The smoothest steels...

[Logan Day]

I have chronic plantar fascitis in my left foot, so it's imperative that any steel I buy has pedals with low resistance. Right now main main steel is a Mullen RP, which is by far the easiest to play steel I've tried out.

What are the smoothest playing steel brands in your opinion?

[Jerry Overstreet]

I've played more than a dozen makes of high quality professional pedal steels over 40+ yrs. Mullen guitars are the easiest pedaling I've played so....I don't think you need to look any further. I also like the way the pedals contour. Just feels natural.

I have also heard Franklin players make similar statements about their brand.

[Douglas Schuch]

I've never played a Mullen, so can't comment on that, but the steel with the shortest yet lightest pedal action I've played is a Kline. IIRC, I read a post on here where someone tested different steels mechanically and found the Kline had the lightest action.

Any all-pull standard type steel can be set up for a very light action, but the flip side means a longer throw to achieve the same pull. Beyond that, though, I would guess things like ball type bearings on shafts and other parts might slightly reduce friction and I think a few companies do that.

My suggestion, though, would be to see if you can try out a Kline and see what you think.

[Richard Sinkler]

I've never played a Mullen, so can't comment on that, but the steel with the shortest yet lightest pedal action I've played is a Kline. IIRC, I read a post on here where someone tested different steels mechanically and found the Kline had the lightest action.

Any all-pull standard type steel can be set up for a very light action, but the flip side means a longer throw to achieve the same pull. Beyond that, though, I would guess things like ball type bearings on shafts and other parts might slightly reduce friction and I think a few companies do that.

My suggestion, though, would be to see if you can try out a Kline and see what you think.

I played a Kline for many years. I agree about the light and easy pedal action. Best guitar out of the 9 I have owned. Wish I still had it.

[Brett Day]

I've never played a Mullen-I've owned/played an Emmons GS-10, a GFI Ultra D-10, and my current steel, a Jackson Blackjack Custom SD-10 and of the three of those steels that plays the smoothest, the Jackson Blackjack Custom is the best one because the pedal action is smooth and the playability is very smooth, the tone is awesome, and the sound is incredible! The GFI' was a good guitar, but not the best I ever played just because to me, the pedals clattered a little bit, but the guitar itself was beautiful-I loved playing the GFI, but over time, I felt like I couldn't really connect with it, but the Jackson Blackjack Custom plays very smoothly, and another thing I noticed that made it smooth and easy to play-the polymer bar, the bar I use since I've got cerebral palsy in my left hand-so for me, the Jackson Blackjack Custom is the smoothest steel I've played

[Jerry Overstreet]

Never played Kline, but they have a stellar reputation. I was assuming Logan was referencing those that are currently in build. Kline guitars are a little hard to come by these days.

There are also newer makers that I've not had a chance to play such as Show Pro, Rains, Rittenberry, Justice, Jackson etc.

Since Mullen so far is your reference, someone that has played some of these and also a Mullen can give you a comparison.

Yes, of course how the guitar is set up and how many pulls there are on a specific pedal or lever makes a difference, but every guitar has a basic feel for playability.

I have to say, this old Fender Artist of mine which is basically Super Pro mechanics, is very easy playing also, but like many others, these and SP's are no longer built.

[Mike Preuss]

Hi Logan!
I had a Mullen G2 that was the easiest pedaling steel I ever played. There may also be a way to tweak the pull train to trade force for distance. Bring your steel over sometime we can look under the hood

[Jon Voth]

Another vote for Mullen. I started on a GFI and tried a few others and Mullen was the smoothest so I ordered one from them.

[Bobby D. Jones]

I have not played to many brands of guitars. But any guitar that has return springs on the cross shafts, Seems to make the pedals smoother and easier playing.
I played MSA's for years. When I went to a GFI 12 Uni, It seems you get resistance all at once. When a guitar has cross rod springs, With the pedal is moving when it actually starts moving the change, And do not feel the added resistance.
I bought a used Mullen steel a few months ago. When I sat down at the Mullen that old MSA pedal feeling came back instantly.
When I get the Mullen cleaned and set up, And it joins the herd. I am considering putting cross rod springs on my GFI keyless to see if that does make it smoother feeling pedal action.

[Larry Dering]

I have a PRP Mullen from 1994, GFI Ultra from 2022, Justice Judge from 2023 and they all play smooth. The Mullen is definitely the easiest pedal action of the 3.

[Logan Day]

Hi Logan!
I had a Mullen G2 that was the easiest pedaling steel I ever played. There may also be a way to tweak the pull train to trade force for distance. Bring your steel over sometime we can look under the hood

Hi mike! I would love to swing by. My RP plays super smoothly, but I'm in the process of setting up a Williams D10 and Justice Pro-Lite which I just purchased and would love some help