Name this steel, please!

Jon Graboff · From: Santa Fe, New Mexico

Can you identify this pedal steel guitar? It was found in a garage by a friend of mine and deposited at my doorstep like and unwanted orphan. An ugly duckling at that! It’s a SD-10 with 3 pedals and 5 knee levers but I can’t find any manufacturer type markings on it whatsoever. No name, serial number, etc. A previous owner applied some sort of a plastic wood grain like substance to the front apron in a vain attempt at making it look a bit more like a Sho-Bud (I think he came up a tad short on that). The surprise is that this beast actually plays somewhat in tune right out of the case (lifting it was a challenge… weighs a ton). Things are a bit funky under there also; could use a complete disassemble, cleaning, etc. Any guesses forumites? Give it your best shot!

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

I think it's a home made guitar. The changer looks like it might be an old MSA unit, and the fretboard might have come from a stringmaster.

Andy Sandoval · From: Bakersfield, California, USA

That certainly does look like a Fender fret board,Is That a TrueTone pickup in it?

[This message was edited by Andy Sandoval on 06 June 2006 at 09:21 PM.]

Lem Smith · From: Long Beach, MS

The pedals look like shaved down Sho~Bud wide "wafer" pedals. Not sure about the rest of the guitar though. But, it doesn't look to bad for a homebuilt guitar, if indeed that is the case. I've had a whole lot worse looking than that, and was proud to have it at the time!

Gary Spaeth · From: Wisconsin, USA

give you a "hunnert" for it.

Charlie McDonald · From: out of the blue

Jon Graboff · From: Santa Fe, New Mexico

Oops… I should have posted this in "pedal steel" section. b0b, move it there if you see fit. Thanks, Jon

Casey Lowmiller · From: Kansas

That's not too bad of a guitar. It would be alright for a beginner...maybe.

If you ever wanted to sell it...let me know!

I need a good beginner guitar to learn on.

------------------
Known Coast to Coast as
"The Man with The Plan"

Fender Pedal 800, Fender Champion & a Homemade Double-neck!

Bill Hatcher · From: Atlanta Ga. USA

Nice looking instrument in my opinion!

Ron ! · Posted 7 Jun 2006 10:33 am

Jon Graboff · From: Santa Fe, New Mexico

There seems to be quite a lot of interest in the “no name” pedal steel, so I’ve posted more pics to gaze upon. Go to http://www.graboff.com/no_name.htm and take a look. I’d like to avoid eBay and sell it, “as is”, here and making a donation to the forum from the proceeds. Anyone interested should email me with a bid at jon@graboff.com. I’d like to avoid the hassle of shipping internationally, so domestic bidders only, sorry. The steel, in the case weighs around 62 lbs. on my bathroom scale. Feel free to ask any questions you have and I’ll do my best to answer them. Thanks, Jon

Casey Lowmiller · From: Kansas

I would give $200 for it right away.

You wanna sale it?

I really need a Pedal Steel something bad. I am a beginner to Pedal Steel & can't afford a new beginner guitar.

I could put up more cash!!!

Casey Lowmiller
------------------
Known Coast to Coast as
"The Man with The Plan"

Fender Pedal 800, Fender Champion & a Homemade Double-neck!

[This message was edited by Casey Lowmiller on 07 June 2006 at 12:43 PM.]

Ben Slaughter · From: Madera, California

Let's call it "Steve."

(You asked us to name it, right?)

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

Ben wins only because he was shameless enough to fail to stifle himself. I coulda said Fred or Barney hours ago. But I didn't. So, does Ben win the guitar?

Jack Francis · From: Queen Creek, Arizona, USA

Throw a PEAVEY logo on it...that oughta make it a good conversation piece.

Bobby Lee · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

oooo... That's mean, Jack!

Jon Graboff · From: Santa Fe, New Mexico

Ok, I’ve received a bunch of emails about “steve” (good one Ben). I’ll try to answer some of them here on the forum.

“Steve” employs an all pull mechanism and the pedals are Emmons set-up (1-2-3 left to right). The left knees are the standard set-up: LKL raises the E strings; LKR lowers the E’s; The verical is sorta set up to lower 9 and 10 but it’s a bit funky. There are two pull rods attached to the same bell crank and one nylon tuners is missing (I have some extra ones so I’ll through a couple in the case). The RKR lowers the 2nd string a half tone and there is a bell crank and rod set to lower the 5th string but it’s backed off and not doing anything. RKL raises the 1st string and there is a bell crank in the 6th string position but there is no pull rod attached to it.

I’ve been asked how easy/hard is it to change things on this rig. To tell you the truth, I haven’t tried. I looked at it and decided that I don’t have the time or the inclination to take on the project, so I haven’t messed with it. The bell cranks are attached to the cross rods with screws and I have a gut feeling that, being metal on metal, some might be a bit frozen so heating them up might me necessary in order to move things around. Just a guess though. Novices may want to consult a descent pedal steel mechanic before wrestlin’ with “Steve”!

Ron ! · Posted 7 Jun 2006 2:09 pm

O.keeeeeeee....and now for the big question.How much are you askin' for "Steve"?

Ron

David Wren · From: Placerville, California, USA

Notice there is no "step down" in the end plate for the second neck? Pedals look like old MSA as do the bell cranks. I think Mike P. is close.

------------------
Dave Wren
'96 Carter S12-E9/B6,7X7; Twin Session 500s; Hilton Pedal; Black Box
www.ameechapman.com

Jon Graboff · From: Santa Fe, New Mexico

Ronald, I mentioned in my second post that I'm taking bids via email. jon@graboff.com

David Nugent · From: Gum Spring, Va.

I am almost certain that this is a guitar that I previously owned. It was purchased by myself from the builder via a post on the Forum. (If he is still an active member he may respond personally with details of its constuction). I purchased this while still residing in New London, Ct. for a student who decided against learning steel and so the guitar was subsequently sold. It was acquired by a person who lived in N.Y., but rode the ferry to New London on a regular basis.

Smiley Roberts · From: Hendersonville,Tn. 37075

David Nugent · From: Gum Spring, Va.

Just an afterthought....The original case that came with the guitar was an older style, tolex covered Mullen case that had been reinforced with metal strips to form sort of a bargain basement flight case. Does the case you have fit this description?

Charlie McDonald · From: out of the blue

Waylon, I think.
Waylon Steel.

Jon Graboff · From: Santa Fe, New Mexico

David, tell us more about this guitar. Was it built from MSA parts as some have speculated or from scratch? It wound up in a garage on Long Island in NY.

And the case does fit that description. I won't know if it's a Mullen case or not but it does have the aluminum right angel stock around all the edges. There is a photo of it on the link I posted earlier. Jon

[This message was edited by Jon Graboff on 07 June 2006 at 04:04 PM.]

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