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Topic: Magnum |
James Taylor
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 14 Mar 2013 3:50 pm |
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Is the magnum pro select, an advance by Carter on their steel production, or is it just another name by the company? JAMES TAYLOR  |
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 14 Mar 2013 4:37 pm Re: Magnum
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| James Taylor wrote: |
| Is the magnum pro select, an advance by Carter on their steel production, or is it just another name by the company? JAMES TAYLOR |
correction: Was. Not Is.
Carter's business model was to sell direct to customers.
They wanted to open another avenue of distribution and to expand the steel guitar outside of the small inbread steel guitar world. First Carter Starters and then Magnums were sold via mainstream music stores. I have no idea whether their plan ever gained self-sustaining momentum. John Fabian died well before time could prove the idea a good one or not. We will never know.
The Magnum shares many Carter features and differs in various ways as well. It is not identical to a Carter. |
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James Taylor
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 15 Mar 2013 8:32 am Magnum
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| Hi JON, Thank you for your reply and information. What was the difference between the Carter Pro and the Magnum ,if any? then are there any in the forum who play them? JAMES TAYLOR |
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 15 Mar 2013 12:59 pm
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John always seemed proud of the center-pull brass 'bar bells' in the bell cranks of the Carters---they represented (to him) a philosophical/physical improvement over side-pulling rods that disrupted the efficiency of a linear pull train. I do not know--was this a Bud Carter design, anybody?
They were eliminated in the Magnums which indicates either that he finally acknowledged that those little pain in the ass parts were more trouble than they were worth or perhaps they were incompatible with the more mass-market, less home workshopping target of the Magnum line.
This difference is one of the first things I noticed when the Magnums came out (pictures--I've never played one).
I suspect John was defensively digging in, knowing how many people wished the Carters didn't have that part---Carters would be a LOT easier to change pulls on if they did not have those things. The linear center pull? I imagine they improve the efficiency of the pull. I don't imagine it is by a large factor (I have a Carter and 4 other steels with different pull types).
For the record, this issue is not one that in any way disqualifies Carter as a good choice of guitar. |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 15 Mar 2013 1:35 pm
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I hear ya Jon. Those little brass bar bells suck. I would much rather have the bellcrank setup they used on the Magnum, or the setup they used in a pedal kit that I bought from them. It had straight rods with a fitting that went into the regular bellcrank that the rod went through and was secured with a set screw. Unfortunately, the rods weren't long enough and the replacement kit they sent me had the hooked rods with the bar bell.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting. |
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 15 Mar 2013 3:36 pm
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The other hand is that straight rods with set screws have the potential for over-tightened screws, gouged rods, stripped threads, undertightened screws and creeping slippage....
Fessenden cranks and pulls come close to linear but they present some other issues.
Perfection? Anybody got any candidates?
None of these issues are deal killers. I love the engineering that goes into this problem solving. The history of PSG is a gas to study. |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 15 Mar 2013 4:02 pm
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Wow Jon. Now I am depressed. 
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting. |
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 15 Mar 2013 5:20 pm
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When the decline and end of western civilization is chronicled, I believe that it will be written that we died for the lack of a proper bellcrank.
But really, just by chance I have a few guitars that have rod puller quirks---Carter, Fess, Sho-Bud, (two hole swivel pullers), BMI, and a push pull which is its own genre of beast. It seems to me that simple cranks with side holes and L-shaped rods, even with their theoretical physical faults, are possibly the simplest and best. I believe Magnum is one such, among a bunch of others. |
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Lonnie Portwood
From:
Jacksonville, fl. USA
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Posted 15 Mar 2013 7:28 pm
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Gentlemen, I offer up for consideration, Ed Fulawka's approach on bell cranks. His cranks are split, with "barbells" which slip through from either side, and the set screws are on one end, not on the side (round) of the bar bell. So you have a "direct" linear pull, and a fast , simple way to make changes. The cranks are easily removed by removing a set screw and sliding off the square cross shafts. Of course, Ed takes a lot of pride in "timing" ( the calculations of the spacing of the holes receiving the bar bells) so that when pulling two strings of different guages ( A and B pedals), the strings (horses) leave the "gate at the same time, and get to their destination at the same time! Did that make sense? I hope so. Lonnie
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Music is probably the most "spiritual of mankinds emotions, and when practised with a pure heart, can lead one into the presence of God, who invented it. Lonnie Portwood |
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Jerry Roller
From:
Van Buren, Arkansas USA
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Posted 15 Mar 2013 9:45 pm
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The Magnum guitar is a very good guitar, not as pretty as many but plays very good, easy to change pulls and sounds very good. I believe it is among to most underrated guitars ever built. The bellcranks are like the Emmons LeGrande II except Emmons has 14 holes and Magnum has 12. Zumsteel several years ago changed from center pull bellcranks to the bent pull rod type and I prefer the later Zum. Franklin always used the center pull type much like the older Zum. Franklin never changed. Derby uses a pretty neat center pull but it doesn't have as many leverage choices with only 4 pairs of holes for the cross bushing.
Jerry |
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Russ Tkac
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Posted 16 Mar 2013 5:27 am
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Magnum?
Beats the Carter every time. |
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James Taylor
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 16 Mar 2013 6:20 am Carter
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| Hi RUSS, That is some Magnum and a V8 too. I bet no other can boast such a fine instrument!!! JAMES TAYLOR |
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James Taylor
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 17 Mar 2013 12:15 pm Magnum
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| Thank you all for your thoughts on the MAGNUM. Therefore, am I right in saying that the Magnum is an improvement , or should I say an advanced model, of the excellant CARTER guitar ? YOURS AYE JAMES TAYLOR SCOTLAND |
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Jerry Roller
From:
Van Buren, Arkansas USA
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Posted 17 Mar 2013 12:44 pm
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James, the Magnum is not an improvement of the Carter. The Magnum has some user friendly changes such as the bellcranks but cosmetically the Magnum to most eyes is not as pleasing as the Carter. This is because most aluminum parts that are polished on the Carter are powdercoated on the Magnum. I have owned both and as a player guitar I prefer the Magnum however, I realize that the Carter is a more sought after guitar than the Magnum so the Carter would be worth more than a comparable Magnum.
Jerry |
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James Taylor
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 17 Mar 2013 2:40 pm Magnum
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| HI Jerry,Thank you very much indeed. You have explained it in a nutshell and for that I am very grateful.Every success with your OPERY nights and best wishes . YOURS AYE JAMES TAYLOR SCOTLAND |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 17 Mar 2013 3:44 pm
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| Jon Light wrote: |
| When the decline and end of western civilization is chronicled, I believe that it will be written that we died for the lack of a proper bellcrank. |
Now, that thar is fun-eeeee
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting. |
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John LeMaster
From:
North Florida
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Posted 17 Mar 2013 4:08 pm Experience with both Carter and Magnum
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I have been fortunate to own a number of different steel guitars, including two Carters and, for the past 3 years, a Magnum. They were/are all good guitars, and 'you can't go wrong' with either Carter or Magnum, IMHO. It IS easier for me to make copedent changes on the Magnum, as I tend to drop those little brass dumb-bell shaped parts that are used to connect pull rods and bell cranks on the Carter.
As for the powder coating on Magnum end plates, pedal bar and legs, guess you either love it or loathe it. Polished and shiny is attractive, but you never polish powder coat.
For play-ability and tone, these guitars are VERY close. I happen to like the tone of the Magnum I now have over the Carters I used to have, but that might be due to variables of the individual guitars, not necessarily any design differences. In a "blind fold" test, I doubt that I could tell the difference.
Your mileage may vary...
John L.
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Magnum D10, Emmons D10 push-pull |
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Lee Dassow
From:
Jefferson, Georgia USA
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Posted 18 Mar 2013 10:40 am magnum
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I love my SD-10 Magnum, The pickup in the guitar sounds great through either my fender twin reverb, or my super reverb, Red in color, Not my favorite. Very easy on the back. Guitar weigh's 30 pds. 52 pds. in the case. Bud Carter was the man, a kind of leo fender to fender IMHO. I'd never sell it. Tennessee Lee
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2015 Mullen D-10 Royal Precision 9x8,-1990 BMI S-10 5x5-1972 Silver face Fender pro Reverb amp,-1965 Fender Super Reverb Amp,- 1966 Fender Showman Amp Two 15" JBL speakers,- 2006 65 Fender Twin Reverb reissue Amp,- 1982 Peavey Session 500 amp,-1978 Peavey Session 400,Goodrich Volume Pedals,John Pearse Steel Bars, |
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Adam Sorber
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 20 Mar 2013 7:09 am
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I really liked my Magnum Sd-10 when I had it. I bought it brand new in 2006 and played it both live and recording for two years. I sold mine when Al Brisco told me that the powdercoated parts were getting scarce an there were no more being manufactured.
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Adam Sorber
Sho Bud PROII custom D-10
Sho Bud PROII custom SD-10
Fender Super Twin Reverb
Fender Ultra-linear Twin Reverb |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 20 Mar 2013 10:46 am
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What are all the parts that are powder coated on a Magnum. I know the end plates are, but have never seen one in person, so I really don't know. Seems most of the powder coated parts are the parts that you normally never have to replace, so having replacements readily available for them shouldn't be an issue, certainly no reason to get rid of a guitar.
EDIT: I just saw an ad in the For Sale section for a Magnum. Looks the end plates, legs. pedal bar, changer housing, necks, keyheads, etc are powder coated. Looking under the guitar at the parts that would most likely to be the ones that would need to be replaced at some point, none of them seem to be powder coated.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting. |
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Lee Dassow
From:
Jefferson, Georgia USA
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Posted 20 Mar 2013 1:08 pm magnum
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Richard, the neck, changer finger frame, Tuning key
frame, pedal bar and pedals are all grey except the top of the pedal itself, thats polished. The knee levers are also grey. Jerry Roller had some nice pictures of his blue D-10 MAGNUM he was selling recently. TL
_________________
2015 Mullen D-10 Royal Precision 9x8,-1990 BMI S-10 5x5-1972 Silver face Fender pro Reverb amp,-1965 Fender Super Reverb Amp,- 1966 Fender Showman Amp Two 15" JBL speakers,- 2006 65 Fender Twin Reverb reissue Amp,- 1982 Peavey Session 500 amp,-1978 Peavey Session 400,Goodrich Volume Pedals,John Pearse Steel Bars, |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 20 Mar 2013 2:18 pm
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Thanks Lee. That was the ad that I saw. I am not sure how I feel about the looks of the powder coating. It would have been nice if they would have given you a choice of color for the powder coating to contrast with the mica color or compliment it. Sort of like the GFI did at one time with the different color anodizing schemes. But then, that would make it have to be a "custom" instrument and defeat the marketing strategy they set up for the Magnum.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting. |
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Lee Dassow
From:
Jefferson, Georgia USA
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Posted 23 Mar 2013 7:35 am magnum
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Your Welcome Richard. Jerry's was nice, Decent Price too. It is an 08. I have a manual that came with mine. For the magnum guitars, third number In the serial number is the year it was made for anybodies information. I thought about that one for a while. Pretty color. T.L.
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2015 Mullen D-10 Royal Precision 9x8,-1990 BMI S-10 5x5-1972 Silver face Fender pro Reverb amp,-1965 Fender Super Reverb Amp,- 1966 Fender Showman Amp Two 15" JBL speakers,- 2006 65 Fender Twin Reverb reissue Amp,- 1982 Peavey Session 500 amp,-1978 Peavey Session 400,Goodrich Volume Pedals,John Pearse Steel Bars, |
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Tommy White
From:
Nashville
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Posted 23 Mar 2013 8:26 am
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| I still have my 12 yr. Old Carter. Great guitar. Does anyone know where I might find a few of those little brass barrels for the pull rods? You know, just in case..... |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 23 Mar 2013 9:57 am
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Tommy. Al Brisco has them.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting. |
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