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Author Topic:  Which Would You Buy?
Joe Payne

 

From:
Newfane, New York, USA
Post  Posted 12 Dec 2017 5:16 pm    
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Hey Folks...I'm back asking a question again. I'm getting back into pedal steel after 18 years. I'm really looking at what to buy and want to do it right so here goes. Single E9...if you had 3 guitars all mint...Fessenden, Sho-Bud Lloyd Green or Mullen Royal Precision...all about the same price...which one and why? Bring it on for me.
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Love good instruments...play a Taylor 214CE Deluxe, PRS guitar, Orange Amps, Warwick Bass, Galien-Krueger amps, Sonor drums, Meinl cymbals and anything else I can get my hands on...played banjo in a bluegrass band in the 70's
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Greg Lambert

 

From:
Illinois, USA
Post  Posted 12 Dec 2017 5:51 pm    
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Flip a coin , there all great...
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Larry Jamieson


From:
Walton, NY USA
Post  Posted 12 Dec 2017 6:43 pm    
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Joe, Grab that Mullen before it gets away. Excellent guitar, modern, very well built, company still exists although the guitar is apt to be trouble free for years.
Plays easily and sounds great.
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Carl Kilmer


From:
East Central, Illinois
Post  Posted 12 Dec 2017 7:20 pm    
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I have to agree with Larry.
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aka "Lucky Kay"--Custom built Rittenberry SD10 3X5, Walker S/S, NV-112, and Hilton Pedal
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Jason Putnam


From:
Tennessee, USA
Post  Posted 12 Dec 2017 8:31 pm    
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Mullen all the way!
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1967 Emmons Bolt On, 1995 Mullen PRP 3x5,Nashville 112, JOYO Digital Delay, Goodrich Volume Pedal, Livesteel Strings
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Jim Cohen


From:
Philadelphia, PA
Post  Posted 12 Dec 2017 8:36 pm    
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For what it's worth, I played a Sho~Bud for 25 years, then Fessendens for several years, and a Mullen RP for a few years. They all sounded good (though different) but the Mullen RP was the smoothest-playing guitar of them all, by a considerable margin. If I had your choice to make, I'd go with the Mullen.
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Last edited by Jim Cohen on 13 Dec 2017 7:48 am; edited 1 time in total
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Richard Sinkler


From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
Post  Posted 13 Dec 2017 7:35 am    
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1. Mullen
2. Sho-Bud
3. Fessenden (maybe)
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, NV400, NV112 . Playing for 54 years and still counting.
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 13 Dec 2017 9:17 am    
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The Mullen, by a step.
That said, you can buy the others without regrets.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
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Alan Bidmade


From:
Newcastle upon Tyne UK
Post  Posted 13 Dec 2017 9:42 am    
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BenRom Very Happy

Welcome back Lane!
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Ben-Rom #017 'Lorelei', Guild D25, Epiphone 'Joe Pass', Roland 40XL, Hilton VP

First name Alan, but known as Nick
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Ken Pippus


From:
Langford, BC, Canada
Post  Posted 13 Dec 2017 11:03 am    
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1. Mullen
2. Fessenden
3. ShoBud

But that might vary significantly depending on the specific guitars in question. I would want to know a lot about the original mechanics and the current condition of any ShoBud, concerns which would be much less of an issue with the other two. The 'Bud might well be the best sounding rig of the three, but the other two would be very unlikely to drive you crazy mechanically. It wouldn't be too hard to end up with a ShoBud that you regretted.

Nothing plays easier than a well set up Mullen.
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Herb Steiner

 

From:
Spicewood TX 78669
Post  Posted 13 Dec 2017 11:24 am    
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Ken Pippus wrote:
1. Mullen
2. Fessenden
3. ShoBud

But that might vary significantly depending on the specific guitars in question. I would want to know a lot about the original mechanics and the current condition of any ShoBud, concerns which would be much less of an issue with the other two. The 'Bud might well be the best sounding rig of the three, but the other two would be very unlikely to drive you crazy mechanically. It wouldn't be too hard to end up with a ShoBud that you regretted (emphasis mine-HS).

Nothing plays easier than a well set up Mullen.


I've owned them all, and I agree with Ken's assessment and order of preference.
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My rig: Infinity and Telonics.

Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg?
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Damir Besic


From:
Nashville,TN.
Post  Posted 13 Dec 2017 12:47 pm    
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oh boy Rolling Eyes
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Marco Schouten


From:
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Post  Posted 14 Dec 2017 12:59 am    
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If the Sho-Bud is a round front, I would get that one.
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JCH SD-10 with BL XR-16 pickup, Sho-Bud Volume Pedal, Evidence Audio Lyric HG cables, Quilter Steelaire combo
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Tony Prior


From:
Charlotte NC
Post  Posted 14 Dec 2017 1:14 am    
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If that Sho Bud is an early two hole puller guitar then the question is mute !

If it's a late 70's early 80's model , then I would go for the latest built Steel which I assume is the Mullen.

The Fessy is also no slouch...All 3 can and will perform.
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Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years

CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website
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Billy Carr

 

From:
Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)
Post  Posted 14 Dec 2017 1:58 am     psg
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Which builder are you closer to?
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Richard Sinkler


From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
Post  Posted 14 Dec 2017 7:16 am     Re: psg
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Billy Carr wrote:
Which builder are you closer to?


Why would this matter?
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, NV400, NV112 . Playing for 54 years and still counting.
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Ron Hogan

 

From:
Nashville, TN, usa
Post  Posted 14 Dec 2017 7:37 am    
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Here ya go.

https://nashville.craigslist.org/msg/d/pedal-steel-guitar/6406639902.html
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Art Beard

 

From:
Once upon a time out west (deceased)
Post  Posted 14 Dec 2017 7:50 am     Which steel to buy
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I agree with Marco and Tony. But it depends on the sound you are after. Mullen is probably the best modern sounding steel to the 3, if you want the modern steel sound. But If you are into classic country music and the sound of the mied 60's to 73 pedal steel, than its Sho-Bud round front all the way. For those are the Bud's with whats called "TONE TO THE BONE" to me. Good Luck The Ray Walker custom I sadly have for sale is the modern steel sound, but I am still in love with the Tone to the bone and the special sound of my 1969 ZB.. Currently own" 1969 ZB 11/10, Sho-Bud S10 pre Pro 1, Speedy West S10. Living in the past and loving it
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"like an old stallion, lonely for freedom, still trying to out run the wind" Seals,Setser,& Davey.
GAS -1969 ZB D11/10,1974 Sho-Bud D10 Professional,1975 Speedy West S10, 150 yr okd Barn Board tele, Beard signature Gold Tone Dean Acoustic/Electric Bass, Tennessee 12 string Bass, 3 String Shovel.2 Fiddles., Sho-Bud amp, Epiphone valve special amp, Fishman loudbox artist amp.
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