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If You Could Buy Any New Pedal Steel (Page 1)
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The Steel Guitar Forum
Pedal Steel Archive
If You Could Buy Any New Pedal Steel (Page 1)
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| This topic is 2 pages long: 1 2 This topic was originally posted in this forum: Pedal Steel |
| Author | Topic: If You Could Buy Any New Pedal Steel |
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PAUL WARNIK Member Posts: 1417 |
posted 07 January 2002 06:54 PM
Every year at Scotty's convention my business partner David Petersen (builder,designer and repairman of steel guitars) and myself inspect all of the 18 to 20 currently manufactured models of pedal steels on display by the dealers and discuss/scrutinize the merits of each with the underlying question of deciding which we would buy if we were in the market for a new guitar-with price not being an factor and the idea that we could have the guitar set up to our needs-meaning single or double neck-10 or 12 strings-how ever many pedals and knee levers-metal or wood necks-wood finish cabinet or formica covered-what ever color and so on-we both agreed on two brands that we would feel comfortable to purchase-now before I say which ones those are let me tell you first that I am a self-confessed snob who prefers to play only vintage Bigsbys and push-pull Emmons-also I have not played and heard for myself each and every brand of guitar available that we see at the show so our conclusions are based mostly on our visual inspection of the instruments with attention to the quality of the undercarriage mechanics,wood to metal fit of the cabinet and quality of finish,component materials,and workmanship-I do not wish to mention by brand name any of the guitars that are not to our liking as not to offend anyone who manufactures or plays that brand of steel-all of which may have their own merits why certain players like them-I myself prefer the playing a guitar that has the look of the traditional classic models of pedal steel-while this may be construed by some as superficial on my part-I just don't want a guitar that I don't like the looks of even though it may be an acceptable or even excellent sounding and/or playing instrument-because of this prejudice I rejected several models that in my opinion have a cheaper appearance and one other model because it is more radical in its design-another brand is rejected for poor cabinetry work in the wood to metal fit and inlay-then there are the half dozen or so brands which basicly are attempts to copy the classic Emmons design-so why not just buy an Emmons???-another model is rejected because it has not been updated in over ten years and Dave already makes a similar unit with several design improvements-so what does this leave???-well there are several brands besides the final two that we choose that I feel are never the less quite acceptable and they are 1)CARTER-kudos to Ann Fabian and all the Carter folks for doing more than just about anybody to promote steel guitar-they make a decent instrument and their no nonsense pricing is a welcome change from all the others inflated "list" prices 2)PEDALMASTER-Roy Thomas is a genuine gentleman who has contibuted several interesting innovations to pedal steel production 3)BETHEL-Dick Miller makes an axe with the quality of wood finishing and metal fit and appearance that is second to none-So which are the two that Dave and I both agree on??? I will disclose those two brands later in this post after some feedback from all of you my fellow forumites |
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Bobby Boggs Member Posts: 3623 |
posted 07 January 2002 08:49 PM
I'm thinking JCH.  bb |
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JB Arnold Member Posts: 1615 |
posted 07 January 2002 11:24 PM
Fulawka was my fave-great looks, well engineered and sounds great-if you like that wood sound, which I do. john ------------------ |
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chas smith Member Posts: 3168 |
posted 08 January 2002 12:00 AM
Anapeg |
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Ricky Davis Moderator Posts: 6522 |
posted 08 January 2002 02:47 AM
Fulawka........"hands down"...."IT" is second to none. All other brands don't even come close....ah......ha....... Now how about that for a Bias Opinion??? Actually I like a little something about every Guitar and all the builders are just incredible and you can't ask for a better group of folks building instruments for any industry......but My Vote is for; waaaaay up there in Canada; sits a absolute incredible Genious and extreamly likable man by the name of Ed Fulawka; and this Man builds them in the classic vain; and does not cut corners and everything is built by hand......Can't get any better than that....>>>!!! And if you don't choose a Fulawka as one of your choices; than you are absolutley dead wrong and completely out of your mind and really just don't know anything at all about pedal steel guitars and.......have I pissed ya off yet?? Well you have to know I'm pullin' your chain by now....  But I can't wait for my Fulawka to be finished and it's half way done.....and I dream about it at least twice a week now.......so there ya go.....chew on that for a little while.....ah.....ha. Ricky |
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Jack Stoner Sysop Posts: 8119 |
posted 08 January 2002 03:13 AM
I always "look over the merchandise" when I go to St Louis and the last convention was no different. Except for one small (and nameless) builder, they were all "good". There are pluses and minuses in them all. I tend to look at the mechanical design more than how much inlay it has or how fancy the fretboard is, etc. I won't get into names, as there is nothing served by that. |
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Tony Prior Member Posts: 4672 |
posted 08 January 2002 03:35 AM
I am going to insist that my next steel already knows all the songs and has the auto-pitch option. TP |
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Glenn Suchan Member Posts: 1187 |
posted 08 January 2002 06:21 AM
I always liked my '70 Emmons and I like my current axe (A 1983 Sierra U14 with a gearless tuner system). The Emmons p/p had the best tone I've ever played and the Sierra is the most stable guitar I've ever played. So, if someone were to build a 12-string universal with the Stafford copedant (8p/7k) with the change lock for the E to D# kneelever. Have it be a push pull changer like the Emmons and gearless like the new Sierra "Session" guitars with a mica covered rock maple body and an aluminum neck I might be persuaded to plunk down some cash. Oh yeah, I almost forgot. It has to be light weight like a Carter, too! Is that too much to ask for?? Keep on pickin'! |
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Bob Carlson Member Posts: 1063 |
posted 08 January 2002 07:46 AM
Of course I've never had a chance to play all the differant brands either, who has.....but from the coments of Zum owners I think I'd have to try one. D-10, 8 & 5, red, and the pedals mounted one to the right. Next would be one of Herbie's. The changer looks the same as the MSA had, and I think most everyone would agree they were smooth. [This message was edited by Bob Carlson on 08 January 2002 at 07:54 AM.] |
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Reggie Duncan Member Posts: 1862 |
posted 08 January 2002 08:09 AM
An Original Emmons D-10, 8 X 8 Black mica aluminum necks. I can see it now! Reggie Duncan |
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PAUL WARNIK Member Posts: 1417 |
posted 08 January 2002 08:45 AM
Ricky D-I like Fulawka because they are Ukrainian made (like me) also I forgot to mention the ever popular Fessenden-If I ever need to find Dave at the show and he is not listening to one of the players then he is with Jerry at the "Fessy" booth-having Dick Miller assisting in their assembly,the Fessenden is quite comparable to the Bethel-and Jerry unlike most all other builders is comfortable discussing matters of construction such as changer axle diameter,finger radius and design and all that other secret high tech stuff that Dave thrives on |
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Jeff Lampert Member Posts: 2636 |
posted 08 January 2002 08:55 AM
. [This message was edited by Jeff Lampert on 08 January 2002 at 08:57 AM.] |
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Craig A Davidson Member Posts: 1722 |
posted 08 January 2002 09:00 AM
My choice would have to be a Zum or a Mullen. I like the way a Zum plays, but I like the Mullen tone. ------------------ |
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PAUL WARNIK Member Posts: 1417 |
posted 08 January 2002 09:01 AM
Chas-my good friend-I have heard much about the Austrailian made Anapeg guitar that Tom Brumley is playing-but I have never seen or heard one yet-perhaps they will be at the convention this year |
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Bobby Lee Sysop Posts: 14849 |
posted 08 January 2002 09:28 AM
Anapeg |
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Stephen O'Brien Member Posts: 590 |
posted 08 January 2002 11:08 AM
C'mon, Ricky. Tell us how you REALLY feel! |
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Marco Schouten Member Posts: 920 |
posted 08 January 2002 12:06 PM
My next one will hopefully be a Williams 400 SD12, keyless. Don't know when though .... ------------------ |
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CrowBear Schmitt Member Posts: 6016 |
posted 08 January 2002 01:48 PM
i don't know nothin' else but my old Bud.... so i'd pick a JCH,or a Franklin, or a Mullen, or an Emmons, or an .... hard to choose the're seems to be so many good ones. Budget's the boss... |
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Glenn Austin Member Posts: 626 |
posted 08 January 2002 02:03 PM
Paul, I think you should name em all, good and bad. It is after all just an opinion. It would be interesting for the guys who have never attended Scotty's convention, like myself, to get the lowdown on what's out there. I think everybody is grown up enough not to start World War III. We're an understanding bunch! Aren't we. |
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Roger Crawford Member Posts: 1398 |
posted 08 January 2002 03:13 PM
ZUM. 'Nuff said! RC |
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Joe Henry Member Posts: 909 |
posted 08 January 2002 03:17 PM
Or wouldnīt it make a lot more sense to ask:"What would you be looking for if you could buy any new pedal steel?" Mine would be one that as closely as possible recreates the sound, look and feel of a ī70s Sho~Bud, I donīt care for modern sophisticated mechanics, it would have to be solid, stay in tune (my Bud does already, BTW), but, whatīs most important- weigh a lot less. But itīs just a game for me, I guess I wonīt buy any new one in the near future. |
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Lem Smith Member Posts: 1501 |
posted 08 January 2002 03:39 PM
Joe Henry, The guitar you just described sounds very much like the Bethel I have. The woodwork reminds me of a Sho~Bud, as does the way it sounds. Perhaps that's due to the lacquered body and wooden necks...I dunno. Anyway, it reminds me a lot of a Sho~Bud, but is a smaller cabinet, more "Emmonsish" I would say. It stays in tune great, good tone to the guitar, and definitely won't break your back when carrying it. It has a triple raise/lower changer, and I've never had any problem with string breakage, "cabinet drop" or anything else. I've not got to hear or see a mica finished Bethel, but the lacquer finished rosewood/maple guitar I have would be hard to beat, in fitting the description you gave. Lem [This message was edited by Lem Smith on 08 January 2002 at 03:39 PM.] |
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Richard Sinkler Member Posts: 2896 |
posted 08 January 2002 03:45 PM
Probably a Zum or a JCH. ------------------ |
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Pat Burns Member Posts: 2896 |
posted 08 January 2002 03:48 PM
...If I were a rich man, deedle deedle..um, I'd be like Mike Weirauch and get at least one of each... |
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PAUL WARNIK Member Posts: 1417 |
posted 08 January 2002 04:04 PM
Glenn-I have decided that at the convention this year we should make a survey that lists every brand we see by name and then rate each guitar on a point scale for every factor that we deem to be important-then hopefully one guitar will come out the winner for having the highest overall point rating-perhaps we should take input from forum members as to which features need to be judged most overall for all makers and ask forum members in attendance if they would like to participate in the survey-then perhaps by pooling all the surveys we could determine which guitar really is the overall best-also other makers could use this information on how to improve the appeal of their instruments to the steel buying customers |
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Carson Leighton Member Posts: 254 |
posted 08 January 2002 04:37 PM
The Fulawka is so smooth you can work the pedals with your bare feet. The guitar is practically noiseless if not completely quiet. They sound beautiful and the workmanship is unsurpassed by any builder today. When I bought my last steel, is was a toss up between the Carter and Fulawka. I bought the Carter because of the weight factor. I have no regrets about buying the Carter, because it too sounds great and has a super smooth action. It would be nice to have a Fulawka too, and maybe someday I will......Carson |
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Pete Burak Member Posts: 2750 |
posted 08 January 2002 04:44 PM
... or, we could all just go on liking the axe's we like for the reasons that are important to us and not giving a flying leap what all the other guys like. my $.02 Why would I want to buy an axe just because someone else liked it? |
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Steven Knapper Member Posts: 425 |
posted 08 January 2002 05:52 PM
GFI S12 Ultra. |
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Samuel E. White Member Posts: 2151 |
posted 08 January 2002 07:23 PM
Hey guys I want to get my Quarters worth in there.I Think if you are going to buy a new Steel guitar I would Call Jerry Fessenden and buy one of his great peices of workmanship Fessenden Steels.They not only look great they also play excellent. I know two or three guys that have Emmons Steels and they now own a Fessenden Steel Guitar and I have one and I would not trade it for any of the others on the market. I have a great sounding and playing Fessenden Steel guitar. Sam White S-10 Fessenden With pad 3-4 |
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Lyle Bradford Member Posts: 594 |
posted 08 January 2002 07:49 PM
I will be buying a new guitar this year and Emmons is tops if they stay in buisness. #2 and very close would be a Franklin depending on the wait.At #3 would be all the other brands put in a pile and then choosing. |
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PAUL WARNIK Member Posts: 1417 |
posted 10 January 2002 03:15 PM
Well the answer time has come-and please remember that this post was placed without malice towards anyone who plays or manufactures any brand of the fine pedal steel guitars available-this is just the thoughts of a few guys who know just a little bit about pedal steels and just a little more about what we like-and this is not about any "mine is better than yours" stuff-so the two guitars that Dave and I both agree on are EMMONS and MULLEN-ok boys blaze away with both barrels!!! |
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Lee Baucum Member Posts: 3201 |
posted 10 January 2002 07:08 PM
Anything specific, or perhaps unique, about Emmons and Mullen guitars that you would care to comment on? Lee, from South Texas |
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Glenn Porter Member Posts: 61 |
posted 10 January 2002 08:34 PM
My ZUM On Stage, On The Road Night After Night, And My Mullen In The Studio. The Best Combination For Me In 20yrs Of Playing. GP |
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Greg Simmons Member Posts: 1134 |
posted 10 January 2002 09:41 PM
quote: hmmm, Emmons, Mullen, both guitar names have six letters and consist of 4 consonants and two vowels - Paul, you may definitely be on to something here... ------------------ [This message was edited by Greg Simmons on 10 January 2002 at 09:43 PM.] |
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Mike Weirauch Member Posts: 3528 |
posted 10 January 2002 11:15 PM
......But Pat, that is why I'm NOT a rich man. I had to have all these guitars. I have a new JCH coming in the Spring and I'm getting ready to order an awesome looking Carter, afterwhich, I'm going to have another Zoom built and it's gonna be a looker! Those are my plans and my picks. |
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Tony Prior Member Posts: 4672 |
posted 11 January 2002 03:50 AM
Paul, your idea about the survey at the convention this year is great, as long as everyone who participates votes for Black Guitars ! After-all, wasn't it said years ago that the "Black Ones" sound better ? see ya at the convention.. TP |
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Gil Berry Member Posts: 250 |
posted 11 January 2002 05:44 AM
....yea, but don't red ones go faster?
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PAUL WARNIK Member Posts: 1417 |
posted 11 January 2002 05:47 AM
Tony-three out of my five Emmons originals are black mica-you cannot go wrong with a black colored guitar-I think EMMONS is the industry standard by which all others are judged IMHO-and if Sho-Bud had stayed in the game and tried to improve with the passing years they could have become like what the MULLEN is now-and until I make that first million and can afford one of each of the great guitars being made-I will keep playing my old push-pulls [This message was edited by PAUL WARNIK on 11 January 2002 at 05:49 AM.] [This message was edited by PAUL WARNIK on 11 January 2002 at 06:02 AM.] |
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Erv Niehaus Member Posts: 5803 |
posted 11 January 2002 08:21 AM
I play a "Black" Emmons and definitely have no regrets!!!!! |
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Al Marcus Member Posts: 7471 |
posted 11 January 2002 08:44 AM
I never met a Steel Guitar that I didn't like. But if I could have one guitar, it would be a little bit of most all of them combined......al [This message was edited by Al Marcus on 11 January 2002 at 08:46 AM.] |
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