YES OR NO? Rear Aluminum/Shiny Trim

Jeff Metz Jr. · From: York, Pennsylvania, USA

YES or NO?
Do you think steel companies should put Aluminum trim on the back of the guitar like they do on the front? Why?

MY ANSWER:
I started this thread because I always wished that my Emmons PP had the beautiful chrome trim that it has on the front, on the back.
I just received my new mullen and same deal. No Trim on the back of the guitar.
It does look fine without it , but I wonder if it would make it look that much sharper with rear trim.

Let me know what your thoughts are!
Thank you
-Jeff
_________________
Mullen G2 SD10 , Lil Izzy Buffer, Goodrich 120 volume pedal, Boss DD-7, Peterson Strobo flip, Peavey Nashville 112

Malcolm McMaster · From: Beith Ayrshire Scotland

Jeff, think it depends on particular guitar,some have the metal cross shaft support rail showing, so on these it might be too much.Also if the back is contoured it would make placing it on very difficult.I do like metal trim, and recently had my Milly done up by MSA, and it only had trim on the front bottom edge so I had Kyle put on a top strip, making it more like the Studio Pro model, just personal preference ,and do realise that everyone has different taste.

_________________
MSA Millenium SD10, GK MB200, Sica 12inch cab, Joyo American Sound Pedal/ Jay Ganz Straight Ahead amp, Telonics 15inch in Peavey cab, Digitech RP150, Peterson tuner.Hilton volume pedal.Scott Dixon seat and guitar flight case.

Keith Currie · From: Shellbrook, Saskatchewan, Canada

I know what you mean Jeff, my D-10 Franklin has the inlay chrome strip on the back and it dose make it look good.

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

i've always been disappointed with the back side cosmetics of many steels. i think they should have the trim. also, wood guitars with the nice inlay should always have the inlay in the necks and the backside.
but get a brand new guitar like an emmons or mullen and all you get back there is the unattractive utilitarian look.

that's how it should look.

Tom Gorr · From: Three Hills, Alberta

Utilitarian is good for gigging machines, but pedal steel guitars are the centerpiece of many beautiful living rooms, and they should be the finest pieces of furniture in the room at the price.

Doug Earnest · From: Branson, MO USA

I would guess that if you are willing to pay for it you can get it. Of course all this is a lot of why guitars cost so much now. Still cheaper than a bass boat.

Chris Lucker · From: Los Angeles, California USA

I think a piece of aluminum inlay on the rear apron would be susceptible to being shorn off, unless it was a full right angle piece applied to both the top deck and the rear apron, but that is too much trim in my opinion.
_________________
Chris Lucker
Red Bellies, Bigsbys and a lot of other guitars.

Keith Currie · From: Shellbrook, Saskatchewan, Canada

Why would it get torn off the back and not the front if it put on right when inlaying the mica?

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

this is actually just a dumb discussion. but i've always liked trim of some kind. it attracted me to the steel early on. ...but now....chris, my friend.....why would trim on the back be more susceptible to damage than on the front?
and...after 30 years of barroom abuse, most trim needs a little spot of glue , anyhoo!

let's keep in mind that formica steels owe their heritage to kitchen countertops.

Jerry Berger · From: Nampa, Idaho USA

My custom made PSG looks like a fine piece of furniture and is made from a tree grown in South America called "Tigerwood." It also has MOP engraved all around the cabinet.

Chris Lucker · From: Los Angeles, California USA

Because the player sits at the rear of the guitar and has at least two arms, often covered with sleeves, that often rest on the corner of the rear apron and top deck. Every time these arms are withdrawn, there is a chance they will catch the edge of the trim. I can send you a vector drawing of your wish.

I imagine you could put the trim on with some kind of glue that can never be removed, but that would not be a good idea.
_________________
Chris Lucker
Red Bellies, Bigsbys and a lot of other guitars.

Paddy Long · From: Christchurch, New Zealand

Both of my Zum's have got a nice chrome strip across the back Laughing

_________________
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases.

Keith Currie · From: Shellbrook, Saskatchewan, Canada

I am not talking about trim glued on the surface, Iam saying if the top rear of the Mica is inlaid you cant just pull it off with out disturbing the mica also.

Fred Justice · From: Mesa, Arizona

Chris and Chris, here is the # 1 cause of damage to the rear of the guitar. Very Happy

_________________
Email: azpedalman@gmail.com
Phone: 480-235-8797

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

Paddy, that's not decoration, that's access.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Chris Lucker · From: Los Angeles, California USA

Bigsby should have slathered some trim on his cabinets. Then they would have looked like something.

_________________
Chris Lucker
Red Bellies, Bigsbys and a lot of other guitars.

Chris Lucker · From: Los Angeles, California USA

Clark Doughty · From: KANSAS

Or you can add your own like this:

My thought was I'm basically the only one who sees the back or rear of the guitar so I wanted it to look like what everyone else sees up front....... Very Happy

Chris Lucker · From: Los Angeles, California USA

More trim always makes a Cadillac look better

_________________
Chris Lucker
Red Bellies, Bigsbys and a lot of other guitars.

Mike Mantey · From: Eastern Colorado, USA

Order it that way and we will put it in, just cost more. I agree the player sits on the back side of the guitar so the trim is just more apt to get damaged/scratched. We can make sure it isn't ever coming off, but belt buckles, buttons on shirts, jewelry, etc. I can think of a ton of things that could scratch it. Same with the front but you do not sit on that side.

Either way, it is personal preference and not standard issue. You can order it that way if you want it. No problem.

As for a Lacquer guitar Yes.

And as for a Mica Mullen it would look like Clark's Picture. Or whatever, single one in the middle, each 1/4" down and up, don't matter.

Chris Robbins · From: Biggsville Illinois

clark, where did you get those chrome strips?

Jack Hanson · From: San Luis Valley, USA

For me personally, there may be less important features on a pedal steel guitar, especially one covered with 'mica, but I can't think of what they might be. Wouldn't care if it looked like my grandma's kitchen table if it sounded good and held its tuning. Agree that the marquetry looks nice on any lacquered instrument. Any lacquered push-pull with wood necks looks good to me.

Butch Pytko · From: Orlando, Florida, USA

Since my Derby and Emmons happen to be side by side, I took this quick comparison picture. Maybe it's just me, but I could give a flip if the rear apron is decorated or not. When I'm playing either guitar, I forget all about the rear apron. I guess it does look nice on the Derby, but I don't like the Emmons any less because it's lacking the chrome strips. So, it just doesn't matter to me.

As far as, accidentally pulling off or damaging the rear apron chrome strips, I've been playing the Derby at various gigs for over 8 years and it still is as good as new--including the rear apron chrome strips. Of course, I take care of my guitars--some people wouldn't be as careful.

Paddy Long · From: Christchurch, New Zealand

Lane I know, I was taking the mickey Very Happy

_________________
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases.

Jack Hanson · From: San Luis Valley, USA

Forum Index > Pedal Steel	Goto page 1, 2 Next	Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic