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Topic: New steel player unsure of what to get |
Alex Fink
From:
California, USA
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Posted 28 Jul 2013 5:30 pm |
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Hey everyone,
I'm based in Los Angeles, and recently got the chance to play a bit of steel on a friend's Emmons 3X1 S-10 and I'm hooked. I've been playing guitar since I was a child and have a bachelor's degree in guitar performance, I also play a number of other stringed instruments and have a working knowledge of music theory. So now the big question, I want to buy myself a pedal steel, but don't know much about them and don't know where else to look other than here and craigslist. There's a Zumsteel Stage One available locally for $950, but I've heard many times that it would be better to hold off until I can afford something of higher quality like an Emmons, Sho-Bud, or Justice. I really don't want to break the bank on this and I'm hoping to spend less that $2000. Anyone have any ideas on which direction I should go? How well does the Zumsteel Stage one perform? Is there anywhere else I can start looking for a steel? I'm just looking for a few words of advice. Thanks a lot, everyone.
Alex |
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Scott Duckworth
From:
Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies
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Posted 28 Jul 2013 5:42 pm
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If you are planning on sticking with E9, then look for a 3 pedal, 4 or 5 knee. If you are getting close to a new price with a used guitar, then skip the used one and go new.
You can probably find reviews on about any guitar here on the forum, just have to do some reading. Don't count out the Stage One, they are spoken of highly.
_________________
Amateur Radio Operator NA4IT (Extra)
http://www.qsl.net/na4it
I may, in fact, be nuts. However, I am screwed onto the right bolt... Jesus! |
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Kevin Hatton
From:
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted 28 Jul 2013 8:45 pm
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| Zum Stage One is an excellent sounding and playing guitar to start out with. Some pros fly with them. |
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Dennis Russell
From:
California, USA
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Posted 28 Jul 2013 9:06 pm
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If you are based in Los Angeles, take a trip down to Steel Guitars of North County in Oceanside. A little bit of a drive, but well worth it. Jim Palenscar is the owner and a super helpful guy. He will probably have something in your price range. I started playing PSG about a year and a half ago and got a new ETS (East Texas Steel) from his shop for less than $2000. It's a pro level single 10 with 3 pedals and 5 knees. At the time, he had a couple of other pro level guitars by various makers right in that same price range.
Something to consider by buying from him rather than buy on ebay, or craigslist: The guitars he sells will be set up, mechanically sound, and adjusted properly. Plus, you will be able to see different makes of guitar side-by-side, and play them side-by-side to see what feels best and sounds best to you.
_________________
ETS S10, Fender Champion 6 string lap steel, Magnatone 6 string lap steel, Johnson Dobro, 1961 Fender Bassman, Fender Blues Jr., Fender Mustang III |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 29 Jul 2013 8:15 am
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Stage One, Encore (its newer brother), the Mullen Discovery and the Justice ProLite all fit your budget and are pro-grade guitars.
Some dislike the Stage One for its pull-release changer, but pull-release has a tone all its own
_________________
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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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 29 Jul 2013 10:47 am
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| Talk your pal out of the S-10 (or is it a GS-10?) and have a pro hang a couple or three more knee levers on it, and you’ll be set for life. |
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Duane Reese
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Posted 29 Jul 2013 6:32 pm
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Alex, I will tell you this right here and now: the most bang that you will ever get for your buck out of a pedal steel is an old MSA Classic. When I've gotten them, I've sent the pickups off to be rewound by Jerry Wallace to thicken the sound up to modern standards (because that's how I roll) but I've never played one that wasn't solid as a rock. The mechanics are like a Swiss watch, the construction is like a tank, and the knee levers are wide and gentle. It's an excellent starter and finisher. There are other good guitars out there, but not for the price that you can get an old Classic for...and the solidness is second to none.
That's my two cents. |
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Silvio Bello
From:
Los Angeles, California USA
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Carl Kilmer
From:
East Central, Illinois
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Posted 30 Jul 2013 5:34 am
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There are many great steels available for a good price.
I would recommend at least a 3X4 and if it's possible
try a out a few and see how they feel to you. How one
feels is very important, and determine how well you'll
advance with your playing. If it don't feel good and it's
not easy to play, you may give it up, way too quick.
_________________
aka "Lucky Kay"--Custom built Rittenberry SD10 3X5, Walker S/S, NV-112, and Hilton Pedal |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 30 Jul 2013 5:56 am
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What Carl said. This is way too important a decision. Rub shoulders with the guys in your area, pick their brains. Go to Jim's store if you can, attend any steel functions in your area and sit all the steel guitars that you can. Everybody's going to recommend what they think is best, so you have to sort it all out and do what suits you the best.
And most of all, and I know it's hard to do when you're excited about something, be patient.
I would discourage buying an old instrument unless it's just been closeted for most of it's life or you just enjoy tinkering. They wear out like everything else.
Most modern pro or new economy line of instruments are much lighter, more compact, have many more available changer and tuner features and are usually easily upgraded with parts that are readily available.
Good luck, welcome to the forum and enjoy your experience  |
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Douglas Schuch
From:
Valencia, Philippines
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Posted 30 Jul 2013 6:09 am
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I will make a simple plug for the Stage One: as noted, it's a great sounding and playing guitar for not a lot of money. They also hold their value, and sell easier than most. So, if you buy the Stage One, and then in 6 months give up on steel guitar (probably 2 out 3 newbies do), you can sell it and it will cost you maybe $50? Probably not even that if you keep her shiny.
Or, if you LOVE playing steel, and decide you want a new Mullen G2 double-neck with more knee levers than you can count on your fingers.... well, same thing. You get your money back on the Stage One pretty easy.
Other guitars might frustrate you with tuning issues, confuse you with complexity, or cost more, but when the time comes to sell, hurt where it counts most. Very few beginners are going to stay with the guitar they start on, even if they buy a pro-model. They want to try C6. Or they bought the double neck, and only use the E9 neck, so they want to down-grade and save weight.
JMHO.
Doug
_________________
Bringing steel guitar to the bukid of Negros Oriental! |
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Chris Harvey
From:
California, USA
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Posted 31 Jul 2013 6:04 am
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I love my Mullen Discovery! It's a great sounding guitar, stays in tune and the mechanics are hard to beat. Although old Sho-Buds and Emmons have that classic tone, they could be a bit of a bear to maintain and keep in tune in a live setting. I suggest something with modern mechanics so you're not having tuning issues.
You should go down to Steel Guitars of North County. Jim Palenscar is a great guy and will have several steels for you to check out.
That's a great deal on the Stage One. They are also great guitars and you wouldn't lose money on it at that price. You can then get a pad by Don Blood that attaches to the legs. I did that on my Discovery and it works great. |
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Jan Strock
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 11 Aug 2013 2:37 am
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I have been playing for only 9 months. Tried in the 90's and gave up due to time restraints and could not find a guitar that played with ease and stayed in tune.
This time around I purchased a Mullen Discovery. A whole new game! Easy player, stays in tune, unbeatable tone, light weight.
If you buy one, tune to Newman's chart, watch Mickey Adams on Utube. You will never look back! |
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Ray Thomas
From:
Goldsboro North Carolina
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Posted 11 Aug 2013 9:56 am Wanted
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Alex, watch the forum section on steel guitars for sale, I will be listing a Stage One soon, outstanding guitar, or if you want pictures send me your email and I will get them out to you, my email is rthomas17@nc.rr.com
_________________
Ray Thomas
Livesteel Strings Dealer
Call 919-920-5482
Text rayssteel@gmail.com or email |
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Daniel Policarpo
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Posted 12 Aug 2013 9:01 am
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Hi Alex, a little over a year ago I was in a similar position, weighing the options between a sweet classic or something like the Stage One or Justice. I finally went with a new Stage One because I thought I want to spend my time playing, rather than fixing or modifying. In that year the only thing I've had to do to the Stage One is change strings and spray a little Teflon here and there. It sounds fantastic and plays very well. About the best investment I've ever made and as much fun as legally possible.
-Dan |
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Carl Kilmer
From:
East Central, Illinois
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Posted 12 Aug 2013 12:33 pm
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Hey Dan, The Stage One looks so good, it makes you look invisable.   
_________________
aka "Lucky Kay"--Custom built Rittenberry SD10 3X5, Walker S/S, NV-112, and Hilton Pedal |
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Daniel Policarpo
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Posted 12 Aug 2013 2:10 pm
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Believe me Carl, it's better that way. |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 13 Aug 2013 3:27 am
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that picture would have more impact sitting behind a (Claude) Rains.
_________________
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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