What's a good choice for my first steel?

Grayson Harris · Post by **Grayson Harris** » 30 Jul 2018 12:00 pm

I'm looking for a guitar that I can learn on and gig with. I've had my eye on a 3x4 Dekley in the Buy sell trade portion of the forum but I don't know anything about Dekley's, really anything about the instrument. Are they solid? Is there anything else I should keep an eye out for?

Georg Sørtun · Post by **Georg Sørtun** » 30 Jul 2018 12:19 pm

Dekleys are solid and stable – top of the class in that respect compared to any brand. They are little on the heavy side if that matters.
I got two Dekleys myself, and prefer them over all the other PSGs I have for their playability, sustain and tone.

Greg Thompson · Post by **Greg Thompson** » 30 Jul 2018 2:12 pm

Keep an eye out for a Zum Stage One or a Zum Encore - as good as any. Very popular - Check it out

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 30 Jul 2018 4:19 pm

If you possibly can, get an experienced player to test drive any used guitars.
Few guitars will be horrible, but many will be out of adjustment and horrible to play, but you won't know what to look and feel for.
And an unplayable guitar (or nearly so) will make for a painful learning experience.
Almost any brand name that you'll recognize from watching the forum will likely be a good one; there are very few 'dogs' out there.

Pat Chong · Post by **Pat Chong** » 30 Jul 2018 4:37 pm

Hello,
Learning to play a pedal steel is an enjoyable experience. The used psgs on this forum are usually good units, and Dekley is among them (I also have 2 of those.) Look into it. I have seen the Dekley, and it could be expanded to more pedals if you so desire. It is NOT a beginner model. See what you can get....... Where in Tx are you?

..............................Pat

Grayson Harris · Post by **Grayson Harris** » 30 Jul 2018 6:32 pm

Thanks everyone for the comments. Something that I really admire about my this community so far is how supportive everyone is.

anywho, Pat, I'm in Denton, TX. Been thinking about shelling out a little more cash for something more modern that might play a little better.

George Kimery · Post by **George Kimery** » 30 Jul 2018 6:59 pm

My advice is don't buy a student guitar, get a used pro model.Also if you want to make sure a used guitar is in good mechanical condition and set up rigbt, buy from a dealer or individual that checks out and works on guitars they sell. Billy Cooper, Jim Palenscar, or Nashville Steel guitars come to mind. Not as cheap as buying from an individual, but you do get peace of mind and possib!y return privilege.

Jeremy Threlfall · Post by **Jeremy Threlfall** » 30 Jul 2018 7:04 pm

I wouldn't hesitate to go Dekley

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 30 Jul 2018 7:41 pm

It’s always a good idea in this type of thread to state what you are comfortable with in terms of budget, and the maximum you’re willing to spend.

You wouldn’t go on an automobile forum looking for advice in buying a certain category of a vehicle without giving an idea if what you’re willing to spend. The stakes are (usually) considerably lower here than car shopping but there is quite a variance in pedal steel prices, not unlike cars.

Paul Wade · Post by **Paul Wade** » 31 Jul 2018 3:58 am

I would also recommend dekley guitar
I have had 3 dekleys an all good guitar
I am also looking for a dekley
Good price on the S-10.

P.w

Jeff Harbour · Post by **Jeff Harbour** » 31 Jul 2018 5:00 am

One thing I can say... Please restist the urge to go with a 6-string pedal steel!! They are fine for a guitar player who wants to fake steel sounds for a song or two, but not a good choice if you wish to fully express yourself musically. Ten strings minimum! Eight strings would be adequate musically, but may not be as 'beginner-friendly' (plus, not many new ones are being made, if any. So, you could end up with one that's in bad shape).

I say go with anything new. I'm partial to GFI if you're on a budget. If I won the lottery, I'd probably have me a fully loaded MSA built. But, the great thing about steel guitars is that they are All built with some level of quality. There is No 'Sears Catalog' class as there is with other stringed instruments.

Lynette Richards · Post by **Lynette Richards** » 31 Jul 2018 9:06 am

Check out the Discovery Model.

https://mullenguitars.com/discovery

Grayson Harris · Post by **Grayson Harris** » 1 Aug 2018 8:57 am

Thanks for all the tips! I'm looking to spend under $2000. I found a pedalmaster at Jim Palescar's shop that I might pull the trigger on. Can anyone vouch for the quality of the guitars and the dealer?

Edward Rhea · Post by **Edward Rhea** » 1 Aug 2018 9:04 am

Jim is as good as they come...you’ll see that in the first 30seconds you talk with him! He’s very knowledgeable so you can place complete confidence in his experience. I don’t believe he’d sell you a “turd” and call it a popsicle. Best to ya and happy hunting!

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 1 Aug 2018 9:25 am

Jim is known for being a straight shooter and a good pedal steel mechanic as well.
If he has checked it out and given it any needed adjustments, I'd call that as good a used axe as you'll get.
Pedalmaster is a well-regarded make, although there aren't many of them.
I'd call that a score!
It's probable that you could have found something cheaper, but I doubt you'd have found better.

Fred Justice · Post by **Fred Justice** » 1 Aug 2018 9:43 am

Grayson, this just may be the right guitar for you.
It has an all pull changer, 2 up 1 down, 3 pedals, 4 knee levers, all that Lloyd Green had his entire career. Here is a link to see one.
http://www.justicesteelguitars.com/S10.html

Asa Brosius · Post by **Asa Brosius** » 1 Aug 2018 9:51 am

Always buy the nicest guitar you can afford- under 2k, I'd look for a used Carter pro- excellent playing machines, +1 on a solid Dekley, or a Zum Encore. The big caveat is the condition and set-up- getting a used guitar looked at by someone you trust is important.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 1 Aug 2018 10:19 am

Grayson Harris wrote:Thanks for all the tips! I'm looking to spend under $2000. I found a pedalmaster at Jim Palescar's shop that I might pull the trigger on. Can anyone vouch for the quality of the guitars and the dealer?

Then two folks answer the question they wanted to answer, regardless of whether it was the question asked (although Fred does make a fine guitar. I'd happily own one).
I'd buy a pedalmaster in a heartbeat.
I'd buy from Jim in a heartbeat.

Jeff Harbour · Post by **Jeff Harbour** » 1 Aug 2018 11:31 am

Grayson Harris wrote:I found a pedalmaster... Can anyone vouch for the quality of the guitars...

Since I vouched for the quality of GFI steels in an above post, I figured I should mention that Pedalmaster steels share the exact same design on their undercarriage parts as the GFI's (which are interchangeable). The builders shared a long-term work partnership.

As for Jim Palenscar, I too have had only good dealings with him. But, I think it's more important to add that he has had very long-standing friendships with some legendary Hall-Of-Fame Steel players.

Grayson Harris · Post by **Grayson Harris** » 5 Aug 2018 4:09 pm

Thanks Lane and Jeff! I think I'm gonna pull the trigger on the pedalmaster!

Mark Addeo · Post by **Mark Addeo** » 6 Sep 2018 11:49 am

I have two Pedalmasters (SD-10 & D-10) both left-handed. Beautifully made. Built like a tank and great tone! Also, they share parts (bell cranks, rods etc) with GFI since Roy Thomas and Gene Fields worked together on development years ago.

Love them!

Kevin Fix · Post by **Kevin Fix** » 6 Sep 2018 7:42 pm

Mullen Discovery.

Johnie King · Post by **Johnie King** » 9 Sep 2018 5:20 pm

A good BMI very nice Steel for sale Craigslist Nashville.

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