| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic Does anyone make a pedal steel like the old Fenders?
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Does anyone make a pedal steel like the old Fenders?
Mike Neer


From:
NJ
Post  Posted 22 Jul 2024 6:32 am    
Reply with quote

What I mean is, does anyone build a steel that is easily changeable to way the old cable Fenders were?

I am toying with the idea of getting a pedal steel but one that will be used with C6 and have my own changes on it. Is there a remote possibility of this?

I’ve owned quite a few pedal steels, but the one I really enjoyed and wish I still owned was the Fender 800, a single 10-string that I found very easy to set up. Will I have to resort to buying an old instrument like that again?
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Mark Perrodin

 

From:
Tucson Arizona, USA
Post  Posted 22 Jul 2024 7:09 am     maybe, possibly
Reply with quote

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Lee Rider


From:
Fort Bragg, California, USA
Post  Posted 22 Jul 2024 8:43 am    
Reply with quote

Gene Parsons has played a Fender 800 since Leo gave him one back in the late '60's. He plays a D9 copedent with 8 pedals and 4 knees. They are great sounding guitars and I would not think it would be a problem to set up as you wish.
_________________
Bowman SD10 push pull 3x5, Modified Hudson PedalBro, Sarno Tonic preamp, Evans SE200 with Altec 418B, Standel Custom 15, '67 Showman with D-130F in cabinet, Ganz Straight Ahead, custom Wolfe 6 string dobro, '52 Gibson Century 6.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Mike Neer


From:
NJ
Post  Posted 22 Jul 2024 10:04 am    
Reply with quote

I've owned a Fender 800 in the past and made many adjustments to it, and liked it very much. But I was just wondering if there is anything comparable on the market today.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Bob Carlucci

 

From:
Candor, New York, USA
Post  Posted 23 Jul 2024 1:46 am    
Reply with quote

Mike, I seriously doubt there are any pedal guitars built today that can change the copedent as quickly as the old Fender cable jobs. I am sure that most modern all pull guitars can be readily adjusted with a bit of familiarization.. Pretty easy stuff really. having owned 3 different 800's over the years, I do understand your reasoning. The tuning/copedent can be completely revamped, in just minutes with no tools once you know how they work.. I doubt anyone anywhere makes anything like that these days, but I'll defer to smarter guys than me. I always felt the later[2 up 2 down w/roller nut]Fender pull system was a very good, well engineered setup that would still be 100% viable with some upgrades. Such as nonsoldered pull cables, stainless steel roller drums with bearings and just a few machining upgrades.Perhaps a somewhat smaller, lighter body.. Fender made good pedal steels, but they seemed more interested in selling large quantities of electric guitars and amps, and not dealing with a niche market product.. I wish they had just modernized a really good design and stuck with it a while longer.. There are still a lot of them in use today 60+ years later, so they were certainly well built... In your case, I would seek out another 800,play it, enjoy it,make great music with it, and this time DON'T let it go!.. I did the same thing-loved them, and sold them, and now regret it. They aren't that easy to find anymore, especially really clean ones.. bob
_________________
I'm over the hill and hittin'rocks on the way down!

no gear list for me.. you don't have the time......
View user's profile Send private message
Earnest Bovine


From:
Los Angeles CA USA
Post  Posted 23 Jul 2024 4:30 am     Re: Does anyone make a pedal steel like the old Fenders?
Reply with quote

Mike Neer wrote:
does anyone build a steel that is easily changeable to way the old cable Fenders were?
...
Will I have to resort to buying an old instrument like that again?


Kline steels are just as easy to change as Fenders. They are "old instruments" but not as old as Fenders, and they work better.
View user's profile Send private message
Richard Sinkler


From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
Post  Posted 23 Jul 2024 7:35 am     Re: Does anyone make a pedal steel like the old Fenders?
Reply with quote

Earnest Bovine wrote:
Mike Neer wrote:
does anyone build a steel that is easily changeable to way the old cable Fenders were?
...
Will I have to resort to buying an old instrument like that again?


Kline steels are just as easy to change as Fenders. They are "old instruments" but not as old as Fenders, and they work better.


Never a truer word spoken. Kline was my favorite guitar.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Rick McNamara

 

From:
Michigan, USA
Post  Posted 23 Jul 2024 12:35 pm     Anyone make steels like the old Fenders
Reply with quote

Hey Mike,

I have a Fender 800 that is in all most new condition. It has 6 pedals mounted but only 5 are cabled. I have been storing it for quite awhile! If you’re interested send me a PM and we will go from there!

Regards,
Rick McNamara
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Bob Carlucci

 

From:
Candor, New York, USA
Post  Posted 24 Jul 2024 12:48 pm    
Reply with quote

There ya go Mike!..
_________________
I'm over the hill and hittin'rocks on the way down!

no gear list for me.. you don't have the time......
View user's profile Send private message
Alan Brookes


From:
Brummy living in Southern California
Post  Posted 24 Jul 2024 2:01 pm    
Reply with quote

I think what Mike is asking is whether there are any new cable-operated steels being built today.
I would like to know that, too.
I've had two Fender cable models over the years but had to sell them during lean times.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Bob Carlucci

 

From:
Candor, New York, USA
Post  Posted 25 Jul 2024 8:14 am    
Reply with quote

If a builder would take the basic Fender design and use lighter more precision components, I bet they would sell a lot of them.. Won't happen....
_________________
I'm over the hill and hittin'rocks on the way down!

no gear list for me.. you don't have the time......
View user's profile Send private message

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