Info / Opinions on this steel for sale locally

Steve Green · From: Gulfport, MS, USA

I'm considering buying this steel. It's for sale locally, via a Buy/Sell/Trade Facebook group I belong to. I've never owned a pedal steel, and don't know much about them. I've been wanting to get into pedal steel for a while. I'm attaching the photos from the listing. It looks to me like maybe a GFI changer and a Sho-Bud fretboard, home made case, and possibly 3 pedals / 4 knees. He's offering the steel AND a Fender 212 amp for $600. Please see the photos, and feel free to offer any tips or suggestions. It's located about 30 miles from where I live, so I can easily drive to go look at it - I just don't know really what to be looking for.

I know the photos aren't very detailed, but does it appear to be worth $600?

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Larry Jamieson · From: Walton, NY USA

Steve, It looks like a home made steel with a home made case. If, IFFFF...it plays OK and stays in tune, it is well worth $600. Do you know anybody who plays who could go with you to look at it? Can the guy selling it demonstrate it for you by playing something on it? Maybe a Forumite lives close to you who could help you evaluate it before you buy it...

Jason Putnam · From: Tennessee, USA

I've only been playing steel for about 3 years or so but here is my opinion. If you are serious about learning to play, save that 600 dollars and put it toward a good solid instrument. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to learn to play the most difficult machine there is on an instrument that doesn't work correctly and will not hold tune. It may be great, I don't know for sure without playing it. But the fact that it's 600 dollars with an amp tells me it's not. Especially when most professional steels sell for 3 or four times as much. I would save some more and keep an eye on the forum for a good used steel. Stage ones, encores, Gfi, etc. will all be a better investment in an instrument to play. Good luck!
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1967 Emmons Bolt On, 1995 Mullen PRP 3x5,Nashville 112, JOYO Digital Delay, Goodrich Volume Pedal, Livesteel Strings

Steve Green · From: Gulfport, MS, USA

I just received a response from the seller regarding my inquiry.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

It looks like an MSA got rehomed in another cabinet.
MSA changer and keyhead.
If it's a local transaction, you could try it first.
Otherwise, it's a Turnen Run, which you should do.
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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

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

Not an MSA changer or body/frame. Key heads may be MSA, but they are mounted improperly! Nothing else is MSA, but I'd suspect possible tuning problems until it is rebuilt.

Caveat emptor. Neutral

richard burton · From: Britain

I don't know how substantially the changer pillow blocks have been mounted, hopefully they will be bolted right through to a plate on the underside of the steel.

If not, the mounting could be too flimsy, and will lead to detuning problems during playing.

Tim Russell · From: Pennsylvania, USA

As the other guys have suggested...

Since you are just getting into PSG, you want something that will not turn you off from playing with tuning issues, stability, etc. I personally would save up my cash and wait for a good used model to come along, preferably one that is not cobbled together from a lot of different or even homemade parts.

Not that homemade would be a bad thing necessarily, but again, being new to it & uncertain...you don't want those hassles.
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Sierra Crown D-10

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

The other thing of mention, musical Instruments are a "value" item and should be treated as such. Paying $600 for an unknown entity , although it sounds very good today ,may very well end up costing you $600 in the end as it cannot be re-sold if you are not happy with it.

Proceed with caution I say.
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Steve Green · From: Gulfport, MS, USA

I guess it's probably best if I pass on the guitar. I've been playing lap steel for a few years now and really like it - I was just hankering to try out a pedal steel, since I've never tried one.

I could get the $600 together fairly quickly by selling a standard guitar (or two) that I seldom play . . . but I don't have $1,000 or more just laying around to spend on something I may or may not like. I thought the $600 price tag might be worth "testing the waters", so to speak, on a Pedal guitar. The included amp is irrevelant, as I have a Roland Cube 80XL that I'd play through.

Perhaps he'll come down further in price if I don't want the amp.
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Charley Bond · From: Inola, OK, USA

You ought find yourself a good steel guitar player & have a look see... Tapping something takes 5 minutes.

Taking a qualified, experience player with you, to see the Guitar would be wise. If the Guitar was closer, I would have already been there, to have a look see.

Eddie Freeman · From: Natchez Mississippi

Steve, leave it alone, you got some pretty good advice on this.

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