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Post new topic New Pedal Steel Advice
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Author Topic:  New Pedal Steel Advice
Craig Woloshin

 

From:
Florida, USA
Post  Posted 3 Dec 2019 1:26 pm    
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Hey All
I am currently playing a stage one zum encore, I love everything about the steel, but would like to upgrade to a better guitar....any thoughts or advice on a new steel guitar?
I would like to keep it under 3000.00
Thanks
Craig
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Larry Baker

 

From:
Columbia, Mo. U.S.A.
Post  Posted 3 Dec 2019 5:47 pm    
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I'm a Mullen guy all the way, so my recommendation
would be a Mullen Discovery all the way in that
price range. The Encore you have is a great guitar
though and very dependable.
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Bill C. Buntin

 

Post  Posted 3 Dec 2019 8:53 pm    
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Try Fred Justice. Excellent product and excellent service. Great value and well within your price range I think.

Bill
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Mike Perlowin


From:
Los Angeles CA
Post  Posted 4 Dec 2019 3:59 am    
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You should visit a steel guitar shop or go to the show in Dallas, where you can try out several different steels and see which one you prefer.
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Fred Justice


From:
Mesa, Arizona
Post  Posted 4 Dec 2019 5:28 am    
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Craig, the Justice Pro Lite with 3x4 might be just what you need.
It weighs 26 lbs. yet a pro guitar in every way.
$2995.00 comes with new case.
http://www.justicesteelguitars.com/Pro%20Lite.html
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Benjamin Davidson

 

Post  Posted 4 Dec 2019 5:46 am    
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I also recommend the Justice Pro-Lite, Im very happy with mine.

Quality product and very good to work on as you find need. Ive done my share of work under mine, (more tinkcering around than out of nessesity).

Even if you add a pedal or knee to that, I found it hard to find a better steel for the price new.

If you have questions about it, let me or Fred know.
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Bruce Bjork


From:
Southern Coast of Maine
Post  Posted 4 Dec 2019 6:42 am    
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Justice Pro Lite
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Gene Tani


From:
Pac NW
Post  Posted 5 Dec 2019 12:39 am    
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This guy asked same question, answer is pretty much there isn't a real upgrade from Encore but you could get a D10 or 12 stringer https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=351292
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Dave Mudgett


From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
Post  Posted 5 Dec 2019 5:17 am    
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Gene Tani wrote:
This guy asked same question, answer is pretty much there isn't a real upgrade from Encore but you could get a D10 or 12 stringer https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=351292

Ha! Note that "this guy" Craig Woloshin is the OP of this thread too. Craig, I don't blame you - you didn't really get an answer there, IMO.

The Zum Encore is a good guitar, but I don't think it's the last word on pedal steel guitars. There is a vast world of different pedal steels,, but to answer the question of what is "better", you need to explain what you want from a guitar. There is no "absolute better", but there may be guitars that are "better for you". For example, what kind of music do you like? What kind of music do you want to play? Do you want to stick with just 10-string E9 or do you want to explore one or more other tunings like 12-string Extended E9 or Universal E9/B6, a Double-10 with E9 and C6, or perhaps something else? Do you want a modern steel vs something vintage like an old Emmons push-pull or Sho Bud? Do you have an special considerations - for example, I'm tall and thus strongly prefer a double-wide body. Your Zum Encore would be too narrow for me - my only Single-10 E9 pedal steel is on a double-wide body, an SD-10. There are, no doubt, other considerations, but the ergonomics of a pedal steel guitar are critical. It should fit like a glove to your frame.

This type of question gets asked probably once a week. Here's a recent thread that got quite a bit more response - https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=350512

I think it would be useful to have one thread, perhaps a sticky, to compile ideas for how to select a good guitar for people in various stages of their playing development - new player, player wanting an upgrade from a starter guitar, intermediate-advancing player, to figuring out how to choose between the myriad of choices for someone who already has a pro-level guitar but wants to consider some different designs. But the search function is your friend - these questions and more have been discussed probably hundreds of times on different threads over the last 20 years here.
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john widgren


From:
Wilton CT
Post  Posted 5 Dec 2019 5:59 am     butter or better?
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pm sent
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Johnie King


From:
Tennessee, USA
Post  Posted 5 Dec 2019 6:41 am    
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Here’s a as new Fessy I have for sale on forum.

Lot of Nice used steels on forum under $3000 takes a little time but well worth waiting to get the steel you want.


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Johnie King


From:
Tennessee, USA
Post  Posted 5 Dec 2019 6:47 am    
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Here’s a as knew Fessy
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Gene Tani


From:
Pac NW
Post  Posted 5 Dec 2019 5:22 pm    
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Heh, Dave M observes that I'm not very observent!

I based my short nonpost on my experience looking for an "upgrade" from Stage one. I bought a Mullen 12 which i consider to be a worthy 2nd steel, absolutely top notch tone and mechanics tho I haven't setup the coped I want. But i'm wondering if I should have gotten a d10 so I think the best path is to see if you can get to any steel shows or if any local shops, teachers or other steelers can let you try other form factors liek SD10, D10 or 12 string (or even just an S10 w/wrist pad, which is a real upgrade to the Encore from Doug Earnest, if you don't already have one.) Having Doug E build out the levers with a vertical would also be an upgrade if you don't have that, and maybe you want to try a Truetone or similar single coil.

As far as makers to research: Mullen, Emmons of course, Bruce Zumsteg's zums, Williams, GFI, Fred Justice, Desert Rose, BMI, Fessenden, Excel, Show pro, MSA, Sierra, (Bud) Carter; Frank Carter Infinity
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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
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Pat Chong

 

From:
New Mexico, USA
Post  Posted 6 Dec 2019 11:15 am    
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Mr Craig,
I would ask, how many pedals/knee levers do you have? Is your Encore maxed out? If not, then maybe adding pedals/levers would take care of what you want or need.

What John said in your last post and what Dave said in your current post I would agree with. The Encore may not be the best/latest but it IS more than just to learn on. And Dave mentioned a valid point. What is it than you want in an updated model? What are you trying to accomplish? Mentioning these points may give ground for better answers.

.......Pat
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John Sluszny

 

From:
Brussels, Belgium
Post  Posted 6 Dec 2019 11:33 am    
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Are you playing a Stage One or an Encore ??? There's no such thing as a Stage One Encore !!!
If your guitar is a Stage One, get the Encore. It's a fantastic guitar http://www.stageonesteelguitars.com
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Donny Hinson

 

From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
Post  Posted 6 Dec 2019 3:46 pm     Re: New Pedal Steel Advice
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Craig Woloshin wrote:
Hey All
I am currently playing a stage one zum encore, I love everything about the steel, but would like to upgrade to a better guitar.


Couple of questions first:

How long have you been playing?

Have you had any one-on-one lessons?

What is it you're trying to do that can't be done with what you're now using?

(No, I'm not trying to talk you out of a new guitar. I'm just trying to keep you from spending money that might give you relatively little in return.)
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