Any Good Vintage Fender PSG's?

Larry Otis · From: Napa, California, USA

I have never heard much about these. Are they any good? Thanks.

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

There are three general types of Fender pedal steels.

The newer ones are fairly normal 10-string instruments, made by Shobud in the late 70's (maybe into the early 80's...I don't recall). They are not what most people think of when they think of Fender pedal steels.

The other two are similar in some ways. The models are:

400 (8 strings, single neck)
1000 (two 8 string necks)
800 (10 strings, one neck)
2000 (two 10 string necks.)

There is also the PS210, a fascinating instrument - but only about 12 were made.

The others are all "cable-pull" models, where the pedal pulls a rod, actuating a lever that pulls a turnbuckle with a cable attached. The cable runs around a long pulley, splits into two cables at a small pulley, and two loops go to the changer finger of whatever string you want to raise or lower. They varied in number of pedals, but in each case copedent changes can be made in minutes. None came with knee levers. All came with both tone and volume controls, top-mounted on the guitar.

The 400 and 1000 are single-raise/single lower...although many players (me included) have modified our guitars fairly simply to overcome this. The 800 and 2000 handle doubles in stock form.

The 400 and 1000 also were available in two different forms - "long scale", with longer scale length, flat Jazzmaster type pickup bar bridge (roller bridges are an aftermarket add-on) and chrome stamped pedals. The later (1963/64) "short scale" models have a shorter string scale, integrated changer/bridge, Jaguar-style rounded pickup and cast black pedals. In the US the early types are much more easily found; in Europe it seems the later ones are more common. There are also a few "crossover" models from late '63 )probably) that have newer electronics/body but chrome pedals or other parts combinations. Leo didn't waste anything!

Although if you read the manuals both types are touted as "chord changer" type steels (i.e. playing out of multiple tunings by using pedal combinations...but playing more like a lap-steel; the usual Fender "stock" tuning was an A6)) all of them work pretty well for "normal" playing once you adjust to the slightly stiffer feel and lack of knees (and chromatic strings...or bass strings...on the 400 and 1000). Modified with knee levers they can be versatile guitars with a distinctive Fender guitar-like "bite" to the tone, with a full sound and a ton of mids (even though early recordings make them sound thin, I have/have had 5 and all have had a full, round tone).

They are NOT for someone looking for a "normal" pedal steel IMO. They are for players who like to tinker, or who are interested in country-rock, rock or blues, and especially for players who don't want to play the standard E9 copedent. Many Fender players have tried various ways of using E9 and not been really happy with it; instead, many of us use versions of Sneaky Pete's B6, which is kind of a universal copedent and will do country....but really is well-suited for rock playing.

Do a search and there are quite a few threads with more info - feel free to email if you like. Hope that helps.

Jim
_________________
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional

Larry Otis · From: Napa, California, USA

Thank you. That says just wanted i wanted to know.

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Jim is right on track about these. Though somewhat limited by today's standards, they were at one time the preferred instrument, and most all the big names had one. I played one for almost 8 years, and I'm currently looking for another one to recapture that simplicity of design and sound. I play mostly classic country, some country rock, as well as most '50s and '60s rock stuff, and I wouldn't hesitate to take one on a gig.

There's a lot of good music left in those old guitars! As long as you're not into a lot of modern "moving changes" and jazz chords, they're more than adequate for learning all the basics...even the 8-string 4-pedal jobs (which is all I really need).

Dave Zirbel · From: Sebastopol, CA USA

If you're looking for one Larry there is a guy a few blocks from my house selling a 400. It's missing a pedal but if pretty good shape and sounds nice. It's a later one that is sunburst and has the rocking cam bridge.

Dave

Walter Jones · From: Athens, Ohio USA

Larry, get some early Buck Owens, and Wynn Stewart with Ralph Mooney and you will hear the Fenders at their finest.

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