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Author Topic:  Starting on Pedal Steel
Devon Teran


From:
Kansas City
Post  Posted 11 Jan 2012 3:32 pm    
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I've been playing lap steel over the last year and started saving for a pedal steel a few months ago.

I've saved about a thousand so far to go towards a pedal steel but I need input to help narrow down what I'm looking at. I know I want something with 3 pedals and 4 knees (E9) and that's durable enough I can take it out to gigs regularly. I

From poking around on here it seems like the leading contenders for a starter are:
GFI Student
Stage One Zum Steel
Simmons Genesis
Legend Steel Guitar

What I don't know enough to figure out yet is the pros and cons of these different models and what I should go with. I think I comfortable saving until I get to around $1500 before I buy, but I'm saving from gigs and working extra hours so I'm not sure how much longer that would take.

What are the merits of these different guitars?

I'm worried to buy a used pedal steel just because I feel I don't know enough to make sure I'm getting a quality instrument, but all of my other instruments are old so I'm not open to the idea.
There's also this used Cougar Slide Master at Elderly that seems to match what I'm looking for:
http://elderly.com/vintage/items/185U-578.htm


I'd much rather spend a little bit more in my range if that means the instrument will last me longer and be something I can really play out and record on.

thanks!
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 11 Jan 2012 4:09 pm    
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Devon, come out Sunday to the steel guitar jam at the Northtown Opry and there will be several folks to talk to. If you have someone play it and check it out, you could get a used one (I could donate a Sunday, if you like; although I live in Topeka, I am free in Lenexa most Sundays)
I've not played any of those, save the Stage One.
Like I said, Sunday at 12:30 or so and there'll be a bunch of us around.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
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Larry Baker

 

From:
Columbia, Mo. U.S.A.
Post  Posted 11 Jan 2012 4:33 pm    
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Devon, for the money you are wanting to spend, I would go with the Stage One. Doug Earnst in Branson that builds the Stage one is a great person, and I'm sure you would be very happy with him and his guitars. The Stage one is more than just an entry level guitar, and can go anywhere you want to play. Just my opinion. Good luck, Larry
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Mullen G2 SD10 3 & 5 The Eagle
NV112 amp===Earnie Ball V.P.
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Steve Lipsey


From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
Post  Posted 11 Jan 2012 4:38 pm    
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I just got a used GFI Ultra Keyless....not a student model, and not an Expo, but an Ultra, for $1600....so you could have a used pro model instead of a new beginner model...and the pro models are built better enough that they will last longer....I sold a Carpsteel (Legend) to make the switch, and the GFI has become way more than just a practice instrument, I use it interchangeably with my Rains for gigs...

Food for thought....and if you buy on the Forum, you can see lots of history for the person you are buying from....
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Jeff Metz Jr.


From:
York, Pennsylvania, USA
Post  Posted 11 Jan 2012 6:48 pm    
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I would defenitly suggest buying a used Pro steel off the forum. I was just thinking how this is a good time on the forum where there are a good bit of cheaper used pro models available. Hell there is a Linkon, a sho bud d10 an MSA s12 for $1200, an msa sd10 at $1200. I would just check everyday til something you fancy pops up. Last year around this time there was a fessenden sd10 for 1400. The thomas I bought for 1300. Keep checking!
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Ray Anderson

 

From:
Jenkins, Kentucky USA
Post  Posted 11 Jan 2012 7:31 pm     Starting on pedal steel
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I was where you are at 14 months ago, I purchased a new "Pro Level "starter and that was a mistake. Could have bought a full Pro steel on here for less and wound up doing that anyway 5 months later. This is a buyers market, now is the time to pull the trigger on a "real Pro model". There are some stand up guys that sell on this Forum.JMHO Wink Good Steelin'
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Jack Stoner


From:
Kansas City, MO
Post  Posted 12 Jan 2012 3:18 am    
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My wife is learning steel and we bought a used GFI Expo S-10. It is "pro quality" and I've even taken it on a couple of jobs as the pedals and four knee levers are set up exactly like four of the knee levers on my Franklin (I have 5 on the Franklin).

I too would recommend avoiding the "beginner" models.
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CrowBear Schmitt


From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
Post  Posted 12 Jan 2012 3:57 am    
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when it comes to student or entry psgs, my vote is Zumsteel's Stage one
it's a very reliable & in tune psg
since they're often sought after, selling it is'nt a problem & you'll get most of your investment back

of course a pro model is a better choice, but make sure you get one that plays well & does'nt have any probs
if you can try it, that's even better
otherwise ask for advice
don't rush !
don't go for old obscure brands either
go for a modern & known brand w: at least 3 pedals & 4 to 5 levers
buying from the fo'bros is the better way to go
i've been doin' it for years & have never been deceived
btw : check the Justice "Prolite "
http://www.fredjusticemusic.com/id28.html

last but not least : budget's the boss !
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Devon Teran


From:
Kansas City
Post  Posted 12 Jan 2012 7:47 am    
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Lane Gray wrote:
Devon, come out Sunday to the steel guitar jam at the Northtown Opry and there will be several folks to talk to. If you have someone play it and check it out, you could get a used one (I could donate a Sunday, if you like; although I live in Topeka, I am free in Lenexa most Sundays)
I've not played any of those, save the Stage One.
Like I said, Sunday at 12:30 or so and there'll be a bunch of us around.


Where's the Northtown Opry? I've not heard of it before but I'd love to check it out.
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 12 Jan 2012 8:00 am    
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it's in the 1400 block of Swift in North Kansas City.
The Heartland Steel Guitar Association has a jam there the third Sunday of odd-numbered months.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
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Devon Teran


From:
Kansas City
Post  Posted 12 Jan 2012 9:21 am    
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Lane Gray wrote:
it's in the 1400 block of Swift in North Kansas City.
The Heartland Steel Guitar Association has a jam there the third Sunday of odd-numbered months.


Cool. I'll try to swing by this month then.

I see a lot of guys saying pro vs student steel. What does that actually mean? I'm a a guitar player first and I know for guitar that all of those terms are very subjective. For psg are there specific things that really separate the wheat from the chaff?
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Jack Stoner


From:
Kansas City, MO
Post  Posted 12 Jan 2012 9:48 am    
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Take a look and compare the Student Model to an S-10 Expo model on the GFI web site. Changer design, pickups and many other items are different/upgraded in non student models.

http://www.gfimusicalproducts.com/

There are other brands than GFI, using that for comparing models.

I used to work for Byron Jones when he had the "Ferris Opry" in Richmond, back in the 80's.
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Chris Dorch


From:
Wisconsin, USA
Post  Posted 12 Jan 2012 9:12 pm    
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I have never played a Stage One, but everyone who has raves about them.

The Legend/Carpsteel is an aluminum bodied guitar. It will sound slightly different from a solid wood body. It will also be lighter. Because it's aluminum, there is a chance that temperature shifts will have a greater affect.

One of the guitars not on your list but should be is a BSG. Don Burrows has a great reputation and builds a fantastic steel to your desires. Don't count him out...

http://bsgsteelguitars.com/

More Images

Don custom built this one for me... Loves it...

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