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Topic: Let's talk $$$$$$$$? |
Danny Bentley
From:
Hendersonville Tn
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Posted 22 Apr 2002 9:45 am |
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| I plan to buy A new SD-10 4&5 guitar later this year. Mr Franklin ask me $4,000, how does this price compare with the other top of the line guitars? |
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Keith Murrow
From:
Wichita, KS
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Posted 22 Apr 2002 9:56 am
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| .. [This message was edited by Keith Murrow on 26 October 2004 at 04:04 PM.] |
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Larry Bell
From:
Englewood, Florida
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Posted 22 Apr 2002 10:08 am
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Franklin is somewhat of a 'designer guitar'. It is handmade by a master craftsman. If you have the money, it's probably worth every penny. I have NEVER heard anyone complain about this brand of guitar although I've never owned one.
The price is higher than most, but not the highest. I believe that an Anapeg (made in Australia by another master craftsman, Noel Anstead) is more expensive, but I've never seen a price list.
The Franklin is in the 'upper echelon' of steels, price-wise. Emmons, Mullen, Sierra, and ZumSteel fall into a similar price point. There are other brands that are less expensive. Fessenden and Carter are among the (slightly) less expensive guitars that I like personally.
This is not a poor man's instrument, unfortunately. But if you must have a new guitar and it must be a Franklin, you've pretty well locked yourself into that price range. It's also a fact that used Franklins are very scarce.
Good luck with your quest.
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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Emmons D-10 9x9, 1971 Dobro
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 22 Apr 2002 2:10 pm
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| What Larry said! |
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ROBERT MYERS
From:
HEDGESVILLE, W.VA. USA
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Posted 22 Apr 2002 3:56 pm
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Danny, check out the Derby.
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Bob Myers Derby S10 3&4 |
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Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
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Posted 22 Apr 2002 4:37 pm
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My way of getting over this type of sticker shock is to visit a guitar shop or two.
You can look at Les Pauls going for $4000+ or more all day long.
When you compare the number of parts, assembly, craftsmenship, ect..., Pedal Steel Guitar prices start to seem like a pretty good deal! |
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Danny Bentley
From:
Hendersonville Tn
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Posted 22 Apr 2002 4:45 pm
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"Upper Echelon guitars"?
Are they built better than less expensive brands? Do these guitars have parts that are more expensive to get?[This message was edited by Danny Bentley on 22 April 2002 at 05:47 PM.] |
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Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
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Posted 22 Apr 2002 5:36 pm
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I visited quite a bit with Eddie Fulawka at Chattanooga last week.
He makes avery part of his axe by hand, including winding pickups, making cords, ect...
I forget the exact number he told me, but there are over 1000 parts total in each axe.
He makes them all himself.
Some brands farm out part orders to machine shops which is less expensive and less time consuming.
Just one example of why one brand might cost more. |
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Larry Bell
From:
Englewood, Florida
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Posted 22 Apr 2002 5:56 pm
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Danny,
What denotes an upper echelon guitar to me is the endorsement (not necessarily a monetary one) of major players. If Buddy Emmons or Paul Franklin or John Hughey or Herby Wallace or . . . plays your guitar your stock goes up. If more than one does, all the better.
In answer to your question, no two pedal steel brands are exactly alike, to my knowledge. The design differences, although sometimes subtle, can make discernable differences in tone. The overall sound of the guitar, as judged by the best experts (top players), is something most builders stake their reputation (and their price) on.
(Nowhere did I say I subscribe to any of that stuff. I love the sound of my Fessenden and no top pros play it -- except perhaps Robert Randolph and that's not exactly classic pedal steel tone.  )
It's all smoke and mirrors anyway. Think about it: No all-pull guitar has achieved the push-pull qualities, though many have tried. It's more art than science in many respects. There are still a multitude of mechanical problems to correct, as well.
Bottom line is a guitar is worth what folks will pay for it.
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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Emmons D-10 9x9, 1971 Dobro
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Kenny Davis
From:
Great State of Oklahoma
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Posted 22 Apr 2002 6:52 pm
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I'm thinking......  |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Matt Steindl
From:
New Orleans, LA, USA
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Posted 23 Apr 2002 7:49 am
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Bob, I will take my 1972 BMW 60/5 motorcycle over anything Harley has ever made!
Oh yeah, I drive a big BMW car as well, wouldnt trade it for a piece of crap "bitchin Camaro" ever! Beyond the yuppie label(which I am not), they are some of the best cars made!!!
NOT A WEENIE!
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Mattman in "The Big Sleazy"-:
S-10 Dekley, Suitcase Fender Rhodes, B-bender Les Paul
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Al Marcus
From:
Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)
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Posted 23 Apr 2002 8:44 am
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Danny-You must make your own decision on this. If you are rich and got a lot of money , then you percieve what is the best in your opinion, and get it.
I go along with Larry Bell on this subject. It seems that all the builders are building good high quality , good sounding guitars.
Maybe a top Artist might need that slight perceived edge that one guitar might have over the other, and be willing to pay for it.
But for me, and my Back, I'll take Lightweight, easy action, good value for the money. Offhand I can think of at least 3, Carter, Excel, and GFI. ....al |
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Marco Schouten
From:
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Posted 23 Apr 2002 8:54 am
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Personally I think Williams is a great deal.
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Steelin' Greetings
Marco Schouten
Sho-Bud Pro III Custom
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Al Marcus
From:
Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)
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Posted 23 Apr 2002 9:13 am
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| Marco-Yes, Williams is another one, I forgot. Probably a few more too...al |
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Graham
From:
Marmora, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 23 Apr 2002 9:22 pm
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My new left handed Fulawka S-10 with 4 and 5 cost me $2500. It also has a pad on it. Ed does this by moving the neck closer to the front of the guitar instead of putting it in the middle of the top.
Pete:
You may have seen my steel at Chattanooga. Ed borrowed it at my suggestion 'cause you can't go to too many steel shows and try out a left-handed steel, if you are a lefty.
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Rebel™
ICQ 614585
http://users.interlinks.net/rebel/steel/steel.html
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Russ Rickmann
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 24 Apr 2002 1:16 pm
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| Just from the post on the Zum Steel.....you may want to consider that as a choice. Russ |
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Reggie Duncan
From:
Mississippi
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Posted 25 Apr 2002 9:14 pm
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| Danny, take a Saturday off and go down to Steel Guitar Nashville. Time well spent. |
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slick
From:
Calhoun Georgia
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Posted 26 Apr 2002 1:36 pm
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Reggie is absolutely right,go see Bobbe.
S---K
Wayne Broyles |
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Guest
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 27 Apr 2002 12:06 pm
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| If money is important used steels are a good bet. [This message was edited by Bob Hoffnar on 27 April 2002 at 01:09 PM.] |
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Bob Carlson
From:
Surprise AZ.
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Posted 27 Apr 2002 7:09 pm
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Danny, I bought a new SD-10 Emmons five years ago from Dennis Kirkland down in Casa Grande Arizona. At the time I never thought I would want to learn the C6th neck. I was WRONG. So I would give some thought to buying a single neck. And as far as the price goes, it was fair.
Bob.[This message was edited by Bob Carlson on 27 April 2002 at 08:12 PM.] |
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