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Author
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Topic: Now I'm really confused
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Gary Watkins
Member From: 10577 Forest Hill Dr., Glade Spring, VA. 24340
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posted 15 May 2004 10:22 AM
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After talking on the phone with Duane Marrs, Herby Wallace, Jan Jones and Steve Leonard, I don't know what I want to buy. All I "think" I know is that I want a steel guitar. Do I want a single neck or a double? Should I get one used or a new one? I am new to this post, so any information that ANYONE can offer will really be a great help. I have played bass for 25 years, so I know the chord progresions in music. I will be at the Bristol show in October, and I will make my decision at that show.
I don't want a "starter" type steel. If nothing else, I want to at least look good sitting behind it!
I just got a crown royal bag to put me bar in, and now all I need is a steel guitar to hang it on.
Glad to be a member of this "FAMILY".[This message was edited by Gary Watkins on 07 November 2004 at 07:10 PM.] |
Duncan Hodge
Member From: DeLand, FL USA
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posted 15 May 2004 10:38 AM
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I'm still kind of new to this business, but my experience has shown me that you should buy one that is easy to work on. My Fessenden D-10 that I bought from Bobby Boggs is real easy to work on and tune. In any event, as soon as you get one, you'll probably want to get another one too. They tend to start stacking up in your living room pretty quickly.
Duncan |
Reggie Duncan
Member From: Mississippi
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posted 15 May 2004 10:42 AM
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Be sure to get one with tuning keys to hold your bar bag! |
Bill Moran
Member From: Marion, Virginia, USA
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posted 15 May 2004 11:22 AM
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Lota bargins on the forum !! |
John Daugherty
Member From: Rolla, Missouri, USA
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posted 15 May 2004 01:08 PM
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I suggest you talk with the folks at Carter Guitars. Bud is an old friend of mine. Bud Carter or John Fabian will help you make a decision. They are honest and very well informed on what a steel player needs. |
SKIP MERTZ
Member From: N.C
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posted 15 May 2004 01:51 PM
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Even if price isn't an object, for a beginner looking for a Pro guitar I would advise that person to buy a good used one first time around. They can be had for $1000
and up to maybe $2500. That way you wont loose much when your ready for the Ultimate steel. Check here and with the guys that sell new and used steels. Good luck! |
Gary Shepherd
Member From: Fox, Oklahoma, USA
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posted 15 May 2004 02:01 PM
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If you've never played steel, go with a Carter Starter. It has nearly everything you need to learn to play pedal steel - 3 pedals and 4 knee levers. And you can find them for around $500. Or a new one for $700 (I think) from Musician's Friend. You'll lose no money when you decide to sell it - either to upgrade or if you give up on playing pedal steel.------------------
Gary Shepherd
Sierra Session 12
www.16tracks.com
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Jerry Roller
Member From: Van Buren, Arkansas USA
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posted 15 May 2004 02:06 PM
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Gary, I would suggest you take a good look at the MCI that Al Udeen has for sale on this Forum. He has reduced the price to a no lose price. The MCI would make a great guitar for anyone at any playing level for its playing ease, simplicity to work on, weight and tone. I have not personally seen the guitar but it is my opinion that it would bring the price he is asking for it in 5 or 10 years down the line if you wished to upgrade. Also, Al is someone you can trust.
Jerry |
Robert Thomas
Member From: Mehama, Oregon, USA
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posted 15 May 2004 02:50 PM
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Buy from Herby Wallace a HWP Mullen and you will never need another. |
Larry Jamieson
Member From: Walton, NY USA
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posted 15 May 2004 02:58 PM
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Gary, what type of music do you want to play? If it is mostly commercial country, get a single neck E9. If you want to play western swing or jazz, you may want a universal or a double neck. Double necks cost more (usually) and are heavier to carry around to gigs... Get a newer pro model guitar, a Zum, Mullen, Emmons, Carter, etc. Stay away from the older guitars and unknown makes which often have mechanical issues... The Carter starter is a good way to begin if you are on a budget. It is usually best to buy from a steel player rather than a guitar from e-bay where often the seller does not know how to play, or if the guitar is mechanically OK. It is a great instrument, lots of fun to learn, and the possibilities are endless. Find a guitar and have fun! One final note, there are lots more instructional material around for E9 than for universal tuning... |
Gary Watkins
Member From: 10577 Forest Hill Dr., Glade Spring, VA. 24340
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posted 15 May 2004 04:49 PM
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Thanks for the input. I still have time before the Bristol, Virginia show to decide.  ------------------
quote:
Steel players finger better!
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Jennings Ward
Member From: Edgewater, Florida, USA
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posted 15 May 2004 08:09 PM
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Try renting one for a month or two, then get a different make, cheap way to educate yourself without becoming guitar poor....I personally prefer Emmons D10 , 10+10. I came to this conclusion after loosing a lot of money on outher brands.. Mine is a PP. Great tone, as outher pros have told me. 1981 model. Now i am as happy as if I had good sense and cents.....good luck,, Jennings Ward |
Wayne Morgan
Member From: Rutledge, TN, USA
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posted 16 May 2004 05:25 AM
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Hi Gary, Jump in with both feet, on most of the pro models you will do well on. Do you know George Kemmy that lives near you,, call him up and ask if you can play his steel, if that don't work out take an hour and drive down to Rutledge and you can play a couple of mine. Give me a cll sometime 865-828-4740
Good luck
Wayne[This message was edited by Wayne Morgan on 16 May 2004 at 05:32 AM.] |
Richard Gonzales
Member From: FITCHBURG,MA USA
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posted 16 May 2004 06:59 AM
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Gary- When you can afford it, get a MSA Millennium! S12 Universal (9th/6th tuning on one neck),Less that 20Lb, Never have to work on it, just play, play,play! Does not break strings, stays in tune, changable pickups,good looking with precision quality!
I have had 3 other major brands and they did not come close in comparison![This message was edited by Richard Gonzales on 16 May 2004 at 07:02 AM.] |
Joey Ace
Sysop From: Southern Ontario, Canada
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posted 16 May 2004 07:23 AM
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There's one for sale at http://www.steelguitar.com/swapshop/swapshop.htm I recommend the "buy a good used one for $1K - $2K route for a beginner. You'll get most of your money back when you learn enough to move up. Most important, get someone who plays to help you check out the instrument. |
Al Marcus
Member From: Cedar Springs,MI USA
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posted 16 May 2004 07:40 AM
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Richard-Is that all that MSA Millenium S12 Weighs? 20 Lbs all set up out of the case.?....al  ------------------
My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/ |
Roger Kelly
Member From: Mount Carmel, TN. 37645
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posted 16 May 2004 07:56 AM
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 [This message was edited by Roger Kelly on 20 May 2004 at 09:30 AM.] |
Doyle Mitchell
Member From: Loraine,Texas 79532
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posted 16 May 2004 08:44 AM
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Rodger, those pictures scared me and I been playing a long time, this guy will catch the next train to gooney goo goo land now! Can you cut the 4 necker into and make two doubles? Please tell me what they are and what tunings they use, you have got my curious up and going.Here we go!!!! more money to spend.... See Gary there is no end to it once you start, everything you see and hear you will want!!! Run Gary Run!!!! |
Wayne Morgan
Member From: Rutledge, TN, USA
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posted 16 May 2004 08:49 AM
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Hey Gary, Roger had those guitars made for him,,he also had bionic arms and legs installed to be able to play them. Since he took those pic's, he has had the steels ground up and molded into a U12.
That Roger,,what are we gonna do with him.
Wayne |
Wayne Morgan
Member From: Rutledge, TN, USA
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posted 16 May 2004 08:56 AM
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,,,,,,And Doyle,,we all thought everything was bigger and better in Texas, bet you guys don't grow steels like that, I think Roger lives near a Nuc plant.
Take care !
Wayne |
Richard Gonzales
Member From: FITCHBURG,MA USA
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posted 16 May 2004 09:10 AM
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Al Marcus- Yes, the S12 Millennium is a little over 19 Lb. set up. Not including case. |
Roger Kelly
Member From: Mount Carmel, TN. 37645
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posted 16 May 2004 09:14 AM
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Yea Wayne I got another Bionic Knee Joint recently, to go with my Left one. The Left one is a Push Pull, and the Right one is an All Pull! Complete with Alemite fittings. LOL! |
Gary Watkins
Member From: 10577 Forest Hill Dr., Glade Spring, VA. 24340
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posted 16 May 2004 09:35 AM
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Roger,
All I have is a regular drivers license. I don't have a license to drive a race car. By the way, how many miles to the gallon do you get? And I thought I was comfused before!! |
Roger Kelly
Member From: Mount Carmel, TN. 37645
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posted 16 May 2004 10:11 AM
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Gary, your milage will vary between a Single Neck and a Double Neck....
Also, if you know chord Progressions, and already have a Crown Royal Pick and Bar Bag, you will be starting out with a lot more than I did. I don't think you will have any problems getting the hang of it, once you get your Axe. |
Ron Randall
Member From: Dallas, Texas, USA
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posted 16 May 2004 10:28 AM
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Here is an article by one of the best players and teachers.
http://www.b0b.com/infoedu/future1.htm
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Stephen Gambrell
Member From: Ware Shoals, South Carolina, USA
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posted 16 May 2004 12:49 PM
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Gary, you're talking to some first'rate people. I don't know where Telford is, but if you're close to Nashville, check out Bobbe Seymour as well. When I bought my steel a couple of years ago, Bobbe knew going in that I wsn't likely to buy anything from him, anytime soon. But he STILL took up his time to explain things to me that I wouldn't have known to look out for.
John Fabian at Carter is another class act. He's never too busy to help us newbies out, and the Carter is a fine steel guitar.
So, brand names ARE important, but IMO, it's MORE important to deal with someone who knows where you're at musically, and won't rip you off, just because you haven't learned your way around, yet! Make friends with a steel player or two, get some advice from them, and then let us know what color Emmons you wound up with! |
Robert Porri
Member From: Windsor, Connecticut, USA
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posted 16 May 2004 02:21 PM
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Gary, going to the GFI site (I don't think I read it mentioned yet) and browsing around there would also be a good idea. http://www.gfimusicalproducts.com Bob P. |
Bill Taft
Member From: Sturgeon Mo. USA
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posted 16 May 2004 02:27 PM
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Gary if I were in you situaction I wouldnt do anything until I called Duane's Music at 636-528-4307 he is very honest and great to deal with as are the names mentioned that sell steels, but you owe it to yourself to talk to him and he will give you an honest opinion on steels, I have bought about 8 steels from him and several amps and all the things that you have to have to goe along with the steel like the seat bar picks and he has always bent over backwards to be straight forward with me and usually after you talki and deal with Duane you will find that he will always have time to answer any questions he dont forget his customers so make that phonecall at least maybe cost you a dollar and maybe save you a thousand that you wont know until you call him--once again Duane-636-528-4307------------------
Bill Taft- - 98 Lacquer Zum Red&Black 8&8-Two Put together Tele's
1985 Evans FET-500 1975 Session 400 1976 Session 77 LTD Hilton or SHO-BUD pedal and a RV-3!!!!!!!! [This message was edited by Bill Taft on 16 May 2004 at 02:29 PM.]
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b0b
Sysop From: Cloverdale, California, USA
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posted 16 May 2004 05:04 PM
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This isn't really a Buy & Sell topic, so I'm moving it to the Pedal Steel section of the Forum.I wonder if Bill Rudolph wound build me one of those 4-neck rigs, as a double crossover... |
George Kimery
Member From: Limestone, TN, USA
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posted 16 May 2004 08:54 PM
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Gary, I would be very happy for you to come over and take a listen to my Emmons PP and to talk to you about steels and accessories, and to try to help you narrow your search down a bit. Bryan Adams in Mountain City has Emmons guitars for sale once in a while, so you might want to check with him. Also, Charlie Ward over in Asheville has guitars for sale. Both of these guys are also steel guitar mechanics, so anything they have to sell would be mechanically sound. Go to the show in Chattanooga this coming weekend if possible, if only for a few hours to look at some guitars. If possible, go prepared to buy at the Bristol show. There will probably be somebody there with a guitar or two for sale. The type of music you want to play will weigh heavily on your final decision. Please let me help you in any way I can. This is not a decision you want to make without some good advice, believe me. |
Wayne Morgan
Member From: Rutledge, TN, USA
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posted 17 May 2004 11:27 AM
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Hey George, I assume you are going to Choo Choo, If you wear a red hat with a green feather sticking up about two foot,, I could pick you out of the crowd, and say Hi to you.
I'm always thinking I will get the chance to come up for a short visit, but just haven't yet.
Take care and keep that P/P screaming
Wayne |
Ray Minich
Member From: Limestone, New York, USA
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posted 17 May 2004 11:52 AM
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Since when did an octopus join the forum? You'd need 8 arms & legs and they'd have to be 5 feet long to play that thing. Is elbows on the near neck allowed? Awesome pic... |
Doyle Mitchell
Member From: Loraine,Texas 79532
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posted 17 May 2004 03:29 PM
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Ray, I want to bring that thing down to Texas, I have decided after looking at it closely that I can put it behind my tractor and bale hay with it.Gary will think twice before he comes to us for help again.I thought after 30 years of playing I could answer his question, now I am as confused as him, I think I will sell all my steel stuff and go back to bass ,life was much simpler in those days. I sure do hope someone can help him, we need all the steelers we can get!! |
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