Age cut-off date

Tom Campbell · From: Houston, Texas, USA

What do you consider to be your (age) cut-off date for ordering or buying your "last" steel guitar?

A lot of factors to consider... general health, financial considertions, future living conditions, still playing gigs or not...etc.

Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

I would suggest buying a crystal ball first, although I don't know how much they cost. If the guitar's cheaper, buy that.
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Ross Shafer · From: Petaluma, California

This doesn't necessarily answer your question Tom, but worth noting.

I delivered a guitar midyear 2020 to a wonderful 88 year old gentleman who'd been playing lap steel or steel since he was 10. He passed about 6 months after receiving his beautiful new Sierra. I spoke with family members after he passed, they told me he sat and played the dang thing for hours everyday during those last months, loved every minute of it and would brag on his new guitar to anyone who'd listen!

I hope I can be that engaged with my life passions when my time comes!

Charley Bond · From: Inola, OK, USA

I'm about 6 mos from the 80 mark. I'm still feeling good & enjoying myself with my SIERRA Pedal Steel. I'm in the throes of tweaking my 1976 Sierra Pedal Steel, that I have customized with a 5th Knee Lever & gears on the Reverse Levers. It has 4/5 knees & a Aluminum Pad for the back. I ran upon a Nashville 400, a Goodrich Pedal & I'll be rarin' to make as much NOISE as I can, for the DURATION...

Being Old ain't all in your head, but being Passionate about something, does make a difference...
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Tom Campbell · From: Houston, Texas, USA

Wow! Love the responses!
Than you!

HowardR · From: N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville

I would think seriously about buying green bananas.....but a new guitar?.....no problem......

Bobby D. Jones · From: West Virginia, USA

You just grow so old, Then you go into your 2nd childhood, It's time for some new toys.

At about 75 I bought a GFI Ultra S12 keyed U. Then I bought another GFI Ultra S 12 keyless , Still in case, Coming winter project to Play with my newest toy.

Christopher Peck · From: Seattle

for 25 years I was a FF/Paramedic in North East Ohio. There was a cat that lived in town who ended up needed EMS services a few times; he was in his late 80's or early 90's so not totally unexpected. One time my crew ran over to do a welfare check on request of his neighbors across the street. Seems like the old guy would play trumpet after dinner every night and they hadn't heard him in a few days. We ran over there and found him hale and healthy, his only problem was the middle valve on his fairly new Schilke X3 trumpet was stuck down and he lacked the finger strength to get the valve open. He'd been trickling kroil into the threads hoping to be able to break it free. Me being a trumpet player and with fairly strong hands I broke loose the valve and we got him up and running in a few minutes. I told him I played so he had me blow a chorus or two. He grinned, said 'not bad kid, you coulda played with us back in the day' then swapped out the mouthpiece and played a pretty ripping line or two. Turns out he had toured for years with various swing bands before and after WW2 including Artie Shore, Stan Kenton's Innovations Orchestra, and others. That cat had some cred for sure.

Here's the pertinent part: As we were leaving he said 'I don't play like I used to anymore, but I've never had as much fun playing the horn as I do playing along with those old records'. As long as you're going to enjoy playing, spend the money if you want. How long you might get to play doesn't figure in my book.

So long, Buddy. You were quite the character.

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

There is no cutoff date. Or at least, not until they drop me underground for good.

Al Evans · From: Austin, Texas, USA

So far, I haven't bought a pedal steel since I was 74 (I'm 75 now)....

--Al Evans
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Ron Hogan · From: Nashville, TN, usa

Keep playing. You need something that keeps your juices flowing your whole life. Good brain health as you challenge yourself through practice. Learn new licks to open brain paths.

Ron

Johnny DeRamus · From: Baytown, Texas

I'm about to turn 81 and just bought a new Show Pro from Jeff and I'm still learning. Should be shipped today. Never too old to have fun.

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

You're never too old to be a star! Very Happy

Erv

Larry Jamieson · From: Walton, NY USA

I am 72, bought my first steel in 1973. I just decided recently to retire from playing out with my band. I enjoy the playing part, but the night driving and loading all the gear in and out have gotten old. Because I am not making any money with it, it would be hard to justify a new steel at this point in my life.
After going through an MSA, a Cougar, a BMI, and a Carter, I bought a brand new Zum from Bruce in 2003. I never felt the need for a "better" guitar after playing the Zum which I still own. I have to admit, I have been tempted by the Mullen G2 and the Show Pro but I'm probably done buying steel guitars.

Donn Lewis · From: Maryland, USA

â€œLiving in the moment is a gift. Thatâ€™s why they call it the present.â€ - Ted Lasso
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John Palumbo · From: Lansdale, PA.

If you can afford it, enjoy it and like having a new toy or are just tired of the old by all means go for it and enjoy. Age doesn't matter.

Andrew Goulet · Posted 29 Oct 2021 6:43 am

No cutoff! A steel guitar is a worthy thing to pass down to a family member.
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Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

No cutoff for me, yet. I'm 83 (84 in Dec) and have a new GFI S10PU on order.

Weight has become an issue and I sold a D-10 and replacing it with an S-10 with pad.

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

You're never too old to do what you're too old to do. Cool

For the vast majority of us, if you start at 75, you will never be a Buddy Emmons. (But that's also true if you'd started when you were 10 years old.)

Play to have a good time. You can do that at any age.

Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

Well said, Donny - all of it Smile

_________________
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

I'm not as good as I once was but I'm as good once as I ever was! Laughing

Erv

Ben Lawson · From: Brooksville Florida

I think the only thing that needs to be considered, at a "mature" age, is how much does it weigh. I want to lighten the load but I love my Emmons D10 P/P with 9 & 7. As long as we're able to see the green side of the grass, we ain't too old!

Ron Funk · From: Ballwin, Missouri

Words from a plaque in my music room:

We do not stop playing
Because we grow old.
We grow old because
We stop playing.

Very good advice.

John Palumbo · From: Lansdale, PA.

Great Plaque Ron!

David Ball · From: North Carolina High Country

I believe that the older we get, the more important it is to enjoy what time we have left, whatever that ends up meaning. New guitar=Happy? Do it and do it now while you still can!

Dave

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