Another Newbie Observation

Brick Spieth · From: San Jose, California, USA

As a newbie looking to upgrade someday, I am struck by how many take the perspective when advising someone new to get a pro quality guitar, that PSG is not a cheap way to go, and how expensive a nice pro guitar is. Well, yes, a new pro PSG is $2000 up, but I play in a band with guitar players who play a Paul Reed Smith and a new Collings solid body. The Collings is one of the cheaper ones at $2800, and the PRS was $2500 used. Nicer Les Pauls are $4000+ and I don't even want to speculate on what L5s are going for.

The nicer teles are maybe $2300 out the door, so in perspective, even a laquer PSG is not out of line considering the amount of wood, machined parts, and finish work that goes into them.

Have you checked the price of a new Martin D 28 lately? Custom mandolins?

I personally have bought a cello that cost $12,000, the bare minimum you have to spend for anything approaching pro, and a $5000 viola likewise. What one is willing to do for one's children is amazing.

So really, a brand new Carter S10 for $2200 is a deal. Truly. With a Carter Starter that can be had for $500 used or a new Stage One for $950 on the market, there are options for those like myself just trying one on for size.

So to all those significant others out there I say, be glad to be living with someone into PSG. It is really an inexpensive endeavor. Heck, even three or four of them wouldn't come close to a Harley, four season tix to a major league baseball team, and don't even mention the cost of the latest high tech golf clubs.

Heck, in ten years or so, I might be able to play in some dive bar for $50 a night!

Bobby Boggs · From: Upstate SC.

An excellant observation. Smile

In this day and time when a tank of gas for a mid-sized car can cost $70 and up. $600 for a starter steel is a great buy. bb

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

I agree. In inflation-adjusted dollars, a typical pedal steel rig is much more affordable than 30-40 years ago. I couldn't afford it then. In about '68 or '69, I paid $75 for my used Fender Mustang and $75 for a used blackface Bandmaster head, made my own 2x12" cab in wood shop, popped a couple of (I think) $15 Jensen speakers into it, good to go. That's equivalent to about a grand today - which is about what it costs to get into a decent but not expensive guitar rig now.

Contrast what's happened with pedal steel. The inflation-adjusted value of even a beginner steel (I think around $450 for any Maverick I saw) and, let's say, a Twin Reverb amp (let's say another $450) in 1972 when I was looking - or a total of about $900 - would be about $4500 now. You can have your pick of outstanding pro rigs for less than that now. If you're talking S-10's, a pair of them.

Roual Ranes · From: Atlanta, Texas, USA

Right On!!!!!!!!!!!

Seems it takes a "newbies" perspective to tell it right! They are just expensive for beginners.....no $300.00 Christmas Packaged deals (steel, amp, book, picks and CD) for little Tommy/

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

It's all in where your priorities are. I know people who drive Hummers and Excursions, and then gripe about the price of gas. I know people who have spent over 50 grand on recording equipment and straight guitars and amps, and then gripe because a good steel costs 4-6 grand. People spend 2 grand on a plasma TV, and then gripe about cable TV prices. One relative of mine spent over half a million on a house, and then sheepishly admitted he didn't have money enough to exchange Christmas presents. Oh Well

If you want to play, you'll find a way.

'Nuff said. Cool

David Doggett · Posted 26 Aug 2008 1:56 pm

I agree, as high quality professional instruments go, both new and used pedal steels are underpriced bargains well below the inflation adjusted costs of a few decades ago. Like Roual says, what's missing is the $200 starter package. And I might add, another thing missing is the $1,000 working musician rig. Unless somebody sets up a shop in China, those will always be missing, because of the inherent mechanical complexity and very low volume of sales.

Tim Konecky · From: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

David Doggett · Posted 26 Aug 2008 10:25 pm

Well, I agree, Tim. In fact a $5 finger slide, or a nut riser and a bar can get you started for "that sound."

As for the working musician rig, I'm thinking a pro guitarist can go out and play pro music with a $500 guitar and $500 amp. Even the cheapest pro pedal steel rig is going to be twice that. And if by pro rig you mean a modern D10 or S12U with an amp adequate for any venue, that will be 3 or 4 times as much. That's still not bad for a professional rig, but it's in a different ball park, and probably always will be.

Anthony Minstein · From: Kentucky, USA

The advantage of spending a bit more for a pro line instrument is the ability to sell it if you decide it's not for you. Most starter instruments are hard to unload and recoup your investment...but a good instrument kept in good condition should be able to get your investment back.

Although, right now...it's looking like dollars are tight and hard to get good prices for instruments.

Another thing I've found, is as you get better, you really start to feel the limitations of a beginner's instrument...whether it's tone, pedals, feel or a number of other subjective criteria, there's a reason why a cello costs $12,000 (though I'm darned if I can understand why a Tele costs over $2,500 when a good Grosh copy can be had for under $1,800).

Anthony

Steve Norman · From: Seattle Washington, USA

I think its alright as well,,since most are made one at a time by crafstmen vs milled in a Chinese sweatshop. A lot of times you can call the guy who built it and get new parts or setting advice. Plus you can save so much on amps if go with the Nashville and steel king option that it balances out in the end.

When I started it was on a carter starter kit through guitar amps I already owned. So for me it was $700 to get up and running.

Also it seems easier to get paying jobs in Seattle with a steel versus a guitar,,so you pay the thing off in a year or two.
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