Look how well my steel fits in my new Toyota Prius

[Mike Perlowin RIP]

I think the engineers who designed the car are all steel players with MSA S-12S.



I couldn't ask for a better fit. That was one of the major reasons I chose a Prius.

[Alan Brookes]

My daughter is on her second Prius, both of which looked exactly like yours. The first was given her as a graduation present. She wrote that one off after hydroplaning off the road at Weed, CA. They keep their value, and the insurance paid us more than we'd originally paid for the car, so we bought her a second one. Now she's driving round the Pasadena area, where she currently lives, so you might pass her one day.

[Brian Kurlychek]

Is there a Prius wave like the Jeep people have?

[Jim Ives]

Proud Pappa

[Roger Rettig]

I STILL wanna know where your amp goes!!!

[Cartwright Thompson]

I think that for the money they charge for a pedal steel guitar, they should come with some sort of carrying case.

[Ulric Utsi-Åhlin]

...and some expensive cars should come complete w/
a Steel Guitar in the back...McUtsi

[Mike Christensen]

My first laugh of the day. Thank You Ulric.

[John Billings]

Don't come to a sudden stop!

[Mike Perlowin RIP]

Guys, take a closer look at the picture. The back seats are NOT folded down. There's plenty of room for the amp on the rear seat of the car.

[Colm Chomicky]

Nice sensible choice on a new car.

BTW, I read what John said above and I was thinking the same - don't come to a sudden stop. Please don't get a leg in the back of your head or neck. A friend of mime had a life changing injury when his laptop (in the back seat) hurtled forward during an accident and hit him in the head. That was the only injury he had, but it really was very, very, serious and he will never be the same.

[Hook Moore]

lol Roger !!
I hope it serves you well for many many years Mike !
Hook

[Mike Perlowin RIP]

Thanks for the concern, but with the rear seat up, there's now way the steel could hurtle forward and hit me.

I hadn't thought of the possibility of that sort of accident and injury, but I was concerned about having the back sets up so that I'd have a place to put the amp and paca-seat.

I did not buy this car on an impulse. Once I realized that my Camry had reached the point where it was going to nickel and dime me to death, and I needed a new car, I checked out several brands and models, and chose the Prius only after a fair amount of research, including taking my steel to the dealership and confirming that it would fit properly.

When I bought the Camry, 12 years ago, I took my steel to one of those streets with back to back dealers, and went to every one, explaining that I had a large instrument that had to fir in the trunk, and that it it didn't, I wasn't even going to test drive the car because it would be a waste of time.

The reactions of some of the dealers and salespersons when they saw that the steel wouldn't fit is an interesting story in itself, but the point is that out of more than 15 cars I tried, only 2 had trunks large enough to accommodate the steel. The Camry and the VW Passatt.

We all face this issue. I'm sure there are other suitable cars too. (The Honda Element was my second choice.)

All I can say is that between the storage space, the high milage, and all the electronic doo-dads that came with the car (including a built in blue tooth speakerphone for my cell hone) this car does it for me.

It made me smile when I first test drove one.

[John Billings]

All the steelers in Wisconsin used to drive big old Buicks, Olds, or Caddies. !970s. We all just took off the back legs, and set our steels on the back seat. Did it for years. Then someone was injured very badly. After that, we all started breakin' 'em down, casin' 'em up, and stashin' them in the trunk!

[Roger Rettig]

Here's my solution. I can pack two steels, two Nashville 112s, two 'Steelers' Choice' Sidekick seats, an FX rack-bag, two electric guitars in gig bags and the spare tyre in the boot (trunk to you guys). Everything is out-of-sight to a would-be thief. It does 22+ mpg around here, and, on my last 2,500-mile trip across the country, it achieved 28.1.

It cost me just a few thousand dollars - a cash sale, so there's no car-payment (I won't be a slave to a mere motor-car) and, needless to say, it's extremely comfortable.

(And, if I wanted to risk it, my Emmons would fit in the trunk completely set up.)

[A. J. Schobert]

You honestly transport your steel without it in a case?

[Roger Rettig]

Not me!!! I learned my lesson years ago when, out of laziness, I used to just remove the back legs and pop my old ZB D-10 into the back seat of my car. The steel finished up in pretty bad shape - the lacquer took the odd 'hit', and I realised that I was probably putting too much strain on the threads in the end-plates.

I see Mike has the body of his guitar well covered, but I can't help wondering about those rear legs waving about in the air when he hits a bump. (Of course, you don't feel bumps in my Lincoln... )

Maybe you didn't mean me, but that's my take on it, anyway...

[Mike Perlowin RIP]

You honestly transport your steel without it in a case?

A lot of people do. As Roger pointed out, I have the body well protected. I also have a custom cover for the pedal rack to protect it. You can't see it in the photo.

[Jerry Gleason]

When I had my Corolla wagon, I carried my steel in exactly the same fashion. The back area was perfectly sized to carry the steel with the front legs up on the seatbacks, and there was no way it could slide forward or back. Mike, it looks like yours has the back legs up. You might find it more secure the other way around. There is even room under the guitar for an amp.

When I got my Honda Fit, I had to change my ways. There was no way to safely carry it all set up, so back to the case it went.

[Alan Brookes]

...As Roger pointed out, I have the body well protected....

The Prius saved my daughter's life. I would have no hesitation in recommending one.

If Mike's pedal steel had been in the trunk it would have survived intact. Notice Katie behind the car, looking dejected but intact. All she suffered was a cut hand and bruises.

[John Billings]

I'm glad she's fine,! But,,,, I don't think a steel out of the case in the back of that car would survived intact. All the pieces would have been there though.

[Mike Perlowin RIP]

When I got my Honda Fit, I had to change my ways. There was no way to safely carry it all set up, so back to the case it went.

Jerry, my wife has a Honda Fit. It's a great car, and I enjoy driving it when i don;t have to carry my steel, but I didn't get one for myself because as you pointed out, there's no way to safely carry a steel set up.

The question of leaving the steel set up or breaking it down and putting it in the case is grounds for another thread.

BTW Jerry, I've had a lot of positive comments about the cover of my West Side Story CD that features your brilliant artwork. Thank you again for letting me use it.

[Ken Byng]

Here's my solution. I can pack two steels, two Nashville 112s, two 'Steelers' Choice' Sidekick seats,

2 seats Roger - is that one for each cheek??

[Tony Glassman]

I have an SUV with a rear door. I usually carry my fully assembled steel upside-down in it's case.

I push the guitar case against the back seats to stabilize the front legs and wrap a long bungee around both back legs which and attach the ends to a couple of cargo hooks........solid as a rock, with no pain-in-the ass setup/breakdown time.

[John Billings]

But Tony, how long does it really take you to set up your steel? A couple/three minutes? I think they're a lot safer in the case. My opinion only.