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Topic: Looking for advice for my next steel. |
Robert Pastore
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 4 Jan 2021 7:34 am |
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I have a mid 60's "Frankenstein" Sho-Bud (E9 3X4). I believe it was put together from various guitars. It plays and sounds pretty great, the biggest limitation is the changer. It's just a 1 raise 1 lower - but the guitar is a 3X4 - so some of the raises are 'sharing' the same changer/rod... which is not ideal.
Also, being over 50 years old it can be a little touchy, some of the stops are not as smooth as i would like (extra pressure on the knee lever will still move the string a little - hard to get precise tuning etc)
I've also started gigging more and I don't really want to be taking this one out every week to be playing in various conditions. (I'm in Florida, so it can be outside in 90% humidity or inside with arctic AC - sometimes both in the same day!)
So I am looking for something newer (or new). S10 is fine for me, i never had the armrest, so I don't know if I would even like it. 3X4 at a minimum. Emmons for the pedals.
I would like some flexibility for the knee levers as i would like the 2 guitars to be as close as possible, and my current guitar has one 'not standard' change.
(LKL raises E; LKR lowers E; RKL lowers G# to G which is a nice cheat! RKR lowers D# and raises F#)
Since I will be playing it often, it has to be pretty solid - not like the Carter Starter I learned on; that when you would use a knee lever the whole guitar would twist with it. 
Looking to spend between 1.5 - 2.5k.
I've been lurking the for sale section, but recently thinking about a Mullen Discovery. (Bob Drawbaugh's video really pushing this one to the front of the line!)
As you guys know, it's really hard to pick the right guitar when you can't just sit in a room and play them all!
Would like to know what you guys would suggest for a highly gig-able guitar that is more solid than fancy. |
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Al Evans
From:
Austin, Texas, USA
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Posted 4 Jan 2021 7:46 am Re: Looking for advice for my next steel.
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| Robert Pastore wrote: |
Looking to spend between 1.5 - 2.5k.
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If I were in your position, I'd sure try to get in touch with Doug Earnest and find out how long it would take to get a Zumsteel Encore.
Not that a Mullen Discovery is a bad choice, either...
--Al Evans
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2018 MSA Legend, 2018 ZumSteel Encore, 2015 Mullen G2, G&L S-500, G&L ASAT, G&L LB-100, Godin A4 Fretless, Kinscherff High Noon |
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Rick Barnhart
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 4 Jan 2021 8:06 am
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You should consider a new Justice guitar.
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Clinesmith consoles D-8/6 5 pedal, D-8 3 pedal & A25 Frypan, Pettingill Teardrop, & P8 Deluxe. |
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Dale Rivard
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Posted 4 Jan 2021 8:58 am
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| Hi Robert, I can highly recommend the Mullen Discovery. I've had mine for almost 2 years and it is a great steel. It is not a student model. It is a lightweight, professional guitar. It plays solid(doesn't move around when using the pedals and knee levers), yet smooth and easy. The tuning stability, sustain and sound is very much like my Mullen G2. It has a triple raise, double lower changer so can accommodate almost any setup. Mine has 4 pedals and 5 knees. You can also upgrade the changer with a split tuning add on. All this and still under 50 pounds in the case! Tommy White now has 1, that says a lot. Great guitars! |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
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Posted 4 Jan 2021 2:25 pm
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For a rock-solid gig guitar, consider a GFI. A good used one would be within your budget, and you can set it up any way you like.
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Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs |
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Josh Moss
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 4 Jan 2021 2:41 pm
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I'll put a good word in for Doug Earnest, as well. He makes great guitars and is great to deal with.
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Sho~Bud Pro I
Stage One S-10
Moyo VP
Fender Silverface Twin
Peavey Nashville 400 |
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