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Topic: Undervalued Brands? |
Chris Harvey
From:
California, USA
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Posted 5 Feb 2019 4:16 pm |
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| I'm in the process of backing off my expensive gear. I just wanted opinions on steels that are well built but undervalued for whatever reason. I'd like to pickup a D-10 for a reasonable price. I see old MSA models, Carters and Sierras for great prices. I just wanted to get some opinions. Weight really isn't a concern. Nice mechanics is a concern (I want something that stays in tune). I hear some of the old MSAs were not made by hand (or out of playwood?). |
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Douglas Schuch
From:
Valencia, Philippines
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Posted 5 Feb 2019 4:26 pm
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Williams and Fessenden are two steels currently being made that often sell used for a relatively lower price to very similar models that seem to draw a hefty premium.
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Bringing steel guitar to the bukid of Negros Oriental! |
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Paul Sutherland
From:
Placerville, California
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Posted 5 Feb 2019 5:03 pm
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BMI. I've never owned one, but I played one once and it was a good steel. They seem to sell for lower prices in the used market. I've never understood why that is.
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It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing. |
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Lee Warren
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Posted 5 Feb 2019 5:12 pm
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Hi Chris,
I think a Derby guitar might fit your needs / wants.
My SD10 is well built, stays in tune and sounds great.
To me, they appear to be virtual Emmons all pull clones, but typically sell for way less.
Just my 2 cents.
Lee |
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Dan Beller-McKenna
From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 5 Feb 2019 5:14 pm
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| If you can handle the weight and don't plan to add stock parts, Dekleys are a great bargain. |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 5 Feb 2019 5:20 pm
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The older MSA's have gone up recently. Five years ago, the mica Classics (laminated die-board bodies) were bringing $1200-$1400. Now, they're in the $1600-$2000 bracket. The solid maple ones are the most sought-after models, and they're mostly all over two grand now. The Sierras had a good sound, but their unconventional looks turned a lot of players off.
My first "new" pedal steel was a D10 mica MSA Classic, and I bought it because of the superb mechanics, and because it was about $400-$500 cheaper than anything else out there at the time. I played it for almost 30 years (close to 10,000 gigs), and it never let me down. |
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Chris Harvey
From:
California, USA
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Posted 5 Feb 2019 5:42 pm
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| Thanks everyone! |
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Justin Emmert
From:
Greensboro, NC
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Posted 5 Feb 2019 5:42 pm
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| Marlen, but difficult to get parts for I hear. |
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Joseph Napolitano
From:
New Jersey, USA
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Posted 5 Feb 2019 6:14 pm
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| Ditto Derby. |
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Jim Cooley
From:
The 'Ville, Texas, USA
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Posted 5 Feb 2019 6:31 pm
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| Lee Warren wrote: |
Hi Chris,
I think a Derby guitar might fit your needs / wants.
My SD10 is well built, stays in tune and sounds great.
To me, they appear to be virtual Emmons all pull clones, but typically sell for way less.
Just my 2 cents.
Lee |
A Derby is essentially an Emmons LeGrande, just less expensive. |
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Rich Upright
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 5 Feb 2019 7:43 pm
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MSA. Best sound & action I ever owned. I was an idiot to sell it.
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A couple D-10s,some vintage guitars & amps, & lotsa junk in the gig bag. |
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Johnie King
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 5 Feb 2019 8:02 pm
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| All mention above very good steels. Plus the Sierras are under valued. Also GFI used are great steels. Used Carters great too. |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Posted 5 Feb 2019 8:21 pm
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Keyless Sierra Session models are great guitars, real workhorses, that usually sell for much less than other brands due to their unconventional appearance.
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-𝕓𝕆𝕓- (admin) - Robert P. Lee - Recordings - Breathe - D6th - Video |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 6 Feb 2019 7:16 am
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I would have expected Curly Chalker's association with the older MSAs to have rendered them desirable but, relative to the market, they're not. Maurice himself played one but that was marketing.
It seems odd to me that used Show Pros don't seem to do well. They seem to be beautiful guitars and, arguably, the prettiest steels made today but they seem to linger for months when offered for sale.
I have had two Derbys and I would take issue with them being Emmons' equivalent. There was something indefinable missing in the sound for me. They're another very well made steel, though, and they look great.
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles and Martins - and, at last, a Gibson Super 400!
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Paul Wade
From:
mundelein,ill
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Posted 6 Feb 2019 8:23 am ndervalued Brands?
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i would take a look at older msa d-10 either mica or wood body's guitars i played one for 20 years same for the dekley slimline d-10 also the lighter msa d-10 classic SS samll and light. they stay in tune will keep you busy for a life time....
p.w |
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Bob Carlucci
From:
Candor, New York, USA
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Posted 6 Feb 2019 9:11 am
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As far as a lightweight "modern" guitar thats undervalued, I would say carter tops the list.. they are as well built as anything out there, have truly great playability, reliability and absolutely wonderful sound and sustain, and are typically very affordable compared to some other brands,, I have noticed past few years however that the word is out, and the market for used carters has tightened up some, and prices have crept up...
bob
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I'm over the hill and hittin'rocks on the way down!
no gear list for me.. you don't have the time...... |
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scott murray
From:
Asheville, NC
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Posted 6 Feb 2019 9:16 am
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I own two Sierras for this very reason. they play and sound great and can be had for considerably less than other comparable brands. also, Buddy Emmons played one for quite awhile and really bragged on their tone... he was right!
but now that I'm playing my JCH exclusively at home, I'm likely going to sell one of the Sierras. let me know if you're interested! 
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1965 Emmons S-10, 3x5 • Emmons LLIII D-10, 10x12 • JCH D-10, 10x12 • Beard MA-8 • Oahu Tonemaster |
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Clyde Mattocks
From:
Kinston, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 6 Feb 2019 11:59 am
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I have always thought that Marlens and MSAs were the most bang for the buck.
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LeGrande II, Nash. 112, Fender Twin Tone Master, Session 400, Harlow Dobro, R.Q.Jones Dobro |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 6 Feb 2019 12:50 pm
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| Roger Rettig wrote: |
| I would have expected Curly Chalker's association with the older MSAs to have rendered them desirable but, relative to the market, they're not. . |
Sadly, neither Curly's playing style and sound, nor his choice of guitar, were very popular. IMHO, this is because Curly wanted a guitar with a full/fat, organ-like sound, with a lot of impact. He also wanted one that would easily acommodate a complex setup, so his obvious choice was an MSA. But back in the '60s and early '70s, for most players, thinner trebly tones were the order of the day. (Think: Brumley, Myrick, Green, and Emmons.)
Only a few players ever copied Curly, and that's unfortunate. He was one of the giants of pedal steel back then; a truly skilled and imaginative player. |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 6 Feb 2019 12:54 pm
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Yes, Donny, I can see that. As heretical as it may be, I always preferred that fuller, fatter sound to the in-vogue-at-the-time biting quality inherent in the early Emmons guitars. Perhaps that's why I've never been sorely tempted to acquire one.
I love almost anything Buddy played but my favourite BE tone is on his Christmas album - on his EMCI, I believe.
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles and Martins - and, at last, a Gibson Super 400!
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John McClung
From:
Olympia WA, USA
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Posted 7 Feb 2019 1:15 am
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I was very impressed by a Pedal Master "The General" uni 12 some time ago. Built like a tank, 25 inch scale, sustained forever, great mechanics, almost zero cabinet drop. Wish I'd bought it in many ways.
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E9 INSTRUCTION
▪️ If you want to have an ongoing discussion, please email me, don't use the Forum messaging which I detest! steelguitarlessons@earthlink.net |
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Tommy Detamore
From:
Floresville, Texas
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Posted 7 Feb 2019 5:25 am
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I agree that the Carters are great guitars that can be had for reasonable prices. As some of you may know I played Carter guitars for many years and did a lot of recording with them and was a happy camper.
To add to what my friend Roger said, another great guitar for not a whole lot of money is the MCI/EMCI. I recently acquired a mid-80’s welded frame Range Expander and it is a killer. Nice even tone with some growl, and great sustain. Plays smooth and solid. There is a certain mystique surrounding these guitars and I had been curious about them for a long time, so when I had the opportunity to get one I jumped. Frankly I was shocked, especially by the sustain factor, even up high. Easily on par with a really good PP, and I have a couple of those to compare it with as a “reality checkâ€.
I would also submit that the JCH is a fine guitar that can sometimes but had for a good price. I have a late-80’s model here that I’m setting up for a friend and it rings pretty good too.  It has some PP growl going on, and it plays nice. It has a lot of steel parts, so it’s not a lightweight guitar like the Carter or MCI, but I’m thinking all that steel may contribute positively to the sound somehow.
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Tommy Detamore
Quilter Labs, Goodrich Sound, Source Audio, Neunaber Audio, and Stringjoy Authorized Dealer
www.cherryridgestudio.com
www.steelguitartracksonline.com |
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scott murray
From:
Asheville, NC
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Posted 7 Feb 2019 7:35 am
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please contact me if a JCH becomes available. I'm very happy with mine and would love to find another
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1965 Emmons S-10, 3x5 • Emmons LLIII D-10, 10x12 • JCH D-10, 10x12 • Beard MA-8 • Oahu Tonemaster |
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Gary Patterson
From:
Gallatin, TN
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Posted 7 Feb 2019 7:49 am
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| Perhaps because there are so few of them, Clark Custom is apparently a hard sell. I love mine, and got it cheap. Recently, somebody sold a D-10 here on the Forum for a ridiculously low price, after almost a month or more. |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 7 Feb 2019 7:52 am
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I briefly had a very second-hand MCI in 2002. I was about to do my first stint at the Medora Musical in North Dakota and I'd been warned that the constant heat and dust was a punishing environment. "You might not want to use your lovely new Emmons on the gig", I was told.
I called in on Bobbe Seymour on my drive up there and he had this somewhat battered MC! D-10. He switched it to 'Day' for me and off I went, $1200 later.
I had some problems with it! The pedal-rods would become detached where the holes had elongated, often in the middle of a song. But the tone!!! As Tommy said, the sustain on the higher registers was amazing - better than my LeGrande - and the guitar stayed in tune, too. I sold it to someone at the end of the gig but I've since wished that I'd kept it. (I honestly don't know about the various incarnations of the MCI/EMCI guitars but this one sounded as good as any guitar I've played.) To be fair, I think the guitar had been thoroughly worn out and needed a good overhaul - no reflection on the brand intended here.
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles and Martins - and, at last, a Gibson Super 400!
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