Advice on purchasing first pedal steel guitar.

Doug Walseth · From: Texas, USA

I'm looking to purchase my first pedal steel and need some advice.

I'm a long-time guitar player, and I have been playing lap steel for 5 years or so.

I'm looking for a single neck 10 string. My budget is $1000 max, but I would like to go lower than that, if possible. I'm 6'1" and want a guitar that is not clamped down on my knees. I'm open to buying a used guitar, but I really don't know how to evaluate the condition of a psg. I gig a lot, so the guitar needs to be durable/reliable.

What brands and models do you guys recommend? Are there any sleeper deals in the used market?

Thanks a bunch! Smile

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

You're wanting a reliable car for under a grand.
Well, not exactly, but the analogy holds up.
Barring unexpected screaming deals, a good guitar should run around 1200. Nearly everything below that needs work.
Here's my recommendations of the current crop of forum ads
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=269886
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=271760
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=271721

BUT, there's a little bit of a wait for a new Stage One.
It's a pull-release, but fully capable, and has great tone.
and about a thousand bucks BRAND NEW, three pedals and four knees. http://www.stageonesteelguitars.com/
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Drew Pierce · From: Arkansas, USA

Doug, you're asking a lot here. Be advised: the road to pedal steel is a long one.

I would get a good guitar to start with, a 10-string with at least three floor pedals and four knee levers. There are many in that category. Consider resale value. An old Sho-Bud Maverick is a good entry level guitar, but you will quickly outgrow its potential. If you're looking for a good instrument and a good investment, I would recommend an old Emmons or Sho-bud single 10. But get it from a reputable dealer. There are several on this forum.
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Drew Pierce
Emmons D10 Fatback, S10 bolt-on, Zum D10, Evans RE500, Hilton volume and delay pedals.

Doug Walseth · From: Texas, USA

Thanks for the response, Lane.

That shobud looks amazing. Is only having 2 knee levers an issue?

I understand what your saying about the price of guitars. If I need to get into 1200 or so I'll figure out a way to scratch a little more dough together.

Doug Walseth · From: Texas, USA

Joey Andrews · From: Laurel ,Mississippi, USA

Check out D Alexander BMI 3X5 on page three classified. Emmons set up 3 pedals 5 knee levers.
You want outgrow this guitar no time soon.
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EMMONS / ZUM / DERBY / EMCI / MARLEN / MARRS

Jason Putnam · From: Tennessee, USA

The two knee levers is not a problem if it's a pro level guitar. You can always add knees to them as you get the dough. That's the beauty of them. Once you learn you can add levers, change pulls, different pickups, etc. If you buy a student model, most of the time you have what you have. No adding. No changes. There are a few exceptions such as the Emmons student model which is basically pro mechanics on a cheaper body. I owned a stage one and it was a good guitar. Stayed in tune and had plenty to learn on. It also has good resale value. But once i bought my ShoBud I saw the differences.
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1967 Emmons Bolt On, 1995 Mullen PRP 3x5,Nashville 112, JOYO Digital Delay, Goodrich Volume Pedal, Livesteel Strings

Tom Gorr · From: Three Hills, Alberta

Learn the brands and models within the brands...figure out what you want, and I bet within a month or two one will surface on the forum, ebay or your local craigslist that you won't be able to ignore.

MSA is the brand to watch for in all maple stained with lacquer finish...best bang for the buck due to high quality manufacturing and design and massive market share in their heyday. Emmons are generally priced near the top end of used guitars, and as much as I love my shobud, from my research there was always something on the mechanics left to be desired...tone and cosmetics are great though.

James Sission · From: Sugar Land,Texas USA

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

Having the two levers isn't an issue getting started. It's not an issue for an experienced player.
For the intermediate, it's a huge PITA.
But that guitar is a pro model, and James Morehead makes and sells knee lever kits that are better than what came on the guitar.
I'll still say that the Stage One is a better deal.
And as a new guitar, won't have the issues of some stuff being worn out.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

EVERYBODY who has a Stage One is happy with it. You can search this forum forever and you'll not find a single complaint.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin

Daniel Policarpo · Posted 30 Sep 2014 3:38 am

dubble bubble

Daniel Policarpo · Posted 30 Sep 2014 3:39 am

I can affirm what Mike Perlowin just wrote. I've had my Stage-One for two years. It is the guitar that introduced me to pedal steel and I work it pretty hard. I'm also 6'1". While some players require lift kits, I can get by with a slight tilt forward raising the back legs. it is not a severe tilt and you will see many profiles of players with a similar tilt. I do not find it adversely affects play-ability in the least.

No matter what you wind up getting, its an extremely addictive instrument to get into, and is well worth the effort you put into it, which will be extensive.

James Wolf · From: Georgia

I am not going to give advice but let me say this. My first guitar was a carter starter. It served it's purpose but about a year in I really wanted to get rid of it. I ended up purchasing a Dekley S10 and it was light years ahead of the starter. It stayed in tune better, had a much better tone, I could go on and on. I still have it 4 years later along with a Fessenden. Once again I'm not telling anyone what to do I'm just saying that for the money I had to spend at the time my Dekley was a winner for sure.

Oh and look here: http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=272293

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

Seconded. A Dekley for under a grand. If you have the money, get it. Now.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

Thirded. As much as people like the Stage One, the Dekley is better.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin

Tom Gorr · From: Three Hills, Alberta

From the photo's, Dekley's look to have very well designed and manufactured undercarriages...with the advantage over the MSA of adjustable lower return springs.

It's been sold...hekuva bargain!

Doug Walseth · From: Texas, USA

Thanks for posting, everyone. I'm finding myself smitten by that red shobud in the classifieds. It would look great next my silverface fenders! Smile

Nonetheless, it appears that I need to save a little more dough to get into the game. I'll probably be back with more questions. In the meantime, any other advice is appreciated.

Bobby Snell · From: Austin, Texas

Double-necks are not much more...if you've been using C6 on the straight steel, it might be fun for you to explore that.

Good news! You're here in Texas, so there's likely some steelers close by to help you look at used steels on the market.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

Or that $1200 Sierra universal...
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

James Sission · From: Sugar Land,Texas USA

Here is a guitar that would keep you busy for years to come. I have one just like it and I love the tone I get from BMI guitars.

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=272552

Brett Day · From: Pickens, SC

I play a Jackson Blackjack Custom-it's a wonderful steel for any level, no matter what level you might be on-sound is similar to a Sho-Bud. There are so many great steel guitars to help you get started playing. Mullen makes their Discovery model too, and I've heard great things about ZumSteel Stage One and Encore models.

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

Used Dekley is THE best deal out there, with BMI a close second.. MSA also, but they have gone up in recent years..
They are all good solid dependable steel guitars... bob
_________________
I'm over the hill and hittin'rocks on the way down!

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

Cliff Kane · From: the late great golden state

I would not go with a student guitar like a Carter Starter, etc., because you can get a good used pro-level, albeit older, guitar for not much more. I think $1000 puts you in line for an older S-10 Sierra, Dekley, BMI. MSA Classic. All are good guitars that will let you grow-out with set-ups and adding levers, etc., than an entry level guitar. They're old, but if they're in good shape they are fine and sound and play good. I would give Jim Palenscar a call and see what he's got. Btw, if you find an old Emmons push-pull, don't be afraid of it when people tell you they are not good guitars to start with. They sound and feel the best and many people eventually find their way home to one, and starting with one may save you a few trips.
Good luck!

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

Cliff, a recently conditioned push-pull is kinda pricy, and if not recently gone through, could be sheer hell.
Unless someone is gonna throw large money at Messrs Stafford, Cass or Knowles, I'm not sure a push-pull makes sense for a first guitar (unless the buyer has an experienced friend to check it out).
Witness Mr. Metz's experience a few months ago.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

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