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Post new topic Favorite Steel Pedal Guitar?
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Author Topic:  Favorite Steel Pedal Guitar?
Ken Barrett


From:
Sebastian, Fl.
Post  Posted 18 Aug 2019 12:01 pm    
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I am new to steel pedal and was wondering which guitars you like best? If you would like to elaborate, Why & set up?
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I have played guitar for over 60 years, PSG for 5 & bass for 7 years. Currently, I play bass in a band. I also collect guitars and basses. I live in Florida on the east coast. In my picture is a 1948 Gibson Grande of mine that was used in a Hank Williams movie.
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Gene Tani


From:
Pac NW
Post  Posted 18 Aug 2019 5:21 pm    
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Welcome to the world of steels!

There's lots of threads about buying a first steel, see below. I and many others recommend the Zum Stage one made by Doug Earnest in Missouri. If your looking to spend more money to start, you're looking at a single or double neck, each w/10 strings, or possibly a 12 string single but usually that's not a first instrument choice. There's other variations but not too common.

Buy first: https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=314108

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=345537

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=325398

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=332808

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=340425
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- keyless Sonny Jenkins laps stay in tune forever!; Carter PSG
- The secret sauce: polyester sweatpants to buff your picks, cheapo Presonus channel strip for preamp/EQ/compress/limiter, Diet Mountain Dew


Last edited by Gene Tani on 18 Aug 2019 5:33 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Ken Barrett


From:
Sebastian, Fl.
Post  Posted 18 Aug 2019 5:31 pm    
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Thank you, Gene. I actually talk with Doug yesterday and ordered a Stage one.
_________________
I have played guitar for over 60 years, PSG for 5 & bass for 7 years. Currently, I play bass in a band. I also collect guitars and basses. I live in Florida on the east coast. In my picture is a 1948 Gibson Grande of mine that was used in a Hank Williams movie.
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Gene Tani


From:
Pac NW
Post  Posted 18 Aug 2019 5:38 pm    
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Excellent choice. Red?

Another member, while waiting on the Zum build, was watching Paul Franklin's course videos to get a leg up https://www.mmmlearn.com/courses/foundations-e9-pedal-steel-basics-with-paul-franklin
_________________
- keyless Sonny Jenkins laps stay in tune forever!; Carter PSG
- The secret sauce: polyester sweatpants to buff your picks, cheapo Presonus channel strip for preamp/EQ/compress/limiter, Diet Mountain Dew
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James Quillian


From:
San Antonio, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 25 Aug 2019 6:01 am    
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When I buy an instrument of any king the fist thing I do is figure out exactly what I am buying, or what I am paying for.

Is the guitar pretty? That can matter to someone who plays shows but for someone like myself who only plays in a home studio, that doesn't make one iota of a difference.

Something like the efficiency of pedal and lever action and other mechanical characteristics are what matter. For that I don't know how much difference there is between one manufacture and another. The only steel I have ever played is the one I own.

My guitar is a Fessenden which I bought used for around $2000. I don't know how this instrument compares to other brands but I have been really impressed with the simplified mechanics. It sounds exactly the way I want a steel to sound. The only disadvantage I find is that of dealing with that manufacturer if parts are needed. I am sure others will disagree but I find it is not worth the trouble of trying.

I don't know how levers are made by other companies but on this one, the levers break off easily. Care has to be taken not to hit a lever from the wrong angle because it just might break. The solution I found for that is not hard. I just had a machinist add a make a tip made of harder metal that bolts into the soft metal of the lever.

Even with that, I would get another one because it is a good guitar.
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Frank Freniere


From:
The First Coast
Post  Posted 25 Aug 2019 9:46 am    
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Welcome, Ken.

BTW it’s typically called a “pedal steel” guitar.
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Ian Worley


From:
Sacramento, CA
Post  Posted 25 Aug 2019 1:26 pm    
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Ken Barrett


From:
Sebastian, Fl.
Post  Posted 25 Aug 2019 1:37 pm    
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Thank you for the info guys. Gene, I have not picked a color yet but I did tell Doug I wanted to move up to Encore.
_________________
I have played guitar for over 60 years, PSG for 5 & bass for 7 years. Currently, I play bass in a band. I also collect guitars and basses. I live in Florida on the east coast. In my picture is a 1948 Gibson Grande of mine that was used in a Hank Williams movie.
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Rich Upright


From:
Florida, USA
Post  Posted 29 Aug 2019 5:59 pm    
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As far as tone,with 1 exception, the best sounds I have ever heard come from an Emmons push-pull, or a Zumsteel. I have owned both, & like an idiot I sold them. Will hopefully have another one day; just waiting for one to come up for sale locally.

The 1 exception? My MSA Classic D-10. Sold it because I was facing heart surgery, & didn't know if I would be able to lift it afterwards, as they are very heavy. I oughta have my butt kicked for that, too. It was the best sound I have ever heard come out of a steel.
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A couple D-10s,some vintage guitars & amps, & lotsa junk in the gig bag.
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Kevin Fix

 

From:
Michigan, USA
Post  Posted 29 Aug 2019 7:18 pm    
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SHO BUD!!!!! Smile Smile Smile Smile
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