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Topic: Lightweight (or lighter weight) Pedal Steel? |
Bob Roden
From:
California, USA
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Posted 3 Sep 2023 11:49 am |
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Just curious -- I bought my last pedal steel over 40 years ago, so haven't really followed how newer models have developed.
Now I am in the process of parting with my long-time instrument, in large part because at my advancing age I no longer want to move around anything so heavy.
(It's an MSA single 12 -- listed currently in the classifieds, if you're interested.)
So I'm just wondering -- in these ensuing decades (i.e., since the 70s), has anything in the way of a lighter-weight pedal steel come along?
Thanks,
Bob |
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Craig Robson
From:
Wisconsin
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Posted 3 Sep 2023 12:15 pm
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I have a Justice Pro-Lite that weighs about 43 pounds in the case. I have nothing but good things to say about it. I also moved on from a couple old MSAs and I really appreciate the lighter weight. I think there are a pretty good number of lighter guitars in production now.
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Justice Pro-Lite and The Judge, GFI Expo D-10, Fender Twin Reverb |
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Greg Cutshaw
From:
Corry, PA, USA
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Posted 3 Sep 2023 12:27 pm
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If you're transporting it anywhere make sure you consider the weight of the case. Some cases are 12 pounds or so lighter than others.
My Excel S-12 Guitar in the case weighs 38.8 pounds, case weighs 12.2 pounds and the guitar weights 26.6 pounds. It's got a lot of extra hardware on it so if you got an S-12 E9th it would be lighter.
https://www.gregcutshaw.com/Excel%20D13%20S12%20Keyless/Excel%20D13%20S12%20Keyless.html |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 6 Sep 2023 12:15 am
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Short answer, YES, Stage One ,Encore and probably a few more. Very lite weight , typically E9th 3+4. I owned a Stage One for a while , used it on a few shows where we had little to no set up time between acts, get on stage then get the heck off stage  in hind site I should have kept it.
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 6 Sep 2023 3:12 am
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GFI's are light. SD-10 is 30lbs. S-12 in the same range.
GFI cases are not light. SD-10 case is 17lbs. If I were still playing out I would get a different case (or two piece). |
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Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
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Posted 6 Sep 2023 7:05 am
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I have an Excel similar to Greg's and I also have an S12 Willams; the actual guitar is as light as the Excel but the case is a good deal heavier. Definitely something to take into account.
_________________
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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Justin Shaw
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Posted 6 Sep 2023 8:20 am
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| I have an Excel universal that is nice and light weight (not sure the actual lbs). It came with a wheeled, fitted flight case. So not just light, but you are rolling it instead of carrying it most of the time! |
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Justin Shaw
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Posted 6 Sep 2023 8:20 am
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| I have an Excel universal that is nice and light weight (not sure the actual lbs). It came with a wheeled, fitted flight case. So not just light, but you are rolling it instead of carrying it most of the time! |
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Steve Lipsey
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 6 Sep 2023 5:51 pm
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Here's where a Hatton case is the answer...my Williams is light, the case was a ton...now the combo is light...
_________________
https://www.lostsailorspdx.com
Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham Resos, 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor |
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Bobby D. Jones
From:
West Virginia, USA
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Posted 6 Sep 2023 7:05 pm
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As we get older, Light gig guitars become a way of life.
I gigged a MSA S10 4&4 for years, Weighed about 65lb. in it original case. At about my 70th birthday. I said, "I need to go lighter". I got a chance to get a GFI S12 Keyed Universal 7&4, 49lb in original case. I now also have a GFI S12 7&5 keyless Universal that is smaller and lighter too.
A few months ago my 85lb MSA D10 8&5 left home too. It now has a new home in Ohio. |
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Alan Struthers
From:
New Jersey, USA
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Posted 8 Sep 2023 10:31 am Another lighter guitar
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Bob,
In an announcement a few entries ahead of yours, Fuzzy (Mitsui, Excel brand) is offering an E9 that weighs about 22 lbs called the Robostar. I've go a U12 Excel Exstar and it is relatively light and a beautiful instrument that produces a beautiful tone, so I would feel confident ordering one.
Alan
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Gettin' better . . .
Excel ExSTAR U12, Mullen Royal Precision D-10, MCI SD10, Peavy Nashville 112, Fender Princeton, Gibson RB-3, Gold Tone dobro, Martin D-18, and other stuff |
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Steve Mueller
From:
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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Posted 9 Sep 2023 5:48 am
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My new Williams wide body S12 4 X 5 extended E9 weighs 25 lbs. In the case it's 41 lbs. If you get Kevin Hatton to make split cases, you could lighten up even more. It's a lot of guitar for 25 lbs, and beautiful too with laquer body and neck. Service from Bill Rudolph is tops. You need parts, advice, etc? Call and he answers the phone. Try that with Mitsuo.
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2016 Williams D12 8 x 8, 2015 Williams D12 8 x 8, 2023 Williams S12 4 x 5, Milkman Amps, 1974 Gibson Byrdland |
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Bob Roden
From:
California, USA
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Posted 17 Jan 2024 10:41 am
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A big thank you to everyone for all the great replies to my question here. You've given me a lot of really useful information, and I really appreciate it.
Bob |
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J D Sauser
From:
Wellington, Florida
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Posted 17 Jan 2024 12:48 pm
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Weight is an issue, but mass also affects tone and stability beyond just static. We work these guitars hard with pedals and levers... left/right and even up with verticals. I have a very compact short scale Excel Superb S12 and I need to push down with the bar and my picking hand not to send her up to upper cut into my chin with my verticals.
Mass & Sustain.
Think of a steel guitar like a chopper or a gun's recoil. It's the difference between a string's and the instrument's body mass which will determinate which vibrates. A bit like the tendency of a chopper's body to girate against the main blades or a lighter bullet on a heavier gun causing less recoil.
On the other hand, structurally PSG's would seem to be ideally less top heavy and have more weight in their legs and pedal rack to keep her from being slammed around from the lever and positioned "squarely" on the floor.
Sure, an old Gen. MSA was not intended to be light weight. In those years, anything lighter than a Bigsby was considered just fine.
Carter, Mullen, new MSA etc, are certainly lighter without being "feather weights". Excel being on the lighter end of guitars.
I just would be careful with the idea of "ultra"-light for above concerns.
... J-D.
_________________
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Was it JFK who said: Ask Not What TAB Can Do For You - Rather Ask Yourself "What Would B.B. King Do?"
A Little Mental Health Warning:
Tablature KILLS SKILLS.
The uses of Tablature is addictive and has been linked to reduced musical fertility.
Those who produce Tablature did never use it.
I say it humorously, but I mean it. |
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Jeremy Threlfall
From:
now in Western Australia
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Jeremy Threlfall
From:
now in Western Australia
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Stew Crookes
From:
Paris, France
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Posted 18 Jan 2024 3:00 am
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Any conversation about light guitars tends to have Excel and Williams pop up a lot!
I'd really like to try an ETS someday, or hopefully someone will design something similar as everyone seems to have good things to say about them...
I love my Excel Robostar, and while I don't know if I'll ever bring myself to sell the S10 EMCI that was my first good guitar, even moving that mid-weight steel around makes me appreciate Excel's designs even more
_________________
Music mixer, producer and pedal steel guitarist
stewcrookes.com |
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Dawn Jackson
From:
Tennessee, USA
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