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Topic: Rains, Mullen and ZumSteel compared? |
Arne Odegard
From:
Norway
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Posted 29 May 2010 12:16 am |
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Has anyone had an opportunity to compare Rains, Mullens and ZumSteel guitars?
If so, how do they differ and what would be their best features?
If you own one of these guitars what were some of the deciding factors for your purchase? |
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Don Sulesky
From:
Citrus County, FL, Orig. from MA & NH
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Posted 29 May 2010 4:04 am
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Arne
1st I don't own any of the three models you are asking about but I have played all three of them at the major steel shows.
They are all excellent steels and you can't go wrong with any of them.
What you need do is research their sites and check out their time frame and many other factors that some of the other Forum members will chime in on.
In the meantime my friend Mike Weenick has built me this beautiful steel and I should have it within the week as it only needs the final tweaking and setup.
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=184008
Best of luck with your steel search.
Don |
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mtulbert
From:
Plano, Texas 75023
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Posted 29 May 2010 4:49 am
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Hello Arne,
A couple of years ago I went on a quest to get a new steel. I have a Zum Hybrid which I love, and was looking for something to add to the collection. I tried in my house and recorded a MSA, Mullen, Show Pro and a Mullen G2. I was looking for tonal variety rather than which one was "the best". In the end I went with a Show Pro because of the differences in the tone of the Zum.
I also spent time with Gary Carpenter and a nicer person you will not find anywhere. My feeling is that you will not go wrong with any of the three that you have interest in. The mechanics on all modern steels are great and you have picked three that will give you great service and perform for you for many years.
The owners of all these companies which you have selected are terrific people and gentlemen as well. You will be happy with whatever choice you make in these guitars and will not have the hassles that some other guys have had recently.
Regards,
Mark T. |
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Billy Carr
From:
Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)
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Posted 29 May 2010 5:55 am psg
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| Three great guitars. Rains & Mullen are simple to change things around on. Not that familiar with the Zumsteel but if Hughey and Rugg played one and then add Emmons, Jernigan and a host of others use them, then there you go. Any of the three. But remember, regardless of he brand, it's like Hughey told me one time, it's the man sitting behind it! So true. |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 29 May 2010 9:22 am
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| and the customer service....which could be why emmons' aren't being considered here! |
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Calvin Walley
From:
colorado city colorado, USA
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Posted 29 May 2010 11:36 am
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never played a Rains , but the highs seem a little "thin" on the Zum to my ears, other than that i will say they are all EXCELLENT guitars
_________________
proud parent of a sailor
Mullen SD-10 /nashville 400
gotta love a Mullen!!!
Guitars that i have owned in order are :
Mullen SD-10,Simmons SD-10,Mullen SD-10,Zum stage one,Carter starter,
Sho-Bud Mavrick |
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Richard Damron
From:
Gallatin, Tennessee, USA (deceased)
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Posted 29 May 2010 11:52 am
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Arne -
Others have addressed this same general theme in other threads. I must echo their sentiments in suggesting that you make every effort to "lay hands" on all of them. Preferably in one sitting. I don't believe that there is any other substitute in spite of the knowledgeable and well-intended responses by the members.
My best to you in your quest.
Respectfully
Richard |
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Arne Odegard
From:
Norway
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Posted 29 May 2010 12:53 pm
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Richard... I agree with you and I plan on trying all these guitars when I'm in the States again. But I need some knowledge as to what to look for in a steel guitar based on the experience of people who have been playing a lot longer than I have and who have owned or tried several steels. I have only been playing pedal steel guitar for 2 years and the only guitar I have tried is my Carter D10.
Calvins type of reply about the highs being thin... pedal action... stability... tonal quality above the 12 fret... reasons they chose their guitars, etc. thats what I'm looking for here in this thread. |
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Terry Sneed
From:
Arkansas,
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Posted 29 May 2010 1:52 pm Zum and Mullen
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Arne, I can't speak for the rains as having experience playing one, but I've heard a few and they sound awesome. I did own a 1990 Zum, as far as ease of playin, the pedals and knees are the smoothest of any guitar I've owned. And the tone is very good with the right pickup. Had a truetone on my E9. I've also owned a 2004 Mullen RP, which is very easy to play also, and I preferd the tone of the Mullen RP just a tad over the Zum.
Terry |
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Arne Odegard
From:
Norway
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Posted 29 May 2010 1:58 pm
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Thank you Terry
....these are the things I'm interested in hearing about.... |
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Steve Broatch
From:
Newcastle, England
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Posted 29 May 2010 3:01 pm
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Never played a Zum but I've owned a Mullen and a Rains. Both great guitars, you wouldn't be disappointed with either. Not a lot to choose between them.
You can't go wrong really.  |
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Tony Glassman
From:
The Great Northwest
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Posted 29 May 2010 3:30 pm
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| I own a Zum but played both the Rains and G2 at Dallas 2008. All play 3 and sound great! |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 29 May 2010 4:40 pm
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As has been mentioned many times by many people, EVERYBODY makes great steels today.
But Rains does not make a 12 string. Mullen and Zum and most of the other builders do.
I'd get a 12 string Carpsteel for myself, if they'd make them.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 29 May 2010 4:57 pm
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| arne...i don't think you'd find much difference between the models. your carter should be as good as any pro model these days. once you've got 20 years behind you, you may find slight differences you prefer. carters work perfectly on a mechanical level, which is important step #1. bobby black plays a carter and is so good it makes me consider giving up. so your guitar is as much, or more, as capable as the person sitting behind it. just go play, enjoy, have fun! |
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Larry Bressington
From:
Nebraska
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Posted 29 May 2010 5:21 pm
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All 3 are top notch, take your pick brother.
Personally i prefer older heavier guitars.
_________________
A.K.A Chappy.
Last edited by Larry Bressington on 30 May 2010 7:44 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Larry Baker
From:
Columbia, Mo. U.S.A.
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Posted 29 May 2010 5:49 pm
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Personally, I picked the Mullen G2 because they was the only company that would look at the Custom work I wanted done, then built as I requested. Follow up was and is great and only a phone call away. They gave me a delivery date, and it was there as promised. Larry Baker
_________________
Mullen G2 SD10 3 & 5 The Eagle
NV112 amp===Earnie Ball V.P. |
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Bill Moran
From:
Virginia, USA
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Posted 29 May 2010 7:20 pm
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Take your pick !! If it were me, all of the guitars are much better than I'm a picker. I love the Mullen but John made the Zum something no one else has ever been able to do. Even Hal or Buddy. Great tone from John's guitar.
The Rains is unique to Hartley. He gets a sound I have never heard from anyone else.
So, there you go. The sound is more in the man than the guitar. Pick the one that fits you . 
_________________
Bill |
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Larry Behm
From:
Mt Angel, Or 97362
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Posted 29 May 2010 9:14 pm
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The Carter should last you for years and years. As mentioned above, maybe in the years to come your ear may begin to hear something different that you feel is missing, then the real search begins.
Larry Behm |
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Mike Bowles
From:
Princeton, West Virginia, USA
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Posted 30 May 2010 9:36 am mike
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thers no doubt in the hands of a good player any guitar made today would sound great ive heard all these on youtube and the sound good i own a mullen rp sd 10 that works and sounds great im partial to show bud and love the sho pro too many great guitars to list this is a matter of personal preference good luck
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Mike Bowles |
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