The Steel Guitar Forum

What's the best used pro pedal steel for under $1500 for begainer steel students.

Not much for that price. Unless you get lucky. Save another 500$ and you will be able to find a good guitar

Brian G

ZumSteel Stage One 3+4

Stage One Steel Guitars

Doug Earnest does a great job building these guitars. He makes a nice volume pedal, too.

Good choice if you're OK with Emmons pedals and 4 knees, Es on the left. Stage Ones and Encores come up used from time to time, are usually sold fast.

In a new guitar, Zum Encore. To me it’s much more guitar than the Stage One, but then I’m one that don’t play the standard Stage One setup.

What's the best used pro pedal steel for under $1500 for beginner steel students.

Emphasis mine - the man is asking about used pro guitars. I think the good, modern starter steels are very good, but that wasn't the question.

In my experience, S-10/12 Carter, BMI, MSA, Dekley, maybe Marlen. I see them under $1500 periodically. It requires some patience to find a good pro model steel in that range, but they are out there. Carters are probably the hardest to find in that range. I think an Emmons Black Rock with 3+3 or 3+4 also qualifies, although it isn't technically a fully "pro" guitar.

But I think someone that knows about pedal steels should be available to evaluate a specific used guitar. It's easy to get burned on a basket case, or one that needs a lot of work.

Dave u the man correct answer.With a little patience with the steel guitar forum you can get a very nice steel $1500 an under. That will serve u very well. Every body plays a used steel. I’ve tried the latest greatest most beautiful An it really didn’t do one thing to improve my ability to play or sound any better.

Doug isn't taking orders again yet, so new ones aren't available anyway.

The last used Encore posted on the forum went for $1650, and was snapped up in 3 hours.

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=330744

If I was looking for a used steel for $2000 or less, and saw either a StageOne or Encore for sale, I'd jump on it. They seem to hold their value quite well.

Just pointing out the fact that you could a good playing new guitar for very little more Dave. BMI guitars sometimes sell fairly cheap and they really sound and play pretty good.

I’ve tried out lower end GFI and Justice guitars that sounded and played great.
J

Dave Mudgett wrote:

What's the best used pro pedal steel for under $1500 for beginner steel students.

Emphasis mine - the man is asking about used pro guitars. I think the good, modern starter steels are very good, but that wasn't the question.

In my experience, S-10/12 Carter, BMI, MSA, Dekley, maybe Marlen. I see them under $1500 periodically. It requires some patience to find a good pro model steel in that range, but they are out there. Carters are probably the hardest to find in that range. I think an Emmons Black Rock with 3+3 or 3+4 also qualifies, although it isn't technically a fully "pro" guitar.

But I think someone that knows about pedal steels should be available to evaluate a specific used guitar. It's easy to get burned on a basket case, or one that needs a lot of work.

Dave's about right.. Carters were at one point the best value in a used guitar.. Light, modern, great sound and reliability.. Past few years they have gone up in price, and are harder to find.. BMI stll are reasonable as are MSA's but they are going up... bob

I agree with Bob Carlucci. A $1500 dollar pro steel is getting hard to fine.

It might be helpful to define what is meant by a “pro” guitar. The second part of the question also includes the qualifier, “for a beginner”.

By "pro" he probably meant "not a student model", starting with at least a 3p x 4k setup.........Pat

The subject of a "professional" pedal steel has been hacked over a number of times here. I don't think it's an absolutely sharp line. But I believe the general consensus has yielded something like the following criteria, for a single 10 guitar:

0. A pedal steel intended for "professional" use by "professional" steel guitarists - for gigs, recording, and so on

1. A configurable undercarriage

2. The ability to implement (possibly with expansion) a modern pedal and lever setup - more or less at least a 3-pedal, 4-lever configuraton with the ability to implement multiple raises and lowers on a string

3. A certain level of workmanship and, for lack of a better word, "robustness" to the rigors of professional use

There are some modern pedal steels that sort of straddle the line between what I think has often been viewed as a "starter" steel versus a more traditional "professional" steel. And there are others that are fully professional steels that are clearly of a very high caliber that have traded off a certain amount of cosmetic bling, generally considered to be standard with professional steels, for reduced cost and/or lighter weight.

BTW, I accidentally omitted used Sierras in my earlier list. I've owned two, the one in my avatar (an S10) and a 14-string universal. I got them (several years back at this point) well under this price point, and they are excellent, professional grade pedal steels, in my opinion.

I agree with Bob that prices for these steels have been creeping up the last several years. But I still see them occasionally in the price range Johnie is discussing.

I would look for an older used msa. They are hard to beat. Most always sound good, good undercarriage and can easly be changed or adjusted. That what I would go for. Dont know why it hasnt been suggested

GFI Expo

Jordan funny you would suggest MSA l have a double 12 for sale in new condition with case For $1500 listed on forum know. Would make nice sd12 universal. I decided to keep back neck an reduce price to 1450

There's more around than you think
Put out some feelers all over the country and join every FB steel guitar site out there and keep an eye on as many Craigslist cities as you can
Ebay is a joke anymore and people are overpaying everyday for things that aren't as advertised.
I've seen more D-10 Sho-Buds in the past year than I have in a long time from $1200 to $1500
A 'Pro' model will get better re-sale than a student model IF you should decide it's not for you or want to upgrade.Just have the cash ready because they don't last long.
If anyone wants my help looking at a guitar, I know what to look for and would be glad to help you out!
WC Edgar
Dave's the man

Whatever you do don't forget to negotiate a return policy, or else, you just bought it, As-Is.

Dave Mudgett wrote:The subject of a "professional" pedal steel has been hacked over a number of times here. I don't think it's an absolutely sharp line. But I believe the general consensus has yielded something like the following criteria, for a single 10 guitar:

Thank you for detailing your answer to my question, Dave.

Dekley.

I got super lucky and found a used GFI Expo SD10 for $1250. Great guitar. Just have patience and keep your eyes peeled.

I don't believe Fred Justice makes a lower end guitar not that I've ever seen.

Unless weight is an issue, I don't think you can beat a Dekley, many of which sell on the Forum for under $1500.

Just within the past six months, single and double 10s (I left out 12 strings, as they are not necessarily the best to start on; but there were a couple of those too). Some others were slightly over $1500, but they might have sold for less than the asking price.

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtop ... ght=dekley

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtop ... ght=dekley

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtop ... ght=dekley

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtop ... ght=dekley