Just Played a MARLEN

Paul Warnik · Post by **Paul Warnik** » 4 Sep 2002 12:21 pm

I just was over to see a Marlen D-10 8&4 that is for sale not too far away-the price was right and the guitar would be totally workable with only a few rods missing underneath-this is what I believe is a later model with triple raise/double lower mechanism (not the earlier single finger push/pull)-would any of you Marlen players out there share what they think are the better points of playing/owning this brand of guitar? Even though I declined to buy it right then-I am not posting this to slam anyone who owns/plays this brand of pedal steel only to get some feedback to see if I am missing out on somethings that may make buying this guitar worthwhile

Jerry Fleming · Post by **Jerry Fleming** » 4 Sep 2002 5:11 pm

Hi Paul,

First let me say there are many fine guitars to choose from today. In my opinion the Marlen is a great guitar and you should consider it. I have a new Marlen and could not be more pleased. The pedal action is smooth and accurate. I am very pleased with the tone and sustain. The best part is it stays in tune! I wish I knew how to post a picture... it is also a beautiful guitar.

All the best,

Jerry Fleming, Blacksburg Virginia

Ken Latchum · Post by **Ken Latchum** » 4 Sep 2002 8:41 pm

Hi Paul: Just a few comments about Marlen Guitars! If you happen to hear the Internet radio broadcast from St.Lewis this past weekend there was a discussion about Mr Stadler(The Marlen Steelguitar Manufacture). They were sayin he was the very 1st person and Co. to put a steelguitar in Scotty's business (on the floor Plan) when Scotty was getting started in Business and Scotty didn't want anyone to forget Mr. Stadler as he still appreciates what Leonard did for him. Leonard is a very find christian person and he still manufactures a very fine Guitar. He has been in business continually since 1955 and is one of the oldest Pedal steelguitar businesses around. There are a lot of Marlens out there and a lot of them show up at all of our MASGA Jams. (Not to knock anyone else but) They seem to be the Main Sound of the Shows with Jerry Flemming,Mike Calaway, Arnett Mills, Joe and David Turner playing Marlens over here on the East Coast. (I am sure if the folks that read this thread and "they attend the MASGA Jams" will be glad to verify my statement)
Mr Stadler is still in business today and still makes new guitars as well as having repair parts availible. I am sure anyone that may have an interest can go to his web page at www.reidsville.net/stadlermusic and look at some of his beautiful guitars and even see a picture of Leonard. I know there are a lot of great guitars and guitar Manufactures out there and I do not want to Knock anyone of them but I would like to have everyone know that a Marlen guitar is Manufactured with "customer satisfaction" in mind and anyone that buys a Marlen I am sure will be very happy, for when they do, Leonard will do what ever it takes to make you satisfied. He is a very fine business man as well as being a very fine person. I am sure there are a lot of folks out there in the steelguitar world would 2nd that. If Anyone is interested in Seeing a picture Jerry's Guitar and one of Mine that were custom made from Cocobola wood I will be glad to send them a picture as an attachment by e-mail.

Thanks for reading this Thread!!
Ken Latchum
President MASGA[This message was edited by Ken Latchum on 04 September 2002 at 09:50 PM.][This message was edited by Ken Latchum on 07 September 2002 at 07:20 AM.]

johnnyb · Post by **johnnyb** » 4 Sep 2002 8:54 pm

jb[This message was edited by johnnyb on 04 June 2005 at 06:25 AM.]

Brad Burch · Post by **Brad Burch** » 5 Sep 2002 6:04 am

I just bought an early 90's model D10 8X5 from the original owner who had Leonard custom make it for him. I can't put into words how impressed I am at this guitar. It is green/tan lacquer on some of the most beautiful birdseye maple I've seen. It is built to last a lifetime, plays and sounds incredible. Go to the Stadler music website and have a look at the undercarriage on these guitars. So many people associate the Marlen name with push/pull that the later model all pull guitars usually go for very, very reasonable prices. I researched this guitar before purchasing and Stadler music and Ken Latchum were incredibly helpful and answered all my questions. If you want further confirmation on the quality of Marlen guitars, talk to Ricky Davis,...big fan.

Paul Warnik · Post by **Paul Warnik** » 5 Sep 2002 10:00 am

Thanks to all you guys for your viewpoints about the Marlen-I was thinking about it for a spare guitar to keep set up at my girlfriends or just at practice-perhaps it would be worth having and fixing up-but if any of you guys want it-you can email me for the info on the seller

Paul Warnik · Post by **Paul Warnik** » 2 Apr 2003 10:26 am

Does anyone have any extra parts to spare such as bellcranks??? Ricky D???

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 2 Apr 2003 11:47 am

Mr Stadler is still in business today and still makes new guitars as well

Um, I was under the impression that Mr Stadler had "moved on" to other things.

Bowie Martin · Post by **Bowie Martin** » 2 Apr 2003 2:36 pm

Leonard passed away several months ago. He was one fine man, a true gentleman...All of us over this way miss him..

Kenny Dail · Post by **Kenny Dail** » 2 Apr 2003 3:00 pm

Mr Leonard Statler has just recently passed away. I don't know if the family is keeping the Marlen Steel Guitar manufactoring in business or not.

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kd...and the beat goes on...

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 2 Apr 2003 4:21 pm

Hey Paul..funny you should ask...ha...I was just fixin' to try and find some myself..
I was gunna email Ken Latchum to try and get a lead on some...If you find any parts...lemme know..and I'll do the same.
I'm in the process of restoring a BEAUTIFUL Marlen that is the ole single finger pull/release...and they sound AWESOME...
The later triple/double changers...are fine...and they play great and sound good...but there is a voice that just comes outta the Marlen from the pull/release days...
Ricky

Wayne Brown · Post by **Wayne Brown** » 2 Apr 2003 9:00 pm

i have 14 bell cranks from a 1996 all pull marlen i would sell...20.00us plus shipping sound cool??? email me
thanks
wayne

Paul Warnik · Post by **Paul Warnik** » 3 Apr 2003 9:17 am

Wayne-I will take the bell cranks if they are the center pull kind with the little collar and set screw that slip inside the holes of the bellcranks (which attach to the crosshafts with the two allen screws)-thanks-PW

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 3 Apr 2003 2:30 pm

Hey Paul; I'll split those with ya???ha.
...and yes they need to have the center bushing with set screw....and are there any rods that come with Wayne??
.....and What else do ya have Wayne...any older parts???
Ricky

Wayne Brown · Post by **Wayne Brown** » 3 Apr 2003 5:04 pm

i'll check to see what i have ....i may have a whole under carrage for one
thanks
wayne

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 4 Apr 2003 6:24 am

Hey Paul,
The last two steel things I went to on this side of the country was the Southern Steel show in Saluda, SC last August and the MASGA Jam & Show in Wilson, NC in February. In Saluda, I'd have to say the best tone I heard was from Joe Turner on his S-12 Marlen and there were some Nashville heavyweights on the show also. In Wilson, I got to meet Jerry Fleming who played his D-10 Marlen and there was a "Heavyweight" steel player on the show also but I'd have to say the man who had "Tone to the Bone" was Jerry. I was impressed with the way his tone was so full and fat, yet bright at the same time. I hope they're still in business as that just might be my next guitar....JH

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Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

Paul Warnik · Post by **Paul Warnik** » 4 Apr 2003 7:55 am

Jerry H-thats cool-there seems to be the heaviest congregation of Marlen players in the Southeast area of the country-This is only the third one that I have ever seen in my area-as I recall the other two were like student models-I am doing my best to get this one cleaned,set up,and adjusted with some added changes-I may keep it as a knock around for practice or as a student loaner-Or you just might see it here for sale soon-I am having the pedal rack polished out and I have already remounted the changer bolts and buffed out the changer finger tops and re-strung it up-It resonates pretty good!