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Topic: Morrell Pro 6 - your thoughts? |
Bob Russell
From:
Virginia, USA
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Posted 12 Jun 2011 6:51 am |
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I'm new to the forum and fairly new to the world of non-pedal steel. I was recently given a Morrell Pro 6 lap steel as a gift, and it's gotten me hooked on steelin'... but I've seen some negative comments about the Morrell line in this forum, and that's got me wondering because I know there are some great players hanging out in here.
I already changed out the pickup in this guitar and put in a ground wire, which it badly needed. Is this thing worth making more modifications on or are there fundamental issues with the design/build that will hinder me in my attempts to someday channel Joaquin Murphey? 
Additional background info: I've got lots of musical experience, just not on the steel.
I eagerly await your comments; thanks in advance. |
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Frank Welsh
From:
Upstate New York, USA
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Posted 12 Jun 2011 7:18 am
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I have a Morrell Pro 8...nicely made for the money except for one stupid flaw - the lipstick style pickup is too short to effectively pick up all eight strings. I had to shift it towards the first string to adequately pick up that string but now it doesn't adequately pick the eighth string up. Dumb design and no excuse for it today or in any other era of steel guitar making.
Sound and sustain and intonation are otherwise fine. The too-short pickup, however, is a deal breaker for me unless you plan to replace that pickup, and I think that replacement eight string pickups for steel guitar these days are not common. |
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Dennis Gurwell
From:
California, USA
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Posted 12 Jun 2011 7:25 am
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I also have a Morell pro 8. As Bob said, the pickup just doesn't pick up the two outside strings adequately. I also think the strings are too close together. Having said that, anyone want to buy it? It will be on eBay soon at a greatly reduced price.  |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Posted 12 Jun 2011 7:30 am Re: Morrell Pro 6 - your thoughts?
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| Bob Russell wrote: |
| ... I already changed out the pickup in this guitar and put in a ground wire, which it badly needed. Is this thing worth making more modifications on or are there fundamental issues with the design/build that will hinder me in my attempts to someday channel Joaquin Murphey? ... |
If it plays well and you like it, there is no reason not to fix it up as you like. One thing I'd recommend checking on is to see if the fret markers are correct. Some of those that are silk screened can be a little off. Measure from the face of the nut to the center of the 12th fret. It should be the same distance from the 12th fret to the face of the bridge.
_________________
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Bob Russell
From:
Virginia, USA
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Posted 12 Jun 2011 7:46 am
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That's a great point about the fret markers - I'll check that right away. I have been noticing that when I play with a piano player, it seems that I have to "shade" the bar position a little for what ought to be easy straight-bar stuff. I chalked it up to parallax error, but now I'm not so sure... 
About the pickup - as I said before, mine is a 6, not an 8, so length wasn't an issue. It just sounded weak to me, even when adjusted to max height. The bobbin even looked like it was separating on the bass end. You guys are, of course, right - if it ain't long enough to reach all the strings, yeah, that's a dumb design!  |
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Paul DiMaggio
From:
Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 12 Jun 2011 8:31 am
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The nut on mine was out the better part of 1/2 inch. The scale was supposed to be 23" and it was more than that. There was a mark on the fretboard right where I put a stainless nut and presto, the intonation was right on. I have had no issue with the Kent Armstrong pickup. The tuners are cheap and need to be replaced, they were Ok at first but they feel a little worn already [2 yrs old]
Mine is made of a chunk of maple, but the paint job is terrible. Not really all that bad a unit,just short of quality control at the factory.
I also made the strings 3/8" apart from nut to bridge. |
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Bob Russell
From:
Virginia, USA
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Posted 12 Jun 2011 8:39 am
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I checked the 12th fret position. As closely as I can measure, if it's off, it's off by no more than .5mm. Maybe I need reading glasses!
The tuners on this guitar are a joke, but I have to admit that it holds tune very well. Still, they'll probably wear out with a quickness. Has anyone replaced tuners on a Morrell Pro? If so, what'd you find that worked? |
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Steve Lipsey
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 12 Jun 2011 9:50 am
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Well....FYI, Bob Allen at Melbert Steels (www.musonmt.com ) started the company because he was so unhappy with the Morrells (I think he was a dealer)...he started by modifying Morrells with better components....now he just makes his own.
They are pretty reasonably priced, you might think about just keeping the Morrell as a backup and putting your money into a steel that will be perfect from the start...might end up costing you less in the long run! (and you will be happier)
I just got a Melbert Pro 8 and couldn't be happier....you get to completely choose what kind of wood you want, pickup, etc...mine is a sandwich of maple and cherry, alternating stripes, with a Lawrence 705 pickup.... |
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Bob Russell
From:
Virginia, USA
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Posted 12 Jun 2011 9:58 am
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| Steve Lipsey wrote: |
Well....FYI, Bob Allen at Melbert Steels (www.musonmt.com ) started the company because he was so unhappy with the Morrells (I think he was a dealer)...he started by modifying Morrells with better components....now he just makes his own.
They are pretty reasonably priced, you might think about just keeping the Morrell as a backup and putting your money into a steel that will be perfect from the start...might end up costing you less in the long run! (and you will be happier)
I just got a Melbert Pro 8 and couldn't be happier....you get to completely choose what kind of wood you want, pickup, etc...mine is a sandwich of maple and cherry, alternating stripes, with a Lawrence 705 pickup.... |
That's the kind of decision I'm looking at. I know what it's like to start out fighting an instrument and I'd like to avoid that here. Steel is hard enough without that!
Thanks to all for your thoughts... I'll take all the help I can get. |
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Steve Lipsey
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Paul DiMaggio
From:
Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 12 Jun 2011 6:36 pm
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I think either John Burton or Dom Franco ,or both,
changed the tuners on their Pro 6s.[forum members].
I also have one of Bob Allen's 8 string guitars. Far superior unit and Bob is excellent to deal with. I still play the Morrell tho,it is my blues guitar. I think any tuner will work on Pro 6,the ones on them are the bottom of the line. |
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Wayne D. Clark
From:
Montello Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 13 Jun 2011 2:36 pm
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BOB. What Steve Lipsey and Paul Dimaggio said. Spend your money on a Bob Allen Melbert Pro 8. Got mine in March, and it is a pleasure to play. Bob makes a great insterment, and a gentelman to do business with.
Wayne D. Clark
Melbert Pro 8
Goodrich pedal
Nashvile 110 |
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Wayne D. Clark
From:
Montello Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 13 Jun 2011 2:52 pm
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Steve, looked back and saw your new Melbert Pro 8, very nice, I like the new bridge that Bob is using, maybe I'll give him a call and have one installed on my Pro 8. It does appear easier to string.
Wayne D. Clark
Melbert Pro 8
Goodrich pedal
Nashville 110 |
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