I'm a non-pedal player who's now ready to start moving over to Pedal Steel. With regard to an entry-level (a.k.a student model) guitar, I've been looking at both the Carter "Starter" model (3x4) as well as a GFI Student Model (3x2).

As I progress I will be using my "student" pedal steel guitar on gigs during my learning process.

Any recommendations as to which guitar is better (for the learning period)? Are there any other entry level models I should looking into? I'm currently leaning toward the Carter. Yes? No?

Thanks in advance.

[This message was edited by Mark Trzepacz on 26 August 2006 at 10:06 AM.]

I cannot comment on the GFI and suspect it is a fine student Steel..but I can comment on the ability to have a few extra CHANGES TO GROW INTO..

Biggest problem in the past with the early Sho-Bud 3+1 Mavericks is that once you get a bit comfortable with the AB Peds and a few basic BC PEDS phrases you were now stuck with the single lever which usually dropped the 2nd string.

I suspect most of us outgrew the Maverick style 3+1 in a 6 month time window..

good luck

I read about the E to F lever 2 weeks after I started playing, and as soon as I did, I wanted to use it, and the maverick I was borrowing didn't have it.

I had to buy the extender leg set to get my knees under the body. But it stayed in tune, I'll give it that.

[This message was edited by Alan F. Brookes on 26 August 2006 at 06:55 PM.]

Micky Byrne www.mickybyrne.com

[This message was edited by Micky Byrne on 27 August 2006 at 01:58 AM.]

Ernie http://www.hereintown.net/~shobud75/stock.htm

I have a GFI (not the student model). I did see one when I was looking a few years ago. I didn't know anything, but it looked pretty nice, and I've read a lot of good things about them. I played a Carter Starter quite a bit during lessons. The sound of the Carter Starter seemed OK, but to me, the pedals and knee levers felt very much like a student model. I don't think that is the case with the GFI. It would probably cost $400 more (over the Carter Starter) for the GFI to be set up with 4 knee levers, but if spending a little more is an option, it think it would be worth it. If you can catch GFI at a PSG show, you would probably also be able to get a show discount. With the GFI I think you'd have an instrument that would get you through more years. (But you absolutely should add the extra 2 knee levers.)

Something else to consider. A used Carter Starter could be a bargain, and you could sell it in a year when you want something better probably for what you paid. A used pro model Carter or pro model GFI could be a bargain also.

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Bob
upcoming gigs
My Website

What I think I'm going to do is look for more of a pro model. Either used or lower end new, taking in consideration the amount of knee levers etc. as you've suggested. Hopefully I'll be able to find something affordable.

With regard to trying out the guitars...Here in Western New York there is no place (that I know of) that sells steel guitars, much less have them on display. Therfore, trying them out isn't a luxury here.

Micky Byrne www.mickybyrne.com

[This message was edited by Micky Byrne on 29 August 2006 at 11:32 AM.]

Mickey;
I never thought of it as a "contest" (i.e. Ford vs. Chevy). I was just interested in quality issues regarding one student model as opposed to another. As being new to the pedal end of steelin', I hadn't known enough to give much thought to the importance of having more or less knee levers & pedals for the learning process. Thanks to the feedback I had received here and through private emails, I have become much more educated toward my process of bridging the gap from non-pedal to pedal steel.

Thanks again to all those who contributed all the useful information.

[This message was edited by Mark Trzepacz on 27 August 2006 at 06:07 PM.]

p>

[This message was edited by Mark Trzepacz on 27 August 2006 at 06:39 PM.]

period.

Not a PRO Steel , any PRO Steel , compared to a Starter.

Also keep in mind we all read a thread just last week where one of our beloved purchased an old SHO-BUD, took it to a gig...and ..uhh.. couldn't play it...

That doesn't mean he can't play it at some point in the near future, just that he couldn't the day he purchased it.

a student has enough to worry about..don't send em' home with yet another dilema..

t

[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 28 August 2006 at 01:16 AM.]

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Mullen SD-10 3&5 / nashville 400

I've got my eye on two at the moment. A Sho-Bud LDG S-10 (3&4) and a MSA Classic S-10 (3&4). I'm leaning toward the Sho-Bud.

I bought a SHO-BUD LDG, S-10DB w/pad, 3&4, Green Lacquer, all original, rack & barrel system, w/stock S-B pickups.

I had to get one with the pad so I'll have someplace to bang my head against when I hear myself play!

At least with this guitar, I'll have complete confidence that when it sounds rotten, it'll be my playing and not the guitars fault!

[This message was edited by Mark Trzepacz on 29 August 2006 at 07:02 AM.]

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Mullen SD-10 3&5 / nashville 400

When I play non-pedal, I use C6 tuning and therefore, it is currently what I'm used to as well. However, I'm using the standard E9 tuning on the pedal steel.

For the past couple of weeks I've been researching and studying every piece of literature regarding E9 pedal steel that I can get my hands on. There's a wealth of info here in this forum alone, as well as online to send you in the correct direction. There's also tons of "how to" information available commercially. I've found that the flexibility of E9 pedal steel is no comparison to the confines of non-pedal (especially 6 string).

If you have not purchased a pedal steel as of yet, I strongly urge you to review the above posts for some sound advice from those "in-the-know".

Thanks for the reply. I'll let you know how I progress.

[This message was edited by Mark Trzepacz on 04 September 2006 at 07:19 AM.]

Again, this is my humble opinion,

I would contact Gene Fields, at the email address on his website, he is the only one that can answer that question.
Yes I did mean two more knee levers.

Gotta admit that coming from a C6 lap-steel environment, I was a little intimidated by the E9th tuning. However, that only lasted a couple of days. As I've been "glued" the the guitar ever since I'd brought it home (my wife is happy because it's keeping me out of her hair!), I'm quckly becoming familiar with the E9 tuning.

Al Brisco is a great guy to deal with and extrememly helpful and knowledgeable. Check out his place online at www.steelguitarcanada.com

[This message was edited by Mark Trzepacz on 14 September 2006 at 12:24 PM.]