Yet Another U-12 Question!

Douglas Schuch · From: Valencia, Philippines

I am looking at a Carter U-12, a '96 with the standard Carter U-12 coped (7 + 5). As I live outside the US, and outside the normal world of psg, "looking" means photos, lots of questions, and getting something shipped. I am pretty much a newbie, learning on a Stage One, but am interested in exploring while I learn as I have figured out that a lot of music I like is on the C-6 neck (or B-6, if a U-12).

So, how adaptable are these era Carters for changing the coped to incorporate some of the newer ideas? What do people think of this instrument in general, for a U-12? Any suggestions,problems to look for, etc? And, BTW, if anyone has one they would like to sell reasonable, feel free to contact me. I have no idea if the deal I am working on will come together or not. Shipping would be only to Los Angeles as I have a shipper who gets it from there to the Philippines and through customs.

BTW, asking price on the one I have tracked down is $1500. Never gigged, clean, usually stored in the case, but still played (so not a closet unknown quantity). Seems reasonable to me...thoughts?

Thanks!

Ken Metcalf · From: San Antonio Texas USA

It seems like a good price to me.
A universal Carter is just as easy to work on as a regular Carter just a littler bit tighter working space.
So if you have the parts and some experience it is not bad to change around.
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MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes

Tony Glassman · From: The Great Northwest

It sounds like a good deal on a good guitar. Just be prepared to be "thrown off" by the two additional bottom strings + the absence of the 9th "D"string. It will take some time (but not much) to get used to that.

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Carters are very easy to work on. They are a very good guitar. You won't regret it.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting.

Tony Glassman · From: The Great Northwest

I will may be both of my Zum U-12's after this weekend.

One is dark blue 7+6, the other is 2-tone Blue/Black w/ 9+7. Both have Eb lock levers. The blue one has TT single coil, the other has an Emmons single coil.

Pricing will be about $2300 and $3000

Micky Byrne · From: United Kingdom (deceased)

Douglas...you can't go wrong with anything associated with Bud Carter. I got my Carter universal in 2003, that too was a used guitar...all I did was change the pick-up to a Jerry Wallace TT, which I prefered to what was on it to the original owner's request. He had "never" played a pedal steel before...not even a beginners model, so ordering a full blown universal was just too much for him, so I dived in and got myself a great guitar. I just love it...Mechanics are great. Check the following clip..it might have been on the Forum before, but is well worth a second viewing Smile

Micky Byrne UK http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3KAQ6HtOso

Micky Byrne · From: United Kingdom (deceased)

Douglas...here's Bud again...years ago. He's on his Carter 12 string, but I think he's on a Bb6th tuning. Again this may have been on the forum before, but nice to see the man behind the product playing Panhandle rag at a festival.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkhctIqV1pw

Micky Byrne U.K.

Bill Lowe · From: Connecticut

Micky, great clip!!
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JCH D10, 71 D10 P/p fat back, Telonics TCA 500C--12-,Fender JBL Twin, Josh Swift signature.

Fred Martin · From: Phoenix, Az

Ive got one of those. A bit newer but no matter with the condition thats a good price. The company kind of went south after John Fabian left us but you can still get parts. The guitar is pretty easy to work on if any are easy. Changing a universal around a lot is not so simple unless you have some time at it. Just dont get in a hurry. I wish the company had some presence like they did but they play great, sound great and if you wear it out thats what its all about. But its gonna take you a long time to wear it out. !!!

Clete Ritta · From: San Antonio, Texas

Douglas Schuch · From: Valencia, Philippines

Thanks for all the great info, guys. I am kind of waiting to hear what the seller has to say as I am not sure if he really wants to deal with shipping the guitar. In the meantime, I gotten info on a number of other U-12s for sell that are also interesting. It's nice to have so many options making my decision difficult!

Ken, I visited your site and watched your vid on U-12 basic intro. Thanks for the info! Micky, thanks for the links to Bud's music and award. I had not seen those. I'm itchy to get it happening, but when it takes two months to get it delivered to me here, it tends to prevent "spontaneous purchasing", so am considering all options.

Time to get off this computer and practice! Again, thanks for all the information!

Doug

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

One of the related videos on the Bud Carter Panhandle Rag was Reece playing the same tune. I was diggin' that one.
Don't overlook the other universal tuning
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Hans Holzherr · From: Münchenbuchsee, Switzerland

If setting up an S-10 or a D-10 is easy, it doesn't mean that a U-12 of the same brand is easy, too. I completely redid the setup of my Carter U-12 when I bought it by adding a Franklin pedal, and personally, I found changing the setup to be a nightmare of many hours owing to the Carter 2-part (rod/pin) system difficult to handle in a packed setup. The other steel guitars I have worked on are relatively easy, such as the Schild and the Zum, even the MCI was/is definitely easier. From the perspective of a U-12 it seems that the implementation of a central pull system was deemed more important than usability, but then, the majority of players will not notice because their setup is comfortably spread out to two necks.

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

Carter's are excellent steel guitars. You will not regret buying one.

I have 2 suggestions.

The first is that you put a standard u-12 tuning on the guitar and learn as much as you can before adding any changes to your setup. It is a very common mistake among newbies to add a pedal or knee lever in order to accomplish something that can be played with a standard setup, but that's not immediately apparent to a beginner.

The second is instead of shipping the guitar to Los Angeles, send it to Jim Palenscar's shop in Oceanside, (approximately 85 miles from L.A.,) and have him set it up with whatever changes you want. Then either have him ship it directly to you, or to your guy in L.A.

If you set it up, you might screw it up. If Jim sets it up, it will be perfect.
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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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