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Topic: Not another newbie "what should I buy?" |
Michael Bartlett
From:
Little Rock, Arkansas
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Posted 16 Feb 2015 9:51 am |
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I know this is a topic probably beaten to the ground, but I'm a musician of 30 years going to make the plunge into PSG. My budget is around $1600 or so and don't want to buy a starter guitar only to want to upgrade shortly. My requirement is one that does not have to be fiddled with to play, one that sounds good, and most importantly--one that stays in tune! I know I'll have my hands full for years with an S-10, but I'm not opposed to a D-10 that I can grow into.
I've been watching the classifieds (none available locally) and the usual suspects, MSA, ZB, Carter, etc crop up but I would like some advice on solidity based on my requirements. I've pretty much ruled out sho-bud based on the maintenance factor I seem to read about often.
I know this is one of those questions like, "what car is the best?" but with all the knowledge and experience in this forum, some advice would be much appreciated! |
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Don R Brown
From:
Rochester, New York, USA
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Posted 16 Feb 2015 10:16 am
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| Just start scrolling down the threads here - I bet within the first 3 or 4 pages you'll find multiple threads asking exactly the same thing you are looking for. |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 16 Feb 2015 10:32 am
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there should be lots of steels within that price range. you'd do best to make friends with some other steel player with experience to go with you and advise.
sho-buds shouldn't be avoided necessarily. i would avoid zb's because of their weight and different type of mechanism.
i would probably focus on something with an all-pull changer. |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 16 Feb 2015 3:25 pm
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What kind of music do you want to play? If you're interested in straight ahead country, a single neck 10 string with 3 pedals and 4 or 5 knee levers will meed your needs. If you're interested in playing Texas Swing, or maybe jazz, you should get a double neck.
If you want to play rock, you're better off with a 12 string. The extra strings let you play power chords.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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Michael Bartlett
From:
Little Rock, Arkansas
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Posted 16 Feb 2015 3:37 pm
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Thanks for the replies! That''s exactly the type of advice I was hoping to get. I know I can read dozens of other posts (and have!) about buying a first PSG, but all of the OPs seem to have a budget well under $1k. Every single post follows the pattern of members talking them out of buying a starter and get a pro right off the bat. Hence the reason for my budget and a new post altogether.
Thanks for the heads up about ZB. I didn't know that.
As per the genre of music, I've been predominately been playing jazz guitar (straight-ahead) for the last 15 years and I definitely would be playing Texas swing, gypsy, etc., however I love classic country as well and will probably be learning more of that over any other.
When asked what was his favorite kind of music, Duke Ellington said "ain't but two kinds of music. The good kind and the other kind".
I like the good kind. |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 16 Feb 2015 3:51 pm
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| Michael Bartlett wrote: |
v I've been predominately been playing jazz guitar (straight-ahead) for the last 15 years and I definitely would be playing Texas swing, gypsy, etc., however I love classic country as well and will probably be learning more of that over any other.
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You should get a double neck. This D-12 may be a little much as a starter guitar, but you'll never outgrow it.
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=279364
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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Larry Baker
From:
Columbia, Mo. U.S.A.
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Posted 16 Feb 2015 3:59 pm
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Stage One or Encore would be a good one, and in your price range, and NEW. Contact Doug Earnst in Branson.
_________________
Mullen G2 SD10 3 & 5 The Eagle
NV112 amp===Earnie Ball V.P. |
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Michael Bartlett
From:
Little Rock, Arkansas
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Posted 16 Feb 2015 4:12 pm
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That looks like an insurmountable beast. A "math problem on four legs".
I see your point though. |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 16 Feb 2015 4:23 pm
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| you seem to have a brain, so stay within the normal limits of a single 12 or a double ten. plenty of math problems on either of those. |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 16 Feb 2015 5:51 pm
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The way I look at it is:
There are 12 notes total in western music. You can play all 12 notes on any tuning. Therefore if you are not concerned with idiomatic cliches a simple E9 steel will be fine.
I play a steady jazz type gig and find that for the more modal type tunes the E9 is often better than the C neck. A simple set up can be much more practical than the desire for more strings and levers. I have heard plenty of players that can play the crap out of legit Jazz on the E9 neck. Especially guys that are jazz heads and haven't been polluted by common wisdom yet.
What I have new guys do is come over and play and listen to the E9 and the C6 neck. I also get out a couple lap steels to experiment with. Most always one sound is the one that lights them up.
Don't think you are going to find your voice and perfect tuning before you spend some real time playing. It is an on going process. I suggest getting a simple 10st Pedalsteel and get started right away.
_________________
Bob |
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