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Topic: help on purchasing a pedal-steel (in Italy) |
Giorgio Robino
From:
Genova, Italy
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Posted 26 Jun 2005 3:11 am |
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Hi all
I'm interested in purchasing a pedal steel guiatr (no big exigences beecuadse I'm a beginenner an mainly because I play strange ambient music, listen clips on my web site [url=http://solyaris.altervista.org)]http://solyaris.altervista.org)[/url]
An Italian shop (I'm from Italy) sell the instrument in the photo here:
http://www.guitarworkshop.it/vintage/index.htm
What do you think about this S12 pedal steel?
It's a valuable instrument ?
What the money value ?
Many thanks
giorgio
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Martin Abend
From:
Berlin, Germany
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Posted 26 Jun 2005 4:21 am
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It's a Marlen Speedy West Model. Since I assume that shops in Italy usually don't have a clue when it comes to Pedal Steels I'd respectfully suggest that you buy a good used one from a musician himself. It could be that "100% Original" means that they sell it like they got it and they couldn't care less if it's working or not. I know that from German shops as well.
Also check for steels in other European Countrys. There are always some for sale in the Netherlands or in Germany.
Good luck,
MAritn
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John Sluszny
From:
Brussels, Belgium
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Posted 26 Jun 2005 7:01 am
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| ...and it's a 12 string one,how many knee levers,I can't see any. |
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Per Berner
From:
Skovde, Sweden
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Posted 26 Jun 2005 7:12 am
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If I were you, I would skip this one and go for a modern, easy-to-work-on-yourself guitar from a bigger brand
(=not a one-man-operation) that is still in production, with a good reputation for backing up
their products, preferrably from a European steel specialist dealer. Names like Carter, Mullen and
GFI come to mind, and dealers like Ted Nesbitt (Rainbow Music) or Gerry Hogan among others.
--------------------
´75 Emmons p/p D10 8+4, '96 Emmons Legrande II D10 8+5, ´74 Sho-Bud Pro III Custom SD10 4+5, Peavey Nashville 1000 |
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Giorgio Robino
From:
Genova, Italy
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Posted 27 Jun 2005 5:42 am
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Thanks all for suggestion.
BUT
in fact it happened to me that also European vendors (Germany etc.) proposed to me student level instruments at a price too high for me (with shipping in Italy ...more than 1000 euro  )
So I would be very garteful for precise suggestions contacts for get a reasonable quality pedal-steel (on neck S-10 / s-12) with at least 3 pedal and ... 4 levers with a total price *less* than 1000 euro
I play ambient music and I'm not interested in many refinements; I only need a good silent pickup and decent tuning system ... nothing special ... because I concentrate more on composition and "effects"-elaborations ... listen my MP3 songs excerpt on http://solyaris.altervista.org ... where I used an Artisan lap-steel (the cheapest guitar in the world  )
thanks
giorgio
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Per Berner
From:
Skovde, Sweden
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Posted 27 Jun 2005 7:42 am
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Giorgio, I am afraid you will not find many S10 pro steels available (in Europe) under 1000 euros, not if they are any good. For a decent condition well-built older pro steel that is easy to work on, one you still can get spare parts for (like an MSA or a Sierra) I think you will have to pay at least 12-1300 euros + shipping, even from a private seller. That seems to be near rock bottom value, so if you decide to sell a few years later you should be able to get all your money back. If you buy something cheaper (less modern, more worn, less known brand etc), chances are you won't find a buyer later on.
(An example: I sold my really nice S10 AVM 3+6 for around 1150 euro last year, and I could have pressed for another 100...)
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´75 Emmons p/p D10 8+4, '96 Emmons Legrande II D10 8+5, ´74 Sho-Bud Pro III Custom SD10 4+5, Peavey Nashville 1000 |
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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Posted 27 Jun 2005 8:19 am
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Ciao Bello ! 
Per is right on the money
i would seriously consider Wolfgang Bednar & his WBS student model http://www.wbssteelguitars.com/
it's the only student model available that's the closest to a pro model that i know of
the copedent can be changed
i believe it sells for 900 €
Wolfgang is a Fo'Bro so he's close at hand
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Giorgio Robino
From:
Genova, Italy
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Posted 27 Jun 2005 8:45 am
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I thank you but I can't afford the prices hypotized, because:
1. In Italy we are in economical recession even we have still big artist (in ambient music especially ... I'm joking! ) Anyway ... my budget is max 700 euro.
I remind that something like 1500 euro is almost the montly salary of a worker/employee in Italy...!
2. I do not understand why a "basic" pedal steel would be cost around or more than 1000 euro ?! I believe that the cost is to high on respect of features in terms of mechanical building complexity (when comparing with a standard guitar).
3. I'm from Genova ... you know, we are like scottish
4. Apart jokes, I'm look on a simple instrument because I think that more simple is the instrument ... more lacunose will be the instrument ... more creativity you ... musician will apply to improve the sound ... this is a trick for cerativity 
Isnt'it ?
giorgio |
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Randy Reeves
From:
LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 27 Jun 2005 9:30 am
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Ciao. I understand the situation. I have travelled to Italia many times. to find a pedal steel guitar there would be difficult.
may I suggest a more affordable alternative.
get a laps steel. they come with six, eight, seven and rare, ten strings.
you can achieve simialr sounds as the pedal steel.
lap steels are still affordable. |
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Giorgio Robino
From:
Genova, Italy
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Posted 27 Jun 2005 9:36 am
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Randy,
thank you; using a lap steel is exactly what I done realizing my debut CD! http://solyaris.altervista.org
using a pedal-steel for me would be a refinement ... to experiment chordal / microtonal slow chord progressions (I love Susan Alcorn pieces on thsi technique on snap form microtonal to "tempereted" tune)
but all this is for me in fact a "plus" .. I can go over with my beautiful 6-strings $70 Artisan lap-steel
giorigo |
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Randy Reeves
From:
LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 27 Jun 2005 12:18 pm
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Giorgio. ho capice.
as a new pedal steel player when I am not learning I spend many hours just playing.
the sustain and all those strings makes for some very ambient sound.
lap steels have benefits and can give much ambient music, but I understand how you wish to graduate to a pedal steel.
I hope to live in Italy some day; my grand parents are from italy.
perhaps we could make a deal. I will bring my pedal steel to Genoa and you can adopt me. |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 27 Jun 2005 12:46 pm
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Pedal Steel Guitars are not overpriced. Any maker who tries to sell an overpriced guitar will soon be out of business.
A pedal steel for approximately one month's salary? With a lot of margin for variation, that sounds about right. |
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Per Berner
From:
Skovde, Sweden
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Posted 27 Jun 2005 9:25 pm
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As I see it, a pedal steel guitar is priced the way it is because of two main factors:
1. They are built in VERY small quantities (the biggest manufacturers included) compared to regular electric guitars.
2. They are not built by Chinese or Indonesian kids making 20 cents an hour.
So for 700 euro, I unfortunately believe your choices will remain
a) a nearly-new good student model like CrowBear suggests,
b) a frustrating dead-end like a Maverick or a Sidekick,
c) a badly worn-out and unplayable junk pro steel (you can read some horror stories on the forum!), or
d) no steel at all.
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´75 Emmons p/p D10 8+4, '96 Emmons Legrande II D10 8+5, ´74 Sho-Bud Pro III Custom SD10 4+5, Peavey Nashville 1000[This message was edited by Per Berner on 27 June 2005 at 10:26 PM.] |
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Giorgio Robino
From:
Genova, Italy
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Posted 28 Jun 2005 5:36 am
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| Quote: |
| I hope to live in Italy some day; my grand parents are from italy. perhaps we could make a deal. I will bring my pedal steel to Genoa and you can adopt me. |
ah ah funny Randy!
infortunately Italy economy is terrible and the nation is in a complete recession period. This is very sad and serious social issue So I do not encourage you to come here
If this is not enough also wheater is terrible... comparing wheater data yesterday with a friend in San Antonio - Texas ...
We concluded that in Italy today 28 June 2005 the temperature / umidity are really worst that in texas desert ...
I'm not joking unfortunately!
The music is the only salvation
giorgio
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Randy Reeves
From:
LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 28 Jun 2005 5:47 am
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Giorgio. my friends in Torino tell me the same thing. the economy in the states is pretty bad too.
and they tell me it is 35! that is hot.
I would not be ready to move for a few years. perhaps it will be better.
last year I found my 1974 Sho-Bud pedal steel on Ebay. I won with a bid of 900$.
they are not in-expensive instruments.
you may have to wait until you can get the steel you need.
I was very fortunate to find mine at that price.
be patient. they are out there.
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Giorgio Robino
From:
Genova, Italy
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Posted 28 Jun 2005 7:04 am
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Thank Randy
The weather paradox is that in Italy for the first time in my life, from two years, we have problems with the lack of water for agricoltura purposes! this land is becoming a desert ... inbelievable!
yes, all Italy is in economical deep crisis desptite the fact the medias broadcast "no problem" and as I know (I work in a internation al mobile phone company) in United Kingdom is not mutch better than Italy and you confirm that USA is not a paradise.
I don't know ... for myself ... my dream is living in Canada ... COLD weather
But despite the useless internet for real job finding it remain a dream at the moment for me. ... I don't despair .. today !
About steel guitars ... yes I'l be patient ... some good occasion happen in lifetime when we don't look at them directly ... at the moment I going deeply with instruments I already have!
I'm very happy that today Susan Alcorn (www.susanalcorn.com) just give me a positive feedback about my music (made simply with the S6 Artisan
Anyway thank you and any further suggestion fot this difficult purchase are welcome
giorgio http://solyaris.altervista.org |
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Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 28 Jun 2005 7:20 am
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Hey Giorgio!
Yes, we keep hanging in, we'll find a steel of a deel.
What I didn't know was the weather there taking such a dry turn. I know parts of Italy are like the Southwest over here; maybe it's the global thing.
Keep asking, it'll happen.
Good to hear from you.
Charlie |
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Giorgio Robino
From:
Genova, Italy
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Posted 28 Jun 2005 7:59 am
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Hi Charlie!
| Quote: |
| we'll find a steel of a deel. |
What does it mean "steel of a deel" ?
I didn't fine the world "deel" in my iyalian-american vocaubolary
| Quote: |
| maybe it's the global thing. |
I'm absolutely convinced abouth this ... despite a famous american novel writer I know is very famous in these days for a book (I don't remeber the title) the would demonstarate that globe heating processing isa a scientific falseness ...
I don't think so ... in my every day experience from 10 years from now ...
About music you can find in my website just updated what Susan stated ...
One positive note in the general disaster!
take care
giorgio |
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Randy Reeves
From:
LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 28 Jun 2005 9:17 am
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| a play with words. deel , another spelling to rhyme with steel, means deal...a good purchase...less than what you thought to pay. |
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Giorgio Robino
From:
Genova, Italy
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Posted 28 Jun 2005 9:21 am
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I see, Randy!
yes sound beatiful now!
"steel of a deel"
"steel of a deel"
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Randy Reeves
From:
LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 28 Jun 2005 12:32 pm
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prego
prego |
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Ian Finlay
From:
Kenton, UK
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Posted 28 Jun 2005 12:58 pm
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Giorgio, you might look for a Bennett - made in the UK, decent steels and you're in the same timezone for advice and spares.
I think Basil Henriques was selling one....
Ian |
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Adrienne Clasky
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 28 Jun 2005 1:31 pm
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"I'm absolutely convinced abouth this ... despite a famous american novel writer I know is very famous in these days for a book"
I think Crichton said this. He is neither a scientist nor a very good novelist. He stinks!
Georgio, how much does it cost to ship from America to Italy?
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Giorgio Robino
From:
Genova, Italy
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Posted 29 Jun 2005 2:23 am
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Hi Adrienne! how are you?
| Quote: |
| how much does it cost to ship from America to Italy? |
In specific experience of some forum user, shipping to Italy by FedEx, costed around $200 USD (some years ago).
quoting: "I'm not sure about the VAT tax, I think it was declared as used guitar parts, and he might have been able to minimize the tax, otherwise I think it's around 25% of declared value."
Personally I think that for zeroize VAT tax, the box would be declared as "GIFT" ... in this case I think the box will bypass the customs "fee". But honestly I didn't got any direct experience of italians that imported similar instrument, so I can't estimate exactly the total cost of shipping etc.
for Ian:
May you please could give me web link of Bennet or a dealer to contact ?
take care
giorgio |
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Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 29 Jun 2005 5:18 am
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Thank you Randy. (It was a poor pun, Giorgio.)
I see the purchase/shipping problem now.
It's too bad that you can't buy a steel as 'a box of parts', which it is, considering that the value added is due to the player!
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