Top Steel Brands?

David Friedlander · Post by **David Friedlander** » 4 Sep 2012 2:34 pm

HI Pickers, Upon hearing of the demise of Carter guitars, I realized that it seems there's no "big guy" anymore- however I've not shopped for a PSG for the last 10 years or so. Who's taken over the top spot?

Is Bill Rudolph still selling Wiliams guitars?
Are the Emmons people still putting out guitars?

Truth is, I was not a Carter fan, but they did at least seem like a "big' company- while most others seem like boutique shops with tiny production.....

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 4 Sep 2012 2:46 pm

Yes, Bill is still making great Williams guitars. Emmons seems to have slowed to a crawl, if it's even still producing. I have the impression that Mullen might now be making and selling more than any other single company, but I could be wrong about that...

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 4 Sep 2012 2:47 pm

Probably Mullen, MSA and Williams are the volume leaders. Not sure why you're down on the boutique axen. I love my Zum, I'd happily take a Franklin (but he's done building 12s).
GFI plays and sounds good

David Friedlander · Post by **David Friedlander** » 4 Sep 2012 3:34 pm

Thanks guys
Lane- I'm not down on Boutique makers at all.
That's pretty much the only way I l go.
I love my Williams, I think they're small enough to be called boutique....
But I love my Lamar even more. I love my Marlin most of all.
I was asking because it strikes me as such a small market that there's risk of not being able to buy a new guitar at some point in the future. Or maybe just have a very limited selection.
Your point about Franklin- if you can't buy a guitar from the maker, you have to wait to find one on the secondary market.
But the other implication is that of the maker is no longer in the business, and you need advice on how to fix it- or parts- you'd be in the position of having to get someone else to fix it/make the parts.

The presence of larger companies at least allows for the possibility of having them work on an axe made by a manufacturer who's no longer in business.
Of course there's probably boutique repair people as well...
But it seems like the presence of at least one "large" player is good for the business as a whole.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 4 Sep 2012 4:03 pm

If parts availability is a top concern, MSA Classic.
There's lots of 'em and Michael Yahl sells parts.
but my next guitar is going to be a fully loaded custom universal, and I would rather get it new and made for me rather than buy something on the secondary market that would then need lots of customizing.
the only likely exception would be a Pre-RP Mullen from Mickey Adams. But a frame up rebuild is pretty much like a new guitar.
Considering how few of us play these things, I doubt the market would sustain more than 1 or 2 factory operations.

EDIT: I seriously doubt that suppliers will dry up. Yes, Bruce and Paul Sr are slowing down ( but both are still taking orders), and some other older makers are also semi retiring. But others are coming into the game. I am not sure, but I believe there are more makers now than ever
At a stage of life when most people are retiring, Fred Justice is ramping up production And introducing new models.
While I do not see a huge boom in production numbers, I believe the future of the steel guitar is at least adequate

David Friedlander · Post by **David Friedlander** » 4 Sep 2012 4:38 pm

I think you get my point.
If part availability forces us to stick to one brand, it blows.
I agree about buying a guitar the way you want- again, this goes to how it sucks when makers are gone for axes you love.
I've purchased a few second hand Emmons guitars and the Lashley's were nice enough to set them up for me, for labor costs.

You mentioned Justice is making new models, can you point me to some? Is there a website?
I'd love to see what's new.

Looking at Willams website got me thinking how the market is shrinking.
I love my Williams, and there's no reason to change a great axe- but still nice to see new things.

Dave Bertoncini · Post by **Dave Bertoncini** » 4 Sep 2012 4:53 pm

Justice Guitars Website http://www.fredjusticemusic.com/index.html

David Friedlander · Post by **David Friedlander** » 4 Sep 2012 5:01 pm

Nice stuff! Thanks

Tony Dingus · Post by **Tony Dingus** » 4 Sep 2012 5:56 pm

Check out Russler guitars. I know they're new to the market and they're good guitars.

Tony

Daniel McKee · Post by **Daniel McKee** » 4 Sep 2012 7:08 pm

I see a lot of GFI and Mullen guitars out there but also a lot of Zums.

Larry Bressington · Post by **Larry Bressington** » 4 Sep 2012 7:26 pm

Tons and tons of great 'Used' out there on the market that don't need parts, just TLC.. Don't worry about parts, no builder is alive forever but there is always somebody with a jig that can make a part, you can keep an old ax going for decades IMHO.

Jim Hollingsworth · Post by **Jim Hollingsworth** » 4 Sep 2012 8:38 pm

Let's not forget Gary Rittenberry who is quietly turning out several great guitars a month. Maybe he's not as big as GFI or Mullen ... but he is building a fan base strong & steady.

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 4 Sep 2012 9:15 pm

Don't forget Jackson Steel-they've got some new Standard models now, in addition to the Pro IV, BlackJack Custom, Shot Jackson Commemorative, Madison '63 or Shot Jackson Classic...there's also a new six string Jackson Steel called "Lil' Bud. David, Harry, and Dawn Jackson are still building great steel guitars like they did when Jackson Steel started in '05. They are building steels in Lebanon, Tennessee and I'm proud to own/play a Jackson. There are so many great steel brands out there now.

Brett

Tommy White · Post by **Tommy White** » 5 Sep 2012 7:38 am

Show Pro steel guitars are among the best. I love mine. Show Pro also has virtually every accessory for steel guitar as well. Great customer service too. Just a great company.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 5 Sep 2012 7:52 am

Not sure what a "big guy" is, but I'd say that Zum and Mullen are the two most popular in the "new sales" category. (No favoritism here, since I don't own either one.)

Jerry Hayes R.I.P. · Post by **Jerry Hayes R.I.P.** » 5 Sep 2012 8:35 am

Don't forget the BMI... They've been around a very long time and still crankin' 'em out down in Arkansas.... I have two of them, both 12 stringers.......JH in Va.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 5 Sep 2012 9:20 am

I don't have any data to back it up, but I think that Mullen and GFI are the volume leaders. I get the impression that both are "factory" producers, while most of the others (excluding MSA) are one or two-person "workshops".

David Friedlander · Post by **David Friedlander** » 5 Sep 2012 9:34 am

Thanks for all the great answers guys.
I'm sure plenty of you realize that you can not buy a PSG in a store in New York City. A few places used to have Carter Starters, but that might have hurt more than it helped.

The truth is that this forum is a great resource to get questions answered for this of us not living near places where you can find them in stores..

Larry Baker · Post by **Larry Baker** » 5 Sep 2012 4:30 pm

Mullen guitars is family owned and operated. Del, Dixie Mullen and grandsons Mike and Sean. Not a big factory operation, but always quality workmanship and great customer relations. Larry

Tommy Shown · Post by **Tommy Shown** » 7 Sep 2012 7:08 am

b0b wrote:I don't have any data to back it up, but I think that Mullen and GFI are the volume leaders. I get the impression that both are "factory" producers, while most of the others (excluding MSA) are one or two-person "workshops".

I agree, I have been seeing alot of Mullen out there. I saw on facebook, the Emmons shop appeared empty. Makes one wonder, if they have decided to fold. I love the Emmons and thought they would be around for a long time.
Tommy Shown
SMFTBL

Tommy Shown · Post by **Tommy Shown** » 7 Sep 2012 7:11 am

About the BEST guitar, I have ever played is the EMCI. But they do not make them anymore. Great sound and a tone that would melt butter.
Tommy Shown
SMFTBL

Steve Dodson · Post by **Steve Dodson** » 7 Sep 2012 7:16 pm

Well i tell ya there are a lot of guitars to pick from.
But Rittenberry Guitars are really coming on strong.
Sit behind one and see for yourself.
You won't be sorry.

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 8 Sep 2012 6:54 am

Jack Wilson · Post by **Jack Wilson** » 8 Sep 2012 9:20 pm

GFI built almost 300 guitars last year, and is over 2700 on their serial numbers which is the total count since they started.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 9 Sep 2012 1:17 pm

Regarding the GFI, I played one the other week. I got a decent sound (I still sounded like me, and I ain't a fan of my tone, the effort to sweeten it has resulted in a noisier right hand).
They may never win a beauty contest, but they play good, sound good and feel good.

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