Carter or GFI ?

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 11 Sep 2005 6:01 am

Decision time. I'm leaning toward a Carter, any opinions?

------------------
Howard, 'Les Paul Recording, Zum S12U, Vegas 400, Boss ME-5, Boss DM-3, DD-3, Fender Steel King, Understanding wife. http://www.Charmedmusic.com

Al Terhune · Post by **Al Terhune** » 11 Sep 2005 6:58 am

I own a GFI and love it. I've played a Carter and thought the action was smooth as silk. I hate to sound trite, but it might be a matter of which name and looks you like better. In the guitar world, I love Gibsons because I love the name and love their looks. I don't think it's a superior-sounding guitar over Fender, just a different make.

John Ummel · Post by **John Ummel** » 11 Sep 2005 7:26 am

Hi Howard,
I also own a GFI and have nothing but good things to say about it. But I totally agree with Al. It becomes simply a matter of aesthetics, personal taste, as both are absolutely wonderful modern designs.

------------------
johnny
GFI Ultra S-10 3&4, G&L ASAT, Jackson Dinky Hardtail, homemade solid body electric violin w/ Zeta pickup, homemade 100W amp w/ 12" Jensen. As Bill Monroe once told me: "Don't never give up"

Curt Langston · Post by **Curt Langston** » 11 Sep 2005 8:13 am

Howard, look at each one, side by side, upside down. Look at the pullbars. Look at the cross rods. Notice the way the changer operates. Which guitar looks smarter by design? Move the pedals and levers. Wiggle the crossrods. Feel for unwanted slack. Listen for unwanted noise. Look at the end plates. Are they cast, welded, or machined? Look at the legs. Does one look like it is made any better? Which feels more solid? Which one feels more responsive? If you AB these two guitars, side by side, you will know. Your tone can be modified by the pickup choice. Also, what are others saying about these two guitars? Notice the resale prices of each one. After all is considered, I believe you will choose a Carter. And I believe you will be very glad that you did. Just my opinion.

------------------
I'd rather be opinionated, than apathetic!

[This message was edited by Curt Langston on 11 September 2005 at 09:20 AM.][This message was edited by Curt Langston on 11 September 2005 at 09:21 AM.]

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 11 Sep 2005 9:15 am

Thank's folks. I've heard nothing but good about the GFI, and also about the Carter. I don't think the logo on the Carter looks so great, but I don't care for the looks of the GFI much. It was sort of decided when I saw the Carter Fred justice has in the for sale forum. Looks like a good deal to me.

------------------
Howard, 'Les Paul Recording, Zum S12U, Vegas 400, Boss ME-5, Boss DM-3, DD-3, Fender Steel King, Understanding wife. http://www.Charmedmusic.com

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 11 Sep 2005 9:58 am

Both are fine instruments, quite comparable in quality. I think that the biggest difference is in the way they look. The Carter is very traditional in appearance. The GFI is more unique looking.

Keep in mind that Bud Carter and Gene Fields have both been designing pedal steels for a very long time. These guys know their stuff. Their current models are the culmination of decades of research, development and practical experience. I think you would be quite happy with the playability and tone of either instrument.

------------------
<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/Hotb0b.gif" width="96 height="96">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)

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 11 Sep 2005 9:58 am

Neither one will stop you from being a great steeler.

Mike Sigler · Post by **Mike Sigler** » 11 Sep 2005 5:01 pm

I Played the GFI single on the Hall OF Fame Show at St.louis this year and found that it held its own beside all the D-10s on stage..
It played very true and seem to have a good tone from were i was sitting... it was just a 3 pedel 2 knee lever guitar, but i found it played very close to my D-10 and stayed in tune very well.....
MS

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 11 Sep 2005 5:09 pm

I play a GFI, but I love the Carter too. I think both steel guitars are good. Brett, Emmons S-10, Morrell lapsteel, GFI Ultra D-10

Walter Hamlin · Post by **Walter Hamlin** » 11 Sep 2005 5:31 pm

First time I looked at the GFI I knew I would never have one. Just did not look right to me. I now have one in a case that I use all the time when I am playing. Love the light weight and tone. My heavy guitar sits at home for practice purposes.

Webb Kline · Post by **Webb Kline** » 11 Sep 2005 6:05 pm

I almost bought a Carter, then I found a great deal on the D10 8+8 keyless GFI that I now have. I too think the Carter is a better looking guitar, but GFI's keyless system is what has me sold.

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 11 Sep 2005 6:47 pm

I own a Carter, and am thinking about a GFI[among others].. They are both excellent steels. My Carter is a really great steel,but many people I trust completely have told me about how great thier GFI's are... You can't go wrong either way... bob

Dyke Corson · Post by **Dyke Corson** » 11 Sep 2005 6:57 pm

You won't find a nicer guy than Gene Fields and he really knows his stuff. I find his guitars to be of excellent quality and customer service to match. I am really wanting a keyless D-10, Gene has me sold on the idea, this is something Carter does not offer at this time. Carter builds a great guitar also, but I want to check out the keyless thing - maybe I'll then change strings more often.

Al Terhune · Post by **Al Terhune** » 11 Sep 2005 7:10 pm

I have to add, as some of these fellows mentioned, that having keyless is an advantage GFI has over Carter. Although I just bought an old Sho Bud, I would never buy anything new but keyless.

I also like what Bob said -- Gene and Bud are experts, have been for years, and you can trust either one to make an incredible, state-of-the-art steel.

Al

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 12 Sep 2005 4:24 am

So many good things said about both here. Moony sounds great on his GFI, as does Gaylon Mathews, but the price was so good that I bought the Red Carter from the Fred Justice music page. I only hope Junior Knight left a few good licks on it and hope I can find them. I think if it was good enough for Junior, it's good enough for me.

------------------
Howard, 'Les Paul Recording, Zum S12U, Vegas 400, Boss ME-5, Boss DM-3, DD-3, Fender Steel King, Understanding wife. http://www.Charmedmusic.com

Jay Jessup · Post by **Jay Jessup** » 12 Sep 2005 4:56 am

I bought a S-10 keyless GFI 4+6 a while back just because I wanted to fool with a keyless guitar and had some changes I wanted to experiment with. It's very light and everything works quite well and after making a few pickup changes I am getting a pretty good sound out of it but the thing that impressed me most was how easy it is to make changes to the pedal/knee setups. I have fooled with a lot of guitars through the years and every time you want to make a simple little change you wind up having to move three other things to get to it and then it affects something you didn't think about. I have made a ton of changes on the GFI already and it is hands down the easiest guitar to make setup changes I have ever had my hands on.

Ernie Pollock · Post by **Ernie Pollock** » 12 Sep 2005 5:13 am

GFI D A R E T O B E D I F F E R E N T
http://www.hereintown.net/~shobud75/stock.htm

I have played Bud Carters guitars, but I always liked something a little different, not just like everyone else. Keyless design is for me, so that lets Buds new guitars out for me.

Ernie Pollock

------------------

Tim Harr · Post by **Tim Harr** » 12 Sep 2005 12:03 pm

Carter - they offer more options to customize the instument the way you want it... check out the website at
http://www.steelguitar.com

or call them and talk about it

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 12 Sep 2005 1:17 pm

Howard - good choice mate, and that sure was a good deal at that price. You will be very pleased with the Carter.

Larry Phleger · Post by **Larry Phleger** » 13 Sep 2005 9:24 am

IMHO, you can't go wrong with a Carter. Nothing I have ever played, other stringed instruments included, ever stayed in tune like a Carter. Mine spent the winter in an unheated trailer, and all the strings but two were in tune when I got it out in the spring. Besides, you won't find better folks when it comes to service after the sale than Bud, Ann and John.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 13 Sep 2005 9:39 am

I'll have another Carter, please.

Rex Thomas · Post by **Rex Thomas** » 13 Sep 2005 10:01 am

Can't go wrong with either, as b0b put it.
I've played both, & if the choice was between those two only, I'd pick GFI because on 1st impression I liked the tone better. The Carter felt great, but the GFI's tone won at the time.
Here's a vote for GFI.

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 13 Sep 2005 10:56 am

Hey, Larry. I guess playing steel is a lot like farming up there in PA. Nothing happens till the spring thaw!

Lee, from South Texas
(Year round farming. Year round picking.)

Joseph Barcus · Post by **Joseph Barcus** » 13 Sep 2005 12:10 pm

as much as I hate carter guitars I have to say that when it comes to looks carter no doubt can win that one. those gfi's looks very very cheap.

Gaylon Mathews · Post by **Gaylon Mathews** » 13 Sep 2005 1:18 pm

Well I must chime in here and say that although my GFI ain't gonna win a beauty contest, it ain't cheap. It sure plays good,has a great tone and stays in tune like it was welded into place. Now, that being said, I owned a Carter for a while and it stayed in tune too. Looked good, but I couldn't quite get the tone I was looking for...so I traded it.

------------------
Gaylon's Homepage
www.gaylonmathews.com

Gretchen Wilson
www.gretchenwilson.com

GFI Ultra D-10, Fender Steel King, GHS Strings, SteelSeat.com

[This message was edited by Gaylon Mathews on 13 September 2005 at 02:19 PM.]