help identifying Sierra S14

Cappone dAngelo · From: Vancouver, BC, Canada

Hi all!

I'm new to the forum (and to PSG). Can anyone identify what model this Sierra is, and ballpark age? Sorry I don't have better photos (and none of the undercarriage ...). It has 4 pedals and 4 knees. It doesn't appear to have any model name printed on it. It seemed to be in good condition, other than the pedal bar not properly attaching to the right leg. Local store is asking CDN$2000.

I've searched the forum for general info on Sierras, but any info you can provide about this specific model would be much appreciated.

Thanks!
Cappone

[/img]

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

It's either an Olympic model or the later Royalty. They are very, very similar...hardly any difference. The Olympic models had mostly black anodized hardware and should have an Olympic badge on the left end.

2K seems like a big price to me even, or maybe in spite of, it being a 14. With only 4 knees and 4 pedals, certainly not the more expensive Universal tuning. It's possible some of the pedals have been removed, of course but can't tell without pictures of the mechanics underneath.

I'd think liberal fair value would be $1500 USD on the low side to around $1800 at the highest. That's if a servicable factory case is included.

Can't see the pedal bar attachment issue you mention but the rack must attach to the legs securely.....that might or might not be a problem to fix. No way to know without seeing it.

Pete Burak · From: Portland, OR USA

It looks like a Crown model to me.
Maybe you know a Steel player that could go and check it out with you?
I have bought and sold a very similar looking S14U 8x5 for $950 USD with a case, which I thought was pretty reasonable.
Maybe offer $750 in Canadian.
Generally speaking, it is a basic rock-solid instrument from that timeframe (mid 70's?).
That single-coil pickup should sound good.
Things to check would be that the electronics work... those extra knobs and switches sometimes go out.
Underneath there are some round Delrin Cams where the rods meet the cross-rods that sometimes dry out and crack, that affect the pedal stops ability to stop. Don't overtighten those, because that's what usually cracks them.
Not knowing if it works or not due to various reasons, I would highly recommend negotiating a "return for full refund" clause.
If it is still near factory spec it should work fine for what it is, after new strings and a lube job.

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

It appears be be late 70s or early 80s vintage, probably Olympic judging by the anodized changer.

It is not a Crown model. All Crown models were gearless. The same guitar with conventional keyhead is called Royalty. Before that, Olympic.

The Crown logo was stickered on the first gearless guitars.

The first Crowns used the conventional type tuner posts but no gears. Just posts on a plate. They were 24" scale.

Later came the 25" scales with the re-designed gearless plates and tuners. All these had the folding legs.

The next generation was the Session series which were all 25 in. and gearless.

I dunno how this mis-identification got started. I guess in trying to differentiate between the Session series and the more conventional folding leg models. I don't know. I see people here incorrectly calling Royalty models Crown all the time so it's probably too rampant now to correct but I'm trying.

I've posted this information several times but it doesn't seem to do any good.

Anyway, if you don't believe me, here's a price sheet and info I posted years ago that clearly identifies only gearless models as Crown and i.d.'s the keyed models Royalty.

Pete Burak · From: Portland, OR USA

I've got no problem with Jerry's info.
There may be a model identifier in the Serial number, like an O, R, or C.
fwiw it's a +/-40 year old steel that may be difficult to re-sell for various reasons... something to keep in mind when making your offer.
There are newer new/used student/pro model steels that you might want to consider if spending over $1000.

Cappone dAngelo · From: Vancouver, BC, Canada

Thanks everyone for your input!

Based on the info above as well as some subsequent web searches informed by it, I suspect it's a Royalty. If it's still there next time I'm at the store, I'll gather some more info (including serial number and whether it includes a usable case), try to diagnose whether the issue with the pedal bar attachment is major, and take more photos.

Re pricing, given the value of the Canadian dollar, the scarcity of instruments in this area, and the cost of buying from the US (and keeping in mind many US sellers won't even ship beyond the lower 48 Sad

...), it makes sense that the pricing would be significantly higher here than, for example, in Nashville, though perhaps it's still on the high side.

All that said, based on the other great info on this site and seeing the ease with with modern pro instruments sell compared to student models and 'odd' instruments, and given that it would likely be very difficult/expensive for me to get a used instrument serviced, I'm leaning toward just ordering a new, pro model.

Thanks again for all your help - this forum is great!

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

This era of Sierra is basically the same mechanically through the early 90s models so all the parts should interchange except for the later Session Series changes.

These are workhorse guitars. Great builds, precision tolerances and nice playability. Yes, they are a little different design from the 'Bud and Emmons clones, a little heavier but solid as a rock.

I believe Jim Palenscar has some parts for these, if needed, at his shop listed in the links.

The thing you need to know is if it has the common E9 setup or something weird. With 14 strings, it could just be an extended E9 tuning, or as I stated earlier, it may be a modified tuning from a Universal or something else.

Impossible to say without a hands on or at least seeing some of the mechanics.

Probably 2K canadian is not too far out of line for a music store to ask, but they might be willing to come down as there is probably not too much demand for pedal steels.

Good luck whatever you decide. Welcome to the forum and the steel guitar.

Doug Taylor · From: Shelbyville, Kentucky, USA

Cappone, I have a late 70s Olympic S10 that looks a lot like that. If you need pictures of anything PM and I will get them to you.

Jimmie Miller · From: Dothan, Alabama

Cappone,
I’ve played a Sierra S14 since 1984. I now have a Crown Series also. Both are tuned E69. One has 10 & 6. The other has 9 & 7. Same changes, different places. These are great Guitars. They’re built like a tank, and they stay in tune.
I agree with the previous post that the price may be a little high with so few pedals and knees.

_________________
Sierra 14 string E69, Nashville 400, Nashville 112, MB-200/ MB 500 Tommy Huff 1-15 Cab.

Tony Glassman · From: The Great Northwest

We built S-14s when I worked at Sierra (75-79). The guitars had all anodized aluminum parts until the production of the “Timberwolf” series about 1978. All guitar parts were polished before being sent for anodizing, the TW series trim was designed because it was slightly less expensive to build & also to appeal to those who wanted a more conventional looking steel. It was typically an S-10 with a 3 pedal 4 KL construction.

So my guess is that it’s standard S-14 with a requested Tmberwolf trim package. Harley James or Mark Simpson might be able to throw in their two cents, as they worked at Sierra around then.

Cappone dAngelo · From: Vancouver, BC, Canada

Forum Index > Pedal Steel		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: