MCI and BMI Pedal Steels?

Cory Jensen · From: Milwaukee, WI

Does anyone know anything about these guitars?

As you may have seen in my introduction thread (New to Pedal Steel), I'm in the market for my first pedal steel.

I got an email from a Larry Petree at Larry Petree Music in Bakersfield, California. And he as a D10 MCI 8+5 and a D10 BMI 9+5 for sale.

I've not heard of either of these brands and I don't see links to them in the links section (I'm assuming it's because they are no longer made).

They look nice and solid and they're in my price range (under 2K). Are either of these decent guitars worth buying? Or should I look for an old Sho-bud or Emmons, etc.?

Also, have any of you dealt with Larry?

Thanks much.

Ulf Edlund · From: Umeå, Sweden

From what i've heard they're good guitars.
I've played an EMCI once and it was a fine instrument.
I ran a search and found this: http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum5/HTML/003714.html
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum5/HTML/005861.html

Good luck
Uffe

David Doggett · Posted 18 Aug 2003 2:14 pm

Cory, see my advice at your other post. These were all good guitars in their day. If they have a standard copendent and have been well maintained, they will still play well. But chances are they have gotten worn and out of adjustment, and may have non-standard changes on them. At a minimum I wouldn't want to wish any old steel on a beginner without a cleaning and adjustment at a good steel shop. If you are lucky and don't need a lot of new parts, that could cost only a few hundred bucks. But if you need lots of new parts, either from wear, or to get it to a standard modern configuration, then it could cost a lot more to adapt parts from other brands or have them custom made. These old guitars are a gamble. They should be priced accordingly, and you should have plenty of money left over for any surprise repairs you may need.

Paul King · From: Gainesville, Texas, USA

Cory, I started on a BMI steel giutar. Never had any problems with it at all. I never tried a MCI but if it means anything to you Buddy Emmons used to play one. I don't think it would have been half bad if he played one..Paul

Wayne Morgan · From: Rutledge, TN, USA

Not an authority on any steel, but I have two BMI's and like them very much. Also have a Sho~Bud pro I. The BMI's were both made in mid '70 they are in good shape and play very well. BMI"s were designed by Zane Beck, they are a good design and are still made in Arkansas, by Don Ffitche,,who worked for Zane back in the 70's. Parts are still available for the BMI, But like i said, I have two, made in the mid 70's and they need nothing.
They are a well constructed Steel, stay's in tune and has better sound than a lot of new, high dollar steels on the market today. I don't plan on ever getting rid of my BMI D10, no matter whatever steel I might own,,the BMI is at home here.
They are also easy, if you want to make changes in the undercarrage

------------------
Wayne Morgan
BMI D10 8x8,ShoBud ProI 3X4, Nash 400,Profex II,'63 Fender Super Reverbe,and '71 telecaster custom

[This message was edited by Wayne Morgan on 18 August 2003 at 07:45 PM.]

David Coplin · From: Eugene, Oregon, USA

Hello Cory,
I'll jump in here to say that I have bought
parts from Larry Petree who was recomended by a friend. In my dealing with him, I found that he did what he said he would do in a timly manner. I think that he would be up front with you regarding either steel.My friend who collects ventige guitars says he is fair and I would also do business with him
any time.

Dave coplin

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

Cory...shop all you want, but take a steeler with you when you buy. I'm sure there's somebody near who'd be willing to help you out when it comes time to make your final decision.

Experience is not only the best teacher, but a pretty good "shopper" as well.

Jim Palenscar · From: Oceanside, Calif, USA

Larry Petree is a prince of a guy to do business with. He will do you right- absolutely no question- regardless of your choice. I have an EMCI as well as an MCI and both guitars are known for the clearness of their tone. They are sought after instruments and should command a good price in decent condition. If you need addtional parts I have an entire undercarriage available. I don't know much about the BMI guitars other than they are solid guitars that play well and last.

Cory Jensen · From: Milwaukee, WI

Thanks for all the responses guys. It really is hard to find the right guitar. There are so many choices and they're such complex machines. And none are cheap!

This forum has helped out a ton. I wouldn't have had a clue without it (not that I do now, but I've got more of one). Heh.

Wayne Brown · From: Bassano, Alberta, Canada

here's a small tid bit mci was owned by bud cater if you would like to find out about them call bud at carter steel guitars...also i suggest that you call bmi and talk to them as well...and anywhere else you can find so that you can make a informed choice...in my opinin there both good guitars...well built and made to last
wayne

Nicholas Dedring · From: Beacon, New York, USA

I have a D10 MCI that I've been really happy with... however, the undercarriage had been rebuilt with new parts before I got it, so it didn't have issues that you might with an older guitar. It was the first good steel I bought, and I didn't want to have to fix things... I still wouldn't want to; if it's set-up well, you should be happy.

Others who know more than I do have had really positive comments on them, and they sound great. Not a bad choice; they were designed by Bud Carter, who knows a thing or two about this stuff.

Pat Burns · From: Branchville, N.J. USA

..Cory, it's a lot easier to pick a wife than it is a pedal steel...

..the good news is, if you decide you made a bad choice on your steel and you want to get a more compatible model, not only won't it cost you everything you're worth to unload it, but someone will actually pay you to take it off your hands

...

Lawrence Lupkin · From: Brooklyn, New York, USA

I also have an MCI D-10 that is in excellent condition. As a beginner, I agree with Donny that it is essential to find someone with knowledge to guide you. It worked for me.

Pat Burns · From: Branchville, N.J. USA

..take a look at James Moorehead's post in the "for sale" section...

..an absolutely gorgeous lacquer Marlen S-10, recently rebuilt by Ricky Davis, for $1,500!

..

..if I was looking for my first steel in that price range, I'd jump on that one..

...if I had the extra scratch right now even with my Emmons p/p, I'd jump on that one..

Nicholas Dedring · From: Beacon, New York, USA

Respectfully, I have to ask whether a Marlen or a Push-Pull might not be a little tougher to get a handle on when starting out?

If you get a steel that isn't perfect for you, it's a whole lot easier to start understanding the mechanical quirks of a standard all-pull (or finding someone who will help you with it...) than the more unusual Marlen mechanism, or the more challenging P/P mechanism...

Pat Burns · From: Branchville, N.J. USA

..granted, you may not be able to tune it or play it, but you sure would look good!..

Brad Burch · Posted 20 Aug 2003 9:06 am

That Marlen has a modern all-pull system with tripple raise double lower changer. You can look on the links page and go to the Marlen website to see a picture of the undercarriage. I have a D10 that looks just like that one that is a very, very nice looking and playing steel. These Marlens were really hand crafted and have a lot personality and beauty.

John Knight · From: Alaska

Cory, MCI was the first real guitar I ever bought. I wish I still had it. The guitar had good tone and played well and it was light. Donny gave a good suggestion and that is take another player with you and have them test drive the guitars. That way you will get an idea of the mechanics of the guitar.

Good luck.

------------------
D 10 Thomas with 8&6, '61'D-10 Sho-Bud 8&3
S12 Knight 6&4
Nashville 400 and Profex II
81' Fender Twin JBL's
Asleep at the Steel

Nicholas Dedring · From: Beacon, New York, USA

My mistake... I didn't realize it was an all-pull Marlen. Then again, I don't know how hard the pull-release thing is to get used to... retracted without a second thought.

I don't know why this is, but it seems like MCI's and BMI's sell for less than people's praise would indicate they are worth. Is it just a "name" factor?

[This message was edited by Nicholas Dedring on 20 August 2003 at 10:26 AM.]

Ulf Edlund · From: Umeå, Sweden

That Marlen is soooo beautiful...

Uffe

Paddy Long · From: Christchurch, New Zealand

I have been playing a MCI D10 Rangexpander since 1986 (Bud built it for me) - it's been a great guitar, and is still in mint condition. I have used it extensively in the studio, and it still sounds great!!. I highly recommend if you can get one, grab it.
I will never sell this one!

Bobby Sparks · From: Williamston, North Carolina, USA

Cory,

I have had an MCI D10 Waco model for about four months. I'm certainly no authority on them, but this one seems to be a nice guitar. It is black mica with 8 & 4, has Bill Lawrence 705's. I play it through a Nashville 1000 and a Profex II. I bought it from a local steel player who had had it for a short time. He had checked everything out before I got it. The pedal action is very good, it stays in tune and has very little cabinet drop. All in all it is more than good enough for me to learn on considering the relatively small investment as compared to some of the newer, more well known brands.

Bobby

Jerry Roller · From: Van Buren, Arkansas USA

Cory, I am a true dyed in the wool Emmons guitar fanatic but I had a BMI D10 for several years having gotten it new from Zane Beck on a trade out deal (I built a set of kitchen cabinets for the guitar). It was a fine guitar and Zane was as fine a man as I ever dealt with on anything. You can't go wrong with a BMI in good condition. I have owned a MCI and and EMCI and they too are great guitars. The EMCI is very similiar to the MCI as Bud Carter designed both. If I was not playing an Emmons and based on only what I know right now I might be playing an EMCI or MCI. I would be careful of the MCI and avoid paying as much for the semi-pro model which has a plastic film finish with the white trim lines imbedded in it as opposed to a mica covered body with the aluminum trim strips. There are some Waco models with the film finish. They are good guitars but not as valuable as the pro model mica covered guitars.
Jerry

Nicholas Dedring · From: Beacon, New York, USA

How can you tell the difference between a "film finish" and a mica finish? I have what I was pretty sure was mica, but it seems to have white lines in the mica, it looks indistinguishable from the one Curly Chalker plays on the video he did, at least to my eyes. It's a wood neck Waco.

Gary Walker · From: Morro Bay, CA

The first time I saw Tommy White was when he was with the Whites in the mid 80s and he was playing a black MCI. It had the look and the sound and I thought the logo was the best looking of any steel ever made. Of course with Tommy playing it, that made it the King of all steels. In the early 90s Larry brought me a beautiful black MCI D-10 with the Barcus-Berry pickups and for the sake of collecting fine guitars, I wish I had bought it.

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