Entry level sd-10 prices prohibitive?

[Scott Denniston]

I've been looking around for a friend that thinks he'd like to get into it and take some lessons. I had told him it doesn't have to be a rich man's sport to start out. Guess I need to get out more. I was thinking he could get a decent starter for around $600 but I guess I might have been dreaming. Those days are gone I guess. People will be pretty hesitant to get their feet wet at these prices. The majority of guys I've known gave it up after a few weeks anyway.

[Gary Watkins]

I've been looking around for a friend that thinks he'd like to get into it and take some lessons. I had told him it doesn't have to be a rich man's sport to start out. Guess I need to get out more. I was thinking he could get a decent starter for around $600 but I guess I might have been dreaming. Those days are gone I guess. People will be pretty hesitant to get their feet wet at these prices. The majority of guys I've known gave it up after a few weeks anyway.

If any of your friends that gave it up after a few weeks, want to sell the steel, please have them to contact me.

[K Maul]

I’ll say it again. $900 in 2000 was $575, in 1980 - $275, in 1970 - $130
These are very well built instruments for $900. Tell your friend. http://www.justicesteelguitars.com/S10%20Jr.html

[Scott Denniston]

Thanks K Maul I'll pass that on. I think he'll want to go with something used though.

[Dave Hopping]

If you have to ask what something costs, you can't afford it.....

[Karl Paulsen]

Thanks K Maul I'll pass that on. I think he'll want to go with something used though.

Fair enough, but for a beginner something at least fairly recent is often better. There can be a steep learning curve for a newbie to maintain an old steel.

Also you aren't going to find something fairly recent and used for much less than the cost of the Justice mentioned above.

Advise your friend to put a grand together and start looking hard.

[Scott Denniston]

That's true Karl. I had the luxury of a cheap ($400) ole sd10 Bud in '79 but had someone to help me with it and even add another lever. I think that Justice is the best way for my friend to go so he'll have to decide. He's about 800 miles away so I can only suggest.

[K Maul]

That's true Karl. I had the luxury of a cheap ($400) ole sd10 Bud in '79.

Please remind him that $400 in ‘79 is $1,483 today. Even though the $900 Justice has just 2+1 it is enough to make a lot of music with and learn the basics plus lots more. Other pedals and knees can be easily added later.

[Roger Rettig]

Fred's guitar sounds like a sure winner at that price!

It sounds to me like it's the new 'Carter-Starter' (in terms of its market position) but would be a far superior instrument in every respect.

Finding around $1000 to get started on steel-guitar is just a part of the commitment that one has to make. The real commitment is the effort that will be required to make headway. Thoroughly enjoyable, but effort, nonetheless.

My first steel was a ZB Student in 1972 at £420 Pounds Sterling - I'm not sure of what that represented in present-day numbers but I know it was a darned sight more than $1000!

[Jack Hanson]

I remember my first automobile cost me $40.00. I ran it for a few months before it blew, and upgraded to a $60.00 car that I wish I still had. When you consider what kind of motor vehicle you're gonna get nowadays for $900, a brand-new Justice (or even a $2500 Mullen Discovery) seems a relative bargain.

[Scott Denniston]

So that $400 a week I'd made playing in the early '80s must be $1500 now. Man that's 6K a month. I can live on that!!
I agree Roger. That looks like the best bet I've seen lately.

[John Larson]

You get what you pay for. The last thing a beginner needs is the added hassle of dealing with a mechanical nightmare instrument. Learning PSG is enough of a learning curve. Get an instrument that is working properly. PSG retain their prices fairly well so if your friend gives it up its not a huge financial crash.

[Jerry Overstreet]

viewtopic.php?t=371353
On occasion, something like this comes along. Then you have to consider there is no support anymore and that you're dealing with a 40 + yr. old guitar.

Still, maybe a reasonable value to get started on.

I bought my first pedal steel in 78, I think. It was a new 3+1 Red Baron that I paid $450 for. I had no idea of pedal steels and did not know it was a student level instrument or even what one should cost. Still, I have no regrets of scraping and struggling to raise the funds. That amount barely pays for an iPhone, these days. 😖

Today, I think the Stage One is the best value and you can tell how popular it is by the backlog of orders.

It's a matter of priority and commitment, I think.

[Scott Denniston]

Thanks Jerry I'll throw that at him too. It's kind of what I had in mind to begin with but I'm thinking the Justice would be a much better deal for him in the long run.

[Jerry Overstreet]

Oh yeah, no question. Modern upgradable instrument.

[Donny Hinson]

It's all in what you want, and how bad you want it. Buying expensive things using a credit card makes it popular and pretty easy these days!

[Chris Brooks]

Scott, the boys are giving you some good advice vis-a-vis new vs. used.

Steel is hard enough to play even when everything's working right.

Chris

[Mike Ritchie]

There are many good steel guitars but I have to say my Justice has to be about the best bang for the buck out there. I have a couple of older guitars I also like but I am constantly having to tweak something on them so they are sitting idle for now while I am learning the fundamentals on the Justice, it just plays like butter and sounds awesome.

[Dave Hopping]

My old Irish grandmother used to say "Sometimes the cheapest way to get something is to pay for it!"

[Dick Wood]

Spend a little more now and you won't be finding you wish you had later.

[Scott Denniston]

Well personally I'm on my 6th steel and I know better than to go cheap. That'll be my friend's choice to make but I've got him leaning towards the Justice now.

Dave, my Swedish grandmother used to say "If you marry for money....you'll earn it."