The Steel Guitar Forum

So I picked up a Stage One a few weeks back just because it was for sale nearby.

I took it to my gig last Saturday night and left my Zum D10 at the house not sure how it would work out for me.

At the end of the night, I was impressed with its stability, tone, and of course the ease of carrying it in and out.

Although I could tell the differences, the guys in the band thought it sounded as good as my high dollar D10.

It's definitely a keeper. Taking it out again this week.

I've heard allot of good reports from folks with Stage One and Encore steels. However, it's a high praise that it measures up for gigging for an owner of a Bruce-made Zum.

I'm a novice but my teacher likes my Encore better than his Emmons...

I have used my Stage One on a number of gigs and it has never failed to deliver excellent tones and flawless performance. Plus leaving the heavier D10 and SD10 at home is another plan. If you work with your amp tones a bit you can achieve a marvelous sound. I'm completely satisfied with mine.

I cannot sing its praises enough. That said, I struggle to play in pitch when really high up the neck... and it is an issue that has persisted long enough that I am starting to wonder if it might be something about the guitar as well. I have nothing to back that up with, but thought I would throw it out there.

That Stage One is a monster little guitar. I've worked on a couple of them over the years and have been impressed with their accuracy.
PRR

Any comments on playability such as ease of pedal and knee lever action?

Ken the pedal actions and knees are smooth as butter.

Thanks Larry. I’ll PM you with a couple of questions when I’m at my main computer with a big keyboard tomorrow.

Don't have my Stage 1 anymore, wish I did but lever/knees were all really smooth with positive stops, the thing I liked best is how LKR would hit the exact lower pitch before the lever hit its stop.