carter steel guitars

Daniel McKee · Post by **Daniel McKee** » 21 Feb 2009 1:07 pm

i went to the carter steel guitar site i was amazed at all the selections of colors and wood it had to be the best steel site ive been to besides bobbe seymours site ive never played one so i wanted to know other peoples opinion on carter steels

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 21 Feb 2009 2:43 pm

Opinions will vary from "love 'em" to "hate 'em". Search the forum and you will find weeks worth of reading on them.

All the makers will have a good selection of colors and would probably special order a special mica if you paid the extra bucks.

By the way, I have Carter and think it's great.

Dick Wood · Post by **Dick Wood** » 21 Feb 2009 3:59 pm

I've owned 4 since 1996 and feel they are a great guitar.It's not often I sit down to a brand new guitar that feels just right without tweaking this and that but Bud knows how to build them just right.

Pedal action is smooth and precise and they stay in tune better than any guitar I've ever owned.

I have been playing a Williams for over two years but would buy another Carter without hesitation.

A. J. Schobert · Post by **A. J. Schobert** » 21 Feb 2009 3:59 pm

The best medacine when wanting to buy a steel is to test drive as many as you can, I have a carter and I think they are great, but in the end it is your money so you will probably find yourself having to travel to try different steels.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 21 Feb 2009 4:45 pm

I also have a new Williams and it is my main guitar right now (only 'cuz it's new and exciting), but will probably play both equally when the new of the Willy wears off. I was actually going to buy another Carter (lacquer) when I bought my Willy, but decided on the Willy to add to my stable.

Micky Byrne · Post by **Micky Byrne** » 22 Feb 2009 2:49 am

Daniel, as Richard said, there is the love 'em or hate 'em thing. That can apply to a multitude of things on the planet. Re the Carter, I too have one!.... Since 1970 I've had just a few steels. A Denley (British make), then an Emmons, then a ZB, then my Sho-Bud universal 12 which I still have. I got the Carter universal which was already used in 2003...it's a 2000 model. It's all I need, the mechanics are great, the pedal and knees can't be bettered in "my" opinion of course, and the tone is great...and it's light

Having had all the others I can justly say,they are great guitars.

Micky Byrne United Kingdom

www.micky-byrne.co.uk

Hook Moore · Post by **Hook Moore** » 22 Feb 2009 5:22 am

Carter makes a very good guitar and from the order form to your house probably faster than any guitar on the market..
Hook

John Drury · Post by **John Drury** » 22 Feb 2009 8:31 am

Hook Moore wrote:Carter makes a very good guitar and from the order form to your house probably faster than any guitar on the market..
Hook

Amen Hook,

I have custom ordered two of them so far, both arrived in flawless condition, both were shipped ahead of schedule. I also recieved a follow up call each time from John and Ann to see how they were working out for me.

I don't think I have ever dealt with people that were any more accommodating than the staff at Carter.

Bill OConnor · Post by **Bill OConnor** » 22 Feb 2009 9:06 pm

I HAVE A MSA M3, A EMMONS LG111, A CARTER SD TRUETONE PUP THE TRUTH IS I PLAY THE CARTER MORE. CARTER IS A GOOD GUITAR FOR THE MONEY LIGHT EASY TO MOVE AND YOU CAN GET A GOOD TONE. SOME GREAT PLAYERS ARE PLAYING CARTERS MY FRIEND JIMMY BURRELL ORDERED ONE 6 YRS AGO SOME SAID IT WONT LAST A YEAR. HE HAS BEEN PLAYING THE BRANSON AREA FOR THE LAST 6 YEARS I VISITED HIM LAST SUMMER THE CARTER IS STILL LIKE NEW HE USES IT SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK . TO EACH HIS OWN I LIKE THE CARTER.

Roual Ranes · Post by **Roual Ranes** » 23 Feb 2009 8:14 am

I have a 1996 D10 and I dont think there is enough money to buy it. I know of others that will not sell theirs either.

Doc Hall · Post by **Doc Hall** » 23 Feb 2009 11:23 am

I purchased a Carter about 4 years ago and I credit the guitar with helping me develop my technique. It was well constructed and precise enough that it simplified the playing equation for me. I'm still not a great player, but I find that my improvement has been a lot more "even" and I credit the guitar for a portion of that improvement.

Bob Mc Donald · Post by **Bob Mc Donald** » 23 Feb 2009 12:30 pm

now on guitar #3 and I fine them awsome because of the small bodys my new one is a D-10 9 & 5 Black with a chrome insert. gotta love them.

Mike Kirkley · Post by **Mike Kirkley** » 4 Mar 2009 3:57 pm

Hi, Dan,
I have played many, many pedal steel guitars over the years, and while my first choice is the old Sho-Bud I've owned since 1983, I have no problem with the Carter line. Here in Australia, there are a lot of the Starters being sold to new and some not so new players, and every single one that I've been involved with here has been flawless, all with good tone and very playable. The guys that have gotten the Starters have nothing but good comments about the sound they get from these fine instruments. In my opinion, the Carter line is right up there at the top of the heap of good quality instruments, reasonably priced, and not too heavy in the weight department. And, their website is definitely top notch!!
Mike Kirkley
Sydney, Australia

Rick Winfield · Post by **Rick Winfield** » 5 Mar 2009 1:10 pm

I purchased a Carter in 08. It arrived ahead of schedule,in tune, didn't have to change a thing !
Smooth pedal action, easy knee levers, tooled arm pad,
beautiful looking and sounding with a GeorgeLs SS.
It helped me progress at a faster rate !
It's been 5 months and I'm thinking of putting on a new set of strings ! finally broke one, only because I turned the wrong key !! DOE !
Plenty of info and help available, plus parts and videos for all your needs.
Rick

Mike Schwartzman · Post by **Mike Schwartzman** » 5 Mar 2009 2:41 pm

A few months back I had the pleasure of visiting Billy Coopers to check out many of the excellent brands in stock both new and used. I'd only been playing 9-10 months at that point. Me and my buddy, Joe (also new to pedal steel) brought at least a dozen maybe 2 dozen various steels up to the same amp and played them with the same settings. Long story short...I took home a late model Carter SD10.

I guess what the deciding factors were #1, the Carter's mechanics just plain felt good to me personally, and #2, the Carter seemed to sustain as well or better as any without being plugged in at all. Who knows? I didn't. Maybe the Carter had newer strings than some others at the time. I don't know a lot more now, but it's a few months later and my current set of strings have a little mileage on them and I haven't regretted my choice for a moment.

Dale Boutilier · Post by **Dale Boutilier** » 5 Mar 2009 3:03 pm

Well.... I have a Carter I think its an 07 model and from day one I have been having a problem keeping the sixth string in tune. I was using a 22 plain but went back to 20 plain, Has anyone else had this problem? Any ideas what to do to fix?? Its been well lubed. Thanks

Al Brisco · Post by **Al Brisco** » 5 Mar 2009 4:19 pm

I have just spoken with Dale & suggested he apply some light oil on the brass pivots, plus drop some #30 weight motor down through the changer, in additon to making sure that the screws are tight on his rod pullers.
I trust his issue is an isolated case, as I've sold hundreds of Carters, plus have two as my personal guitars, & have never had an issue with this problem.
Remember, every scenario has its own characteristics which usually can be solved with a little help.
Sincerely,
Al Brisco

Allen Peterson · Post by **Allen Peterson** » 6 Mar 2009 5:07 am

I've owned a Carter D10 since 2000. It has been a great guitar and has required very little maintenance. The only problem I've had over the years is with a few weak return springs. This caused a clicking noise when the B pedal was depressed. It took a while to isolate the problem but was easily corrected with a new spring.

Allen Peterson

Allen Peterson · Post by **Allen Peterson** » 6 Mar 2009 5:09 am

I've owned a Carter D10 since 2000. It has been a great guitar and has required very little maintenance. The only problem I've had over the years is with a few weak return springs. This caused a clicking noise when the B pedal was depressed. It took a while to isolate the problem but was easily corrected with a new spring.

Allen Peterson

Dale Boutilier · Post by **Dale Boutilier** » 6 Mar 2009 7:02 am

Thanks Al I have picked up the 30 oil and well oiled it. I am sure it will do the trick, I wasn't cheap with the oil it is dripping a puddle,oiled the brass pivots they were dry. So I am sure this will make the difference. Will also recommend this to bob M cDonald his is over a year and I don't think he has done this to his. Thanks Again

Allen Peterson · Post by **Allen Peterson** » 6 Mar 2009 7:19 am

Sorry for the double post
Allen Peterson

Edward Meisse · Post by **Edward Meisse** » 6 Mar 2009 10:04 am

Thanks for this thread. I'm fixin' to buy my first pedal guitar. And I have found the Carter site to be very impressive as well. I'm going to go over all the sites thoroughly. And ask alot of questions like the one presented here. But so far Carter is head and shoulders above the pack. I expect to be buying a Carter.

Joseph Barcus · Post by **Joseph Barcus** » 6 Mar 2009 10:16 am

you should check Rains out I have never ever heard a bad thing at all about them. but Im a Carter hater so this should not apply lol

Tom Quinn · Post by **Tom Quinn** » 6 Mar 2009 12:18 pm

You don't have to answer but why do you describe yourself as a "Carter hater?" :- )

Ken Metcalf · Post by **Ken Metcalf** » 6 Mar 2009 12:22 pm

I am more than satisfied with my S-12 Carter..

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Six string not staying in tune that well?

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