GFI or Bust

Rick Nicklas · Post by **Rick Nicklas** » 8 Jul 2006 5:38 am

Going to California next week to help my daughter move to Missouri. On my way I am going to stop at Blackie Taylors to check out a GFI U-12. Any of you guys own a GFI U-12 that can tell me what you think of the pedal action and how you feel about your guitar in general? He does not have a single neck in the U-12, only the double with pad. I am pretty sure I want just the single. I haven't found a padded neck yet that I liked.

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Rick
Kline U-12, Nashville 112 and 1000, Hilton Volume Pedal

Steven Black · Post by **Steven Black** » 8 Jul 2006 5:48 am

Hey Rick, I do not own a GFI U12 but I did get to try one out and the pedals are as smooth as butter, I am not endorsing this guitar or any other brand, I am just saying I liked it very much, I would get one with 7 pedals and 5 or 6 knee levers, the guitar fits well with me and the knee levers were to the back of the guitar where I can reach them, it will be my next guitar.

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 8 Jul 2006 6:51 am

FWIW Blackie is a good guy, but he really hard-sells the GFI's. Be prepared. I've gone in for parts and he tries to switch me to a new GFI every time. Just make sure you REALLY like it and you're not giving in to being pressured.

Curt Langston · Post by **Curt Langston** » 8 Jul 2006 7:26 am

Rick, those GFI's will sell themselves. I'd just make sure to see all the color combinations. The Candy Blue frame on a black mica looks stunning to me. IMHO

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 8 Jul 2006 11:49 am

The GFI's I've played have all been fine guitars. I especially like the candy apple red with the black frame.

Dan Sliter · Post by **Dan Sliter** » 8 Jul 2006 6:13 pm

I dont have a U12 But i do have a D-10.
I got it several years ago.The Ser # is 0053
and It plays as good as a lot of the more expensive guitars.I have never had any problems with it and i played it for years most every weekend.I have added some pulls to it and when i call Gene to get something he has got it right out to me and has been very helpful in any way he could be.I dont think you would be sorry.

J Hill · Post by **J Hill** » 8 Jul 2006 8:01 pm

Rick,

My guitar is an S-10 and its got a 2.5 inch fat (not flat) pad. Its a good looking single neck only 8.5 inches wide. Something to think about.

David Higginbotham · Post by **David Higginbotham** » 8 Jul 2006 9:06 pm

I have a D-10 GFI that is the best guitar I have ever had! I recently had a U-12 without a pad that I really liked, but just couldn't get the hang of it. As for as tone and playability, the U-12 was fine. But I still prefer the D-10 I have. Rest assured you will not be disappointed with a GFI!
Dave

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GFI D-10, Roland GP-100 & Mosvalve 500 into two Black Widow 1501-4's, Fender Hot Rod Deluxe

Sonny Priddy · Post by **Sonny Priddy** » 9 Jul 2006 3:50 pm

GFI's Are Great I Have One. SONNY.

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Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 9 Jul 2006 10:45 pm

I've got a red & gold 2004 GFI Ultra D-10 with eight pedals and five knees. It's the best guitar I've ever played and it's my current steel. I've played this guitar at every show I've played so far and I'm amazed at how well the GFI stays in tune. GFIs are great guitars and I think you can't go wrong with a GFI. Brett, Emmons S-10, Morrell lapsteel, GFI Ultra D-10

Rick Nicklas · Post by **Rick Nicklas** » 10 Jul 2006 3:12 am

I leave this morning for California.... I thank each one of you for the information you gave me here. Now I have to listen to my Grandson "Are we there yet"? for 2000 miles....

bOb.... your FORUM is a wonderful place for every steeler in the world to hang out once in a while. It kind of reminds me of a Tavern for Steel Guitarist's. Everyone drops in once in a while just to listen or chat. You get everything from logic; drama; love; satire; hate; jokes; incredible valuable information; scientific evidence; commoradory; apologies; easy remedies; free professional advice ......well, it's all here.. thanks to all for the greatest reality show on earth... "The Steel Guitar Forum".

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Rick
Kline U-12, Nashville 112 and 1000, Hilton Volume Pedal

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 10 Jul 2006 4:18 am

Blackie is a great guy and an icon here in So Calfornia. His 75th birthday party was a reunion of everybody in this part of the state who had ever played country music. I saw people there whom I hadn't seen in decades.

It's true, Blackie loves GFI guitars. In the past he has played other brands, (Most recently Sierra) but he thinks GFI is simply the best, both in terms of tone, and mechanics.

Jim S, knowing Blackie as I do, I believe he tried to sell you a GFI because he thinks you'll be better off with a modern steel guitar than your old Fender 400. You may see him as a bit of a high pressure salesman, but I think he's more of a wise old man with 50 uears of accumulated knowledge and experience, who thinks you are making a mistake and is trying to steer you in what he believes is the right direction.

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My web site

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 10 Jul 2006 4:56 am

I have a GFI 12 universal keyless. Nice guitar and fairly light.

Jerry Malvern · Post by **Jerry Malvern** » 10 Jul 2006 7:29 am

Well said Mike.

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 10 Jul 2006 8:53 pm

You can't go wrong with a GFI. Gene Fields is a master designer and master builder and has the best keyless system ever. jody.

Fred Jack · Post by **Fred Jack** » 11 Jul 2006 9:35 am

Jim S. : Blackie wants the best for you.

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 12 Jul 2006 12:02 pm

But, but, but! You've already got a Kline!

Jerry Hayes R.I.P. · Post by **Jerry Hayes R.I.P.** » 13 Jul 2006 2:30 am

The GFI is without a doubt one of the finest instruments to ever grace the world of steel guitar. I've known Gene Fields (and Blackie Taylor) for over 40 years and never had a bad thing to say about anything they've been involved with. Gene's always been a mechanical genius since his days with Fender and later EMCI. He was responsible for that 16 pedal (heel & toe) Fender 1000 that Al Petty played back in the old days. At Scotty's in 2004 I was in the GFI room where Gene had a S-12 which had 8 & 6 on it. One of the knee levers was actually a "wrist" lever. I'd only seen those on MSA guitars. It was a used guitar that someone had traded in on something else and at that time I could have walked away with it for $1200 but I didn't. Still kickin' myself in the butt for that one.............JH in Va.

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Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!!

Mike Vallandigham · Post by **Mike Vallandigham** » 14 Jul 2006 6:38 am

I am jonesing hard for a new GFI D-10 keyless. I just want to call up bobbe and have him order one for me, but I've never played one. gotta try one out in Mesa in January...

I want a GFI

Bill Bassett · Post by **Bill Bassett** » 16 Jul 2006 8:15 am

I recently ordered and received a new GFI S-12 Universal keyless. I wanted to get the guitar with the smallest footprint due to the tight spaces the bands have to set up in around here. So far I have had no real trouble with the guitar...but I will say that I am having to work a little harder than I expected to on tone. Maybe it's the aluminum neck, maybe the pickup, maybe my technique, whatever, it sounds a little shrill to me. The guitar itself is all that I hoped for, I just feel I need to find the right combination of volume pedal, amp and settings to suit my tastes.

BD Bassett
Rimrock AZ

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 16 Jul 2006 1:10 pm

Bill, I'm not sure what amp you use, but I think a GFI sounds good with a Peavey Nashville 112. Mike, I think you'll love the GFI. Brett, Emmons S-10, Morrell lapsteel, GFI Ultra D-10<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Brett Day on 16 July 2006 at 02:14 PM.]</p></FONT>

Ronnie Miller · Post by **Ronnie Miller** » 17 Jul 2006 5:10 am

"Jim S, knowing Blackie as I do, I believe he tried to sell you a GFI because he thinks you'll be better off with a modern steel guitar than your old Fender 400."
HELLO!!!!!!

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 17 Jul 2006 9:05 am

great guitars...

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"Promat"
~when tone matters~ www.promatsteelguitars.com

Jerry Malvern · Post by **Jerry Malvern** » 4 Aug 2006 4:19 pm

Well Rick, did you try it out and what do you think?

Rick Nicklas · Post by **Rick Nicklas** » 4 Aug 2006 8:09 pm

Jerry.... I tried out the GFI Uni and it was not what I was looking for. The last 12 months I have tried the Excel, Williams and GFI. All of them keyless universals. I have not found one yet that I would give up my Kline to. But that is just me. I just wish Joe Kline still made new guitars and updated a few features that the Excel seems to have over them all. I will try them all at the St. Louis Convention to see if some may have that magic feel that everyone has a different opinion on. But for now I'm still in the "Kline Corral". Thanks to all you guys for the posts.

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Rick
Kline U-12, Nashville 112 and 1000, Hilton Volume Pedal