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Topic: New Member... New Player... Intro + Question |
Jeff Smith
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Posted 31 Aug 2005 10:25 am |
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Hello...
I'm new here, having just joined today. My name is Jeff Smith, and I live in North Alabama, about 75 miles south of Nashville. I've played guitar for 25 years or so, and have recently started trying to learn as much as I can about the pedal steel. I once owned, and foolishly sold, a little Sho-Bud Pro-I, and currently I play a GFI student model guitar.
I've sure enjoyed reading the comments from all the expert players around here over the last few months. This place has an incredible collection of talent!
Here's a question that I'm currently trying to resolve:
I am concerned that buying a better steel than the one I currently own results in me owning a custom, "one-off" guitar. I don't want to buy a steel, no matter how well-thought-of, and not be able to get parts for it in 3-4 years.
Somebody jump in here and correct me or realign my thinking if that's what I'm in need of, but I'm thinking (as an old 6-string player), "Don't buy the esoteric instrument from a guy that builds 20 a year and is a one-person company -- buy the equivalent of Gibson or Fender (in guitars)." My thinking is, that that's currently Sho-Bud, Emmons, Carter, etc.
BUT... I have contacted one manufacturer who is shutting down and selling out, and has one guitar that they'll make me a really great deal on. This is a well-thought-of guitar based on some comments here, and I'd rather not post their name, (but if anyone's interested in finding out who, email me).
So there's my dilemma -- do I go with the "soon to be either bought-out or shut down great guitar" or stick with "less custom but widely available and likely to be here in 10 years" kind of company?
What are your thoughts on this? And again, if my thinking is cracked, don't hesitate to tell me so.
Sorry to be so long-winded.
Thanks!
Jeff Smith |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 31 Aug 2005 11:39 am
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First off, if you buy something decent, you really shouldn't need any parts in 3 or 4 years. Secondly, there's no shortage of parts out there for any steel that's sold now, and has been in production for a few years. (Very seldom does a major manufacturer go out of business.)
My advice to you (since you already own one) would be to trade up to a "pro" model GFI (with at least 5 levers), and then quit worrying about upgrading it for 5 or 10 years, and just learn to play the thing! Buddy Charleton owns and plays a couple of "pro" GFI's, so that tells me they're probably a pretty good axe. 
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Charles Davidson
From:
Phenix City Alabama, USA
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Posted 31 Aug 2005 12:50 pm
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| Jeff ,first off welcome from Alabama. Donny was right,buy a pro model if you can afford it.I found the hard way years ago about buying an old worn out guitar.Guys like Bobbe Seymore,Dwayne Marrs,etc etc.do miraculous restorations on old worn out guitars .But in the long run,if you buy a new one,or a clean one from an honest dealer.you want be sorry.there are many great builders out there to chose from.If you buy a good guitar to start with and take care of it,you will have years of trouble free steeling. |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 31 Aug 2005 4:26 pm
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A fellow Forumite just gave me a "gentle nudge" by emphasizing that Jeff is a lead player of many years, and I should explain a little better about "one-off" and boutique/unique instruments, that is...in guitars vs. steels.
In the straight guitar world, players go ga-ga over certain model guitars. Playing a '50s Paul or Tele is really, really significant to other players. The steel world's a little different. Yes, there are a few players that are queer for push-pull Emmons', Sho~Buds, and ZB's. But in general, most players are far more interested in how good you sound than in what equipment you play. The Anapeg is one of the most expensive and exclusive steels in the world, but when one turned up at a show a few years back, most players were kinda "Ho-hum, so...that's an Anapeg?"
In short, Jeff, steels and steelplayers just don't have the cachet that straight guitars and their players do. Showing up with one of Stevie Ray Vaughn's guitars at a blues concert might get you mobbed. Showing up with one of Buddy Emmons' guitars at a steel jam might get you a half-dozen gawkers.
Steel's just a different world. 
Guess that's why I like it. |
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Dave Mudgett
From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
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Posted 31 Aug 2005 6:31 pm
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| Quote: |
| In the straight guitar world ... |
You have a way with words, Donny. 
I've been playing PSG for about 6 years now, after playing 'straight guitar' since the late 60s. You're right, there isn't the same brand-obsessiveness among steel players, but still, what moves the fastest in the "For Sale" area? Emmons, Buds, Zums, I think.
I sometimes see great bargains for good out-of-production steels like Dekley, and even Sierra's brief out-of-production period seemed to send their prices through the floor for a while. To me, this isn't necessarily unreasonable, since it really does make it harder to get parts, and so on. It's not that they can't be gotten, but especially for an inexperienced player, I think it may make sense to get something that others can help with. This is in sharp contrast with what often happens in the 'straight guitar' world, where going out of production often increases the value of a make or model. I think the difference is the fact that, eventually, steel undercarriages eventually wear down and need repairs, and the parts are mostly custom-fabricated by the builder. What goes wrong on an electric guitar? Frets, tuners, nut, bridge saddles, pots, maybe a pickup needs rewound. Mostly generic stuff.
With that said, the steel that really got me going playing was a mechanically marvelous Sierra S-10. Perhaps without the cachet of an old Bud or P/P, but built like a rock and ergonomically comfortable for all 6'4-1/2" of me. If it's a reliable, well-built steel that works for you, that's a lot right there when starting. I bloody well near pulled my hair out at first with a starter Emmons P/P. That Sierra was like a breath of fresh air.
We don't know what brand you're talking about, so it's hard to give really intelligent advice here. Myself, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a real bargain steel that felt and sounded great. Figuring out what's a 'real bargain' is probably a bit harder, though. I figure if I 'mistake-proof' a purchase by paying no more than I can sell it for, I'm pretty safe.
BTW, Welcome Jeff. I guess I'm pretty long-winded too. |
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Bryan Knox
From:
Gardendale, Alabama...Ya'll come
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Posted 31 Aug 2005 6:37 pm
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Welcome from a 'Bama boy a little south of you.
God bless,
Bryan |
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Nathan Delacretaz
From:
Austin, Texas, USA
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Posted 31 Aug 2005 6:51 pm
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| Welcome, Jeff - from another recent arrival from the guitar camp... The advice I got was to get the first pro-level steel I could afford, but I also figured in my own concerns, which were a lot like yours... I wanted to spend my first year or two playing, not repairing...Or worrying about resale value necessarily... To ease your mind, I think you'll find that the used market for "low-miles" modern steels is really pretty darn good --- mostly because steelers are an itchy bunch who always want to upgrade! : ) But don't laugh - you'll catch the bug, too! [This message was edited by Nathan Delacretaz on 31 August 2005 at 08:10 PM.] |
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Charles Davidson
From:
Phenix City Alabama, USA
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Posted 31 Aug 2005 7:08 pm
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| Jeff,Donny is right again.I played guitar about thirty years before I started playing steel.{telling my age].I have'nt played guitar in about fifteen years.have'nt had the desire to since I started playing steel.Being a guitar player is a great asset for a beginner steeler.The two instruments have a LOT in common. As I said before get the best guitar you can afford.If you get a cheap student guitar that won't stay in tune, you will be an unhappy camper.I'm not by any means putting down some of these student guitars,some of them have been really improved on in the last few years.But if you can go a step up to a pro model,you won't regret it. |
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Pat Carlson
From:
Sutton, Nebraska, R.I.P.
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Posted 31 Aug 2005 7:17 pm
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Welcome Jeff, I was stationed at Anniston Alabama when I was in the Military Service.
Great Country there in the Heart of Dixie.
Go to the top of this page and click on links,then steel guitar manufactuers and related products. Might help you make a decision.
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The Lone Prairie Steeler Pat
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Larry Hicks
From:
Alabama, USA
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Posted 31 Aug 2005 7:51 pm
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Jeff,
Welcome from another Alabama boy here in Hoover.
LH |
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