. Like a car, sit down and play a number of them...tone, mechanics etc. may differ even with the same models. I love the Derby!! The real innovation to me would be to make these turkeys about 40 lbs lighter...it's still a pain to haul the stuff around and i aint getting any younger and want a double neck.
Good luck, take time for this big investment.

OK, Chat!!

Johan

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Click on the pic!

Billy,good luck in your search for the right guitar. I have played Derby Guitars since 1991 almost from the first when Charlie and Margit started the business.Prior to that I played Emmons and ShoBud for many years....I always wanted something that was kind of a cross between a ShoBud and an Emmons,the Derby is as close to this as I've found.
There are so many quality guitars on the market now days so I suggest you take your time and try many,give consideration to all aspects of this kind of business.I can say nothing but good about the Derby...I currently have 2 and I have never had anything major to go wrong in all these years,(oh I did break a 11ga string one time which was determined by the Derby Engineers that the ball end pulled loose on the string itself)
I would like to commment about the fact that steel guitar builders stay with it because they love it,I don't think they are getting rich doing this.Charlie Stepp has always been one who take no shortcuts and always puts out a high quality Derby Guitar.
The forum Buy and Sell Instruments currently has 2 used Derbys which look like good prices.Contact Charlie to talk about a new one....Happy Steelin....

Thank you, Lynn. There's not too much I can add to that, except I'm playing my 3rd one and I love it. Next, there is no lag-time in shipping to you. Charlie has various guitars made up...so all he has to do is put your set-up on, and ship it out. My compliments go to that kind of business. I'm spending the day with Charlie and Margit Sat. and he'll give mine a 50,000 mile check-up and then we'll play for the Kentucky Steel Guitar Club on Sunday. I'm really looking forward to it,..BTW, you'll really like your Derby Steel Guitar. Thanks a Lot! Ron

For everyone's info, Charlie worked for Emmons Guitars for about ten years before deciding to build his Derby. Go figure! Ron I'm afraid to say I know you because people will think I'm as old as you!!Lynn, we love you and none of us here in Florida really believe that "stuff" folks are saying!! Lonnie P.