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Topic: On engineering alone. |
Alan Miller
From:
, England, UK.
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Posted 27 Feb 2009 11:55 pm |
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I realize this might throw up several answers but on PURE engineering alone , for smoothness of action , undercarriage noises etc what brand of pedal steel delivers this ?
I have only owned a Shobud pro 1 and a legrande 11 and do not have a wide knowledge of all that is going on with new design. |
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Larry Bressington
From:
Nebraska
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Posted 28 Feb 2009 1:58 am
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Sounds like you got what you need.
Last edited by Larry Bressington on 28 Feb 2009 10:01 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Ulf Edlund
From:
Umeå, Sweden
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Posted 28 Feb 2009 2:15 am
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I think most any new steel will deliver that. I have owned two Carters and the were a joy to play. My old laquer MSA classic SS also did. (Bud Carter again)
_________________
1983 Emmons D10 SKH, Carter SD10, Nashville 112, Session 500, ProfexII, Lapsteels, GT-Beard reso, guitars of all kinds...
http://www.myspace.com/ulfedlund |
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Ken Byng
From:
Southampton, England
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Posted 28 Feb 2009 9:04 am
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Alan
You will get pure opinions and not truly definitive answers. The best modern guitars engineering-wise that I have looked at are (in my opinion and in no particular order)
Show Pro
Jackson
Rittenberry
MSA (new range)
Mullen
Star
Many people rave over the way the Australian Anapeg guitar is engineered. I have never seen one in the flesh. Ronnie Bennett in the UK doesn't make a bad job of making steel guitars too.
_________________
Show Pro D10 - amber (8+6), MSA D10 Legend XL Signature - redburst (9+6), Sho-Bud Pro 111 Custom (8+6), Emmons black Push-Pull D10 (8+5), Zum D10 (8x8), Hudson pedal resonator. Telonics TCA-500, Webb 614-E, |
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Ulf Edlund
From:
Umeå, Sweden
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Posted 28 Feb 2009 9:21 am
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I have actually had the honor of being under the hood of Tom Brumleys Anapeg, and i played a few notes on it too. The finish and engeneering are unbelieveable on those guitars. The only thing i don't like about them is that they're keyless. I want "real" tuning pegs.
_________________
1983 Emmons D10 SKH, Carter SD10, Nashville 112, Session 500, ProfexII, Lapsteels, GT-Beard reso, guitars of all kinds...
http://www.myspace.com/ulfedlund |
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Barry Blackwood
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Posted 28 Feb 2009 9:57 am
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| Can't believe nobody's mentioned Excel here - I thought engineering was their forté ... |
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Tony Glassman
From:
The Great Northwest
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Posted 28 Feb 2009 11:48 am
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| Ken Byng wrote: |
Show Pro
Jackson
Rittenberry
MSA (new range)
Mullen
Star |
I'd add to that list:
Zum
Rains
Fulakawa
Derby |
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Kevin Hatton
From:
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted 28 Feb 2009 2:16 pm
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| Most all the steel guitars today are well engineered. Hardly a factor. |
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Alan Miller
From:
, England, UK.
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Posted 28 Feb 2009 2:37 pm
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Larry, yes I have the D10 legrande 11 which is great ,I dont intend to buy another guitar but I was just interested in what was thought to be the best mechanically designed pedal steel these days.
Personally I have not seen or played anything other than the two guitars I have owned so I guess I was looking for forum members who had a wide experience of different makes.
Most of the guitars mentioned by Ken and Tony were ones I thought myself would be up there , but I have not heard of STAR.
I think my conclusion will have to be from the knowledgeable replies here is that there are many top quality instruments made these days every bit as good ( some maybe better ??? )as the two historically top brands.
Edit , I have played a Fessy which had a very smooth action. |
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Larry Bressington
From:
Nebraska
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Posted 28 Feb 2009 3:50 pm
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Sorry Al, i missed the question correctly, i thought you were questioning your own steels.
I have to beleive what keven hatten sayes, That all seem very smooth and well manufactured and engineered to the best of what i have seen.
I personally have not seen any un- credible machine's out there. I think this is due to the small community that we are, un-like electric guitar, we shall never see that type of production.
It's still done on a small, personal, basis where care is 'still cared for' if that makes any sense.
Whether it be Mullen or Bennett, they all seem to be top notch in construction and tone department.  |
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Alan Miller
From:
, England, UK.
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Posted 1 Mar 2009 5:43 am
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Larry, Apology not required I didnt read anything into your first reply other than praise for the guitars i had , I possibly didnt phrase my original question as well as i could have.
I now realize that engineering design really isnt an issue and if i had thought about it longer before posting I could have saved a meaningless post which was done on the spur of the moment.
In my haste to write the thread I also forgot that I owned a Bennett many years ago which was also a superb instrument, age does strange things to the memory. |
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Larry Bell
From:
Englewood, Florida
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Posted 1 Mar 2009 6:08 am
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Naturally, everyone has a favorite brand or brands. It's usually what they are currently playing or, more likely, the one they just bought and paid for. It's just human nature.
The reality of the situation is that NO pedal steel being made today has an action problem or pedal stiffness that is actually due to the mechanism. I've played all the major brands and even some of those that are purported to have problems really don't, IF THEY'RE PROPERLY ADJUSTED. Folks like to dis the Emmons push-pull; I play mine barefoot. Of my Emmons, Sho-Bud, and Fessenden, I personally like the action of the Fessy the best. FWIW.
_________________
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
2021 Rittenberry S/D-12 8x7, 1976 Emmons S/D-12 7x6, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Quilter ToneBlock 202 TT-12 |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 1 Mar 2009 6:13 am
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| I'm in agreemant with Kevin, most seem to be pretty good. I will add that I dislike bellcranks that have slots instead of holes for the pull-rod ends. |
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Brad Malone
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 2 Mar 2009 11:48 am Don't forget the Williams 600 series
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| Hey guys, If possible spend a couple of weeks with each one before making a snap decision...and don't forget to check out the Williams 600 series...that newly designed changer is miles ahead of the others, IMHO..bends the strings less..have not broken any strings in 18 months of owning it. |
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Larry Bell
From:
Englewood, Florida
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Posted 2 Mar 2009 12:36 pm
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It is great that designers are actually minimizing string breakage via engineering, BUT, it is important to point out that any strings that have been on a pedal steel, be it in the case, set up, played, or unplayed, for 18 months have LONG BEEN DEAD.
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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
2021 Rittenberry S/D-12 8x7, 1976 Emmons S/D-12 7x6, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Quilter ToneBlock 202 TT-12 |
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Brad Malone
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 2 Mar 2009 4:10 pm DEAD tester needed
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BUT, it is important to point out that any strings that have been on a pedal steel, be it in the case, set up, played, or unplayed, for 18 months have LONG BEEN DEAD.
Larry, I use GHS strings and they do not sound dead to me..too bad you don't live across the street..you could give them your DEAD, LIVE test. |
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Larry Bell
From:
Englewood, Florida
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Posted 2 Mar 2009 4:12 pm
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I don't have to, Brad
The intonation above the 12th fret will be off after the strings have had tension on them for 18 months. Especially the 5th and 6th strings. Compare with a tuner between the open pitch and the 12th fret. Place the bar so that the E's are in tune and check the tuning on the 5th and 6th strings at the 12th fret.
There's a good reason why session players change their strings so often. A recording will come back to haunt you.
_________________
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
2021 Rittenberry S/D-12 8x7, 1976 Emmons S/D-12 7x6, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Quilter ToneBlock 202 TT-12 |
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Brad Malone
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 2 Mar 2009 4:26 pm Too loud..sound going out of State
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| Gee Larry, I know my Nashville 1000 is a good amp but I was unaware that you could hear me all the way down in Fla...I only have my Master Gain set on 4...I'll have to lower it or I'll be in big trouble. |
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Larry Bell
From:
Englewood, Florida
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Brad Malone
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 3 Mar 2009 3:44 pm loud and dead.
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I've been told I have very good ears<<
I don't doubt that you have good ears, its just that I'm surprised that my dead strings could be heard all the way from Pa. to Fla...that means you have super good ears or I have the loudest dead strings in the world. |
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