Whats the best Student model?

Jimmy Gibson · Post by **Jimmy Gibson** » 31 Aug 2013 11:01 pm

There is a guy that is after his first steel and because there are quite a few student steels on the market he don`t want a Maverick or a C/S so he don`t know what to go for so please in the opinion of the experts which are the best and not so good ones to go for?

Thanks..Jimmy.

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 1 Sep 2013 1:03 am

A lot of people like the Stage One.

Rich Gardner · Post by **Rich Gardner** » 1 Sep 2013 4:17 am

I really like my Stage One. Here's the site: http://www.stageonesteelguitars.com
RG

Rich Gardner · Post by **Rich Gardner** » 1 Sep 2013 4:17 am

I really like my Stage One. Here's the site: http://www.stageonesteelguitars.com
RG

Douglas Schuch · Post by **Douglas Schuch** » 1 Sep 2013 4:49 am

Best? I'd say the Mullen Discovery, Justice S-10, or the Zumsteel Encore would be on my short list. But, for the money, the Stage One by Zumsteel is a hard bargain to beat. If he can afford the all-pull, fully configurable models, great. If not, look for a used Stage One, or order a new one. There is not a lot of difference in price new or used - they hold their value pretty good!

Doug

Calvin Walley · Post by **Calvin Walley** » 1 Sep 2013 7:53 am

he will never regret buying a stage one

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 1 Sep 2013 9:06 am

or save a couple more bucks and find a great deal like the fully dressed excel d10 that just sold for 1700 hundredish...or some pro model carters in the same range. 3 times the steel for not much more cash.

Calvin Walley · Post by **Calvin Walley** » 1 Sep 2013 12:37 pm

I have been thinking about this, and I really think that the stage one is a cross between a student model and a pro model
the codependent is not changeable and its pull/release but in every other way its mostly pro quality

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 1 Sep 2013 1:31 pm

anything you can make good music with is a good instrument. so many people seem to be happy with their stage ones that they must be great instruments.

however, those two features you mention make it unacceptable to me as i have a personalized copedant with lots of hardware and changes that are only capable on what i consider a pro model steel.
i think the 'encore' fits the pro model category a little better.
so the encore, mullen discovery, justice pro-lite (?) are great light steels. the cost is still high on them compared to what you get in a used pro model as i mentioned before. do your homework and some incredible deals may be available.

Jason Duguay · Post by **Jason Duguay** » 1 Sep 2013 8:30 pm

I recently asked myself the same question and after much thought I purchased a used Sho-Bud 6139. It's too early in my playing for me to know if I made the right decision, but so far I'm very happy.
Best,

Fred Glave · Post by **Fred Glave** » 2 Sep 2013 12:05 am

For the money and with a very reliable satisfaction rate, a Stage One by Zum is the way to go. If you have the time and experience to shop and compare then there are tons of others but probably with no better results. Just my opinion.

P.S. The Zum Encore has more features but will cost you $500 more.

Daniel Policarpo · Post by **Daniel Policarpo** » 2 Sep 2013 12:52 am

I pretty much knew going into this thing what I wanted to do with the instrument, so I figured I at least needed a 3 pedal 4 lever arrangement with the Emmons set up. I also knew that I wanted a steel that was mechanically sound and wouldn't need anything except a change of strings now and then so I could just learn and play. After a year with the Stage One and actually feeling like I am getting someplace on this instrument, I don't see myself needing a change of copedant for the foreseeable future, nor a new steel. The Stage Ones sound as good as the player and Zum's reputation for mechanical precision is in able hands under the tutelage of Doug Ernest. Plus, they sell for not too much under what they go for new, if you find you don't make friends with your Stage One.

Frank De Vincenzo · Post by **Frank De Vincenzo** » 2 Sep 2013 9:09 am

I introduced myself to the forum the other day, so just a refresher, i am totally ignorant about PSGs. To chime in now though, would it be a better move to go straight to a quality pedal steel than starting on a student model? I do know from experience that my good six strings were a hell of alot easier to play than the sears and roebuck guitar I had when i started. What say you?

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 2 Sep 2013 9:21 am

another vote : ZumSteel Stage One
Best BANG ! 4 $

Justice Pro Lite is also a very good choice

Jack Hanson · Post by **Jack Hanson** » 2 Sep 2013 9:31 am

If your pal could turn up an old Emmons GS-10 that has been converted to four knee levers and properly set up, it likely will have the sound. The sound to die for. But those conversions are rare as hens teeth, and few guys who have them ever want to give them up.

Calvin Walley · Post by **Calvin Walley** » 2 Sep 2013 9:51 am

I'm a firm believer that 98% of players buy a hell of a lot more guitar than they need ,
just for the bragging rights ...I myself am guilty of this

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 2 Sep 2013 1:59 pm

i guess my concern is if a cookie cutter copedant will create sheeplike tendencies in steel playing.
steel has historiclly developed as a unique individualized instrument. was my concern about this previously mirrored in the sho-bud 'permanent' era?

Curt Trisko · Post by **Curt Trisko** » 2 Sep 2013 2:00 pm

I have a stage one. I've only sat behind two steels that weren't my own, so I don't have a large frame of reference. But I can say that I've been having a blast with my steel. No mechanical problems so far and I still like the way it sounds through my Nashville 112. The setup is simple, but 3x4 so far has been more than enough to keep me challenged. The only time the copedent is lacking is when I try to make my own arrangements of non-country songs. Then again, that could also just be due to my lack of experience.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 2 Sep 2013 2:02 pm

obviously i'm just making conversation. if i had any friends i'd be busy talking om my phone 24/7 like any normal human.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 2 Sep 2013 2:08 pm

Curt Trisko wrote: The only time the copedent is lacking is when I try to make my own arrangements of non-country songs.

ah yes.....as in injecting any creativity into your playing.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 2 Sep 2013 2:51 pm

Perlowin calls the standard E9th "the Mozart tuning." If you're gonna play stuff in 8 steps used of a 11-tone octave, using what we call Major and minor chords, the E9th tuning, with 3&4, can do just about all of what you need.

Peter den Hartogh · Post by **Peter den Hartogh** » 3 Sep 2013 8:00 am

What about this model?

Does anyone have any information on these pedal steel guitars?

Bud Angelotti · Post by **Bud Angelotti** » 3 Sep 2013 4:06 pm

Frank said

would it be a better move to go straight to a quality pedal steel than starting on a student model?

Well of course it would Frank. If you got the dough. However all the dough in the world won't help if you don't have the time, the seat time, to play the thing till it becomes second nature. You can't buy that time, you can only invest in it, and you don't need the best guitar to make time. You need to make the time or you need ....
a time machine!

Michael Hummel · Post by **Michael Hummel** » 4 Sep 2013 9:04 am

Okay, I'm a new player (just over one year). I used to think I needed a fancier guitar with more changes and what-not.

The more I play and practice, the more I realize I don't know what to do with what I have (3p and 4k on E9).

My guitar is old; some would say quite out of fashion. But it stays in tune, sounds good, and 95% of the limitation as to what comes out of it is ME. My only real complaint is its weight. I have to haul it back and forth to band practice every week and I'm getting old and creaky.

Make music with what you have!
Mike

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 4 Sep 2013 9:49 am

My experience with a Zum "Encore" is nothing short of great! I can't function without a C6th neck but for E9th I am totally pleased with the Encore. It sounds great with Doug's humbucker pickup and the playability is exceptional and stays in tune great. For a single neck guitar it would be very hard to beat. I probably should not have responded in this way concerning a "student" or beginner guitar because the Encore is a pro guitar in every way with some cost cutting cosmetic features such as no polished necks or pedal bar. It has a very modern changer and undercarriage capable of changing the set-up.
Jerry