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Post new topic The Best Pedal Steel Guitar - There is No Such Thing
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Author Topic:  The Best Pedal Steel Guitar - There is No Such Thing
Ken Byng


From:
Southampton, England
Post  Posted 2 Oct 2007 4:07 am    
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I've read a few posts where several players have stated that this make or that make is the best there is. There is such a variety to choose from right now. Modern pedal steel guitars are lighter and generally much better constructed than those of yesteryear. I don't believe that there is a definitively 'best' guitar any more than the perfect one. It is so subjective. We should celebrate the fact that we are currently spoilt for choice.
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Darvin Willhoite


From:
Roxton, Tx. USA
Post  Posted 2 Oct 2007 6:42 am    
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I think the "best" steel guitar is always the one I'm going to get next. Very Happy
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Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, a restored MSA Classic SS, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Also a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored Rose S10, named the "Blue Bird". Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also have a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks, and a showroom condition Sho-Bud Super Pro.
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Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 2 Oct 2007 7:13 am    
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I think the "best" guitar is the one you presently own and are trying to sell. Rolling Eyes

Then the one you buy after you sell that one is the "best" guitar. Very Happy
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Garry Simpson

 

From:
Oklahoma
Post  Posted 2 Oct 2007 7:57 am    
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I think mine is the best. It's paid for and doesn't use any gas.
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Tamara James

 

Post  Posted 2 Oct 2007 8:39 am    
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The one that gives you the tone that makes you smile all over. The one that rocks your insides and takes you to a place where only you and the steel exist. Nevermind......
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Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 2 Oct 2007 8:50 am    
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I haven't found that one yet. Very Happy
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Mike Perlowin


From:
Los Angeles CA
Post  Posted 2 Oct 2007 10:17 am    
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While it is true that everybody builds a superior guitar these days, I do believe the some guitars are More Superior than Any of the others.
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Darvin Willhoite


From:
Roxton, Tx. USA
Post  Posted 2 Oct 2007 3:02 pm    
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OHHHHHH, I caught that little play on words Mike.
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Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, a restored MSA Classic SS, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Also a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored Rose S10, named the "Blue Bird". Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also have a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks, and a showroom condition Sho-Bud Super Pro.
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Archie Nicol R.I.P.


From:
Ayrshire, Scotland
Post  Posted 2 Oct 2007 3:32 pm    
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Mike has got a way with words....for too long! Smile

Arch.
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Mike Perlowin


From:
Los Angeles CA
Post  Posted 2 Oct 2007 5:15 pm    
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Moi? Surely All of you jest.
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Last edited by Mike Perlowin on 2 Oct 2007 7:20 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Tim Harr


From:
Dunlap, Illinois
Post  Posted 2 Oct 2007 5:23 pm    
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Mike ~ nice

how clever art thou
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basilh


From:
United Kingdom
Post  Posted 2 Oct 2007 6:06 pm    
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Mike Stated Assuredly his Generally Favorite Instrument is also found trying to start the good ship Venus (the later is a heavily veiled reference)
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Marc Jenkins


From:
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Post  Posted 2 Oct 2007 6:39 pm    
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Boo.
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Mike Perlowin


From:
Los Angeles CA
Post  Posted 3 Oct 2007 12:10 am    
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Ok, let's forget the word games and talk about the question. Some things, like tone and pedal feel are personal and subjective. Especially tone.

But other things are objective, including weight, number of raises, number of lowers, tunable splits, smoothness of pedal operation, positive stops on pedals and knee levers, interchangeable pickups, the availability of special things like my wrist lever. The list goes on.

So you need 3 lowers? Some brands have changers that only offer 2. Want a wrist lever? As far as I know, only MSA and GFI offer them. Interchangeable pickups? only available on MSA and Sierra. etc. etc.

Every steel guitar on the market today is a winner, but they are not all the same, and they don't all have the same features. Somebody buying a new steel really needs to figure out what they want or need and then inquire which makers can and can't accommodate them.
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CrowBear Schmitt


From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
Post  Posted 3 Oct 2007 1:07 am    
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the realm of steel builders has never been so good
i'll agree that we're spoiled

there were some very nice wood cabinets way back then, but present day techniques & materials have rendered psgs loaded & precise
& lighter
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Chris Allen Burke

 

From:
Signal Hill, CA
Post  Posted 3 Oct 2007 9:44 pm     Best Steel?
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I have 5 steel guitars at this time.
1 in storage for 10 years to pull out and sell when nobody can find one like it. - Emmons D-10
1 a std beast-of-burden for the road. - Carter
1 D-8 non pedal. - Fender
1 full on D-10 Carter with every pull I can think of.
And the all time sweetest guitar that I've owned for 19 years, have played on a hundred sessions, a thousand gigs, redesigned, rebuilt, shaped, and plays so smooth and has the tone that makes me can't wait to get back to,
My Sho-Bud! Smile Very Happy
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Micky Byrne


From:
United Kingdom (deceased)
Post  Posted 4 Oct 2007 2:13 am     Re: The Best Pedal Steel Guitar - There is No Such Thing
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Yes Ken, it is so subjective these days, but for me right now, considering age etc etc, what I'm using these days suits me fine. Lightweight, good tone and brilliant mechanics. I also as you know have the "heavier" one Smile .....By the way thanks for the gig on Oct 12th.....Dam, it's going to take me all of 8 minutes to get there Smile I timed it last time you got me to dep there for you Smile

Cheers mate.


Micky Byrne United Kingdom www.mickybyrne.com
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Ken Byng


From:
Southampton, England
Post  Posted 4 Oct 2007 3:42 am     Re: Best Steel?
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Chris Allen Burke wrote:
I have 5 steel guitars at this time.
1 in storage for 10 years to pull out and sell when nobody can find one like it. - Emmons D-10
1 a std beast-of-burden for the road. - Carter
1 D-8 non pedal. - Fender
1 full on D-10 Carter with every pull I can think of.
And the all time sweetest guitar that I've owned for 19 years, have played on a hundred sessions, a thousand gigs, redesigned, rebuilt, shaped, and plays so smooth and has the tone that makes me can't wait to get back to,
My Sho-Bud! Smile Very Happy


Chris - The SB may be your favourite but at least you haven't said it's the best.

I think it's clear that we all choose different guitars for different reasons. If there was one singular 'best' guitar that was head and shoulders above everything else then it would account for the majority of sales. I think that price comes high into the equation for new sales. Are the highest priced guitars always the best ones?
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Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 4 Oct 2007 6:16 am    
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I think in a lot of the times, the price is a result of supply and demand. If there is a scarcity of a certain brand, the price seems to run higher. If a certain brand of guitar is readily available, they do not demand a premium price. That is the reason the Emmons p/p's appreciate in value ie: they aren't made anymore and also have "that" tone.
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