The Steel Guitar Forum

Hey Guys:

I bought a Carter Starter about 6 months ago. Obviously I'm a noob, as I don't think anyone with experience would have bought this guitar.
Being the owner of many other high quality non-pedal steel instruments I soon discovered this guitars' many limitations. I probably don't have to list its shortcomings on this forum but my question is does the guitar make the player or does the player make the guitar? I'm increasingly frustrated with this guitar. Tuning, ergonomics, sound, height restrictions, dead spots etc... Will a better instrument inspire a desire to play more and get better or am I just looking for excuses? Should I be able to tame this beast despite it's obvious desire to thwart me at every turn?

Rick

They really aren't very good instruments. A pro can make anything sound good, but beginners struggle with guitars like yours. If you can afford something better, go for it. A good instrument will inspire you.

I'm struggling with finding guitars in Canada, and no one on this forum seems to be willing to ship north of 49. Canada definitely seems to be the poor cousin when it comes to pedal steels:(

How about Al Brisco?

I’m working on a semi pro guitar that I’m trying to keep in the price range for beginners but play good and stay in tune. Plus have our distinct tone.. it’s a tall order but I think can be done.

Shipping big heavy things has become a real issue for individuals or low output businesses. Seems even tougher internationally.
Justice is making a lower cost instrument that is “entry level” but very well built. I own an S10-Jr, as well as pro quality steels by other makers. I am impressed by it’s stability, smooth action and good sustain. http://www.justicesteelguitars.com/S10%20Jr.html

look up the Zumsteel Stage one--a friend of mine bought one and is happy with it. Also check out Hudson Pedal steels. This friend bought first a Carter Starter and did more work on it than playing--are there any steel guitar shows in Canada? If so, there maybe pedal steel for sale at one of them.

Bob Jennings

Indiana

Rick Mc Mullen,

I agree with Bob, a good instrument will inspire you to want to learn how to play it--you want a pedal steel that all you gotta do is set it up, tune it and play--change strings now and then and oil it now and then; then enjoy the music you make with it.

My Biological Grandfather is buried on Vancouver Island, BC--he was a Lumberjack--died in 1935--I've visited his gravesite back in 1997.

Bob Jennings

Rick -

You should probably plan a road trip south when the border opens. There are a lot of steel players in PNW judging from Forum posts & what better way to evaluate a steel than in person with the seller? Plus you avoid the hassles of shipping the beast. Start contacting Forumites for leads.

Or you might visit Jim Palenscar’s legendary shop in CA.

Since you know you are into it first off dump the starter. It did it’s job so it’s time to move on. Then I suggest skipping over any transitional instruments and buy something awesome that you can love without reservation. Picking up your steel in person might be a fun way to go. Saving the shipping/duty costs will offset you travel costs. There should be a great show in Dallas this year BTW.

Rick, I’m a pro player (pre Covid) living in Alberta and have owned pro guitars for years but due to injuries carrying heavy double necks and advancing age a couple of years ago I copped a Zumsteel Encore. It’s slightly more optioned than a Stage one and built by the same guy. It should cost you around $2500. Canadian and there will be a wait for it. Contact Doug Earnest and order one. If you lose interest in steel, you should get the bulk of your money back. I highly recommend it.

Hi Rick - I'm in Vancouver and am always monitoring what's available locally. There have been a few for sale in BC over the last year, including a Mullen D10, a Carter, an MSA, a Linkon, a Sho-Bud in the Okanagan (on consignment at a local shop), a Sierra at L&M Vancouver, and currently even a Gibson MultiHarp on FB Marketplace (which I'd never even heard of until I saw the listing!). So not a ton, but I suspect that if you keep looking something will become available.

And do monitor Al Brisco's inventory - he has GFIs in stock usually, but I believe he's sold a few Emmons and a Short-Bud in the last year - though it appears they were sold before ever being listed on his website - and at least one Fessenden. You may wish to let him know you're in the market in case he gets a line on something.

As for how different an upgraded instrument would be, if you're in/near Vancouver you're welcome to come by and try my Mullen G2 SD10. I've been VERY happy with the quality of it, including that it's very easy to change the Copedent.

Cheers,
Cappone

Bob Jennings wrote: are there any steel guitar shows in Canada? If so, there maybe pedal steel for sale at one of them.

I've not heard of one out here in/near BC. Heck we haven't even had a 6-string guitar show here for several years!

Despite having 2.5million people in the greater Vancouver area, the music scene here is very different from similarly-sized cities in the US, including that country/roots/bluegrass is a relatively small, fringe scene, despite having some very talented and accomplished musicians (including Paul Pigat, Paul Rigby, and Scott Smith).

Hi Rick - I'm in Vancouver and am always monitoring what's available locally. There have been a few for sale in BC over the last year, including a Mullen D10, a Carter, an MSA, a Linkon, a Sho-Bud in the Okanagan (on consignment at a local shop), a Sierra at L&M Vancouver, and currently even a Gibson MultiHarp on FB Marketplace (which I'd never even heard of until I saw the listing!). So not a ton, but I suspect that if you keep looking something will become available.

And do monitor Al Brisco's inventory - he has GFIs in stock usually, but I believe he's sold a few Emmons and a Short-Bud in the last year - though it appears they were sold before ever being listed on his website - and at least one Fessenden. You may wish to let him know you're in the market in case he gets a line on something.

As for how different an upgraded instrument would be, if you're in/near Vancouver you're welcome to come by and try my Mullen G2 SD10. I've been VERY happy with the quality of it, including that it's very easy to change the Copedent.

Cheers,
Cappone

Hi Rick - I upgraded from the Carter Starter a couple of years ago. I picked up a GFI Expo from Al Brisco, per the suggestions above. It is a game changer for sure. I play almost everyday. The instrument has inspired me and the time in the seat has been the biggest impact on the tone for sure. From my limited exposure to the many amazing instruments out there I'd rank the GFI as a very solid and reliable instrument. It sounds great, stays in tune and feels so solid, especially in comparison to the Starter AND it was affordable as far as these instrument go. I feel like I got some solid value. If I were to upgrade beyond this one (and I'm sure I will) I'd look at some of the guitars that provide the combination of reliability (I don't want to fix or tinker too much) and have that monster tone. Something like the Show Pro.

Happy to meet another Canadian player.

John Lacey wrote:Rick, I’m a pro player (pre Covid) living in Alberta and have owned pro guitars for years but due to injuries carrying heavy double necks and advancing age a couple of years ago I copped a Zumsteel Encore. It’s slightly more optioned than a Stage one and built by the same guy. It should cost you around $2500. Canadian and there will be a wait for it. Contact Doug Earnest and order one. If you lose interest in steel, you should get the bulk of your money back. I highly recommend it.

Going to second the Encore.
I'm no pro, but it was my first and thus far my only. My teacher raves about how good it plays and sounds.

Best of luck to you. Here in northern Illinois it's almost as hard to find steels for sale, but at least we have allot of by-mail options.

Hi Rick, for what it's worth, I also started on a Carter Starter. While it is certainly a student model instrument, it did get me going for the first year (and is still kept at our jam space so I don't have to set up all the time).

I was lucky to find a mid-70s LDG from a guy in eastern Canada. It cost us $300 to ship it to Edmonton, and that was a couple years ago. I was looking for about 6 months when I found LDG for sale. It is a far superior instrument, but it was completely cleaned and rebuilt by the previous owner.

If you aren't already, check Kijiji regularly. There's a Lincoln D10 right now for $3k. I saw an Emmons SD10 at a great price a few weeks ago and it was sold in a day.

Also, check with Long & McQuade to see if they have any used steels in their inventory. One of our Edmonton locations sells Mullen and GFI, and I've seen some come back used at a really good discount (you can also buy new, but they're pricey with the exchange rate).

Last, I'll echo what others have said about contacting Al Brisco. Let him know what you're after and he may be able to find it for you.

Best of luck.