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Jan Münther

 

From:
Germany
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2014 10:11 am    
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Hello everyone!
I've been searching the archives a little and yes, I know, I'm not the first to ask such a questions, but there weren't many Europeans. Been playing guitar for, well, geesh, 30 years now (I'm 42). Also play the bass (both upright and electric), ukulele, banjo, mandolin and a little lapsteel, as well as some keys. I have a rather solid theoretical foundation, though there are definitely jazz nerds that can lose me pretty quickly.

Why am I writing this? Well, I think about starting to play pedal steel. It's a sound that has fascinated me since my childhood, but pedal steels (and players) are not particularly frequent over here in ze Deutschland.

Which brings me to my problem: I'm a little hesitant whether I should just go ahead and buy one. Essentially I believe I have two options: Getting one used from the US, Ebay or whatever, pay for shipping and the rather drastic import taxes. This way I believe even a controversial beginner model such as the Carter Starter could easily cost me around 1500 EUR (around 1900 USD).

OR - and this does seem the preferable solution - I get one from a local maker. I've looked at WBS Steelguitars and there's a beginner model for around 1000 EUR, which looks pretty good to me. I've somewhere also read about a Serbian (?) maker , but I don't know if they sell any starter models.

What do you guys think?

Next step, then, find a good teacher... although Skype might be an option. Also thankful for pointers in this regard.

Thanks for reading and thanks for this great forum!

Cheers,
Jan
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James Wolf

 

From:
Georgia
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2014 10:27 am    
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The Serbian guitars are Promat. http://www.promat-steel-guitars.com/
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Tucker Jackson

 

From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2014 11:16 am    
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Jan, if you are beginner, I recommend NOT importing a steel from the USA.

Also, a used professional guitar is probably a better deal than a new 'student' guitar. Have you checked the German steel guitar forum for a used guitar?

http://www.chanos-isgf.org/GSGForum/

If you can't find a used professional steel and are going to buy a new guitar, you should look at the WBS. It's a quality guitar made in Germany. The Basic model would work well for a beginner -- however, if you get addicted to pedal steel, after a few years you would probably sell it and get a more professional model. If you can afford the WBS Custom model you would never need to replace it, so consider getting that one now. Smile
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Jan Münther

 

From:
Germany
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2014 12:07 pm    
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James Wolf wrote:
The Serbian guitars are Promat. http://www.promat-steel-guitars.com/


Ah yes, thanks. I dropped them an email to request pricing info.
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Jan Münther

 

From:
Germany
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2014 12:13 pm    
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Tucker Jackson wrote:
Jan, if you are beginner, I recommend NOT importing a steel from the USA.


Hey Tucker, thanks for the advice. I'd also really like to avoid that for many reasons - if something's not right with the instrument I'd be pretty much helpless.

Tucker Jackson wrote:
J
Also, a used professional guitar is probably a better deal than a new 'student' guitar. Have you checked the German steel guitar forum for a used guitar?

http://www.chanos-isgf.org/GSGForum/

If you can't find a used professional steel and are going to buy a new guitar, you should look at the WBS. It's a quality guitar made in Germany. The Basic model would work well for a beginner -- however, if you get addicted to pedal steel, after a few years you would probably sell it and get a more professional model. If you can afford the WBS Custom model you would never need to replace it, so consider getting that one now. Smile.


Ah, I did give the German forum a look, but I just saw a few instruments there that seemed out of the price class I was looking into for my first steel (everything was around 2500 and above).

I'm hesitant to spend that kind of money... of course the general rule is to get the best instrument you can possibly afford, but 2500-3000 EUR is quite a bit for to spend for a first if don't even know if I'll like it. Then again, 2500 EUR is exactly what I spent on my upright when I got it. Hrm. Damn. The beginner WBS looked so reasonable!
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Jim Cohen


From:
Philadelphia, PA
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2014 12:18 pm    
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WBS makes a very high-quality instrument. I haven't seen their student model but if it embodies the same level of integrity as the main models, I think it would be an excellent choice.
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2014 12:33 pm    
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I, like Jim, have not seen the WBS student model.
But the machining and engineering of the pro model is top notch.
If the student model is up to their standards, it is probably a fine guitar, if it can get modified with more knees.
Student models always have some compromise engineered into reduce the production cost; they're just NOT a topline guitar with fewer knees.
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Jan Münther

 

From:
Germany
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2014 12:49 pm    
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This here is the WBS Basic model: http://www.wbssteelguitars.com/basic1.html
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Jim Cohen


From:
Philadelphia, PA
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2014 1:00 pm    
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The photos look fine as far as they go, but I'm surprised that they have not shown, either in the pix nor in the video, a single shot of the undercarriage. I would write to them and ask them to send you pix of the undercarriage, and then post them here to this thread.
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2014 1:02 pm    
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I'd recommend that guitar in a heartbeat. It's essentially a German-built Stage One.
And pull-release has a distinctive tone. Many like it better.
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More amps than guitars, and not many effects
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Donny Hinson

 

From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2014 1:57 pm    
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I'd try hooking up with a player, first, before you start shopping - someone who is in your country, or nearby. They can give you help on what instruments are available, where, and what the prices are. Have you been to the Country Music Meeting show, in the Berlin Fontane Haus? Pedal steel isn't exactly common in Germany, but I've heard of a couple of good players over there. Smile
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Tucker Jackson

 

From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2014 2:40 pm    
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Here is a picture of the WBS undercarriage. Based on the black knee levers, this is the Basic model. Looks like solid engineering.


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Frank Freniere


From:
The First Coast
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2014 2:45 pm    
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Joachim, where are you?
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2014 2:48 pm    
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The guitar in that picture is not a Basic. Basic has a pull-release changer, which wouldn't have those return springs.
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More amps than guitars, and not many effects


Last edited by Lane Gray on 22 Oct 2014 3:48 am; edited 1 time in total
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John Sluszny

 

From:
Brussels, Belgium
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2014 3:47 pm    
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WBS 👍
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richard burton


From:
Britain
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2014 9:33 pm    
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Be aware that the legs on the WBS Basic model are non-adjustable, otherwise it looks like a decent pull-release steel.
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Jan Münther

 

From:
Germany
Post  Posted 22 Oct 2014 12:53 am    
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Donny Hinson wrote:
I'd try hooking up with a player, first, before you start shopping - someone who is in your country, or nearby. They can give you help on what instruments are available, where, and what the prices are. Have you been to the Country Music Meeting show, in the Berlin Fontane Haus? Pedal steel isn't exactly common in Germany, but I've heard of a couple of good players over there. Smile


I had no idea that show existed. Thanks for the hint!
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Jan Münther

 

From:
Germany
Post  Posted 22 Oct 2014 12:55 am    
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richard burton wrote:
Be aware that the legs on the WBS Basic model are non-adjustable, otherwise it looks like a decent pull-release steel.


According to the website, they are adjustable "in the back" (ger. "hinten"), not sure what that is supposed to mean. The knee levers are also adjustable.
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Joachim Kettner


From:
Germany
Post  Posted 22 Oct 2014 1:08 am    
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Frank Freniere wrote:
Joachim, where are you?

I was at the Irish Steel Guitar Festival, Frank.
I have sent Jan a p.m.
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 22 Oct 2014 3:46 am    
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Jan, that probably means that the front legs are fixed, rear legs are adjustable. As long as you're between 1.7 and 1.95 meters tall, you should be able to make that fit.
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More amps than guitars, and not many effects
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Mike Perlowin


From:
Los Angeles CA
Post  Posted 22 Oct 2014 4:00 am    
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You might contact the British Steelies Association. They might be able to help you find a good instrument.
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Jan Münther

 

From:
Germany
Post  Posted 22 Oct 2014 4:57 am    
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Lane Gray wrote:
Jan, that probably means that the front legs are fixed, rear legs are adjustable. As long as you're between 1.7 and 1.95 meters tall, you should be able to make that fit.

Ah well, that makes sense. I'm 192cm, so that's a close call, but should fit Wink
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Steven Husting

 

From:
Germany
Post  Posted 22 Oct 2014 5:07 am    
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Jan, where are you in DE? I'm in the extreme southwest.

Steven
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Jan Münther

 

From:
Germany
Post  Posted 22 Oct 2014 5:08 am    
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Mike Perlowin wrote:
You might contact the British Steelies Association. They might be able to help you find a good instrument.


Thanks, I'll have a look!
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Jan Münther

 

From:
Germany
Post  Posted 22 Oct 2014 5:08 am    
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Steven Husting wrote:
Jan, where are you in DE? I'm in the extreme southwest.

Steven


I live in Berlin!
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