bmi pedal steels

Daniel McKee · From: Corinth Mississippi

do the bmi steels sound good do they stay tuned are they good steel guitars. i would like to know more about bmi steels.

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

I like them a lot - I think they're underrated, pro-level pedal steels. Older models can be had for a reasonable price, in fact I think they are "a" best bargain in a used pedal steel. But I probably oughta' shut up lest the prices on these start to creep up.

Like any brand or model, some people are not nuts about them. You may like it or not, depending on what trips your trigger. But that could be said about anything, including the most highly touted steels ever built.

btw, I've owned two in the last several years, and still have one. The tone is good, the mechanics simple and solid, and they're very easy to make changes and work on.

My opinions, of course.

David Higginbotham · From: Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA

Exactly what Dave said! I have had at least 6 BMI's over the years and they are great guitars. I'm currently playing a S-12 BMI but have had BMI D-10's and S-10's as well. Never disappointed in the tone or the action and they stay in tune as well as any other guitar.

Luke Morell · From: Ramsey Illinois, USA Hometown of Tex Williams

I had a BMI d10,played great, good sound, but it was heavy.

Jerry Roller · From: Van Buren, Arkansas USA

Edited.

Benton Allen · From: Muscle Shoals, Alabama, USA

I've owned many steels over the past 35 years including BMI guitars. I currently have a D12 here in my stable. Take it from one who knows first hand. Theses are excellent guitars. Well designed and well constructed. They also sound pretty good. If they have a down side it would be their weight, but they also build a single 12 keyless model that only weighs 29 LBS. My D12 is heavy, but if weight was one of my major concerns I would have taken up the harmonica.
These guitars can be had for a very reasonable price, and you won't be disapointed.
Don Fritch, Dan Burnham and the boys at BMI are also great to deal with.

Good luck!
Benton

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

They are excellent sounding guitars and are very stable. As people said above, they are a real bargain for the quality that you get.

Mike Schwartzman · From: Maryland, USA

I purchased a BMI S10 as my first pedal steel about a year and a half ago. It is a late 70's /early 80's model. I made my decision based on some of the advice here on the forum. As said here...it's very solid, and stays in tune. I've received compliments on it's tone from other (more experienced) players also.
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Emmons Push Pull, BMI, Session 400, Home of the Slimcaster Tele.

Daniel McKee · From: Corinth Mississippi

so if i had to choose between a shobud and bmi which is a better steel which should i choose also which would sound best.

Dan Burnham · From: Greenfield, Tennessee

Guys,
Thanks for the kind words.

Daniel, what the fellows have said is true. As a BMI player myself, I can tell you they are a solid built steel guitar. Easy, to make changes to, and very low maintenance. I play a keyless 12, 28 lbs. Cowboy Eddie Long's new steel is 32 lbs. Currently our two stars are Cowboy Eddie Long, and Zane King. We hope to be adding 2 more pro players to our line up in the coming weeks.

We are a small company that has been around under the BMI Umbrella for 39 years headed up by Zane Beck. Don Fritche started to work for Zane in the early 70's and carried the company on after Zane's death.

We have a consistent track record in our building and customer service. We try to keep our pricing affordable because we know every penny counts. Who has played BMI in the past prior to Zane's Death?

Robbie Turner, Tommy White, Randy Beavers, Speedy West, Julian Tharpe, just to name a few.

Our steels are growing in popularity because of our consistency, in sound, craftsmanship, and service.

Hope this gives you a little history, goto our website to find out more information, www.beckmusicalinstruments.com .

If I can help or answer any questions, give me a call:
1.731.819.6251,

Dan (BMI)
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BMI S12 Zane Beck's Tuning
www.danburnham.com

Dan Burnham · From: Greenfield, Tennessee

Daniel,

I'll step away from BMI for a moment and try to help answer the question for you from a player's perspective.

It depends upon what you are looking for. Here are the questions that need to be answered:

1. How much will each of these guitars cost?
2. What shape are the guitars in? Are you buying a new BMI or used? Are you buying a Shobud, that has been re-done or has it had any maintenance?
3. How many floors and or knees do these guitars have?
4. If they don't have enough how much will it cost me to add them or have it done.

You will get all kind of answers from all the guys on the forum. If it were me, and I had the option and I could sat down behind both guitars, I'd play them. If they both are in good condition, go with the one that fits your wants, needs, or desires.

When you look at any steel guitar, look at the maintenance required, access to parts, and service available.

If that option wasn't available, I would go with the one that offers the best service after the sales. Now, you can readly get parts for a shobud just like you can a BMI. Ricky, John Coop, and Bobby Seymour are a few that can take care of those needs. If you go with BMI, I can take care of your needs.

IF ALL POSSIBLE, TRY BOTH GUITARS BEFORE YOU BUY. I can't say that enough. I'd rather you pick a guitar that best suits you than to sell you a BMI and you not be happy.

I hope this helps,

Dan
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BMI S12 Zane Beck's Tuning
www.danburnham.com

Abe Levy · From: California, USA

I started playing about a year ago. My first PSG was a Sho-bud D10 that turned out to be a total nightmare. It was a converted crossover, which it seems to be, are always nightmares. (if the shobud you're considering is a crossover, run!) After trying to tune it for three days, I traded it in for a BMI D10 that I love, love, love.

Recently a friend loaned me his Sho-bud Pro-1 just so I could contrast the two, and I have to say, it's been in the case most of the time. My BMI is just so easy to deal with. There really was no contest.

I'd still love to have a sho-bud that works properly, but until I can afford to have two, I'm sticking with my BMI - stays in tune, plays great, looks great. I'll never sell it - even when I'm able to have more than one. Highly recommended!

Jerry Hayes · From: Virginia Beach, Va.

Daniel, I went from a ShoBud S-12 to a BMI S-12 about 15 or 16 years ago and to tell you the truth, the Sho Bud was a "prettier" guitar but the BMI is more solid and IMHO a better built instrument. I'm in the position in life where I can afford to buy any instrument out there if needed but I don't feel a need to replace my BMI as it's got everything going for it. It looks good, plays good, and very important, the customer service is excellent with any part available no matter how old the instrument is.........JH in Va.
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Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!!

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