| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic Let's get serious about a guitars' appeal.............
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Let's get serious about a guitars' appeal.............
Ray Montee


From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
Post  Posted 15 Oct 2011 8:26 am    
Reply with quote

When it comes time to 'go looking' or 'to purchase' another steel guitar, is your mind completely made up before you part with the big bucks; or, do you purchase primarily because of 'it's good looks'; or, do you really give it a hard 'sound/tone check'; or,
do you purchase strictly on the guitars 'reputation'?

If my memory serves me correctly, as Gibson and some of the other manufacturers drifted away from the beautiful woods/sylings and headed for the more exotic spaceage designes and plastics........TONE seemed to be sacrificed.

How do you feel about that?
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Ron Whitfield

 

From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
Post  Posted 15 Oct 2011 8:42 am    
Reply with quote

There's no denying the eye candy or intrique aspects of many great steels, but to be serious, it's function over form. Some cosmetically beat up pile might be the best steel in any collection, and then there's the often reviled... mojo factor.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Jim Hollingsworth

 

From:
Way out West
Post  Posted 15 Oct 2011 8:47 am    
Reply with quote

Aloha Ron,
I agree - the beaters are often the best sounding - function should triumph over beauty. But then we all get weak.....

Jim
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Russ Tkac


Post  Posted 15 Oct 2011 9:23 am    
Reply with quote

I never buy new. There are too many great guitars that people sell in the For Sale section with the words "Another price drop.".
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Dave Zirbel


From:
Sebastopol, CA USA
Post  Posted 15 Oct 2011 9:26 am    
Reply with quote

Something that sounds good. I'm with Ron, old beaters with mojo! Very Happy I'll take stiff pedal action before looks as long as the tone is there.
_________________
Dave Zirbel-
Sierra S-10 (Built by Ross Shafer),ZB, Fender 400 guitars, various tube and SS amps
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Georg Sørtun


From:
Mandal, Agder, Norway
Post  Posted 15 Oct 2011 10:13 am    
Reply with quote

I buy used PSGs that I am pretty sure have tonal and mechanical potentials, with a plan for modifications to meet my preferences.

What a steel looks like doesn't mean much, unless it indicates lack of mechanical integrity (and should be avoided as "mod-object").
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Dave Grafe


From:
Hudson River Valley NY
Post  Posted 15 Oct 2011 10:16 am    
Reply with quote

Since you asked, Ray...

I played a lot of guitars for sale at people's houses and at jams and in stores but never ever bought a pedal steel guitar that way.

My ShoBuds I both bought because there was a need and they were all that was available to me at the time.

My Emmons I bought from a forum member, solely on the reputation of the guitar and the seller.

My life is apparently quite blessed, in this regard at least I've come out a winner every time Smile
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Twayn Williams

 

From:
Portland, OR
Post  Posted 15 Oct 2011 12:58 pm    
Reply with quote

Russ Tkac wrote:
I never buy new. There are too many great guitars that people sell in the For Sale section with the words "Another price drop.".


I almost never buy used, I tend to not want someone else's "mojo" all over my guitar Mr. Green

Course, try before you buy is always best. I've been both lucky and gotten bitten buying sight un-heard.
_________________
Primitive Utility Steel
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Tim Marcus


From:
San Francisco, CA
Post  Posted 15 Oct 2011 3:33 pm    
Reply with quote

Dave Zirbel wrote:
Something that sounds good. I'm with Ron, old beaters with mojo! Very Happy I'll take stiff pedal action before looks as long as the tone is there.


and you've got the giant calf muscles on your left leg to prove it!
_________________
Milkmansound.com
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Del Walters


From:
Milford,Texas, USA
Post  Posted 20 Oct 2011 5:04 pm    
Reply with quote

Many of us, constantly chase that "perfect tone",. We would like that guitar that plays like "buttar".
I sold 40 guitars last two years, with Micky Adams refurbishing all of the one's I sold.
The problem imho is alot of players do not know how bad the mechanics have become on their guitars. We have seen some dirty, grungy, messes, that people tell us they need nothing. I personally feel the best money I can spend is to have my psg check out, set up correctly, and have it set up for you as the player. It makes for big benefits in the learning curve. A lot of ugly guitars are more purdie when they are clean and can perform, like they were new. Doc Very Happy Very Happy
_________________
Rittenberry SD 12 Lacquer, Rittenberry SD 12, Mullen G2 Del Mullen Signature SD-12, "Fox Vintage Amp and vintage reverb",Steel Mixer, "BJS Bars" , Sanberg 7 string bass, Fender tele-#4,Strats-#1,Fender V USA bass#2 Gibson 335, etc, etc, 1 fully staffed and equip veterinary hospital,plus 5 Yorkies, and a tolerate 100 pound Rottweiler.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Yahoo Messenger
Russ Tkac


Post  Posted 21 Oct 2011 4:36 pm    
Reply with quote

On of the best steels I ever bought was a 1971 push pull off eBay. When I received it both necks needed some work. It was mica so not the pretty wood most love in a steel. I took it to Dave Peterson in Chicago and had both necks set up and a feel stop added. It played and sounded great and had the economy not nose dived I'd still have it. But, such is life. A good set up was the best $200 I've ever spent on a steel guitar. Smile
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  
Please review our Forum Rules and Policies
Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction, and steel guitar accessories
www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

The Steel Guitar Forum
148 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425 USA

Click Here to Send a Donation

Email SteelGuitarForum@gmail.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for Band-in-a-Box
by Jim Baron