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Topic: New Guitars: The accumulation of features starts now. |
Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 12 Aug 2014 6:20 am |
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I'm starting to accumulate the data. I'll post raw stuff here as it trickles in, and will start to compile it later into a table or chart. Here's the G2, I shall ask Mike for RP info as well.
If any makers want to add info, I'd LOVE to hear from you.
I will probably edit these down to "just the facts": some makers give a lengthy description...
Mullen G2 Features
• All Quality Hard Rock Maple Body
• 24 ¼†Scale
• Triple Raise/Triple Lower Changer
• Split Tuning in the Changer (all strings)
• Super Precision Aluminum Changer
• Highly Polished Hardened Changer Rollers
• No-break Changer String Slot (catches broken string end; no pin)
• Polished-Chrome Plated Steel Endplates (over 30 year mirror finish)
• Neutral Changer Stop Position with adjustable stops on all Knees and Pedals
• Adjustable Knee Lever Tilt/Angle
• Custom Wound Mullen Pickups with Adjustable mounting plate
• Solid Construction complete with 6061 Aircraft Aluminum
• Made, Designed, and Engineered in Our Own Shop in the USA
• Easy, Clutter-Free Undercarriage, with Removable Bell cranks, Cross rods, and other Components.
• Easy to Maintain and Change Setups
• Adjustable Return Springs with Raise Assist
• Adjustable Chrome Legs
• Hand Crafted Lacquer and Mica Bodies Made In-House with Computer Technology
• Highly Polished Trim and Components
• High Tolerance Brass Nut Rollers
• Ball Bearing Bushings in the Undercarriage
• Sleek Body Design
• No Castings or Pot Metal
• No Slip Hex Cross Rod System
• Floating Undercarriage (will adjust to different humidity changes)
• Rock Solid Stops
• Numbered Hook and Quick Ball Joint Disconnect Pedal Rod System
• Quick Slide Pedal Bar Attachments
• Over 40 Years in Business, Family Owned and Operated, and hoping for over 40 more years.
• Most of All Precision and Tone!
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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
Last edited by Lane Gray on 12 Aug 2014 7:23 am; edited 2 times in total |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 12 Aug 2014 6:38 am
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Here's the MSA Legend, cribbed from Greg Cutshaw's page http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Msa/msa.html
Quadruple raise, triple lower changer
Metal necks
All wood maple body
42 pounds (with 8 floor, 8 knee levers)
Modular quick change slide in – slide out pickups
Quick clamp and release leg attachment to pedal rack
Monogrammed guitar cover included
Highly polished metal surfaces
Long sustaining tone
Crystal clear harmonics
3D Fretboard milled into neck – nothing to come unglued – anti-static material in fret pools
Inlaid front and back aprons
Quick adjust pedal height from playing position
Pedal rods are all identical – no more searching for rod numbers
Pedals are 2 7/16†apart and 11/16†wide
Case has built in wheels and 2 handles (Texas Case)
Case has full back hinge and all aluminum edging
Leg and Rod pouch included
Foam damping on underside cuts rod noise
Adjustable raise return spring tension
Knee lever tilt adjustment
13 position stainless steel quick change bell cranks
Split tunings on all strings – adjustable at end plate
Deluxe tuning wrench included
Custom Sperzel tuners have individual shaft lengths for better alignment with nut
5 Year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship
Carbon fiber contoured knee levers
Stainless steel pull rods and cross rods
Pedals machined from aluminum billet and custom engraved
Pedals rods are attached and pull from centerline of pedals
7 piece raised CNC MSA logo on front apron
Solid, polished pedal bar CNC machined from 6061 aluminum
24“ Scale
My guitar has Truetone pickups (both are 16.9 Kohms)
Floating neck - the neck is firmly anchored only at one end (the changer end) while the other end has space and freedom to expand or contract inside the roller bridge. The roller bridge is not attached to the neck, but to the cabinet. The aluminum necks can expand or contract at will without resulting in detuning.
String spacing is 11/32" at changer and 17/64" at nut
Overall body size is 32" long and 10 7/8" wide
"Cabinet drop" is 1.5 cents, measured by tuning E9th 4th string to 440 on Peterson strobe tuner then pushing pedals 1 and 2 and noting the drop against the tuner. Within 0.1 cents I got this number over and over again. Note: This is EXTREMELY low "cabinet drop" for a wood bodied guitar!
Nut roller composition is different for wound and plain strings on both necks to provide evenness of tone between them
_________________
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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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 12 Aug 2014 6:53 am
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Here's BSG, weights are missing
S-10
Ball bearing changer
Cross rods in delrin bearing
Fully adjustable knee levers & pedals
Stainless steel legs
3 pedals 2 knee levers
Nylon stops on all pedals & knee levers
6061 aluminum fingers
Choice of colored mica
Triple raise, double lower
Gauged brass rollers
Wood neck
BL-710 Pickups
$1,495.00 plus shipping includes case
Extra knee levers add $150.00 each
SD-10
3 pedals 5 knee levers
Ball bearing changer
Cross rods roll in delrin bearings
Fully adjustable knee levers & pedals
Stainless steel legs
BL-710 pickups
Nylon stops on all pedals & knee levers
Very little cabinet drop
Extra center brace
6061 aluminum fingers
Gauged brass rollers
Grover tuning keys
Choice of colored mica
Triple raise, double lower
$2,995.00 plus shipping includes case
D-10
8 pedals 5 knee levers
Ball bearing changer
Cross rods roll in delrin bearings
Fully adjustable knee levers & pedals
Stainless steel legs
BL-710 pickups
Nylon stops on all pedals & knee levers
Very little cabinet drop
Extra center brace
6061 aluminum fingers
Gauged brass rollers
Grover tuning keys
Choice of colored mica
Triple raise, double lower
$3,995.00 plus shipping includes case
_________________
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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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 12 Aug 2014 7:21 am
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BenRom (pretty guitars)
Model Information:
The following describes the standard equipped BenRom SD 10.
An all-pull changer with 3 raise and 3 lower. The lower lever contact on the brass finger has a lubricated and sealed ball bearing. This detail helps keep friction at an absolute minimum as well as one less maintenance item to worry about
The changer fingers are made from brass, which has nice tonal features.
The keyhead end of the strings have gauged rollers madue out of brass as well. The roller grooves are machined to the correct depth/width ratio according to the gauge of each string.
Four pedals and five knee levers standard, set up to the individual player's preferred E9th copedent.
All major parts like end plates, changer mount, and key head are milled out of solid stock 6061 T6 aluminum.
Stainless steel hardware like nuts and bolts is used throughout.
Single coil BenRom pickup. However any pickup can be installed to the user's preference for a small additional fee.
Well known high quality Sperzel tuners (low profile) in the key head. 18:1 gear ratio
Polished stainless steel legs from Don Burrows. Length to user's specs.
Choice of hard maple, Birdseye maple or Curly Maple in body and wood neck. As you see, walnut has been added to the choice of woods Finished with instrument lacquer.
All visible parts have a polished finish: End plates, key head, changer housing, knee levers and pedals and pedal bar. Under carriage parts including cross shafts and bell cranks have a fine-sanded matte finish. A full poilish package can be arranged for an extra fee.
Bent doesn't list his prices, but his guitars are exquisite one-off pieces of art. Jk
Currently only makes an SD model, it weighs 35 pounds on the floor.
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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
Last edited by Lane Gray on 12 Aug 2014 12:55 pm; edited 5 times in total |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 12 Aug 2014 12:52 pm
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Here's Lamar's from his website (some info missing, shooting him an email)
   All aluminum parts are machined in my shop using 6061 and 2024 aluminum.
    All pull changer with triple raise and lower
    Keyless or key head tuning.
    Cross rods are round with 2 milled flats on opposite sides for non-slip action.
   Quick change bell cranks with 7 rod positions.
   Rock solid pedal and knee lever stops
   Extruded pedals mounted in nylon bearings.
   Pedal rod connectors are spring loaded pin type.
   Stainless steel pedal rods
   Gauged nut rollers for buzz free playing on low end.
   Single coil pick ups wound to your spec's. With coil tap,if desired.      Other pick ups available upon request.
   Clamp-on pedal bar
   Stainless steel legs by Don Burrows                                   Case and leg pouch included
   Other options are available
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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 |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 12 Aug 2014 1:34 pm
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Don't forget Promat:
http://www.promat-steel-guitars.com/
It's a metricated clone of a push-pull.
I'll shoot him an email, but I dunno how much info you need. Mike Cass is the only other place to get a new push-pull. If you have any questions, you might not have decided you want a push-pull.
_________________
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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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 12 Aug 2014 1:46 pm
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Here's the text of the Kevin Hatton's Retro guitars.
It's a great copy of the old ZB, but with modern shafts
http://www.retrosteelguitar.net/Features.html
-We use #190 instrument grade select hard rock maple.  Premium grade tone wood. We don’t cover up inferior grade wood with Formica to hide it. Select Birdseye maple tops. Select curly maple fronts and backs.
-All cast aluminum parts. The way steel guitars use to be built. Cast for bell resonance like Zane Beck intended. Cast aluminum rings like a bell. Modern extruded aluminum is cheap and sounds like a dud when you strike it.
-Original ZB 1968 replica pick-ups. One of the most unique sounding pedal steel pickups ever made. It’s at the heart of the ZB sound. Exact wire and magnets to get that ZB 60’ sound. 12.5, 18.5, and 23.5 taps selector switch.
-Gorgeous 60’s/70’s retro styling Double raise/double lower changer. The top half of the Retro Custom Steel changer is exactly like that of the original ZB. The bottom half has been modified for smooth double raise/lower with modern fingers.
-Mirror polished ADJUSTABLE aluminum knee levers. No economizing here. The knee levers can be cantered to fit your size.
-Highly polished Stainless Steel legs that look like Chrome but will they will never pit or rust.
-Our Guitars are outfitted with a Hatton Custom Split Case with wheels as standard. You just roll the body case around like luggage. By using a split-case, it reduces 12 pounds off the carry weight making it much easier to transport.
-Hard bodied automotive polyurethane finish. It will never crack, or fade. Highly weather and ding resistant. Much harder than lacquer. Resists bar dings.
-Premium quality replica hardware in Custom colors available.
-That fabulous ZB sound! Superior string separation qualities. Bite and growl that will cut right through an electric band mix.
Bell cranks can be removed by using an Allen-Key in a matter of seconds for quick setup change.
-Meter tuned, smooth precision quick-change bell crank mechanics.
-Embossed foot pedal.
-The guitar weighs just 32 pounds!
_________________
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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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 12 Aug 2014 4:10 pm
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Now, because we all focus on different things, we'll just have to decide (individually) what's "fluff", what's genuinely advantageous, and what's plain dopey!  |
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Scott Duckworth
From:
Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies
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Posted 12 Aug 2014 4:41 pm
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Looks like hard rock maple may be "the" wood for steels... although lacquered tiger maple looks n i c e!
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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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Len Amaral
From:
Rehoboth,MA 02769
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Posted 12 Aug 2014 4:45 pm
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| I didn't realize (until this topic) how much went into a pedal steel guitar. Expensive? not when you consider the materials, labor and expertise making this instrument. |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 12 Aug 2014 5:14 pm
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I agree, Donny. And it's clear from looking at that other thread, that different people value different attributes.
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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 |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 12 Aug 2014 6:19 pm
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After a delightful chat with one maker, I think price will disappear. The aim I originally had was to merely establish what you get for the money.
Establish what bits are important for your guitar, then figure out which ones have what you need.
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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 |
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Eddy Dunlap
From:
Nashville, Tn
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Posted 12 Aug 2014 8:25 pm
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What about Show-Pro steel guitars? Show-Pro steels are the most customizable instruments on the market. You can choose your scale length, fretboard design(Show-Pro trapezoid type of design or Sho-Bud card symbols), color, Spray type, color, inlay, custom endplate and cabinet size options, polished pedals and levers on every guitar, choice of pickups, compensators and tuner splits are optional, wood or aluminum necks, and have any body type built(they've built S-10s, SD-10s, SD-10s with the short pad like some of the old Sho-bud singles with a small 2 inch pad behind the neck, SD-10 body with no pad(just wood), D-10, Universals, double neck e9th and cat can dobro neck guitars, etc)
Show Pro is making some unique, different innovations in the world of pedal steel. They are offering some custom guitars that have new ideas that are being explored like a particular D-10 that had a metal plate shielding the underneath of the the guitar's body and having a truss rod controlling the tension of the necks on the body. Show Pro has been busy building some guitars for several customers based off of the last guitar they built for Russ Pahl who developed the idea and is playing this particular guitar on countless sessions. Basically they offer an endless amount of choices and options for building a steel guitar(the sky is the limit!)but they all go back to every guitar using hard, aged maple that is specifically used for musical instrument applications, high polished parts that are super strong and mechanically sound, great tuners, and precision craftsmanship. Here's a pic of the top of the Russ Pahl guitar with the 25" long scale tuned down to E flat with two pickups and electronic panel
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 12 Aug 2014 10:11 pm
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Right. They're well made and purty
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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 |
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Olli Haavisto
From:
Jarvenpaa,Finland
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Posted 13 Aug 2014 12:18 am
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Old info on MSA Legend, the scale is now 24 1/4 ".
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Olli Haavisto
Finland |
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Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
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Posted 13 Aug 2014 1:56 am
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Those BenRom guitars are beautiful! I always liked walnut-resonator banjos, so that's cool. Wooden necks, height adjustable--That's always been a problem for me, since I'm tall--John Fabian was like a tailor, when he built me a guitar.
Splits are cool to have, on ANY strings that raise or lower(duh). I've always had a problem feeling the half-step lower, on the second string. I usually listen for it, rather than feel for the stop--Sorta like the 1st string half-step raise. Guitar playing helps there.
Definitely milled metal. Castings can have porosity, and aluminum is the worst metal ever. I spent a year doing maintenance in a foundry, that specialized in non-ferrous casting--We couldn't do aluminum. It melts at a low temperature, so it hardens fast, too.
Oh yeah--a cup-holder, on the left rear leg. Easier to lay the bar down, than take the picks off.  |
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richard burton
From:
Britain
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Posted 13 Aug 2014 3:30 am
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Two more details that are significant:
String spacing at changer.
String spacing at nut.
Some 12 strings have a very narrow string spacing at the changer, making them hard for me to play, and the same is true (of 10 stringers) if the string spacing is wider than usual. |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Posted 15 Jan 2016 1:15 pm
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| richard burton wrote: |
| Some 12 strings have a very narrow string spacing at the changer, making them hard for me to play, and the same is true (of 10 stringers) if the string spacing is wider than usual. |
What brand of 12 string guitars have this problem, Richard? I've heard of it, but I've yet to see one.
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-𝕓𝕆𝕓- (admin) - Robert P. Lee - Recordings - Breathe - D6th - Video |
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Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
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Posted 15 Jan 2016 2:14 pm
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Seems to be a bit of a myth, this. I can't imagine anyone building a guitar with less than 11/32" spacing and expecting it to be playable.
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Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs |
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Jim Smith
From:
Midlothian, TX, USA
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Posted 15 Jan 2016 9:55 pm
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| b0b wrote: |
| richard burton wrote: |
| Some 12 strings have a very narrow string spacing at the changer, making them hard for me to play, and the same is true (of 10 stringers) if the string spacing is wider than usual. |
What brand of 12 string guitars have this problem, Richard? I've heard of it, but I've yet to see one. |
12 string Dekleys were shipped with a little narrower spacing at the bridge. If I remember right, they were .312" (5/16") rather than the standard .343" (11/32").
I disassembled and cleaned the changers on my D-12 years ago and re-spaced them to .343. It's only .031" (1/32") more, and I couldn't really tell the difference afterwards. |
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