Upgrade Advice

Michael Williams · From: New York, USA

Hello Everyone, I’ve been reading, learning and taking in as much Pedal Steel information as I can. The forum has been a great place to pass time, enjoy the internet and learn.

My pedal steel journey is well, unique to me.

I started playing guitar in 1992 and obsessed over it for a good solid foundation over two years. Then life, family, and all those wonderful things left me just strumming a few chords a few times a week and didn’t really do much with it.

In 2019 I bought my first steel, and obsessed over it for 5 months. It had 2 pedals and 1 knee and I found it difficult to take my skills further.
I sold it, poured my energy into playing guitar and dove head first into improving my skills and learning as much theory and I could.

Fast forward to 2023 when I met a couple of good fellas here in NY as obsessed with classic country and swing as I have been, started a band and get to play out regularly.

I bought a beat up Carter Starter a few months ago and am obsessed with improving my playing. It adds so much to our little country band, and let’s be honest, it’s easier for us to find guitar players. The time spent learning triads and theory is making a big impact this time around.

I would love to upgrade from the Starter. It is not a great instrument, and was not taken care of before I bought it. I replaced the pick up, fixed all I could but I know I would play and sound better with an upgrade.

I’m just not sure what my next move should be and I am hoping to get some advice from the folks here.

I’m thinking stick to a S10 E9 with as standard a setup as I can find so I can continue to learn from the internet resources and the books that I own without having to translate my codepents.

I’m debating used vs new.

Any advice you can provide is very much welcome and appreciated.

Glad to be a part of this group of people and hope to contribute more than I consume one day.

Michael Buck Williams

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

Are you in NYC? If so, keep an eye on Northeast Steel Guitar Union on FB & IG (and here in the events section). Their event this summer in Queens put together more steel guitars in one room than I thought possible (I was not there). A great opportunity to do some scouting. That's Andrew Friedman's project. I have no idea what his plans are for future events.

FWIW I just finished a Carter-Starter job that took it from grossly abused and truly unplayable to very playable. Sent it out yesterday.
However there's no question, when a person is ready to move up, go for it. This was exactly the idea behind the C-S.

Michael Williams · From: New York, USA

Jon, very much appreciate the reply. That is some great guidance and I know, time spent on this pedal or any is time well spent.

I’m on Long Island and friends have a small place up in Margaretville that I head to often.
I’m headed to the show in Darien, because how could I miss it!

I would welcome the chance to circle back with you after the show and maybe getting this instrument in good shape is the right advice and move.

Thanks again!

Don Downes · From: New Hampshire, USA

BUY NEW!

I had a Sho-Bud D-10 Pro II, and an MSA S-10. Both were in such bad shape that I sold them both. I spent more time trying to fix them, that I had no time to enjoy them. But I missed having a steel.

I just, this week, purchased a GFI SM S-10. Brandy new from the factory. 3P 4K. Case. FREE SHIIPNG from Missouri!!! $1895. Choice of colors. $500 deposit. Lead time is about 2 months, but I wasted more time than that waiting on parts for the other steels.

I'm an old New Yorker (also from Long Island!). Do yourself a favor and get something NEW.
_________________
"The secret to a long life is to keep breathing."

Dave Grafe · From: Hudson River Valley NY

Chuck Back at Desert Rose makes a sweet and relatively inexpensive S10 he calls the Vintage Pro. Well worth looking into, I have one you are welcome to examine, my place is near Peekskill so not terribly far from LI. Just remember if you keep picking that thing it will never heal!

Don Downes · From: New Hampshire, USA

Don Downes · From: New Hampshire, USA

I bit the bullet!
Chuck was such a great guy, and the guitar was stunning.
He shipped it Express, so I should be steeling by Friday
_________________
"The secret to a long life is to keep breathing."

Dave Grafe · From: Hudson River Valley NY

Outstanding Don!

Don Downes · From: New Hampshire, USA

Thanks Dave! If it wasn't for you I wouldn't have hooked up with Chuck. Great guy. Really nice and easy.
_________________
"The secret to a long life is to keep breathing."

Don Downes · From: New Hampshire, USA

I recently put in an order for a GFI Student model (3X4). Lead time was too long for me. Yesterday I got an email from Bob Diekmeier at gfipsg@gfimusicalproducts.com saying they had a blue one in stock from a cancelled order.

That was yesterday, but if you shoot him a quick email, you may score a nice new guitar for about $1900.
_________________
"The secret to a long life is to keep breathing."

Dave Grafe · From: Hudson River Valley NY

Don Downes · From: New Hampshire, USA

Chuck is an amazing man. Who the heck would sell his own guitar to a guy he doesn't know, only because that guy wanted it now? Yeah, Chuck.
Beautiful man whose name keeps popping up under the radar. Seems like anyone who's any one knows Chuck.
_________________
"The secret to a long life is to keep breathing."

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