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Topic: band leader kinda funny comment regarding steel prices |
Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 7 Aug 2018 1:51 am |
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I worked with this fella on and off for a few years, I have known him for a very long time. played steel and guitar in his bands on and off for a few years.
he came to visit us at a gig last week and out of the clear blue sky he says
I know you don't play a Mullen Steel, did you know that they cost like over $3000 used , maybe even $4000 ? Good god those things cost a lot !
I said yeh they are great guitars and if you can grab one used for under $4000 that would be a good day.
Drum roll please
he said , so you don't play a Mullen but I know you have two Emmons Steels, how much do they cost ?
I looked at him and said , about $4000 each, used
evidently this may have been what they call a Teachable Moment 
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website
Last edited by Tony Prior on 7 Aug 2018 6:43 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Don R Brown
From:
Rochester, New York, USA
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Posted 7 Aug 2018 4:29 am
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You could have added "And you're only paying me a lousy $_____ a night to play them!"
_________________
Many play better than I do. Nobody has more fun. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 7 Aug 2018 9:10 am
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And with the tariff on imported steel, the prices are bound to get higher! 
Erv |
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Brooks Montgomery
From:
Idaho, USA
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Posted 7 Aug 2018 9:39 am
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If it makes you feel any better about how expensive your steels are, I sell flyrods that are $1000. There's a waiting list. Makes a $4000 Mullen seem like a bargain. 
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A banjo, like a pet monkey, seems like a good idea at first. |
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Lee Baucum
From:
McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier
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Posted 7 Aug 2018 9:46 am
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Shoulda been a harmonica player!
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Lee, from South Texas - Down On The Rio Grande
There are only two options as I see it.
Either I'm right, or there is a sinister conspiracy to conceal the fact that I'm right.
Williams Keyless S-10, BMI S-10, Evans FET-500LV, Fender Steel King, 2 Roland Cube 80XL's,
Sarno FreeLoader, Goodrich Passive Volume Pedals, Vintage ACE Pack-A-Seat |
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Brooks Montgomery
From:
Idaho, USA
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Posted 7 Aug 2018 10:39 am
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| Lee Baucum wrote: |
| Shoulda been a harmonica player! |
I am. Problem is, my harps were just a gateway drug.
_________________
A banjo, like a pet monkey, seems like a good idea at first. |
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Glenn Suchan
From:
Austin, Texas
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Jeff Garden
From:
Center Sandwich, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 7 Aug 2018 1:33 pm
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| Especially for steel playing professionals it's the cost of the "tools of the trade". Look at the cost of a large toolbox full of Snap On Tools for a professional auto mechanic or a truck (and trailer) full of power tools and equipment for a carpenter. |
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Glenn Suchan
From:
Austin, Texas
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Posted 7 Aug 2018 1:45 pm
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Martin Brunkalla, a classmate from when I was in high school handcrafts violins, mandolins, dulcimers and the occasional ukulele or guitar.
Not too long ago Martin crafted a violin from a piece of 50,000 year-old kauri wood from New Zealand. Kauri, a coniferous tree is one of the most ancient species in the world and can live to be 2,000, or more years old. The tree from which Martin's wood was milled had a trunk diameter of 24 feet and was submerged in a bog.
I have no idea what the selling price was, or if was sold.
Here's 'Tube of Martin talking about his violin craft:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-_39LTnYdc
Keep on pickin'!
Glenn
_________________
Steelin' for Jesus |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 7 Aug 2018 2:03 pm
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| Lee Baucum wrote: |
| Shoulda been a harmonica player! |
50-some years ago when the #1896 Marine Band cost $2.17 at the local Target store, that was true (as long as you wanted either a "C" or a "G" harp).
Nowadays, costing in the neighborhood of $50.00 apiece, that same #1896 doesn't seem like such a bargain anymore. If your band plays in multiple keys, and who doesn't, you're gonna need multiple harps. At fifty bucks a pop, the cost grows exponentially. |
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scott murray
From:
Asheville, NC
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Posted 7 Aug 2018 2:32 pm
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pedal steels really are a "steal" when you consider all the parts and precision that goes into each one, and compare that to acoustic instruments that commonly sell for several thousand dollars and up.
I would think most professional musicians have thousands invested in their rigs, if not a whole lot more.
_________________
1965 Emmons S-10, 3x5 • Emmons LLIII D-10, 10x12 • JCH D-10, 10x12 • Beard MA-8 • Oahu Tonemaster
Last edited by scott murray on 7 Aug 2018 4:50 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Lee Baucum
From:
McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier
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Posted 7 Aug 2018 2:42 pm
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The harmonica player walks in with one little briefcase of harps, opens it up, and says he's ready.
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 7 Aug 2018 3:38 pm
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| Lee Baucum wrote: |
The harmonica player walks in with one little briefcase of harps, opens it up, and says he's ready.
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Not me. I had a tool bag full of harps, mics, cables, and spare electron tubes, a Crate VC 508 (13" x 12" x 7" that's a few ounces shy of 18 pounds), and an old chrome Atlas mic stand. With a modicum of extra effort, I could milk the load-in into two separate trips. |
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Glenn Suchan
From:
Austin, Texas
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Posted 8 Aug 2018 4:49 am
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| Jack Hanson wrote: |
| Lee Baucum wrote: |
| Shoulda been a harmonica player! |
50-some years ago when the #1896 Marine Band cost $2.17 at the local Target store, that was true (as long as you wanted either a "C" or a "G" harp).
Nowadays, costing in the neighborhood of $50.00 apiece, that same #1896 doesn't seem like such a bargain anymore. If your band plays in multiple keys, and who doesn't, you're gonna need multiple harps. At fifty bucks a pop, the cost grows exponentially. |
I hear ya', Jack. I started playing harmonica about the same time as you and recall a similar price for Hohner "Marine Band" 'harps'. A few years later I progressed to the Hohner "Blues Harp" harmonicas. They were loud, but not very durable (I used to soak 'em in a glass of water to make 'em even more loud). Like the "Marine Band", the "Blues Harp" had a wood comb that could only stand a few soakings before they were useless.
In the late 70's I bought a full key range of Hohner "Special 20"s for about $15 a piece. I liked 'em because they had a plastic comb and recessed reeds and they were held together with screws. That meant I could take 'em apart for the occasional cleaning and didn't need to soak 'em.
Today, the "Special 20"s are going for about $45 each (and most folks don't think they're as good as the original "Special 20"s). I still have my original "Special 20"s and because I don't think I'll soon be playing harmonica with any horn sections, I've given the Bb harp to my 2-year old granddaughter to play with. She loves it as well as my African finger piano. Wait till I let her try my authentic aboriginal didgeridoo.
Keep on pickin'!
Glenn
_________________
Steelin' for Jesus |
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James Kerr
From:
Scotland, UK
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Jeff Garden
From:
Center Sandwich, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 9 Aug 2018 2:13 pm
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| Whoa! I just know those little "pluckers" would escape and get loose in the house to cause trouble, James |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 9 Aug 2018 5:24 pm
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walked into music store several; years ago He gave 2wenty five for the fiddle,and 800 for the bow!
_________________
Dr. Z Surgical Steel amp, amazing!
"74 Bud S-10 3&6
'73 Bud S-10 3&5(under construction)
'63 Fingertip S-10, at James awaiting 6 knees
'57 Strat, LP Blue
'91 Tele with 60's Maple neck
Dozen more guitars!
Dozens of amps, but SF Quad reverb, Rick Johnson cabs. JBL 15, '64 Vibroverb for at home.
'52 and '56 Pro Amps |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 12 Aug 2018 10:53 am
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Compare the price of a B bender guitar to that of a steel!
_________________
Dr. Z Surgical Steel amp, amazing!
"74 Bud S-10 3&6
'73 Bud S-10 3&5(under construction)
'63 Fingertip S-10, at James awaiting 6 knees
'57 Strat, LP Blue
'91 Tele with 60's Maple neck
Dozen more guitars!
Dozens of amps, but SF Quad reverb, Rick Johnson cabs. JBL 15, '64 Vibroverb for at home.
'52 and '56 Pro Amps |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 12 Aug 2018 12:56 pm
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| Pedal steels, for what you're getting, are pretty cheap. In addition, there's no continual depreciation like there is for other items. At worst, you'll only lose about a third of the value. After that, they stabilize and stay the same for years...or decades. |
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Fred Treece
From:
California, USA
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Posted 18 Aug 2018 7:57 am
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My brother calls that thing a “Leo Kottke machineâ€.
People don’t understand the complexity and precision of the changer-to-pedal mechanics, nor the fact that there aren’t large factories producing pedal steels by the thousands from a standardized blueprint. In a nutshell, isn’t that what makes them “so expensive� |
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Greg Lambert
From:
Illinois, USA
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 20 Aug 2018 8:41 am
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I like the rebar bridge!
Erv |
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