New Steel Not A Good Fit?

Preston Turner · From: Houston/Victoria, Texas, USA

Anyone ever bought a steel from a different manufacturer, and it not be a good fit for you? I just bought a Sierra Session, and I’m just not liking the way it plays at all in comparison to my BMI despite so many positive opinions out there.

Going to take it to get looked over and reworked to be sure, but wondering if this guitar is just not a good fit for me and it’s not going to work out.

Roger Crawford · From: Griffin, GA USA

That’s not uncommon at all. I bought a top of the line steel that was immaculate in fit and finish and played smooth as butter. But it just didn’t fit like it should. My favorite guitar just fits like an old pair of shoes.

D Schubert · From: Columbia, MO, USA

I have bought several pedal steels with a first-class nameplate, pedigree, and sound -- and they just didn't have the right ergonomics, which caused me to play even worse than I normally do. Ended up selling, moving on. I don't think I'd ever buy another steel guitar without test-driving it first.
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GFI Expo S-10PE, Sho-Bud 6139, Fender 2x8 Stringmaster, Supro consoles, Dobro. And more.

Brett Day · From: Pickens, SC

When I got the GFI Ultra D-10, at first I wasn't sure how good it would sound or how the tone and sound was, and at the time, I was using a little Fender Champion 30 amplifier that could be plugged into any instrument, and at first I felt that the tone wasn't what I was looking for-I guess I'd forgotten to turn off effects or something, so when I got my Peavey Nashville 112, the guitar sounded great, but at one point, I didn't know if the strings were going bad or the pickups weren't working right or I wasn't putting enough pressure on the bar. In '09, after playing the GFI onstage in Atlanta, I met David and Harry Jackson, and they let me try out a Jackson Madison '63, and of course, I couldn't get over how awesome that guitar, the Jackson sounded, compared to the GFI. So, in 2010, I got in touch with the Jackson Steel Guitar Company and they built my Jackson Blackjack Custom, which I've been playing for fourteen years now. In October of 2017, I took my Fender Champion 30 amp, along with my Jackson Blackjack Custom to a jam session on Monday nights, and the Jackson sounded incredible through that little Fender amplifier, and I've found out recently, my Jackson is so much easier to play because of my Ezzee Slide polymer bar. My Jackson Blackjack Custom fits perfectly!

Herb Steiner · From: Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064

It happens. I love Lloyd Green's mid-late 60's sound and so I acquired a Sho~Bud fingertip that had the sound I was seeking (much different than the Emmons wraparounds I was using onstage).

But it just didn't fit me ergonomically... the cabinet was too long. I'm 5'5" tall and when I was in correct sitting position for C6, my left leg was incorrect for E9, and vice versa. It was a beautiful guitar, though.
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My rig: Infinity and Telonics.

Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg?

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

Marco Schouten · From: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

I only had 4 steels in my life, but I always started to play it for a few weeks first. After that, I would sete pedal height, play it for some time, than adjust the angles of the knee levers. At the end it always "fitted".
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JCH SD-10 with BL XR-16 pickup, Sho-Bud Volume Pedal, Evidence Audio Lyric HG cables, Quilter Steelaire combo

Bobby Martin · From: Virginia, USA

I bought a like-new name brand S-10 to complement my old 6139 Sho-Bud. Didn't realize it was set up 1" for a tall player. Removed front leg spacers,shortened and re-threaded the pedal rods (thread mis-match issue with quick connect links), got it adjusted properly,changed LKR E lower to RKL lower and just didn't like it! Sounded great but didn't feel right so I sold it to Billy Cooper at a loss. Luckily, a Show-Pro Lloyd Green floated down the Shenandoah River to me soon after and I love it! Moral to the story...try it out first!!
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Retired my "Flying Pro III" playin' gigs with the "little bud" in the Northern Shenandoah Valley.

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

Yep, been there. I guess that's why almost everybody gravitates to a particular guitar. The way a guitar sounds, plays, feels and responds to your touch is a personal thing.

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

yes, way too many times.. Some of the best builders too... Just did not work for me.. A lovely Fessy, wonderful GFI keyless, gorgeous Desert Rose,MSA SS and several others as well.All were great guitars, in dead mint condition... They were all perfect... for someone else, I could not bond at all, and I really have NO idea why..I don't think any of those guitar lasted 2 months with me.. Whats REALLY weird is this-had a Carter 5+5 s10 that I played and loved for many many years... Sold it for some stupid reason.. One day decided I HAD to get another loaded s10 carter to replace the beloved one I sold on a whim... Although that guitar was the same era[BCT, and was basically the same as the one I sold, it never "fit" the same as the Carter it replaced.. Not even close, and to this day I can't explain why.. Experienced players just know which guitars work for them and which just don't, and it typically does NOT take long... bob
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I'm over the hill and hittin'rocks on the way down!

no gear list for me.. you don't have the time......

Larry Hobson · From: Valley Grande (Selma) Al USA

Could this line of though be applied to women ? Asking for a friend.

Larry Ball · From: Airdrie, Alberta, Canada

“Wow”.. this thread has made me feel better..I recently sold two fantastic steels that didn’t feel right for me after I found the right one for me. I tried to get back playing them but would quickly go back to the steel that felt correct for me..
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Sho~Bud SD10 LDG, Show-Pro SD10 LDG, Peavey Nashville 112, Boss Katana 100 MK11, Telonic's F100 Multi-Taper Super Pro V/P, Wayne Brown “Custom Designed Amp”

Brett Lanier · From: Madison, TN

Yeah, I move the left knee levers back and closer to center on all my guitars. Beginners should take some time to get used to what they have because it’s going to feel awkward either way. Eventually you’re going to want to make sure you can get A,B, and F lever quickly (both independently and in combinations) without having to readjust your body.

Jon Jaffe · From: Austin, Texas

Some guitars just don't fit. My first instruments were MSAs; I don't remember if they fit. Besides, I was a lot more flexible in my 20s. I have two very adjustable Klines, but some might think they're small. I had a Zum U12 for a couple of years that was too big, and I could not adjust the outside knee levers properly. I also had a Carter U12 that was OK. Ross Shafer of Sierra considered my height, pant length, the height of my current Kline, my seat height, and the angle of my elbow when building my new guitar.

Ron Pruter · From: Arizona, USA

Being a "Po boy" what ever steel I wound up with, I made it work. RP
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Emmons SKH Le Grande, '73 Fender P/J bass, Tick tack bass, Regal high strung, USA Nashville 112.

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