thinking of getting a pedal steel =looking for advice

Dennis Smith · From: Covington, Georgia, USA

There are two steels for sale near me. Which would you say is the better steel and what about priceing?

Gfi 3 x 2 with case like new condition $850. asking price

Dekley 3 x 4 70's? with case good condition asking $1000. asking price

Dennis

Dave Hopping · From: Aurora, Colorado

2 KL's is a little skimpy for most players.You could certainly get started with 2,but soon you'll want more.A 3X4 singleneck E9 should meet your playing needs for quite some time,although if that Dekley is from the '70s,I might want to have someone knowledgeable check under the hood to see how the mechanicals are holding up.Any chance you can post some pics? As to price,I'd check the classifieds here for comparables,just to be well-informed.

Paul King · From: Gainesville, Texas, USA

The more pedals and levers the better, that is if they are working right. Buying a guitar that has problems from the start would probably discourage you from playing. Also, look here on the forum, sometimes there are some good prices.

Jim Palenscar · From: Oceanside, Calif, USA

The Dekley

Brian Christiano · From: Columbia, South Carolina, USA

Dennis, there are several good steel players near you in the Atlanta and upstate SC area that may be very helpful to you. I think most are here on the Forum.
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Coordinator for the South Carolina Steel Guitar Convention held in West Columbia, SC. May/Nov each year. Held at Bill's Music Shop and Pickin' Parlor.

Brett Day · From: Pickens, SC

Dennis, the Jackson Steel Guitar Company makes great steels-there is a singleneck model called the BlackJack Custom-it's got three pedals and four knee levers, this guitar can have a pad or no pad, and can be different colors. The sound and tone on a BlackJack Custom are awesome! I play a BlackJack Custom. It's a professional steel that anyone can play, no matter what level you're on. It's very easy to set up and take down, and can also be played anywhere. With a BlackJack Custom, you'll find great sound, great tone and playability, smooth pedal action, and it can be any color. The BlackJack Custom I play is my favorite and best steel and is my main steel. I think you'd love a BlackJack Custom. The sound is awesome, like the sounds of a '60s Sho-Bud.

Ray Anderson · From: Jenkins, Kentucky USA

The Dekly, hands down. Great guitars and built to last. I really like mine. Winking

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

But the Blackjack Custom is like 3 grand.

I say, get the Dekley
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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.

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

The Dekley is as well built a pedal steel as has ever been made.. They are on a par with the very best when it comes to ruggedness, dependability, and solid, simple design.. they also sound great..

Grab the Dekley.. For $1,000 its a LOT of guitar, and you won't need to upgrade anytime soon as you will with a 3+2... bob
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I'm over the hill and hittin'rocks on the way down!

no gear list for me.. you don't have the time......

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

The Dekley is as well built a pedal steel as has ever been made.. They are on a par with the very best when it comes to ruggedness, dependability, and solid, simple design.. they also sound great..

Grab the Dekley.. For $1,000 its a LOT of guitar, and you won't need to upgrade anytime soon as you will with a 3+2... bob
_________________
I'm over the hill and hittin'rocks on the way down!

no gear list for me.. you don't have the time......

Chris LeDrew · From: Canada

The GFI is no doubt the student model which is okay but will be missing some key features that the pro model Dekley has, such as adjustable legs, raised neck, adjustable undercarriage, extra knees, better tuners, etc. Get the Dekley, and offer the seller somewhere near the price of the GFI. You never know your luck.
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Jack Wilson · From: Marshfield, MO

Other things to consider are that 3X2 can keep a beginner busy for a long time. Steel brands that are no longer being made make parts hard to find. A student model may have very little player time before they gave up. A 20 year old Pro model may have been played four nights a week for years and could have issues and that is why the player bought another guitar. My first Sho Bud had the leg threads in the end plates so worn-out they would not tighten. Just another opinion, you know what that means.

Ben Rubright · From: Punta Gorda, Florida, USA

The Justice S10 3X4 should be in the running at $1495. It is of today's technology and you can later opt for a pad for $49 and/or split tuning on all strings (which is of MEGA-IMPORTANTANCE to me) for $69. Give a look at:

http://www.fredjusticemusic.com

I sat behind one at the TSGA Jamboree and if my credit card had not already been melted down, I would have come home with one.

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

Another vote for the Dekley.
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Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

James Wolf · From: Georgia

Get the dekley. Offer $800

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

If those were my only choices, I'd go for the more modern GFI realizing that you'll probably need to upgrade in a couple years. Ideally, I'd wait for something else. At least a 3+4 S10 Professional model built in recent years.

Student model guitars are not really ideal. Because you only have the bare basics, you'll always be thinking you need more changes whether you do or not.

Older guitars may have issues as Dave and Jack point out, plus the old Dekleys are pretty hefty as I recall.

If you can be patient, you might come across a reasonable deal on a more modern guitar that's still in production or still serviceable with aftermarket parts.

I've seen Carter Pro models go for not much more than that Dekley. Also other recent single 10 models.

You need to be vigilant though and keep a close eye on the classifieds here. This is your best resource for an honest and reasonable purchase.

JMO FWIW. Neutral

Dennis Smith · From: Covington, Georgia, USA

Thanks everybody for the advice you have given me a lot to think about.
Dennis

richard burton · From: Britain

Get the Dekley

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

I think either one is fine for a first-time player! Despite the opinions recommending a preponderance of pedals and levers, and comments like "It's better to have it and not use it than to want it and not have it", you should realize that in learning pedal steel (as in learning anything else) you really don't need the best of everything to start your journey.

Joe Gall · From: DeLand, Florida

I am a beginner (playing less than two years) and my advise to anyone starting out would be this. This is a difficult instrument, I think everyone can agree on this. Starting out on an old, or worn out guitar can be VERY difficult and as a beginner, you may not know or realize this. This is what happened to me.

I am now on my third guitar. My first was a very basic beginner's model that I outgrew VERY quickly. Second was a considerably old, but very nice classic which would have been much more suited for someone who was well seasoned and knew how to rebuild/adjust these older guitars.

Just recently I was finally able to move into something less than two years old with very little use and all I can say is WOW! This has made such a difference and I only wish I had either waited or borrowed the money to do this thing right, from the very beginning!! I honestly believe I would be further along and MUCH less discouraged along the way if I had!

Just an opinion from someone who is struggling along and hacking away at this thing on my own each and every day. My other word of advise is if you can afford to take lessons, do so. I know I would if I could!
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Been at this damn thing for a few years now. Not so sure that I'm getting anywhere but it is fun. Sometimes.

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