What would you buy with $4k?

Chad Greene · From: Texas, USA

I'm about to delve into the world of pedal steel. I already own a set of finger picks from playing banjo for many years. Now all I need is a guitar, an amp, a volume pedal, a bar, and any other incidentals I'm not yet aware of. With a total budget of $4000 USD, what would you buy?

I realize this is not enough to get a dream rig, so I need help figuring out how to allocate my budget. Should I spend more on the guitar or the amp? Any favorite reasonably-priced models I should be aware of?

Bill Moore · From: Manchester, Michigan

You could probably find a nice Carter, an S-10, D-10 or S-12 for a reasonable price. There were many of them built, they play and sound good, most are not old enough to have been played to death. That's what I would look for. You can probably find a very nice one for less that 2000. Maybe a bit more for a D-10. It can always be sold later, if you want to try something else. But that's not something you should worry about, not until you have played for a few years. Good luck.

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

you can get a great used setup, steel, amp, etc. for that kind of dough.

Tom Quinn · Posted 28 Jun 2015 11:09 am

Early '70s Emmons D-10 and a clean '70s Session 400. You'll be in good company.
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I need an Emmons!

Lyle Clary · From: Decatur, Illinois, KC9VCB

Get in touch with Bobby Reed in Hendersonville TN. He has a number of professional pedal steel guitars that are lightly used and very affordable. He has many listed in your price range on his website BobbyReed.net Call him at 615 419-9642
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10 3x4 Peavey Nashville 112 Peavey LTD 400 2014 Zum Encore Wood Grain 4x5 Stage One pot pedal

Tom Gorr · From: Three Hills, Alberta

In the used market you could get nearly anything your heart desires for 4k .. Find an opportunity to play different ones and find the guitar that works for you.... there are a lot of factors to consider and each guitar has pros and cons.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

Splits are awful handy, I don't think I'd stump for a push-pull for a first guitar (I'd love to have mine back, though).
If you don't mind used, a quality Peavey steel amp (anything with Session or Nashville in the name) can be yours for around $400 after shipping. A seat should be yours for between $2-300, volume pedal with pot from 1-200, picks, bar and two cables another $100.
That's just under a grand. You can buy a LOT of guitar for the 3 grand left over. Do you want to start with a double neck or a single neck?
Double neck: get this, 800 under budget and a fine guitar http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=284797

Want a single neck? Fulawka are amazing guitars http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=286439

Pretty sure you can have a dang fine Justice new for that in a double neck.
And just about any single neck new.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Tom Quinn · Posted 28 Jun 2015 11:55 am

An Emmons push-pull will only increase in value. Most used guitars in private sales can come with a volume pedal. Zums and Mullens have a strong following, don't know what the used prices are on a D-10 from them.

You said you had four large to spend. If you want to conserve your funds, get a Sho-Bud Professional instead of the Emmons. You can pick those up for cheap and they are very cool guitars plus it's a breeze to change the copedents. You are talking a complete rig for under $3000.

There's a reason some guitars besides Emmons and Buds are cheap: no one wants them. Doesn't matter how "great" they are. After you've played for a couple years, then you can look around the off brands and look for a deal.
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I need an Emmons!

Rich Upright · From: Florida, USA

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

There are some professional grade guitars available that are designed for beginners, and have all the essentials, and only skimp on the Bells and Whistles. Three that come to mind offhand are the Justice S-10, the Mullen Discovery, and the Zum Stage one and Encore.
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Tom Quinn · Posted 28 Jun 2015 2:39 pm

A well set up push pull needs nothing and probably has to be tuned once every neap tide. They are rugged as anything. Guy has four large he doesn't need a starter guitar that is a pain in the butt to resell.
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I need an Emmons!

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

my first real steel guitar was a p/p single ten. when i looked at the bottom i said, 'this is what a steel is supposed to be'. it made perfect logical mechanical sense to me. that was over 40 years ago.
so what mr. upright said is kind of out of line.
maybe it's scary to him, but it doesn't make sense to even consider playing pedalsteel in the first place if mechanical things are out of your comfort zone.

Dan Klotz · From: Houston, Texas

Jody Cameron is selling his Carter and a Shobud. I can give you his number if you want it.
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2- Rittenberry D10's
Quilter Steelaire. Nashville 400. Session 500

Tony Glassman · From: The Great Northwest

There are a lot of options in your price range right here on the SGF "for sale" forum. I would probably go for the Fulakwa Single 10 as it's priced reasonably & is a very high-quality guitar. I agree with Chris Ivey that an Emmons push pull is stable guitar that holds its tuning well. If one follows the basic rules (see Clem Shmitt " Methodology " or Wilderness Guide), keeping one in running order is no big deal. (That's not to say rebuilding one Is not a chore). I'd recommend a used quality guitar rather than a new student model for its better investment value.

Chad Greene · From: Texas, USA

This is some great advice so far. It's sounding like I should spend a bit more on the guitar than the amp.

I'd like to stay away from anything designed to be a beginner guitar. I made that mistake with mandolin--I bought a cheap beginner mandolin, but the tone is lousy and it's physically taxing to play. It's mostly stayed on the wall hook for the past few years. When a friend left a very nice mandolin at my house I could barely put it down for a week. I'd hate to get a guitar that leaves something to be desired in terms of tone or playability.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

Tone comes at least a bit more from amp than guitar.
BUT there are very good amps at under a grand.
Things like the economy pro guitars (Mullen Discovery, Justice Pro-Lite, Encore, Simmons Genesis, Stage One) are actually quite good guitars.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

Chad Greene · From: Texas, USA

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

Here are a few fine pro models under $3k, as advertised on their web sites.

Mullen Royal Precision SD-10. $2911.
Desert Rose S-10. $2695.
GFI Expo SD-10. $2750.
Justice S10-Pro. $2295.

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John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

Performance. Great guitars! Of course I'm prejudiced! I put them together.
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Dr. Z Surgical Steel amp, amazing!
"74 Bud S-10 3&6
'73 Bud S-10 3&5(under construction)
'63 Fingertip S-10, at James awaiting 6 knees
'57 Strat, LP Blue
'91 Tele with 60's Maple neck
Dozen more guitars!
Dozens of amps, but SF Quad reverb, Rick Johnson cabs. JBL 15, '64 Vibroverb for at home.
'52 and '56 Pro Amps

Kevin Raymer · From: Chalybeate, Kentucky, USA

This guitar.

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=285924

Nashville 400 amp.

Goodrich 120 volume pedal.

Digitech Hardwire RV7 and DL8.

BadaBOOM !!!

You are in business. FOR LIFE....
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Kevin Raymer
Zum / Knaggs / Breedlove
Fractal Audio

Eddy Dunlap · From: Nashville, Tn

A good start would be a Show Pro guitar, pac-a-seat, BJS bar, Goodrich volume pedal, and something like a used peavey LTD

http://www.showprosteelguitars.com/images/0150_12_.jpg

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

You can get a Zum Encore for around $1,500, and a Peavey or Roland Cube for a few hundred more. Add a good volume pedal, and you've got a good rig that will last you for years for only a little more than $2,000.
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Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

What would I buy with 4K ?

Another Sho Bud for under $2k !

And have 2K left over Laughing

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Clete Ritta · From: San Antonio, Texas

For 3-4K you can get a really good brand new steel guitar that is custom built by any number of current builders. Pros are that its to your specs and your size (an important factor in its playability) and that you won't ever have to buy another steel (you probably will though). You get exactly what you want and it will fit you perfectly! Cons are you have to wait while its being built.

On the other hand, if you can personally try out used guitars you'll likely spend half as much, and could even buy two. Pro is you buy immediately (if the shoe fits wear it). Con is you have to do some legwork to go try them out first. Other option is used guitars here on the forum. Pros are a high reliability factor when buying unseen and supporting the forum as well. Cons are the standard buyer beware caveat emptor.

Ive never been to a convention yet, but its been mentioned many times to prospective buyers here that attending one is a good way to try (and possibly buy) new steels, as well as just help to decide exactly what it is you're looking for.

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