Carter Starter on the Road?

Jody Cameron · Post by **Jody Cameron** » 26 Jul 2006 8:03 am

I play with a Texas artist that does a lot of outdoor concerts and shows. Invariably, it seems that inclimate weather is the rule rather than the exception...so far this summer, we've had to contend with wind storms, sand storms, and MUCHO rainy conditions. I'm thinking of taking my starter out instead of my vintage steels, since it is a constant worry that something bad will happen to them.

I have used the starter on several gigs in the past, and it performed extremely well...

Any opinions from my bros on this idea?

Thanks, JC

Roger Crawford · Post by **Roger Crawford** » 26 Jul 2006 8:16 am

Jody...you can make a 2X4 with bailing wire sound good. Go for it!

Larry Strawn · Post by **Larry Strawn** » 26 Jul 2006 8:25 am

Last year I borrowed a Carter Starter and used it on two gigs, no one even knew I had changed guitars! I KNOW you're a lot better player than I am so I"m betting no one but you would know the difference!

Larry

------------------
"Fessy" S/D 12, 8/6 Hilton Pedal, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 26 Jul 2006 8:40 am

For the life of me I can't remember the name of the artist, but I remember reading a CD review in Acoustic Guitar Magazine a few years back, where a fine six string player recorded an album and intentionally used budget guitars (none with a retail above about $250) to prove that you don't need a $3,000 acoustic to record a quality CD.

A good picker is a good picker-as long as the instrument is of respectable quality-it'll still sound like good pickin'!

------------------
Mark

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 26 Jul 2006 8:42 am

Jody Camron, I'd play a "Starter" in a second under those conditions. I feel you'll find it a pleasent suprise. The last shippment of Carter starters that we recieved
were astounding guitars, (for the money). I'd play one if need be on any jobs, anywhere, unless I had to have a C6th neck.

All I can say to anyone is, "try it, you'll like it"!

The best guitar for this $699.00 price anywhere.

(Yea, this is really me saying this)

Bobbe Seymour

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 26 Jul 2006 8:48 am

Mark Eaton, well put, but of course, a great guitar will work too!

It the words of the immortal Tom Morrell, "You either play or you don't".

He said this upon showing up for a recording session in Nashville with a D-8 Bigsby with no pedals, strings on only one neck, no volume pedal, a flat pick and proceded to play western swing that had us all on the floor! Incredible to say the least.

Bobbe [This message was edited by BobbeSeymour on 26 July 2006 at 09:49 AM.][This message was edited by BobbeSeymour on 26 July 2006 at 09:50 AM.]

John Drury · Post by **John Drury** » 26 Jul 2006 8:57 am

Bobbe,

I remember a couple times years ago when you hit the road with Lynn Anderson taking only an ashtray Maverick along.

I guess Morrell pretty much nailed it.

------------------
John Drury
NTSGA #3

[This message was edited by John Drury on 26 July 2006 at 09:58 AM.]

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 26 Jul 2006 10:03 am

Mark, that was forumite Ed Gerhard that used those Pawn Shop/Flea Market guitars for a project. It is called "House of Guitars" and is one of my favorite acoustic guitar albums. He also plays lap steel on it. According to the album notes, he didn't even change the strings on the guitars, and some of them were 40 to 50 years old.

Back to the topic, I always use my Fessenden on outside gigs. It is the only mica guitar I have and probably the most rugged. It stays in tune really well in the hot sun or in a cold wind.

------------------
Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording

Billy Wilson · Post by **Billy Wilson** » 26 Jul 2006 10:32 am

I'm so happy to find out that Tom Morrell is immortal.

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 26 Jul 2006 10:52 am

Hi J.C., Probably a great idea. Would be nice if there was enough room on the truck for a "Starter" for outside and a D-10 for the indoor gigs as you play such great C6. I too, have had the same problems playing outside gigs over the years. Hang in there and I will see you down the road, JB.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 26 Jul 2006 11:24 am

Darvin, thanks for that info!

Bobbe-no need for concern-you have a captive audience of players suffering from G.A.S., and this will never change. The pedal steel market will never become inundated by Carter Starters-even though they are a very good value.

Over the long haul-you get what you pay for.

All Tom Morrell stories aside, who is obviously not playing at the same level as mere mortals!

------------------
Mark

Russ Rickmann · Post by **Russ Rickmann** » 26 Jul 2006 11:48 am

JC my friend, I have had the honor to play bass behind you and have listened to you play many of your vintage and new “pro” model guitars, and your playing is as true on every guitar you sit behind….the GP won’t notice the tone change for the notes and lines you play will be the same! But I still prefer the tone and sustain of your other guitars over the Carter Starter…….JMHO. Now c’mon and admit it…….you just don’t want to carry those heavy guitars around any longer do ya! Your buddy, Russ

Sonny Priddy · Post by **Sonny Priddy** » 26 Jul 2006 12:31 pm

Bad Boy Bobbie.ha.ha. SONNY.

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

John Coffman · Post by **John Coffman** » 26 Jul 2006 4:48 pm

I had a starter and it was a fair unit for the money. I did have a problem getting the pickup just set right to get and even tone. Other than that it is great for and all weather unit plus at about 22 lbs you can sprint to the bus home. It would be a shame damage a vintage steel. Have you thought of one of the new magnums from Carter?

------------------
Thomas SD10 3/4,Thomas D10 8/5 and Desert Rose S10 3/4. Beginner

[This message was edited by John Coffman on 26 July 2006 at 05:49 PM.]

Casey Lowmiller · Post by **Casey Lowmiller** » 26 Jul 2006 5:14 pm

I bought a used Carter-Starter from Billy Carr. It was shipped from Mississippi to Hays, KS & when it arrived at my house was set out on the porch in 100+ heat for about 4hrs until I came home to discover it. I unpacked it & set it up & monkey'd around with it...IT WAS STILL IN TUNE AFTER ALL THAT!!!

It goes through some pretty good temper-ature changes sitting in my house & stays in tune.

I've had it for about a month, haven't changed the strings yet, haven't broken a string yet & haven't had to retune it.

How many instruments could do something like that...not very many. If I ever get good enough to gig...I'm taking it for sure, it's rock solid, nice looking & super lightweight...mine has a nice tone too!!!

Casey

------------------
Known Coast to Coast as
"The Man with The Plan"

Carter-Starter, Fender Pedal 800, Fender Champion, Guyatone Double-neck, a cheap Artisan & a Homemade Double-neck!

Jody Cameron · Post by **Jody Cameron** » 27 Jul 2006 10:20 am

Thanks for the replys, guys. Well, I used the Carter last night on a live gig at Sam's Roadhouse in Houston, TX with a five-piece band of rockin' professional players. It really performed well; stayed in tune nicely all night, with less tweaks than my Emmons.

The tone, of course, is not Emmons or Sho-Bud, but it certainly was not bad, in fact it fit right in real well with this particular group I was with.

All in all, the little guitar passed the "playing with a band" test with flying colors, so I will consider taking it out on bigger shows in the future!

JC

Ray Jenkins · Post by **Ray Jenkins** » 28 Jul 2006 4:00 pm

Glad to hear your not using your Emmons in all the storms.I know you sound great with the Carter Starter.Hey Buddy go ahead and play my Emmons in the heat,it's used too it.Coming from Az.it's just not used to the rain.
Ray[This message was edited by Ray Jenkins on 28 July 2006 at 05:00 PM.]

Steve Stallings · Post by **Steve Stallings** » 31 Jul 2006 6:52 am

Anyone who has ever heard you play knows that you could make a grown man cry with a rusty ol' red baron and three strings.

Of course, I've been known to bring tears to the eyes of grwon men too... unfortunately, they are tears of laughter.

The Ballad of Jake Masters

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

Steve Stallings
The Songs

Jody Cameron · Post by **Jody Cameron** » 31 Jul 2006 10:32 am

Thank so much Steve!

Bobby Bowman and I are beefing up the undercarriage, and it's coming out really nice. The guitar has a nice tone, and with a little heavier mechanics it's perfect for taking on the road.

Bobby does great work on anything he touches, and settles for nothing less than perfection in his work. I feel lucky to live close enough to him to watch and learn.

JC