$4000 budget for a new SD-10...Suggestions?

Dennis Montgomery · From: Western Washington

After a few frustrating failures and a lot of wasted time, effort and money at buying used, I've decided to take the plunge and go new. This is the last pedal steel I plan to buy, so I want the best I can get for my money and something that will last me a lifetime (or the next 30 years, whichever comes first Wink

)

My budget is around $4000.

These are the things that are non negotiable:

1) SD-10 with a pad and at least 3 pedals/4 knees
2) Rock solid stable tuning...I'm sick of constantly retuning pedals/knees every other day
3) Highly reliable all pull design
4) Ability to adjust pedals to a very light touch
5) Some type of manufacturers warranty
6) Ability to easily get replacement parts and maintain myself if necessary
7) Great sound (obviously)

These are the things that would be a bonus:

1) Beautiful cabinet - doesn't have to be figured maple, mica is fine if more choices than basic black/red/blue
2) Keyless tuning (nice, but not a deal breaker)
3) Ability to add pedals or knees later on

I'm not interested in small boutique builders even though they might do beautiful work, I want a maker with an actual dealer network in place.

So far I've been researching the Mullen G2 & GFI Ultra. Both look like they check off everything on my non-negotiable list, though the threads I've read appear to give the sound edge to Mullen.

Any help would be appreciated Winking

Thanks!

Barry Coker · From: Bagley Alabama, USA

I love my Williams The Look and Tone are GREAT they have some beautiful examples on The Forum and on Williams web sight.

Mike Wheeler · From: Delaware, Ohio, USA

For me I think it would be a contest between a Mullen G2 and a MSA Legend. Both are masterpieces of engineering and design excellence.
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Best regards,
Mike

Roger Crawford · From: Griffin, GA USA

For your budget and total satisfaction, Mullen G2.

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

+1 on the Mullen
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting.

Kevin Fix · From: Michigan, USA

Mullen for sure.

Jim Hollingsworth · From: Way out West

Rittenberry!!!!!

Don Kuhn · From: Poetry/Terrell ,Texas, USA

You should contact Mickey Adams he's a rep for MSA he might be able to help you out.

Pete Burak · From: Portland, OR USA

Ronald Heinzel · From: Hollister, California, USA

I would also recommend Lynn Stafford. I bought my Emmons Lashley legrande from him!
The guitar was everything he said it was, it was packed and shipped properly and arrived in perfect shape. I would absolutely deal with him again !
Good luck in your endeavor !

Paul Sutherland · From: Placerville, California

If having a dealer that is local is a major factor, I doubt you will find that with any new steel. I could be wrong on that.

However, Lynn Stafford is an easy day trip from anywhere in the rainy part of Washington, and he would stand behind anything he sold you, or so I've been told. And his steels are pretty much in new condition, although not technically brand new.

If you really must have new, Mullen is at the top of the list. But also take a look at Justice steels. ShowPro steels also fit most of your criteria.
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It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing.

Per Berner · From: Skovde, Sweden

I would take a look at MSA, Desert Rose, Williams, Fessenden, Show-Pro, and Ben-Rom if I needed a brand new non-mica steel guitar for that kind of money.

If price didn't matter at all, it would be the new Sierra for me. Otherwise, I would lean towards MSA â€“ the finish and design solutions are top notch, and with Mickey Adams on the team these days, customer support will be world class.

From a customer protection point of view it is usually a safer bet to choose a larger manufacturer than a one man operation (like future access to parts etc., if the builder goes bust or just pops his clogs), but there aren't many breakable parts on a modern steel that couldn't be fabricated by a local machinist if necessary down the line. No reason to worry.

John Goux · From: California, USA

Youâ€™ve got a lot of choices.
Rittenberry.
MSA
Mullen G2
GFI

If it was me, Iâ€™d go Rittenberry.
J

Billy Carr · From: Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)

Mullen or Williams.

Larry Baker · From: Columbia, Mo. U.S.A.

Another vote for Mullen G2. Had mine for 9 years. not one problem.
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Mullen G2 SD10 3 & 5 The Eagle
NV112 amp===Earnie Ball V.P.

Bill Moore · From: Manchester, Michigan

Dennis, I looked over a few of your previous posts, based on that, I would suggest that you don't buy anything right now. It seems like you have been going in several directions at once, and that you really need to settle down and get back to the basics. The pedal steel requires one thing for sure; patience. It takes time to learn and it will be slow and boring a while.

You should get together with some local players, Pete Burak has offered to help, he is a good player and could give some good advice. You will save yourself a huge amount of frustration. One thing I have often mentioned to guys trying to learn; "There are good reasons that you do certain things in a certain way."

So, don't buy another guitar right now, it won't suddenly become easier to learn. Get some knowledgeable advice. Be prepared to be frustrated. Don't expect overnight success. You will be able to learn if you do this. I wish you the best of luck.

john widgren · From: Wilton CT

You have a reasonable budget...good!
Know what your hands sound like without electronic geegaws.(it takes time)
Slow down...Play them all. Dont rule out a high quality used instrument.... A dealer network may not be necessary or even an option. Be very skeptical of 90% of the advice you get. What players do you love? What do they use? Something will speak to you...wait till something does. Then jump.
Good luck.

Best,

JW
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Pete Burak · From: Portland, OR USA

There are some really nice looking used Steels on the Forum right now.
That Fessy S10 that Damir has for sale looks super nice.
https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=329895
Alberts S12U Williams also looks super nice to me. Smile

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=329998
Here's an Emmons S10 Push-Pull in your price range:
https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=328915

Asa Brosius · Posted 17 Apr 2018 8:23 am

Were I in your shoes, I'd find something used in the 3k range and find a way to play it before buying. Play everything first. The 'get better with what you have' is great advice, but there are better and worse machines in better and worse condition out there which will make a tangible difference in your playing enjoyment. There is variation in sound and playability amongst even the bigger manufacturers, and you may like a 2k guitar much more than a 4k guitar. Best of luck! And patience!

All that said, given your criteria, I'd probably track down a Rittenberry.

Mike Vallandigham · From: Martinez, CA

I play a couple of 12 string keyless Excels, because I wanted to move to the 12 string single E9/C6, but seriously, you cant beat a Mullen.

I'll say it again, Can't beat a Mullen. Get a G2.

I had a black 8+7 D-10 Royal Precision, and I regret selling that guitar. Deeply.

Tim Heidner · From: Groves, TX

Is No. 2 even a thing? I mean, is there such a guitar?

Jack Hanson · From: San Luis Valley, USA

Tucker Jackson · From: Portland, Oregon, USA

The good news is that you can't go wrong -- all the new guitars are excellent and meet the criteria of your first list.

But when we throw in your 'nice to have' list, there's only one guitar that I know of that meets all requirements: a Williams keyless. Not all brands make a keyless, so that takes a lot of otherwise worthy competitors out of the running. And wood in a variety of finishes is the default for a Williams, and I've never seen one that wasn't gorgeous. I think Show-Pro defaults to wood too. Other brands may offer that as a pricey upgrade that would kick you over your budget (and there might be few that don't offer it at all... I don't know for sure).

If you want to see what a keyless wood-finish might look like, here's a link to the gallery with over 100 pictures to click through. There are several keyless sprinkled throughout. Also note you can get an S-10 that is one-and-a-half width, with or without a pad (in addition to the normal double-wide SD-10)
http://williamsguitarcompany.com/main.html
.

Jason Putnam · From: Tennessee, USA

Mullen G2. I canâ€™t say enough about mine. I started with a zum stage one. Then I bought a Shobud. Then I bought my G2. Should have just spent the money for a G2 in the beginning. I still have the Shobud but rarely play it because the G2 is such a precise instrument I canâ€™t hardly stand to play the bud!
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1967 Emmons Bolt On, 1995 Mullen PRP 3x5,Nashville 112, JOYO Digital Delay, Goodrich Volume Pedal, Livesteel Strings

Dan Cope · From: West Virginia, USA

Iâ€™ll give another vote for Mullen G2. Iâ€™ve had mine for nearly 8 years and have been extremely satisfied!

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