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Author
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Topic: Top 5 Pedal Steel Guitars
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Paul Honeycutt
Member From: Colorado, USA
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posted 03 July 2006 11:30 PM
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What are the five most popular brands of PSG today? What do the pros play? |
Jim Phelps
Member From: just out of Mexico City
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posted 04 July 2006 01:21 AM
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I don't think you can limit it to only 5 brands.If I were to make a really definitely uneducated guess, I'd say... Nah, I think Bobbe is the one best qualified to answer this, he has his hands on all the best models.  [This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 04 July 2006 at 01:46 AM.] |
Ernie Pollock
Member From: Mt Savage, Md USA
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posted 04 July 2006 05:03 AM
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I feel that this would just be someones opinion, that is a question you must answer for yourself. I have had some dandys that I thought were great when I was playing one of them, and later came to the conclusion they were not so good. I don't think answering this would be fair to all the fine mfg's we have today.Ernie Pollock  http://www.hereintown.net/~shobud75/stock.htm ------------------
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Frank Parish
Member From: Nashville,Tn. USA
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posted 04 July 2006 05:23 AM
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Emmons
Franklin
Carter
Zum
MSA MillineumLots of others but these would be my guess of the top guitars in todays market for up to date modern steel guitars. Others would be Derby
Show-Pro/Marrs
GFI
Mullen
Rains
EMCI
MCI
Williams
Sierra
Fulawka
Fessenden There's some other newer ones I can't remember but you can mix these above in any order. The top five would be my choice. The older ones would be Sho-Bud
ZB
Dekley
MSA--non Millineum
Bigsby
Rustler
Fender
BMI-still in production There's more but it's early around here. There's got to be at least 100 or more homemade or I should say Custom guitars out there including the Anapeg from Australia at a cost I wouldn't be willing to pay. Any of these guitars will get the job done but I wouldn't want to use a Bigsby for todays music. The rest would get you by I think. For me, I'm playing the Carter now for 90% of the stuff I do and I'll probably always play some sort of lightweight guitar from this point on. Not sure but I've heard the Carter outsells the rest and wouldn't be surprised. The price is better! I'm sure there'll be more before this thread is over.[This message was edited by Frank Parish on 04 July 2006 at 05:32 AM.] |
Russ Tkac
Member From: Waterford, Michigan, USA
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posted 04 July 2006 05:49 AM
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Lets see...I've owned a Sho~Bud, ZB and Fender...Lloyd playes a Show~Pro and Ricky Davis a Sho~Bud...sorry can't come up with 5... |
Winston Street
Member From: Laurel, Mississippi, USA
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posted 04 July 2006 07:04 AM
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Steel guitars are getting kinda like computers, there just aren't very many bad ones being built out there today. Every time I crawl under one I haven't seen before I always say, "Man that's a good idea right there". What they are doing today is simplifying them and cleaning them up so there aren't so many different parts under one. Most steel manufacturers today are good friends and work together to improve the instruments. They don't view each other as competitors in the bad sense of the word. That's to all of our advantages to be able to get a good steel with almost no regard to which brand we buy. What knocks me out right now is some of the finishes these guys are capable of putting on these instruments.
Winston |
Rick Kornacker
Member From: Dixon Springs, Tennessee, USA
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posted 04 July 2006 09:38 AM
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Hey Paul...perhaps another perspective? Think of your question in terms of popularity of USED instruments. Virtually anything that says Emmons or Sho-Bud on the front seem to get the most attention and will usually always sell at a price that may even be considered unreasonably high. Next you have a Zum or Franklin..demand is high..supply is less than desired. Everything else a toss-up, with absolutely no lack of respect for those not mentioned. I currently have a guitar for sale at the moment which is probably the finest all-around guitar I've ever owned( in fact it will be replaced with a D-10 version of the same make). I haven't even had a nibble in almost a month. Not one of the top four I mentioned, but...it is clear that it is not hardly the most popular brand.Just another way to look at it! Regards, RK------------------
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Bobby Lee
Sysop From: Cloverdale, North California, USA
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posted 04 July 2006 10:05 AM
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"Most popular" would eliminate most models made by one-man shops, I think.
Carter has to be the top of the heap. They are making more pedal steels today than all of the other brands combined. Very popular.
Mullen has to be up there, too. Maybe GFI. I see a lot of Zums and Fessendens at shows. Pros like them, but I don't think there are actually a lot of them in existence. Like Franklin, they seem to be low volume, high visibility builders.Emmons is no longer the manufacturing powerhouse it once was. Sho-Bud and Fender are both out of business. These guitars were once produced in large numbers, though, and there are still a lot of them in existance. very popular.
MSA seems to be making a lot of Superslide guitars, but their carbon fiber pedal steels seem to be beyond the budget of most players. Lots of older MSAs are still working, though, so maybe you can call them popular.
My favorites Sierra and Williams are barely a blip on the popularity landscape. A bit too unconventional, I suppose. Same with Excel.
Just my random thoughts on the subject... ------------------
 Bobby Lee (a.k.a. b0b) - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Williams D-12 E9, C6add9, Sierra Olympic S-12 (F Diatonic)
Sierra Laptop S-8 (E6add9), Fender Stringmaster D-8 (E13, C6 or A6) My Blog |
Joe Smith
Member From: Charlotte, NC, USA
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posted 04 July 2006 10:56 AM
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Well, this is just a guess. I would think that these three would be the top producers of the modern steels made today.Carter
Mullen
GFI
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Donny Hinson
Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A.
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posted 04 July 2006 03:18 PM
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If we're talking pedal steels, pedal steels that are still made, I think it would be...Emmons
Carter
MSA
Mullen
Zumsteel Keep in mind, though, that popularity has little or nothing to do with quality! There's several other brands that are quite good, as good as some or all of these, but they just haven't been produced in large enough numbers to qualify as "popular" yet. |
Ivan Posa
Member From: Hamilton, New Zealand
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posted 04 July 2006 03:37 PM
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The "best" steel built to date is the Anapeg. I am not running down other instruments, but until you have seen and played an Anapeg,especially the latest model, seeing and hearing is believeing. I have a Rains which sounds and plays great, my buddy Paddy Long has a late model Zum and Carter which likewise are fine instruments in all departments, but the Anapeg is several levels above in quality of build, precision of action and tone. Since they are not a production instrument, the price is higher but not more than one would expect to pay for such high quality. Fortunate Anapeg owners will all give the same answer. Anapeg is the best.------------------
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A. J. Schobert
Member From: Cincinnati OHIO WHO DEY???
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posted 04 July 2006 04:39 PM
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Good post paul I would have to say Carter, Zum, Mullen, GFI,and MSA. |
Damir Besic
Member From: La Vergne,TN
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posted 04 July 2006 05:48 PM
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I would have to say "Carter"would be #1 I guess...mass production,very agressive and successful advertising and very good guitars.Db ------------------
"Promat"
~when tone matters~ www.promatsteelguitars.com
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Paul Honeycutt
Member From: Colorado, USA
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posted 04 July 2006 11:23 PM
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Let me clairfy my question. I haven't been around Pedal Steel Guitars much since the mid '70's. Back then there were ZB Customs, MSA, Emmons, Sho-Bud... Those were the ones I saw on stages and on TV. I was trying to figure out what companies are still in business and what are the popular brands among players today. Maybe the question should be, if you were going to buy a new PSG from a contemporary manufacturer, what five would you chose from? I'm just trying to get an overview of what people play these days.Does that make sense? |
Billy Carr
Member From: Seminary, Mississippi USA
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posted 05 July 2006 01:03 AM
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I don't know what the top 5 guitars would be actually. I imagine CARTER is probably selling more guitars than anybody else though. I think it would be different depending on what part of the country a player lives in. Here in Mississippi, I'm seeing several players playing Carters that were using other brands before. Also here in MS., EMMONS carries a lot of weight, especially on a used one that's in good shape. I can't keep a used Emmons in my steel shop. I've got a 93' Lagrande that's been here longer than any other Emmons has. The two before the 93' model were both sold on the same day. Another brand that is scene quite often here is the EXCEL guitars, especially around the gulf coast areas. When I look at a guitar, one thing I look for is the resell value after it's purchased. I think guitars to watch in the very near future for growth are the Carters, Rains, GFI, Star, MSA and Fessenden. Texas seems to have a pretty good piece of the market for PSG's. There's only three brands that I won't buy, sell or trade with. None of them are being built anymore. I'm not going to mention brands but it goes back to what I said earlier about resell value. I probably sell 20 used guitars for every one new one, so I have to look for quality equipment that maintains a good resell value. I only buy and sell quality guitars and I take care of my customers. When you come to my shop, you'll get one on one service, as well as anything from coffee to supper. Whether a player buys anything or not, I make sure they never leave empty handed. It's more important to me to make a friend, than it is to sell a guitar. |
Ray Minich
Member From: Limestone, New York, USA
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posted 05 July 2006 06:52 AM
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Best Selling, Less Filling, Better Tasting, Most Popular, Low Fat, High Energy, Low Calorie...
Oops, sorry, mistook the PC for the TV... |
Sonny Priddy
Member From: Elizabethtown, Kentucky, USA
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posted 05 July 2006 08:14 AM
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Rittenberry's Are Great Also. SONNY.------------------
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Pete Burak
Member From: Portland, OR USA
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posted 05 July 2006 09:05 AM
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Paul,
If you are into experimenting, then I would reccomend getting a brand that you have close proximity too, or that is known for ease of getting parts from, and excellent customer service in general.
When I moved to Portland, I already owned an Emmons and Sho-Bud, but bought a Sierra, as they are located close by (used to be 15 min from my home, now the new shop is about 30-40 min from my home).
I have learned (and am still learning) so much about pedal steel copedants (by implementing and trying them out for myself thanks to easy access to parts and training on how to assemble/install/adjust them), mechanics, electronics, not to mention the manufacturing processs, etc, from my relationship with the Sierra Co, which continues to this day, I'm glad to say!
I see you are from Colorado, so I'm thinkin' a Mullen is in your future! (Ft. Collins to Flagler: Total Est. Time: 2 hours, 35 minutes Total Est. Distance: 178.29 miles).
On the other hand, if you want a standard copedant and don't plan to ever change anything, then there are many brands to choose from, and it all comes down to personal preferance, which requires a trip to a steel convention to kick some tires (or go see Dick Mies in Denver: http://www.pedalsteelguitar.net/).
I want to buy another steel one of these days, and I'll probably go with a Williams next time, as I like them best after Sierra.
If you want to check out a Williams in action, look for Barry Sless on some Phil Lesh and Friends recordings. I saw him playing his new Williams recently with The Flying Other Brothers also.
Fun Stuff!
[This message was edited by Pete Burak on 05 July 2006 at 09:45 AM.] |
Donny Hinson
Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A.
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posted 05 July 2006 11:16 AM
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quote:
Maybe the question should be, if you were going to buy a new PSG from a contemporary manufacturer, what five would you chose from? I'm just trying to get an overview of what people play these days.
Paul, my answer took into consideration only the steels that are made/still made today, but you're really asking two different questions.If I were buying a new steel, I'd consider a GFI and also a Fulawka, both of which are fine steels, but they're just not that popular yet. (That's why they didn't show up on my list.) Some players want to play what everyone else is playing, but some want something that's different! There's really no clear-cut way to compare steels from different manufacturers, and we're all looking for something in particular, so it becomes just personal opinion as to which is "best". I'm pretty sure that no steel has it all, or does it all...just yet. My advice is to just pick one, and start playing; how you play is far more important than what you play. |
Larry Hamilton
Member From: Amarillo, Texas, USA
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posted 05 July 2006 11:59 AM
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Paul, Desert Rose and Star are two of the newer entries into the steel guitar world. I personally own a Desert Rose D-10, 9x8, built by my good friend Chuck Back in Tuscon, Az.My buddy Dwight Cook from here in Amarillo, Albert Tally & Larry Agan build the Star, another really fine guitar that seems to be really catching on. So many guitars and so little money. Not to mention room to put them all. I would have to have them all setup at once and jump from steel to steel. ------------------
Keep pickin', Larry |
Daniel J. Cormier
Member From: Lake Charles, LA, USA
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posted 05 July 2006 12:38 PM
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I have never played a bad Mullen, ZumSteel,JCH,or Emmons. After that Carter, Rains and Desert Rose are great guitars.------------------
Daniel J. Cormier Whatever D-10 I happen to have at the moment.
EVans FET 500 LV ,ProFex II
http://www.cajunsteelguitar.com email at djcormier@cox-internet.com 
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Bob Carlucci
Member From: Candor, New York, USA
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posted 05 July 2006 05:59 PM
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Market Rite
Pedesonic
Framus
Wheeler
Multi Kord
.......not neccessarily in that order[This message was edited by Bob Carlucci on 05 July 2006 at 06:01 PM.] |
Bobby Lee
Sysop From: Cloverdale, North California, USA
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posted 05 July 2006 07:08 PM
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quote:
Maybe the question should be, if you were going to buy a new PSG from a contemporary manufacturer, what five would you chose from?
That's a very different question - it has nothing to do with popularity. My personal five (no order intended) would be Williams, Sierra, Excel, GFI and Lamar.
Did I mention that I prefer keyless?  ------------------
Bobby Lee (a.k.a. b0b) - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Williams D-12 E9, C6add9, Sierra Olympic S-12 (F Diatonic)
Sierra Laptop S-8 (E6add9), Fender Stringmaster D-8 (E13, C6 or A6) My Blog |
Ernest Cawby
Member From: Lake City, Florida, USA
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posted 05 July 2006 07:44 PM
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It seems you want to know what is being played, from that stand point on the shows,
ZUM
SHOBUD
EMMONS
CARTER
MULLENare the most seen
ernie |
Paddy Long
Member From: Christchurch, New Zealand
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posted 05 July 2006 08:50 PM
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After just playing the Brisbane Steel guitar show in Australia it was interesting to note the most popular brands:
ZUMSTEEL --- 3, including myself
ANAPEG -- 3 I think, not surprisingly since Noel Anstead lives in Brisbane.
EMMONs -- 2 or 3,The rest were assorted and obscure !! |
Steve Dodson
Member From: Sparta, Tennessee, USA
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posted 05 July 2006 09:31 PM
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The Rittenberry is a very good guitar. Gary has not been back to building very long ,so there are not a lot of them out there yet. But anyone looking for a New guitar needs to Check this one out. I think you will like it. It carries a tone of two Top Gun Steels of the past, Plus it has its own personal tone and feel to go along with it. It stays it tune very well and has enough sustain to hold its own with any of them.
So I would say Rittenberry,Carter,Emmons, Franklin,ZumSteel and I'm sure the Show Pro will be one to watch for also as well as the Rains Guitar. I know thats more than 5 but when you start its hard to stop. |
Billy Carr
Member From: Seminary, Mississippi USA
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posted 06 July 2006 12:32 AM
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Yes Steve, I agree with you on guitars, especially the Rittenberry and Rains. I hadn't had a chance to play a Rittenberry yet but the Rains D-10's with the 10-1's are bad to the bone with tone. |
Jim Gorrie
Member From: Edinburgh, Scotland
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posted 06 July 2006 02:59 AM
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Paul . . . if you're looking for comments from owners, have a look at this >
>
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum5/HTML/011200.html
>
. . . this is just from Fessy owners. I'm sure there are plenty more threads like this on the forum about other makes.[This message was edited by Jim Gorrie on 06 July 2006 at 03:00 AM.] |
Jim Sliff
Member From: Hermosa Beach California, USA
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posted 06 July 2006 03:31 AM
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"I'm not going to mention brands but it goes back to what I said earlier about resell value. "Billy - I think this would be great info to post...and it's not going to hurt any current businesses making guitars if all 3 are out of business. Poor resale value is something that would be pretty important to know for most buyers. |
A. J. Schobert
Member From: Cincinnati OHIO WHO DEY???
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posted 06 July 2006 10:08 AM
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Paul the company's you mentioned guys still play 'em I saw a video the other day (can't recall the title) and the player had an old sho-bud, keep in mind since then alot of mechanical improvments have been made since then so I didn't include sho-bud in my top 5.I include GFI since you can just go down to a dealer and take it home, I really like that feature. |
Theresa Galbraith
Member From: Goodlettsville,Tn. USA
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posted 06 July 2006 02:39 PM
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Paul,
I think Frank pretty much answered your 2 ?'s |
Randy Gilliam
Member From: San Antonio, Texas, USA
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posted 06 July 2006 09:23 PM
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I Was in Nashville 2 weeks ago and went down on Broadway on a Monday night 5 Different Clubs I saw 4 Emmons Push pulls And 1 Williams They all had effects except the Williams and odly enough too me the Williams sounded better. Randy |
Jody Sanders
Member From: Magnolia,Texas
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posted 06 July 2006 10:19 PM
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After the Dallas Show last March, I posted the different brands that were played on the show. MSA was #1 but I don't recall exactly which ones were next. I know ZUM and Mullen were close to he top. Jody. |
Tom Quinn
Member From: Sacramento
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posted 09 July 2006 06:43 PM
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Let's see... an Emmons wraparound, a bolton, a split tail and maybe a ShoBud D-10 and a ZB... oughta do it.Sorta like music, either Country or Western -- Emmons or Sho-Bud. Rest is rap music to me... -L- |
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