Carter starter or GFI starter?

Johnie King · From: Tennessee, USA

Value of a Carter starter. or would go with another brand of starter model? Maybie a GFI?

Sidney Ralph Penton · From: Moberly, Missouri, USA

i wouldn't bother with a starter model and here is why a month or so down the road your going to want a pro model. starter models are hard to get rid of. one other thing doug earnest makes a fine zum called a encore. this guitar you can make changes to it can be set up day or emmons and they sound really good. and not bad priced either.

Mike Marsh · From: Florida, USA

I can tell you they sell easily for $900 with the hard case and $100 less without case.
The Zum Encore is more than a notch above in quality and Value. Of course, they get $1595-1725
New.
2 cents,
Mike
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Williams Series 700 4X5

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

There's nothing about the Zum Encore that says 'starter model' - it's a first class pro level instrument.

The only concession is its somewhat utilitarian appearance - mechanically and sonically it's a dream!

I had occasion many years ago to try to play a Carter Starter. A pupil brought it to my house and I sat behind it. I was frustrated by the lack of any positivity in the pedals and knee-levers so I can only imagine how my pupil felt!
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles and Martins - and, at last, a Gibson Super 400!
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Andrew Krebs · From: Wisconsin, USA

I was able to snag one for $750.00 but from what I hear that is about $200-$300 lower than what is normal.

The 3x4 has been plenty for learning, and I should be able to play most of the stuff I am personally interested in for now. What I will say is that it is a little rickety in the legs and I can't even imagine what the pedals and levers feel like on a more professional model compared to this thing. I've just been making do.

Still for me I was absolutely determined to start playing the instrument and the price was so good I decided to stop groveling and go for it.

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

You get what you pay for. Rolling Eyes

Jeff Harbour · From: Western Ohio, USA

The Starter does perfectly what it was designed to do... To get someone learning pedal steel at a minimal cost. If they take to it, they may move up... If they don't they are not out much money. There has never been a better "$800 Pedal Steel" made (inflation-adjusted). The Encore, Stage-One, Discovery, Etc. are better instruments... but they are in the next class up and shouldn't be compared to the Starter.

With that being said, I have kept mine and still like using it in small venues. All it needed was a different pickup, the original hummed too much.

If it gets you playing and loving it... then you've made the right decision!

Jon Schimek · From: Lyons, Co - USA

I recently helped a friend out in selling their Carter Starter. I was expecting it to be a lot worse. It definitely feels less solid and is less configurable than other guitars,but I was fairly impressed. It is functional and stayed in tune. It was light and sounded good. If it's all you know and are just beginning I think its a great guitar. If you are still playing it in 6 months then save up for a lacquer MSA/Dekley.

Also I saw several of these pop up and sell quite quickly. I actually bought/sold the one I had for under $500 which only gets you a couple knee levers on a pro guitar.
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MSA Vintage-XL, Pre-RP Mullen
Nashville 400 w/blackbox, Space Echo.

Donald Brigner · From: Mountain Home, Arkansas, USA

I have a Carter Starter that I began with. I did put a George-L EON pickup on it and I had to have an experienced player set up pedals and knees back when I started but It's a great sounding little guitar if you take cost and weight into consideration. I'm an old fart and just a newb of sorts but I keep it to take to jam sessions with my little Peavey Nashville 112. My bad knees and back enjoy the experience a lot more. My Sho-Bud and Fender Twin pretty much stay put here at home unless there are young fellows that want to haul it for me. It's nice to have options. BTW - it does stay in tune well with SIT Carter Starter strings, even in the case. I have less than 1000 invested in the guitar, hard shell case, Goodrich pedal and the George-L.

Tim Herman · From: Alberta, Canada

Johnie, if you want a Carter Starter, I have a friend who is looking to sell theirs. This little guitar has the better knee lever setup. PM me for some pics and a video of the guitar in action. It plays and sounds really good.

Jeff Harbour · From: Western Ohio, USA

Benjamin Davidson · Posted 25 May 2018 5:32 am

I've started my playing on a GFI Student Model.

I have no complaints about it. You have a few concessions you need to make with a pull/release changer, but all the cross members and bell cranks can be modified to suit within those confines. I passed on a simliarly price Carter because you couldn't on the model I looked at.

I already had a Justice on order, this GFI is only staying around till it shows up (so I can actually play the Justice when it gets here). For an entry level steel I cant see a better answer, just buy it used.

I was fortunate to get a great deal shopping around for the GFI, and though it was a 3x2 when I got it - it took about an hour with the kit to make it 3x4. I fully expect to get my investment back in full when I sell it.

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