| Author |
Topic: Suggestions for a single neck buyer? |
William Hatcher
From:
Washington, USA
|
Posted 14 Feb 2016 3:41 pm |
|
| I sold a Maverick years ago and have since wanted to buy another pedal steel. I've been looking for an LDG as of late. Simply because another musician I look up to uses this specific type. Locally there is a reasonably priced Simmons, but I'm not sure about its reputation and build quality. Are there some good options you'd recommend and others to stay away from? I think I'm looking for a 4 knee and 3 pedals, but I honestly don't know a lot and would love a helping hand. I've looked for a stickied post for this info, but haven't seen anything. Thanks for the information! |
|
|
 |
Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
|
Posted 14 Feb 2016 3:48 pm Here's my thought.............
|
|
WHY NOT stick with a major, well known brand name???
Besides acquiring a model with lots of hearing examples, but one that would have widespread name appeal to others in the event you might one day decide to sell it..........you're likely to get closer to what you really want while not wasting a lot of your valuable time and/or monies.
I've always stuck to a major brand and model style and have never regretted doing so. |
|
|
|
Bill Dobkins
From:
Rolla Missouri, USA
|
Posted 14 Feb 2016 3:53 pm
|
|
Ray is right, The better quality Steel you buy the better and faster you will learn, Not only that but it will hold it's value. There are several good deals here on the Forum.
_________________
Custom Rittenberry SD10
Boss Katana 100 Amp
Positive Grid Spark amp
BJS Bars
Z~Legend Pro,Custom Tele
Honor our Vet's.
Now pass the gravy. |
|
|
|
Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
|
Posted 14 Feb 2016 7:25 pm
|
|
The Simmons is a well built guitar, and as long as nobody has futzed with it, is rock solid. Pull-release has dead simple machinery and great tone.
A student of mine had one and it was a fine axe. And Bob Simmons was a great guy to talk to.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
|
|
|
Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
|
Posted 15 Feb 2016 12:40 am
|
|
I've never seen or heard a Simmons, but I've heard good things about them.
The most popular entry level steel is the Stage One. You might want to look for one of those.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
|
|
|
Jeff Mead
From:
London, England
|
Posted 15 Feb 2016 1:12 am
|
|
As you previously had a S10, you should try out a SD10 to see if you like it or not. I tried one and found I wasn't as comfortable with the feel of the neck and pedals being further away (not to mention the extra size and weight to lug around) so decided to stick to a S10.
At least you'll know if a LDG or some other SD10 is what you really want (lots of people love them of course). |
|
|
|
Billy Carr
From:
Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)
|
Posted 15 Feb 2016 1:31 am psg
|
|
| Opinions vary on this topic, so I'll throw in my .02 worth. Three words here that will save a lot of tinkering on your next steel guitar. "All Pull Changer". Pull release changers are fine if a player knows how to properly adjust them. All pull changers are simple to adjust and don't pose a lot of problems. There's several builders that have all pulls in a S-10. Personally, I play a S-10 Excel that I purchased new from EXCEL. Dollar wise, I see several guitars here on the SGF, used/new, that are good deals in the PSG's For Sale section. Happy huntin'! |
|
|
|
ajm
From:
Los Angeles
|
Posted 15 Feb 2016 7:24 am
|
|
Regarding what Jeff Mead said, I agree when it comes to S10 versus SD10 bodies.
One thing that he didn't mention was that the angle of your arms/hands will be different, especially your picking hand, because of the extra body/pad on the SD10.
Try to play one of each and see which feels more comfortable. |
|
|
|
John Booth
From:
Columbus Ohio, USA
|
Posted 15 Feb 2016 7:32 am
|
|
William,
If you left a Maverick and want to move up to the best value modern 3 & 4 you can not go wrong with the Zum Stage One. They play and sound great and everyone on here will tell you that for a $1000 guitar it can't be beat.
I have a perfect one I may sell because I want to move to its slightly bigger brother the Encore (also a Zum) because I want that 5th lever
Let me know if you'd like to see pics.
John
_________________
Jb in Ohio
..................................
GFI S10 Ultra, Telecaster, a Hound Dog, and an Annoyed Wife
.................................. |
|
|
|
chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
|
Posted 15 Feb 2016 7:50 am
|
|
keep in mind the stage one has pre-set positions for which pedals do what. i never cared for that limitation.
perhaps the simmons is more adaptable.
being an all-pull, the encore is totally different. |
|
|
|
Calvin Walley
From:
colorado city colorado, USA
|
Posted 15 Feb 2016 8:43 am
|
|
as stated earlier , Simmons are great guitars
well built , stay in tune, play and sound great
i should know i owned one !!!!
the only thing i didn't like about it was the color (grey marble)
_________________
proud parent of a sailor
Mullen SD-10 /nashville 400
gotta love a Mullen!!!
Guitars that i have owned in order are :
Mullen SD-10,Simmons SD-10,Mullen SD-10,Zum stage one,Carter starter,
Sho-Bud Mavrick |
|
|
|
Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
|
Posted 15 Feb 2016 9:28 am
|
|
| As price will likely determine how good an instrument you're capable of buying, how much are you prepared to pay? |
|
|
|
John Sluszny
From:
Brussels, Belgium
|
|
|
|
Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
|
Posted 15 Feb 2016 11:08 am
|
|
I don't think 5 knees is a must (although I'd argue against fewer than 4), and most of us still have only three pedals.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
|
|
|
chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
|
Posted 15 Feb 2016 3:18 pm
|
|
| there is no 'must'! |
|
|
|
John Sluszny
From:
Brussels, Belgium
|
Posted 15 Feb 2016 4:36 pm
|
|
| chris ivey wrote: |
| there is no 'must'! |
I totally agree with you,Jeff Newman had a course with 2 pedals and 1 knee lever and it was absolutely awful but when I listen to recordings by Mike Johnson,Paul Franklin,David Hartley and so many others I think it's a good thing having all these changes on a new S or SD 10 E9 pedal steel guitar today,you don't have to use them if you don't want to,and as I wrote earlier:JMHO  There is no must,just a should ! |
|
|
|
Calvin Walley
From:
colorado city colorado, USA
|
Posted 15 Feb 2016 5:34 pm
|
|
you could have a guitar built with 10 pedals and 10 knees
and you would still have some guys telling you that you would be happier if you had 11 of each
_________________
proud parent of a sailor
Mullen SD-10 /nashville 400
gotta love a Mullen!!!
Guitars that i have owned in order are :
Mullen SD-10,Simmons SD-10,Mullen SD-10,Zum stage one,Carter starter,
Sho-Bud Mavrick |
|
|
|
William Hatcher
From:
Washington, USA
|
Posted 16 Feb 2016 8:03 pm Thanks!
|
|
| Wow! Thank you so much for your help and vigorous dialogue! I'll keep you posted on my quest and selection! |
|
|
|
Bob Watson
From:
Champaign, Illinois, U.S.
|
Posted 17 Feb 2016 1:42 am
|
|
| IMHO, the Stage One Encore is the best bang for your buck. I've been playin' a P/P Emmons for quite awhile now and I dearly love it, but if I'm playin' a gig where I know I won't need the C6 neck, I've been takin' out my Encore. There are aspects of the Encore that I like better than the Emmons and it weighs practically nothing in comparison. If you have no desire to ever change anything around on it, I'm sure the Stage One would be a fine pedal steel for you. The beauty of the Encore is that, being an "all pull" pedal steel, you can change the pedals around, or add changes to it if you are so inclined. Also, Doug Earnest, who builds them, is a great guy to deal with. |
|
|
|
Ned McIntosh
From:
New South Wales, Australia
|
Posted 19 Feb 2016 1:36 pm
|
|
If you can find one, a good used Carter S10 is one mighty good steel for a very affordable price. Light weight, tone to the bone, very simple mechanism and easily customised. Al Brisco in Canada has all the Carrter parts for adding pedals and levers etc.
_________________
The steel guitar is a hard mistress. She will obsess you, bemuse and bewitch you. She will dash your hopes on what seems to be whim, only to tease you into renewing the relationship once more so she can do it to you all over again...and yet, if you somehow manage to touch her in that certain magic way, she will yield up a sound which has so much soul, raw emotion and heartfelt depth to it that she will pierce you to the very core of your being. |
|
|
|
Lyle Clary
From:
Decatur, Illinois, KC9VCB
|
Posted 19 Feb 2016 6:57 pm
|
|
Bob Watson and I both have had Encores for over two years now. I love mine for its quality,tone and light weight. To me it sounds and plays better that it's big brother ZumSteel D10 that I have had for ten years.
One thing I did not mention was the value. For around $!700 I got a 4X5 with backpad and a new pot pedal that Doug offers designed by Bruce delivered to my door. Get the humbucker pick up that Doug offers.
_________________
2006 Zum D10 8x8,1969 ZB Custom D10,
10 3x4 Peavey Nashville 112 Peavey LTD 400 2014 Zum Encore Wood Grain 4x5 Stage One pot pedal |
|
|
|
