What Brand Do You Play

Michael Breid · From: Eureka Springs, Arkansas, USA

After wrestling with my PB SD-10 for about three years I got a Mullen D-10. It was like going from a go-cart to a Rolls Royce. Mullen makes a super fine guitar. Pricey, but worth the money. In the steel world you pretty much get what you pay for. Listen to one who's been there. Don't, repeat, don't by the cheaper off brands. They just don't cut it. You'll have more headaches than you will want to deal with. Watch what the pros play and go with those brands. Brands like Mullen, Derby, Rains, Emmons, Sho-Bud, Zum, etc. Pay the extra and you will be richly rewarded. Like I say, I've been there.
Michael in the Ozarks

Billy Carr · From: Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)

After about 30+ years of playing around with PSG's, I tend to agree with you. You get exactly what you pay for. I usually keep two, sometimes three guitars at a time. My main guitar or my #1 is a D-10 Carter. I use it when I'm playing for pay like every Saturday night or whenever I do a recording session. The Carter is probably the best guitar I've ever had and I've had close to 35-40. Perfect tune all the time and sounds great. I won't sell it but may trade it in on a new one after first of the next year 06'. I'm waiting on a MSA S-12U that I just bought. It'll be here sometime in the next week. I enjoy playing in the E9th/B6th modes. I play a lot of C6th, so the S-12U is a piece of cake. Just lower the E's and your there. I like that. Plus there's a lot of things on the low end with strings 11 & 12 that I picked up on another S-12U I had a few years ago. To be quiet honest, I usually forget about what brand I'm playing once I sit down behind it and start playing. I'm more interested in how it plays,sounds and if it stays in tune.

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Late 90's Carter D-10..very reliable...very consistent...It's part of my SPACE....

Paul King · From: Gainesville, Texas, USA

I agree with you Michael. It is better to pay more cash and get a better guitar that you do not have to fight to play. I have always watched the pros to see what they are playing. My theory is that they are playing for a living and are not going to play junk. I have tried to help new players get started and some of the guitars they had were just awful. I realize some do not want to spend too much money for fear they may not like the steel or cannot learn to play one. Your advice on this topic is great.

Bill Moore · From: Manchester, Michigan

I own two guitars, an'81 Emmons, P/P, and a 2003 Fessenden. Since I got the Fessy, I play it 95% of the time. It's just so smooth and easy to play, I love the Emmons sound, but The Fessenden, with TrueTone pickups, sounds really good too. here is is:

[This message was edited by Bill Moore on 14 August 2005 at 07:36 AM.]

David L. Donald · From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

81, Shobud Pro-II, '60 Supro 6, Mosrite Dobro, and shortly a Seirra S-14

Terry Sneed · From: Arkansas,

2004 Mullen D10 Blue maple mica, best guitar I've ever owned. and purty to.

Terry

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Mullen D10 /8x5 / session 500rd/ American Strat Highway 1 model
steelin for my Lord

Olli Haavisto · From: Jarvenpaa,Finland

I think all new guitars are approximately in the same price range. Quality wise too , I think choosing is more or less a matter of taste . If there is a new steel out there that sucks , I haven`t seen it ....
I have a Zum and a Williams and another Willy on the way (thanks Bill!)
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Olli Haavisto,
Finland

[This message was edited by Olli Haavisto on 14 August 2005 at 07:48 AM.]

[This message was edited by Olli Haavisto on 14 August 2005 at 07:49 AM.]

Jody Sanders · From: Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.

I play a Pedalmaster. Great guitar. Jody.

Brett Day · From: Pickens, SC

I played an Emmons for four years, but I switched to GFI last year. Even though I'm a GFI player, I still love Emmons guitars too. At first, I thought GFIs were way too small when I first started playing steel, then I saw how GFIs had gotten better because more steel players were playing them on the road with artists or at steel guitar shows. GFIs are amazing steel guitars. Brett, Emmons S-10, Morrell lapsteel, GFI Ultra D-10

Nic du Toit · From: Milnerton, Cape, South Africa

I'm a die hard Emmons D10 (1970 P/P/) player. If I were a busy road player I would most likely have gone for a Zum as a second guitar. Anything will be lighter that the Emmons, I think. Like the Zum sound, though.

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Nic du Toit
1970 Rosewood P/P Emmons D10 Fatback 8x4
Peavey Session 500 unmodfied

My CD "Nightmare on Emmons Steel"
Click here to E-mail us.

Charlie McDonald · From: out of the blue

I would love to play around on all ya'll steels; and while mine is not in the league, I've got to put a plug in for the Carter Starter in case any beginners are looking in. I think it's an exception to the 'you get what you pay for rule;' it is far more than I anticipated. The adjustments hold, there is little enough cabinet drop that it can be played enjoyably, which I do frequently.

I think everybody should start out on a Red Baron; you next steel (which would be soon) will feel like a BMW.

Ray Minich · From: Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra

Although my current squeeze is an SD-10 Emmons LGII My first was an S-10 Dekley. Still have her and still pay attention to her. It's like having a harem.

Dennis Detweiler · From: Solon, Iowa, US

1976 Birdseye U-12 MSA (TT pickup)
1982 U-12 Zum (TT pickup)
I bought both of these guitars new.

Jim Peters · From: St. Louis, Missouri, USA, R.I.P.

GFI keyless ultra s10. JP

James Marlowe · From: Florida, USA

Although I'm reluctant to call myself a player (more of a hack!), my favorite ax is a SD10 Zum. I bought it used from Bobbe. Don't know who belonged to it or why they traded, but I'm glad they did. Love the sound with TT pup and a Black Box.
I also have a GFI SD10 Ultra, which has finally settled in and decided to stay in tune. It has a great sound, but not as pretty as the Z.
Retired and loving it!

George Plemons · From: Corsicana, Texas, USA

Carter SN #0009 is what I have so it is obviously getting a little old and worn out. It has been a good guitar for me.

Webb Kline · From: Orangeville, PA

GFI Keyless D10 8+8 is my main horn. Plays smooth as silk, sounds wunnerful and the keyless head is something I don't think I could ever be without.

It's not pretty, but I got a beautiful red and natural birdseye maple ZB eye candy for a mistress.

I still think Gene would capture the market if he shined up the aluminum, gave us a laquer option and polished the tuners. Great machine either way though. I'm going to get another for a spare one of these days.

Richard E. Lee · From: Macedon, NY, USA

Although I now play a Zum,, which I just love. But early on..I had 2 Sierra, Session Series, which I still have a lot of respect for. A couple things I like..one,,it is very user friendly. The Pedal board can be adjusted, "side to side", the pickups are designed to just slide, in and out..no wiring involved. The Sierras are built like a tank, and the BEST Customer Support guy in the business,,Tom Baker. This guys wrote the book on what Customer Service is all about!..and for a beginer..these are the kind of items that I found are most important while you are learning. I liked the keyless feature...but regardless...that 25 in..had a great sound..mechanically it was percision piece, changer/action was very smoothe..and for the all the above reason.."Go Sierra" especially..first time around. (My 2 cents worth)

Larry Weaver · From: Asheville, North Carolina, USA

Loving life with my '03 Black D10 Derby!

Bill Simmons · From: Keller, Texas/Birmingham, AL, R.I.P.

So many great steels being made but my choice is the great sustaining and sounding RAINS Steel Guitar. Bobby Rains and Gary Carpenter are so great to work with.
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Rains Gospel "The Spirit" SD-10; 4+5; '68 Emmons D-10; 8+6

Bill Myrick · From: Pea Ridge, Ar. (deceased)

I guess I'll add another "Bill" ----My Rains Spirit Model is definately a piece of craftmanship , plays beautifully, sustains extremely well, is everything I expected it to be. (Incidently I purchased it site unseen over the phone) in fact I had never even seen one except pictures-- thanks to Jerry Roller for reccommending it to me.
It's as close in tone as anything I've heard, to my 70's Bud and soooooooo much lighter !! Now if I can just learn to play in shorts like Fred Justice does---Huh Tim ????

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

I care more about "how you play" than "what you play"! I've seen some players that got some really great sounds out of what I would basically consider "junk". And, on the other hand, I've heard some real hacks that had the best of everything.

I recall one steeler about 15 years ago who got a new Emmons LeGrande, and he really raved to me over the phone about how much it had improved his playing. When I went to see him play (about a month later), well...let's just say I didn't notice any improvement.

In the final analysis, it's not what you got, but what you can do with it, that really counts.

Webb Kline · From: Orangeville, PA

"In the final analysis, it's not what you got, but what you can do with it, that really counts."

Da bottom line, Donny.

I remember Randy Hess playing my old Fender student guitar at a jam when he was home once and it had tone to the bone. In fact, that one realization helped my steel playing more than any guitar ever could.

Ray Minich · From: Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra

Kinda like the fella with the $25,000 shotgun whose clay pigeons were all smashing into the ground untouched

The hands gotta have it... (Mine are getting there, should arrive about the year 2092).

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