Rittenberry or Rains SD 10

Jerry Bailey · From: Virginia, USA

Can you guys help me between the Rittenberry and the rains pedal steel guitar and why you perfer one over the other . thanks so much. I am going crazy trying to pick a psg. this will be my first guitar.
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Jerry Bailey

Marlin Gengenbach · From: New Mexico, USA

I can only speak for the Rains since I've not owned a Rittenberry. Of all the guitars I have owned I like the Rains the best, in terms of playability, quality, tone, sustain, remaining in tune...and least string breakage. Also, Gary Carpenter is one nice guy and great to work with.

Bill Moore · From: Manchester, Michigan

Never seen a Rains in person, I'm sure they are very nice instruments, but I do own a Rittenberry. I don't see how another guitar could be measurably better than the Rittenberry. Maybe some particular individual guitar might be better, in some random way, then some random Rittenbery guitar, but Rittenberrys have a very high standard of quality. High quality, excellent value, I'd choose the Rittenberry.

Dustin Cook · From: California

You will not go wrong with either.

For me it's tone, The Ritt excels in PP like tone, whereas the Rains is more of a modern Sho~Bud tone IMHO.

I did have less string breakage with the Rains now that I think about it...

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

it's interesting really...rains, rittenberry, zumsteel, fessenden, jch, justice , infinity, emmons, ....many models in a formica guitar seem to have some similarities....and these all seem like great potential instruments...then add the lacquer body show pro, jackson, fulawka, linkon, infinity again, msa,...then add....oddball bmi, excel,...uh...my point was...uhh...

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

There's only one way to decide: Flip a coin. (Then get an MSA Laughing

)
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Mike Kowalik · From: San Antonio,Texas

All of the guitars available today are good......but none are perfect.

You're the one laying out the cash for the purchase so the choice is ultimately tours.

Make a list of features you want your guitar to have and then see which brand comes closest to matching your list.

Go to a steel show or local jam and play some different brands and compare.

If you're just starting out it's a moot point...Rains or Rittenberry would be a high quality instrument to learn with.

Robert Cates · From: Maine, USA

This is how you determine which guitar to buy.
You put all the common name steels in a giant plastic bag. Then you throw in lots of words that we all use...ie playability,tone,sustain,quality,string breakage,builder is a nice guy,and add the color that you want. Shake it very violent and bake it for 2 hours. Take it out and throw it on the floor. Now pick up the pieces and put it together and...voila...Your steel.

I'm sorry Jerry..I'm a little foolish today and I'm afraid of no help to you .But really no one can help you because there are so many opinions out there.

I am sure that which ever one you buy, you will like it Best of luck

Bob

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

Jerry, If I may make n analogy, this is like a person saying "I want to learn how to drive a car. Should I get a Rolls Royce or a Bentley?"

My advise is to forget both of them, and get a Stage One or a Legend (formerly Carpsteel.) Either of those guitars will be more than enough to keep you busy for 3 or 4 years. Or you could buy a used pro guitar. There are a lot of perfectly fine ones for sale here on the forum, as well as a few on E-bay.

After you've played for a while, and learned more about the PSG, you'll have a better idea of what you want, and will be in a better position to make a decision.

However, I must point out that everybody makes great steels these days, and you can't go wrong with any new guitar. The only way to make a mistake is to buy a used student guitar that doesn't have enough knee levers.
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Jerry Bailey · From: Virginia, USA

I would like to thank all of you for you input. I think Mike might be right about getting a stage one or carpsteel. He is right as a new guy I need to learn to play then go from there.........SO SO So help me please stage one or Carp steel.. thanks guys
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Jerry Bailey

Roger Crawford · From: Griffin, GA USA

Stage One!

Mike Archer · From: church hill tn

Roger is right the stage one is good

also Gary Rittenberry told me a while back if
memory serves me correct that he
is building a econo steel{beginner steel}
so thats a great choice too!!

Mike Very Happy

Roger Francis · From: kokomo,Indiana, USA

All the guitars mentioned here are great guitars and i would own any of them, i have settled on one because i can't try them all out. I have a Rains and would have to disagree with Dustin, i played a PP emmons for 22 yrs and when i got the Rains it was so Emmons sounding that i became a happy cammper, Ive had it for about 7 yrs now and still love it. Mostly it depends how much you want to spend and how long you want to wait, good luck jerry on your quest

richard burton · From: Britain

Jerry,
It won't hurt to ask the manufacturers a few questions.
A few of the following questions are answered on the Rittenberry and Rains websites, but you would have to contact them for some more detailed info.

In no particular order, and doubtless some more questions could/will be added:

What diameter and material is the changer axle? (harder material/larger diameter will resist flexing)

Are the fingers aluminium or stainless steel?
(stainless steel is a harder material than aluminium, and thus will resist grooving, although some players believe that a better tone is achieved with aluminium)

What diameter are the changer fingers? (steer clear of anything bigger than 3/4")

Does it have a steel/aluminium strengthening bar along the front apron? (if not, forget it)

Does it have square cross-shafts? (superior to round in that bell-crank installation is very easy, and slippage is non-existant)

How many holes in the bellcranks? (more is better)

Does it have setscrews in the changer to allow split- tuning? (some steels have an extra pull rod, but the setscrews are a better idea)

What is the scale length? (24" and 24 1/4" are the norm, don't get a steel that is less than 24")

Are the roller nuts gauged for different string diameters? (Gauged rollers are superior)

What diameter are the rollers? (smaller is better)

Who makes the machineheads? (quality matters)

How long are the lower return springs? (longer is better)

Are the lower return springs adjustable? (if not, they should be on a $2K steel)

How many raises and lowers? (3+3 seems to be the norm)

What thickness is the section of the pedal bar? (thin-sectioned pedal bars are too flimsy, and make the pedals feel spongy)

What height are the strings above the body (not the neck)? (this is the deal-breaker for me, anything less than 1 1/2" I walk away from)

Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

Here is the Rains website:http://www.rainssteelguitars.com/

I play Rains guitars myself. Nothing better. I love the solid midrange and evenness of of the tone up and down the neck. I don't need to spend any time fighting the guitar. If I found another steel I liked better I would be playing it.

With that I also think the Ritt is a great steel. I'm sure you would be happy with one. Its on my very short list of steels I am into.

I do not think it is a good idea to buy a econo model if you are in the market for a pro instrument. They are just not the same. Buy a guitar you can fall in love with. Either a Rittenberry or Rains will last you a long and happy lifetime.
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Bob

richard burton · From: Britain

Apologies for implying that Rains does not have a web site.
When I google 'Rains pedal steel', or 'Rains steel guitars' all I am getting is a myspace page with pictures of Rains guitars.

I've tried the Altavista search engine, and that can't find Rains either, although it does find sister company 'Legend'

Try it, peoples, and see if it's just a problem at my end, or a problem with the Rains site.

I'll amend my previous post

Randy Brown · From: Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

Question for Richard B. You wrote:

richard burton · From: Britain

In my experience, I've noticed that all the steels that I have played with a string height of about 1" above the body have exhibited a horrible decay to the note, just after it has been picked.
This noise is virtually impossible to get rid of using the amp controls, as it is an inherent part of the steels construction.

Steels with higher strings seem to 'breathe' easier, to my ears (at the expense of increased cabinet drop), and exhibit a much more pleasing tone.

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

Steve Lipsey · From: Portland, Oregon, USA

+1 for a used pro model (one that has been maintained and isn't ancient).

-You will not be frustrated by loose or sloppy linkages, poor feel, cheap pickups, or inability to stay in tune. And you will be able to reset the copedent as your skill and understanding grow...not that any of the good beginner models suffer from these issues unreasonably, but compared to a pro model, there is surely a difference...

-You will be able to sell it for what you paid for it when you figure out what you actually want, if that isn't it.

I started with a used Rains, and it is quite amazing - tight, tuneful, easy to change. I also got a Carpsteel, as a more portable one, but it just didn't cut it, compared to the Rains. Really different feel (sound was fine, it had an Alumitone). It certainly is a quite valid lower-budget way to go, but if you have the cash to park in a steel for a while, aim higher. I sold the Carpsteel and got a GFI keyless, also used, for a bunch more money, and which I truly love....it isn't quite a Rains, but it is in that ballpark.

So spend as much as you can - you won't be sorry you did.

p.s. It seems that Legend possibly isn't real....a previous poster was pointed at Steel Guitar Canada for Carpsteel parts...Legend never returned my call...

Bill Dobkins · From: Rolla Missouri, USA

I have always felt if you can afford it even as a beginner get the best. It will help you learn. Better playability, ownership pride, it will stay in tune better and will last so if it don't work out you have a nice instrument for resale. I made the mistake of buying a fixer/upper which held me back, but it did teach me the mechanics of what makes it work which is very important. I play a Rittenberry and I love it. I am not some one who sets around polishing my Steel all the time(although I do keep it nice) I use it,I play it, Its not a piece of furniture. It very seldom goes out of tune,it sounds great and plays great. I rate the Ritt with Zum and Franklin but at a lower price. Gary Rittenberry goes the extra mile for his customers. Anyone who owns one will tell you the same. I can only speak for the Rittenberry because I haven't owned the others.
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Custom Rittenberry SD10
Boss Katana 100 Amp
Positive Grid Spark amp
BJS Bars
Z~Legend Pro,Custom Tele
Honor our Vet's.
Now pass the gravy.

Tommy Alexander · From: Friendswood, Texas 77546

I had a Sho-Bud, a Franklin and now I have two Rittenberry's! I've played on a Rains, nothing wrong with the way it plays and sounds. I had a Franklin for 30 years; great guitar, nothing wrong with the way it plays and sounds.
Now, the Rittenberry. My SD10 mica body sounds like a push pull with exceptional tone and plays like a dream. My new D10 all wood with the aluminum necks has a push pull tone with a smooth edge; the pedals are like butter, that soft.
Now the old buzzard that builds these great guitars knows what he is doing and likes doing it.
All I can say is, find a Rittenberry somewhere and to play ont it; that's what I did when Jody Cameron invited me to come to his house and play on his.
You are immediately hooked, and you start finding a way to buy a new guitar.
That's my story and I'm stickin' to it; for real!

Wally Taylor · From: Hardin, Kentucky, USA

Get the Ritt and you will never look back!

Jerry Bailey · From: Virginia, USA

I want to thank each and everyone of you for your help.
Now I think I will go down to the river and just think.
I would also like to wish all of you a Merry Christmas.
Jerry
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Jerry Bailey

Billy Carr · From: Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)

Guess it's still true, the Emmons P/P is the measuring tool for PSG's. I've had several Rains guitars and one RB. In my opinion, they're equal. Personally, I look for a certain sound, regardless of what name is on the front of a guitar. I usually forget what brand it is, once I start pickin' anyway. The Rains however, reminds me more of an Emmons LII. But, it's like Hughey said one time, it's what sitting behind it that counts! So right!

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