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Topic: When did these instrument brands come to market? |
Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 21 Apr 2020 10:22 am |
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Don't know if this topic has been covered before or not. If so, a cursory Forum search did not reveal much.
When did the following modern pedal steels begin production on a scale to become available for sale to the public? I inquire chiefly to satisfy my idle curiosity, but there's likely others who share my interest in the historical stuff. There's gotta be guys out there who know the answers, and are willing to share their knowledge.
Carter
Derby
Desert Rose
Emmons LeGrande
Fessenden
Franklin
GFI
Infinity
JCH
Justice
MCI/EMCI
Mullen
Rittenberry
Show Pro
Zumsteel |
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Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
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Posted 21 Apr 2020 10:38 am
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The one I can tell you about is Zumsteel, as I've read Bruce's book. It was at the St. Louis SGC in 1976 that he first displayed his wares and took some orders.
He'd only built a handful up till then.
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Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs |
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Herb Steiner
From:
Spicewood TX 78669
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Posted 21 Apr 2020 1:09 pm
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I got my first Fessenden in 1992, and I think it was a fairly early one. It had Fessenden Guitar Company in cursive on the front apron but without the steer skull logo.
_________________
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? |
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Gene Tani
From:
Pac NW
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Charles Kurck
From:
Living in Arkansas but Heaven is home
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Posted 22 Apr 2020 4:16 am Pedal Steel Companies
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Carter  1992 – 2010  Â
Derby  1990 – 2009  Â
Desert Rose 2003 – Present  Â
Emmons LeGrande
Fessenden   – Present  Â
Franklin  1978 – 2014  Â
GFI  1989 – Present  Â
Infinity  2010 – 2015  Â
JCH  1981 – 2005  Â
Justice  2008 – Present  Â
MCI/EMCI  1985 – 1990  Â
Mullen  1979 – Present  Â
Rittenberry   – Present  Â
Show Pro  2008 – Present  Â
Zumsteel  1976 – 2013
https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=280154&highlight=pedal+steel+companies
_________________
"Life is better if we're saved, and death is too." |
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Brian Hollands
From:
Geneva, FL USA
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Posted 22 Apr 2020 4:42 am Re: Pedal Steel Companies
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| Charles Kurck wrote: |
MCI/EMCI  1985 – 1990  Â
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While not definitive, my research of MCI indicates they started pedal steel production in '83 or '84 in Waco. I believe the move to Arlington was in late '84. "Arlington" models with a wood front apron date mostly to '85. Welded frame guitars (Gene Fields contribution) began in March/April of '86 and the name change to EMCI was later in '86. The company was sold to Gretsch in '90 and production ceased shortly thereafter.
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'81 Sho-bud LDG, 2 EMCI's |
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Ross Shafer
From:
Petaluma, California
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Posted 22 Apr 2020 6:39 am
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I know Sierra's not on the list....but in the name of history, I figured I'd add the info in anyway. Check Wright built the first Sierra in 1960. Definitely a few bumps and production stoppages along the way, but we're still cooking' up some mighty fine pedal steels.
I believe that Sierra may be the oldest brand out there producing pedal steels. I can't express how stoked I am to have the opportunity to design and produce the new Sierra's. |
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Herb Steiner
From:
Spicewood TX 78669
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Posted 22 Apr 2020 6:47 am Re: Pedal Steel Companies
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| Brian Hollands wrote: |
| Charles Kurck wrote: |
MCI/EMCI  1985 – 1990  Â
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While not definitive, my research of MCI indicates they started pedal steel production in '83 or '84 in Waco. I believe the move to Arlington was in late '84. "Arlington" models with a wood front apron date mostly to '85. Welded frame guitars (Gene Fields contribution) began in March/April of '86 and the name change to EMCI was later in '86. The company was sold to Gretsch in '90 and production ceased shortly thereafter. |
I was working at Danny's Guitars in Austin in 1985 and remember my old LA pal Red Rhodes coming into the store to tell me he'd moved to Waco to work on MCI steels. He also brought a steel for us to evaluate for the store. What I remember is that the logo was on both the front and REAR aprons (most likely because they used the same silk-screened piece for both front/rear,) and that the build quality was that of an "intermediate" level guitar. We were a small store and couldn't afford to tie up money on new pedal steels so we passed on the proposal.
After the move to Arlington, the MCI developed into the full professional quality guitar it became.
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My rig: Infinity and Telonics.
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? |
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