The Steel Guitar Forum

My last three guitars have been Carters. I liked the promotional package they have as well as the service before and after the purchases. I bought guitars for years simply because I saw ole "so & so" playing one on TV or at a show somewhere. One particular brand I had seen for years and years always made me want one of the " " guitars. Then when I finally got to where I could buy one it wasn't what I thought it was going to be. I look for comfort, good service and a guitar that will stay in tune and do what I need it to. Like to hear some positive feedback from some more players with similiar stories. Thanks!

I bought my Zum from the reputation they have earned and recommendations from other players I respect. And so far, the Zum has not dissapointed me. It is a very comfortable guitar to play and stays in tune well. And I don't baby this guitar either. It has been lots of miles in the trunk of my car, and lugged around on many an outside gig. Not to mention all the bars and saloons this thing has seen. The Zum is built like a tank. That is a must for me.

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Zum U-12 w/True Tone pickup thru a Nashville 112

Strats thru a VHT Pitbull

Band Pics
http://community.webshots.com/album/176544894AuXSmi

Hey Mark, how are you? The Zums I've seen and played are wonderful guitars.

Carter. ..lightweight, well respected,a little less expensive than most.. Great website that answered questions before you need to ask.
Actually, I don't think there is a "bad" brand made these days... they are ALL great!.. every steel I play I fall in LOVE with.. wish I could afford them all! bob

Bob, if I could afford it, I'd have one of each brand myself.

PP, midrange, presence.

Larry Behm

MSA Millennium- *Light weight *Fast pickup change * Ease of adjusting pedals *Superb engineering *Stays in tune *Great customer service * Nice tone * Great travel case * Good cosmetics * Pedals and levers have a nice feel * Great sustain ***Great Guitar!!

At the time I bought mine, it was the best guitar on the market and fitted my needs.

(23 years later it's still one of the most sought after brands).

First Carter D10/8+5 from a forumite (Jim Ashton) who purchased it new..Excellent value and price..Excellent Steel...

Current Carter D10 9+8 from my buddy Joe Smith here in Charlotte who bought it new..and lost his mind the day he let me have it as part of a trade with a few bucks...

see how it works..
t

I bought my Pedalmaster from Roy Thomas primarily because he was so positive about building a left-handed one. I checked with at least a dozen other companies, including all of the big outfits, and for the most part some would build one but relunctantly. I'm told my Pedalmaster sounds good and looks good, so that works for me.

I bought my Carter because of great price, service, engineering, dependability and tone all in one package. I have not been disapointed. J

I bought mine for the price and playability. I was at Scotty's about 16 years ago and in the consignment room I saw a BMI U-12 with 7 floor pedals, 6 knee levers, and a change lock. It was priced at $1,200 which I thought was a pretty good deal. I wasn't in the market for a steel at the time as I was happy with my old ShoBud but a day later I was back with my wife and I plugged the thing in and played it for about 15-20 minutes and fell in love. Everything was tight and all the changes worked like butter and it looked good to boot. My wife asked if I liked it to which I replied "yes". She said we could go ahead and put it on the Visa which I did and I'm glad. It's been a great guitar and I think helped my playing a lot.....JH in Va.

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Livin' in the Past and Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

Billy, you saw my guitar in Gulfport. It's a real beauty. The reason I bought it was Charlie Stepp, well built guitar ergonomically, stays in tune, plays like butter and it was fully loaded at a fair price. The tone is great! If there was a real player behind this guitar, it could really make some wonderful music. I'll keep pickin' at it. It's not for sale.

I bought my Zum, because,
1- I liked the way they sounded
2- I liked the way they played so smooth
3- Their reliability record
4- Bruce's customer relations attitude (none
better)
5- The final and most important--
" I wanted one "

'Cause it was there and it was an Emmons Lashley Legrande and I wanted it and I wanted it NOW!.

I play my Rains SD-10 first because of its awsome tone,along with craftsmanship,looks,
dependability,and service make it the best guitar i've ever owned.
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Fred Justice
Fred's Music

Fred,
Just a note to let you know that I send Bob a deposit on a new Rains just the other day. I play all gospel music and I thought it would be extra special to play a "gospel" guitar.
Erv

I love my GFI ultra D10 keyless, it is dependable, lightweight and more guitar than I'll ever need. Oh yeah, it sounds great through my NV112. JP

I play a D-10 all wood Mullen steel. I hardly ever have to adjust anything on it. I am very happy with it. It stays in tune great.Trouble free and it sounds great,and the Mullen team that builds these guitars are Wourld class people. Buck Grantham

Because it was the first thing I came across that I could afford. Seriously.

Boy did I get lucky!
Still have my Dekley today.

I knew I wanted a new steel but being so far away from anywhere the internet was the best source of information.

Carter's website sold me on the guitar. The Carter has lived up to my expectations. Extremely dependable. I do, however, want another steel someday and I will probably get another model just for the sake of having a totally different sound.

My hero has always been "The Big E" (but he can play any guitar and sound just great). I've been an Emmons guitar man for the last 23 years or so......first push/pull guitar I had I fell in love with the playability and the incredible tone.......When I got this LeGrand, after having various brands, I heard and felt what I had with my first Emmons......I guess that's why I'm still playing one. I wish I still had my first one, what a guitar..........I got it from Tommy Cass in MA. HAL

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Be Blessed........HAL
'85 Emmons LeGrande D-10,(8 & 5) Hilton Vol. Pedal, BJS Birthstone bar, Rack w/Evans Pre-amp, Lexicon MPX500; (2)1501-4 BW's in custom built cabs by T.A. Gibson, & Sound Tech PL802 Digital Power Amp.

Great thread... I'm one of those who has to play and live with a guitar for a while to see how it "fits". So over the years I've kept my eye open for guitars I wanted to try and could also afford. (I've never bought one new yet). Apart from a Sierra I really couldn't warm up to, I've had Emmons PP and LeGrande, Carters, woodbody Mullen, Fessenden, and they've all been great guitars, each with attributes and detriments. Right now I have two really nice mica Mullen guitars, very fine in every way.

Actually, I guess it would be Ok to finally say "Mullen".....

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Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com

I have two Carter D10s 8+8..I bought the first used and liked so much I sold my last Emmons p/p to buy a new one..Lightweight,good fit,excellent mechanics and tone..JS

After playing a push-pull for years, I tried a buddy's Carter, and ordered one shortly thereafter. While I expected it to be a compromise, it was not. I love the tone, weight, action, appearance, changeability. And it fits like a glove.