| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic What Brand's are Still Making Steels?
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  What Brand's are Still Making Steels?
Bryan Parnell


From:
Hanover, Pennsylvania, USA
Post  Posted 18 Aug 2023 5:18 pm    
Reply with quote

I'm new to pedal steel, and in my search for my first PSG, I am finding a lot of guitars from brands that are no longer building instruments.

Since I want to get something with easy access to parts for repairs and changes to copedents, I want something from a builder that is still operating.

So far I am aware of these brands still in production:
-MSA
-Mullen
-Williams
-GFI
-Sierra
-Stage One
-Rittenberry
-Jackson
-Show Pro
-Justice
-WBS

Here are some I am not sure are still making guitars? Can anyone confirm?
-Schild?
-Desert Rose?
-Beck Musical Instruments?
-Fessenden?
-Excel/Fuzzy?
-Texas Pedal Steel?
-Infinity?

Am I missing any?

After looking around at Billy Cooper's shop and sitting behind a PSG, I want a D10 or D12 that I can setup to E9 and C6.

Playability, stability, and tone are all much more important than weight. I don't mind if it weighs a ton. Anything I should look for? Happy to hear about pros and cons. I understand prices vary quite a lot.

Are there any brands out of production that are easy to get parts for?

Thanks! Very Happy
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
K Maul


From:
Hadley, NY/Hobe Sound, FL
Post  Posted 18 Aug 2023 5:44 pm    
Reply with quote

BMI and EXCEL are still in business. Maybe Schild. The others are not,I believe.
_________________
KEVIN MAUL: Airline, Beard, Clinesmith, Donner, Evans, Excel, Fender, Fluger, Gibson, Hilton, Ibanez, Justice, K+K, Live Strings, MOYO, National, Oahu, Peterson, Quilter, Rickenbacher, Sho~Bud, Supro, TC, Ultimate, VHT, Williams, X-otic, Yamaha, ZKing.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Tom Campbell

 

From:
Houston, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 18 Aug 2023 7:07 pm    
Reply with quote

Desert Rose is most definitely being built.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Dave Grafe


From:
Hudson River Valley NY
Post  Posted 18 Aug 2023 7:36 pm    
Reply with quote

Sounds like you should give Chuck a call, he's building some really nice instruments.

https://desertroseguitars.ltd/
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Ron Funk

 

From:
Ballwin, Missouri
Post  Posted 18 Aug 2023 8:58 pm    
Reply with quote

Emmons - new ReSound models
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Jerry Overstreet


From:
Louisville Ky
Post  Posted 19 Aug 2023 7:28 am    
Reply with quote

Fessenden nor Infinity are presently building steels.

Far as I know, Texas Pedal Steels is....at least I haven't heard anything about them shutting down.

I'm surprised we don't hear more about them due to their close association with the MCI, EMCI guitars which were great sounding and playing compact units and were hugely popular in the mid to late 80s at least.
View user's profile Send private message
baxter vaughan

 

From:
Lubbock, Texas 79424
Post  Posted 19 Aug 2023 9:53 am    
Reply with quote

Texas Pedal Steels are very much still in business. I’ve had one for about 4 years now. Played the living daylights out of it haha. Great playing guitars.
Baxter
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Bobby D. Jones

 

From:
West Virginia, USA
Post  Posted 19 Aug 2023 8:20 pm    
Reply with quote

Rains Steel Guitars web site is not operating at this time.
Anyone know what there status is?
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Brett Day


From:
Pickens, SC
Post  Posted 21 Aug 2023 1:19 pm    
Reply with quote

Beck Musical Instruments(BMI) is still building steels because "Cowboy" Eddie Long, who plays steel with country artist Jamey Johnson just got a new steel from them. Jackson is still building great steels-they now build the Pro V, the Maverick, which can be built with six strings or ten strings. Jeff Surratt is still building ShowPro steels, and Emmons now has the ReSound '65. Mullen is still played by many steel players with models like the G2, Royal Precision and Discovery. GFI still builds the Ultra and Expo in S-10, SD-10, and D-10

Last edited by Brett Day on 10 Oct 2024 9:35 pm; edited 3 times in total
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Yahoo Messenger
Tom Barnes

 

From:
Kentucky, USA
Post  Posted 10 Oct 2024 1:09 pm     custom build needed
Reply with quote

I had a stroke and am looking for someone to custom build me a sd10 with 2 normal foot pedals and the top end turned to a left hand picking and right hand bar . Anyone know of a company please pm me ,or e mail , thanks, Tom Barnes
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  
Please review our Forum Rules and Policies
Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction, and steel guitar accessories
www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

The Steel Guitar Forum
148 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425 USA

Click Here to Send a Donation

Email SteelGuitarForum@gmail.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for Band-in-a-Box
by Jim Baron