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Topic: Lookin' for a new steel |
Jordan Shapiro
From:
Echo Park, California, USA
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Posted 22 Mar 2004 6:43 pm |
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Was wondering if anyone knows how to get in touch with the zum steel folks? I'm looking to buy a new or "newer" steel and there seems to be a link to every steel manufacturer in the world 'cept zum on the SGF links.
I'm kind of leaning twards a zum or a mullen at this point, but am open to suggestions.
I'm sure there's at least one person out there with an opinion. ha ha.
I'm playing a sho bud now, but, as nice as that is, I really want a newer steel with less mechanical issues and ..........well, just a new, solid.................. stayintunewithverylittleornodropatall kind of guitar.
I will be selling a 96 gretsch nashville (6120) to get some cash for the new steel, so let me know if anyone you know wants one!
Thanks,
Jordan |
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Jerry Roller
From:
Van Buren, Arkansas USA
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Posted 22 Mar 2004 7:01 pm
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stayintunewithverylittleornodropatall kind of guitar?
Sounds to me like you are describing an Emmons Lashley LeGrande III. 
Jerry |
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Sidney Malone
From:
Buna, TX
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Posted 22 Mar 2004 7:05 pm
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I'm not sure which tuning your looking for but if you can consider an S-12 this (IMHO)would be a great deal.
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum3/HTML/020755.html
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Fessy S-12U, Future MSA Millennium S-12U, Stereo Steel
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Bob Wood
From:
Madera, California, USA
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Jordan Shapiro
From:
Echo Park, California, USA
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Posted 22 Mar 2004 11:21 pm
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Oh how I wish I could step up to a franklin.......
I actually spoke to Mrs. Franklin today and.....well...I just don't have two years to wait for one right now, although that would almost guarantee that I will be able to call myself a steel guitar player by the time I got it!!! Ha ha.
If anyone knows of one( besides big Johns' )for sale let me know. I am looking for a single or sd-10 and can't afford 4000 samolians right now. Hoping for something (zum zum) around 2000-2500 max.
I've received a couple of helpful e mails from folks too here, and I do appreciate them, as it is a big decision to sell one instrument to buy another. Especially with my limited recources. So thanks y'all, and keep the input coming. Sooner or later this thread should end in me finding the right steel ..........hopefully!
Jordan Shapiro
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Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 23 Mar 2004 5:30 am
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This one, from the Buy/Sell Forum, looks like a possible match. http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum3/HTML/020702.html
Not my favorite color, but maybe you'd like it. Price is close...maybe you can negotiate. Good luck![This message was edited by Tim Whitlock on 23 March 2004 at 05:31 AM.] |
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David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
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Posted 23 Mar 2004 6:52 am
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Zumsteel, Inc.
25625 S. Brush College Rd.
Harrisonville, MO 64701
(816) 380-4568
If you call, you will get Bruce Zumsteg himself on the phone. But I think the wait these days is around a year. It's worth the wait. In the meantime, there are some great used Zums out there that you will be able to sell for the same thing you paid. I think the Zum uni is one of the best made, and a uni is the biggest challenge for a pedal steel maker. |
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Buck Grantham R.I.P.
From:
Denham Springs, LA. USA
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Posted 23 Mar 2004 7:59 am
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| I've been playing my Mullen for three years now and have never had a problem with it . Sounds great and real easy action. Stays in tune. I love it a lot and Del & Dixie Mullen and the whole family that builds the Mullen Steel take great pride in their work. Buck Grantham |
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Gene Jones
From:
Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
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Posted 23 Mar 2004 9:34 am
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Jordan, you have received lots of good indorsements above, and they are all sincere and happy with what they have.
The bottom line is, you will probably not find a "bad" steel guitar being made today. Try 'em all, and then decide, using your parameters for what you need and want to pay, and your expectations for customer support after you buy, and doing that, you will very likely be happy with your purchase.
P.S. I currently play a Carter, and I have never been more satisfied with any guitar than with what I now have!
www.genejones.com [This message was edited by Gene Jones on 23 March 2004 at 09:42 AM.] |
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Ron Sodos
From:
San Antonio, Texas USA
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Posted 23 Mar 2004 9:59 am
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| I bought a Zum that was 2 years old but essentially new. The guy I bought it from never gigged with it. I absolutely love it. I think Zum is the best there is. And when you call Bruce he will help you. He is the most amzing fellow. He will restore your faith in the human race. What a guy......... |
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Bob Carlucci
From:
Candor, New York, USA
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Posted 23 Mar 2004 3:04 pm
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| Jordan.. I was in your shoes not long ago and chose a Carter. It is everything you said you needed in a steel and more. Add to that the fact that the wait is VERY short, the guitars are light as a feather and very reasonably priced for such a well built guitar. I would listen to/play one before you make up your mind.I too gave up a VERY sweet Sho Bud. I DO NOT regret selling the Bud at all .... bob |
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Jordan Shapiro
From:
Echo Park, California, USA
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Posted 25 Mar 2004 10:38 am
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Man, I've heard a lot of good stuff about almost all of the steel guitars out there now. I am amazed that there are steels out there that can be played with no shoes on!!! Pedal action like butter..............
My rkr is so tough to push that I'm lucky if my steel stays put when I try to bring it in! I can't wait to get the cash together for a new steel. Billy Woo was good enough to invite me over to test drive his steel so I could see what smooth pedal action is about!
As far as tone is concerned, I am pretty much in the Jeff Newman school of thought: it's my technique, not the amps and pickups and effects, that give me the tone I want. However, there is something to be said for starting with quality gear when trying to achieve "that sound".
Thanks for your input here, guys. I think if I can get the $$ together, my first choice would be a used zum or franklin, my second would have to be a new mullen.
Where does the Fessy fit in here? Are there just not as many out there so we don't hear about them as much as we hear about other guitars?
Time for me to go practice and forget about what I think is holding me back, and just work on improving.
Cheers,
Jordan
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wishing they made volume controls for drums......
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Jody Sanders
From:
Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 25 Mar 2004 1:55 pm
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| PEDALMASTER. A great guitar and reasonably priced. Contact Roy Thomas ;4730 U. S. Hwy 167 Maurice, LA. 337 893 6418. fax : 337 893 6412. These guitars look good and sound great with no problems. Jody. |
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Fred Jack
From:
Bastrop, Texas 78602
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Posted 25 Mar 2004 2:26 pm
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| Jordan, GFI! Another great guitar.As Gene said there is several good ones on the market.A matter of taste and choice.Blackie Taylor has a music store somewhere not to far from you.He stocks steels and probably would take your Bud in on trade.Go see Blackie and try different ones and then make your choice.Goog Luck! Fred [This message was edited by Fred Jack on 25 March 2004 at 02:27 PM.] |
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John Bechtel
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.
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Posted 26 Mar 2004 12:05 am
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Jordan;
You won't have to wait two years for a Franklin if you buy my new one on Buy and Sell! 
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“Big John” Bechtel
Franklin PSG D–10 (9 & 
Fender ’49–’50 T–8 Custom
Fender ’65 Reissue Twin-Reverb Custom™ 15”
http://community.webtv.net/KeoniNui/BigJohnBechtels
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MIKEHOLLAND
From:
stegenevievemo.usa
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Posted 26 Mar 2004 11:53 am
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| Pedalmaster!!! WOW! just got one.Best kept secret in the world, next to weapons of mass destruction.Brings new meaning to the word quality. [This message was edited by MIKEHOLLAND on 26 March 2004 at 11:53 AM.] |
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Gerald Menke
From:
Stormville NY, USA
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Posted 26 Mar 2004 12:55 pm
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Dear Jordan,
You sound like a cool, thoughtful person, and I can appreciate your wanting a steel in fewer than two years. If you have a chance to play a Williams pedal steel, take it. I have two of Bill Rudolph's steels, and I am crazy about them. They're incredibly well-crafted, easy to play, and of course sound fantastic. Bill is running about only two to three months on his orders now, I believe, even though a lot of players are getting wise to how fine his work is. One day when I called him he had taken deposits on two new steels just that afternoon! He has a nice Web site now, where you can see and hear a pile of his steels:
www.williamsguitarcompany.com
Do try one if you get a chance.
best regards,
Gerald |
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Bob Blair
From:
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Posted 26 Mar 2004 1:29 pm
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| Jordan, you asked about Fessendens. My main guitar is a Fessenden and I couldn't be happier. So happy in fact that I think ofen about replacing my second guitar, (an EMCI), with another Fessy. Jim Cohen plays a Fessenden, Herb Steiner does as well (in addition, of course to his vintage p/p's). John Macy has recently spoken very positively on the Forum about his Fessys. John Arnold has one. I recall reading that Tommy White has used one recently. Just to name a few. Have fun choosing an axe. |
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Herby Wallace
From:
Sevierville, TN, R.I.P.
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Posted 26 Mar 2004 2:58 pm
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Dear Jordan,
Well, I sure you may confused by now with so many recommendations for different steel guitars. Of course, there are quite a few good guitars on the market today, but I will add my two cents. I personally prefer the Mullen over any I have ever played. I have played Mullen for around 20 years and again it is still my favorite for tone, workmanship, playability, staying in tune, string breakage. For example, I haven't broken a string in almost 2 years. I know this is hard to believe, but it is true; however, the bottom line on any steel guitar has to be the tone, and again this is my favorite in that department. If you want to check out my web site, I have a page telling some of the features of the Mullen. I have also been a Mullen dealer for over 20 years.
Herby Wallace
P.S. My website is: herbywallace.com.
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Bob Snelgrove
From:
san jose, ca
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Les Pierce
From:
Shreveport, LA
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John Fabian
From:
Mesquite, Texas USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 27 Mar 2004 3:32 am
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Jordan,
In this day and age, almost all the manufacturers make good quality steel guitars. 40-plus years of refining and improvements have brought the industry to the point were finding a poorly designed or built steel guitar is not an easy task. (Unfortunately, it is remotely possible.) 
Probably the most important thing for you, right now, is to have the potential builders of your next guitar answer your questions in a timely and complete manner.
Good luck,
John Fabian
www.steelguitar.com |
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Bill Cunningham
From:
Atlanta, Ga. USA
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Posted 27 Mar 2004 7:06 am
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Hi Jordan.
My personal experience is that the most important thing as a beginner is to have a mechanically functioning guitar backed by customer support. I assume since you are asking the question on the forum that you do not have ready access to an experienced player to mentor you along.
In 1972, my first steel guitar was a new D-10 Sho~Bud “The Professional” because it was supposedly one of the best. The guitar was absolute garbage. The pedals would bind and stick. It would not stay in tune. It was returned to Sho~Bud twice, never did function correctly, and the company was never willing to make it right. (I have heard that there are many good “The Professional’s” out there but this one was a LEMON.) I struggled with this guitar for two years, was totally frustrated, and learned very little until I traded it for an MSA. Interestingly, the MSA was considered an inferior brand by most Nashville players. But the guitar functioned and, for what little technical advice I needed with it, Maurice or Jerry Anderson always answered the phone and I can’t imagine they treated any pro more nicely that they did this 14 year old kid. With this arguable “second class guitar” I was finally able to make some progress in learning steel guitar.
So my advice is, have a look at the web site of all of the manufacturers or dealers you are considering to see what kind of support and info they have and then give them a call and see how interested they are in YOU learning to play. For a beginner, almost everything is secondary to chasing that elusive “tone thing” that we are all obsessed with.
Good luck to you!
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"Gimme a steel guitar, 2 or 3 fiddles and a Texas rhythm section that can swing"..W. Nelson
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Joe A. Camacho
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Posted 27 Mar 2004 7:29 pm
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| Sounds like the wife's not gonna get a new house any time soon... Hey Jordan, I don't know what you're talkin' about I thought that you had great tone the night that I saw you play. Although, I wish you had the chance to come by and try my set up when you were in town... Good luck, I'm more than happy with what I've got and won't be buying anything any pedal steels for a good longtime! You sell that Gretsch, always room for another 6-striing! |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 27 Mar 2004 10:24 pm
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| If you want great quality at a good price and quick delivery, try a Carter. I love mine. |
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