Pedal Steel recomendations

Ross Shafer · From: Petaluma, California

Howdy and Happy New Year!

I've been jonzing to learn pedal steel forever and I've decided 2009 is the year I dig in. I tried messing with a Sho-Bud Maverick a couple of years ago and gave up after spending far more time tuning and futzing with the thing than I did playing it. I've spent a bit of time with the Carter Starter...its was worlds better than the Maverick but being the machinist, mechanical engineer kinda guy I am, I wasn't very impressed with its overall construction. The machinist in me likes all the high end stuff a lot, but the wallet can't really handle much over $1000-$1200.

I'm keeping an eye on the forum classifieds, but have also been digging around on the net and found some interesting looking new instruments that seem very affordable. Can anyone give me any advice on the following brands/models:
GFI Student Series
BSG S10
Genesis (afilliate of Simmons)

Thanks in advance for any guidance offered!
Ross Shafer
Six-Nine Design
707 765 1236
www.six-ninedesign.com

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

You are lucky that you HAVE an 'inner machinist' -- not as necessary to be an engineer but we won't hold that against you. Shocked

Most important attributes when buying a used S-10 (which is what you're gonna get on your budget)
10 strings (not 8 or 6)
for the E9 tuning (which I assume you're interested in)
3 pedals
4 levers
(more pedals / levers is fine)

Also important
Guitar be modifiable -- most student guitars (as you've seen in the Carter Starter) are not
Parts available
If you can't fix it there's someone not too far away who can

In CA, guys like Tom Bradshaw and Jim Palenscar are well known for their refurb, repair, and modification projects. Jim P has a store in Oceanside and Tom is in Concord. They may be able to help you find what you need.
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Ross Shafer · From: Petaluma, California

Thanks for the input and tips...I'll contact the guys you mention and see if they have any input for me.

Happy New Year!
Ross

Mark Carlisle · From: Springville CA

Ross, you could also get in contact with Blackie Taylor in Riverside, CA. He stocks the GFI student and pro models, and usually has a few used PSG's around. I checked out the GFI student model for one of my students a couple of years ago and it is a very well designed guitar IMHO. Also, it's very close to the pro models, can be expanded later.
Happy New Year to you.

Stu Schulman · From: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)

Ross,I would suggest visiting Jim Palenscar's place then you can check out a whole world of options,Not to mention ya get to hang out with Jim.
Happy New Year from 11 below ZERO,Stu
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Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

The ZUM Stage One is the best one out there in that price range. You can get one used off the Forum.

James Collett · From: San Dimas, CA

I was at Blackie's shop o n Friday- he had over 15 brand new GFI's, an MSA or two (new, I think) and some others.
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Ross Shafer · From: Petaluma, California

What a great community! I'm getting all kinds of input here on the forum and in email from members.

Big Thanks!
Ros

Mark Carlisle · From: Springville CA

As I'm sure has been noted on this forum before, the GFI website and my own discussions with Blackie, he was instrumental in getting GFI off the ground. I know he plays out on one of the keyless models and is very happy with it. A trip to visit Blackie is always an interesting venture! Ross I'm not sure where 707 area code is in CA, however as mentioned by another member it's nice to purchase from someone who knows the brand, and Blackie certainly knows the GFI product.
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MSA S-10 Classic 5x4 Sho Bud SC 15 JBL

Bo Borland · From: South Jersey -

?advice

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

BSG is a KILLIER sounding steel. Alot of people do not know about them. I heard two of them at a steel jam and was blown away. They are made to order from Don Burrows.

Mark Carlisle · From: Springville CA

I think forum member Danny Bates has a Stage One and keeps it by his bed...

Brick Spieth · From: San Jose, California, USA

Your price range is right between a new student PSG, and the lower end of the pro guitar market.

I can recommend the Stage One, and they come up used once in a while but sell fast. Mine went to Danny Bates in less than two hours. I sold it only because it was good enough to get me hooked and I could afford to move on to a used pro EMCI.

If you are willing to scrape together around $1500, you could find something nice in the forum classifieds. I felt more comfortable spending more and buying from a dealer. It is a hard choice for a newbie to make. I would be more comfortable buying from the classifieds now.

Try to find some players to network with if you can.

IMHO if you survive the first year you will want a pro level steel, so it is now or later. Ask yourself if it is worth it to you to maybe loose a little on a student steel when you move up. To me it was. I don't regret getting the Stage One, but I surprised myself on how quickly I wanted a pro level guitar.

As always, having a PSG is much better than not having one.

A. J. Martinez · From: Ca.

Ross...I bought a Wilcox SD-10 almost a month ago and this guitar not only has such great tone, it plays as smooth as glass. it's #116 guitar that chet made and he keeps getting better and better. this is a guitar that is so much better than a carter starter and you being a machinist, you can appreciate it. Chet puts a lot of work into each part that he makes. it's in the price range that you want. i have another guitar, a GFI ultra, great guitar but i've been playing this one(Wilcox) non stop since i got it.Chet actually has a website now
wilcoxsteelguitars.com check it out A.J.

Al Marcus · From: Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)

Ross-you might want to check out a good used MSA. They are on the market at a relativley low price and they are well engineered and work good. I have had a few and was always satisfied with them.

Whatever you get from all the good advice on this Forum, have a Happy New Year with your choice.....al. Smile

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Tom Quinn · Posted 31 Dec 2008 9:10 pm

Personally, I swear by an FFA. You might try an HHHH too. Both will give you that great "County" sound...

Or you could buy a Sho-Bud...

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

Ross, California is a big state. just where are you? Here in the southern part of the state we have two fine steel guitar shops. Blackie Taylor's and Jim Palenscar's. If you live in the bay area, you should talk to Tom Bradshaw.
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Glen Derksen · From: Alberta, Canada

IMHO, I've never put stock in the idea of buying starter guitars. Why not just get the best deal you can with a good used pro model? You can always get your money back if you sell it.

Ned McIntosh · From: New South Wales, Australia

I'll second the guys who recommend buying a good used S10 pro-model steel rather than a student-model.

Two very good sources are Billy Cooper's steel guitar shop, and Bobbe Seymour's shop. They both have websites and are just a phone call away.

A good used S10, tuned to E9th with 3 (or 4) pedals and 4 (preferably 5) knee-levers will keep you fully absorbed until the end of all your days.

BSG are excellent (but comparatively little-known) guitars, but the really big names are:-
Carter, Mullen, Emmons, Zumsteel, GFI, MSA, Jackson, Rains, Derby, Williams and Performance. Of all these, I believe Carter is the largest maker in terms of volume of production...and Carters are great steels.

Any and all of these companies make superb guitars. A good used S10 from any one of them will get you off to a great start and have excellent resale if you decide to upgrade to a D10 or a Universal 12-string steel. The biggest problem you will have is staying "on-budget" and choosing which of the many great brands you wish to invest in.

Good luck!
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The steel guitar is a hard mistress. She will obsess you, bemuse and bewitch you. She will dash your hopes on what seems to be whim, only to tease you into renewing the relationship once more so she can do it to you all over again...and yet, if you somehow manage to touch her in that certain magic way, she will yield up a sound which has so much soul, raw emotion and heartfelt depth to it that she will pierce you to the very core of your being.

Sonny Priddy · From: Elizabethtown, Kentucky, USA, R.I.P.

GFI All The Way Great guitars. SONNY.

Larry Robbins · From: Fort Edward, New York

http://steelguitar.net/

Just call our good friend Bobbe or Danny!
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Twang to the bone!

Dan Tyack · From: Olympia, WA USA

Area Code 707 is b0b country (north of Marin county in Northern California).

If you are a mechanically oriented guy, I would stay away from any of the student models, because you can't tweek anything (including the Zum stage one, which is a great sounding instrument).

For about a grand you should be able to buy a used MSA, BMI, or other decent instrument. You might be able to luck into a Shobud or Emmons at that price, but those would probably need a bunch of work.

Ross Shafer · From: Petaluma, California

Thanks so much once again to all of you who've shared your advice and guidance. I just spoke with Bobbe Seymour and am buying a nice SD10 MSA Classic from him. Can't wait to get it!

All the best and Happy New Year,
Ross Shafer

Ned McIntosh · From: New South Wales, Australia

Well done Ross, the MSA is one seriously good steel guitar. You are off to a great start and that guitar will not limit you in any way.

Your next problem is:- can you stop at one?
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The steel guitar is a hard mistress. She will obsess you, bemuse and bewitch you. She will dash your hopes on what seems to be whim, only to tease you into renewing the relationship once more so she can do it to you all over again...and yet, if you somehow manage to touch her in that certain magic way, she will yield up a sound which has so much soul, raw emotion and heartfelt depth to it that she will pierce you to the very core of your being.

Mark Eaton · Posted 14 Feb 2009 4:16 pm

Hey Ross, I'm up in Windsor, and I'm mostly a dobro player but have been struggling along on the pedal steel. I have a GFI S-10 Ultra keyless. And I can say that you aren't giving up too much in getting a GFI student model, but for not that much more money you might consider a GFI Expo.

And I have one of your bikes from back in the day, a black La Raza, from the Petaluma days.

Ross joined up here, and I know that he is a long-time musician, but he is better known among those of us that are into cycling as the founder of Salsa Cycles, and is still a master frame builder and designer of fine quality bicycles and gourmet bike parts. And he is a fellow Sonoma County resident.

Welcome to the Forum, Ross!
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Mark

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