whats a decent steel at an affordable price??

Alex Piazza · Post by **Alex Piazza** » 7 Nov 2005 5:46 am

Ive almost been playing for a couple of years on a carter starter. Ive never had the opportunity to play any other steel guitar. Im gigging with this carter 3 times a week and Im beating the hell out of it. Im ready to move on to a more proffesional steel. I just dont know what to look for, Or the advantages certain brands have to offer. My girfriend wants a diamond ring as well. She would kill me if she found out that I spent 3,000 dollars on a guitar. is there anyway around spending that kind of dough?

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 7 Nov 2005 5:58 am

I'd look at the classifieds here Alex... you can find several brands of fine S 10 steels under a grand... BMI guitars are always quite resonable,, Dekley,certain Sierras,... MSA's are still reasonable, but seem to be going up... I've even seen Carter and GFI guitars for around $1200...

Post on the Instrument Wanted section with the price you can afford, weigh the responses you get, ask the guys here for thoughts, and you WILL find a good guitar at a reasonable price...Ebay once in a great while has a good deal, but lately I wouldn't hold my breath..... bob

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 7 Nov 2005 6:00 am

Bob Knight · Post by **Bob Knight** » 7 Nov 2005 6:20 am

Alex,
Call Danny or Bobbe at Steel Guitar Nashville. 615-822-5555, they will help you decide what you need.

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 7 Nov 2005 6:22 am

I would hesitate to buy a guitar that is no longer made (BMI, ZB, Emmons p/p, Sho-Bud, Dekley, Sierra, the older model MSA's) UNLESS you either are skilled at repair and setup of these brands or know someone close who is.

My advice is to buy as new a guitar as you can afford and choose a brand for which parts and advice are freely available. Trying to learn an instrument like pedal steel is tough enough. If you have to baby it like an old European sportscar, it will take time away from your learning.

My favorite guitar on the market today is Fessenden. I believe it is the best value with the best tone of anything out there.

A decent steel is one that you can live with and learn on. Nobody else will really know whether the guitar 'shakes hands' with you. IT MUST. You will find one that will. You know, one that just says "lets you and me make some music".

There is a good reason why there are so many different brands out there. Each brand has its own voice, personality, and mechanics. Try as many as you can.

And, as for the diamond ring, I can sympathize, but the question for your girlfriend is how much money is that diamond ring gonna make, compared to your guitar. My wife has never begrudged my purchasing any guitar that I actually gig with. For that I am eternally grateful -- even though that third guitar was a bit tough to justify.

Good luck with your choice. There are a bunch of great guitars out there.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 7 Nov 2005 6:49 am

This is an excellent time to buy a new steel guitar, since there are a number of builders making high-quality guitars.

I too would endorse Fessenden as an excellent choice. I've owned four Fessies, so that's another endorsement.

Zumsteels are considered among the finest steels made today, but there's a waiting list measured in years for a new one, and used models, when available, sell for a premium.

Carter pro-line guitars are reasonably priced, sound great, and offer excellent customer service. Carter is the industry leader in new guitar sales, without doubt.

A new guitar coming out of Abilene Texas is the Rains guitar, made by Bobby Rains and Gary Carpenter. The ones I've seen are excellent players and sound great. Probably couldn't go wrong with one of them.

Mullen guitars are also top-line, bullet-proof instruments. Again, probably couldn't go very wrong with a Mullen.

Franklin guitars are custom-made, practically impossible to find on the used market, but like the Zumsteel, are very highly rated. Guys that own them, like Zum owners, infrequently sell. They are also costly instruments.

The MSA Millenium is another premium guitar, with a premium price.

The best tack would be to call an established steel dealer to get information on what he's got, what you need, etc. Bobbe Seymour, Duane Dunard, Billy Cooper, and Frenchy Messier are four dealers that come to mind with a reputation to maintain that would help you with your choice.

When my wife and I were engaged, I told her I'd get her a diamond ring. She said she'd rather have a Martin guitar. How could I not marry this girl?

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 7 Nov 2005 7:25 am

To my knowledge, BMI and Sierra are currently being made. I have both, and are excellent guitars frequently found used at reasonable price tags. The BMI is particularly easy to work on, and I could easily imagine getting parts made for it even if it went out of production.

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 7 Nov 2005 8:38 am

So what's the scoop on BMI and Sierra?

Are they actually producing new guitars and selling replacement parts? I've heard the same about Sho-Bud, but haven't really seen a new one in ages.

I haven't heard of anyone buying a new one of either brand in several years. I know Sierra sold and everybody was buzzing about how new guitars were on the horizon, but did it ever really happen?

Inquiring minds want to know.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 7 Nov 2005 11:40 am

Here's Sierra's Website.
Tom Baker is running the plant now, and they are in full production of Pedals Steels and Lap Steels.
Tom can fill Sierra Session Series part(s) orders, and says he is planning to do a run of Sierra Crown Series parts as well.
http://sierrasteels.com/

Here's BMI's Website:
They also appear to be in full production of Pedal Steels. They have a tab on the website to order Parts. http://www.beckmusicalinstruments.com/
[This message was edited by Pete Burak on 07 November 2005 at 11:52 AM.]

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 7 Nov 2005 1:22 pm

I agree with Larry B. You are not too far from Scotty's Music in St. Louis. If he has several used pedal steels, it might be worth a trip to try them out. Also, he will fix it up with your setup. Bobbe Seymour at Steel Guitar Nashville will also fix you up with a good used steel with your setup. You may be able to get a slightly better deal, and more variety if you buy from an owner here on the Forum - but there can be unforeseen setup and adjustment problems. EBay steels are more likely to need work and to be overpriced. Try to get something made in the '80s or later, and that is still selling. Try to get the seller to set it up with your setup or a common setup (see the Carter web site for their most commonly requested setup). This will save you any major headaches, but you will still want to learn how to make adjustments to get the levers at the right place, and to get the pedal action you like. Start with a common setup, but get some spare parts so you can experiment a little at some point.

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 7 Nov 2005 2:31 pm

Larry.. parts are a snap for just about ANY steel except a real oddball dinosaur.. BMI parts a a piece of cake... I could make a lot of the stuff in my basement, and what I couldn't make someone else could with NO problem.. Guys like Bobby Bowman restore ALL brands of steels to new cond...parts are no biggie for most steel guitars anymore IMHO...bob

Jim Peters · Post by **Jim Peters** » 7 Nov 2005 2:57 pm

Alex, Scotty's has a really nice used GFI SD10, check it out. JP[This message was edited by Jim Peters on 07 November 2005 at 02:58 PM.]

Rex Thomas · Post by **Rex Thomas** » 7 Nov 2005 3:52 pm

Never mind. EVERYBODY'S advice on this thread is right on the money.[This message was edited by Rex Thomas on 07 November 2005 at 06:19 PM.]

Jack Francis · Post by **Jack Francis** » 7 Nov 2005 4:01 pm

Don't overlook the Desert Rose steels.

Great tone, REASONABLY priced, and IMHO
the are hard to beat for looks also.

Not a real long waiting time either.
http://www.desertroseguitars.com/ [This message was edited by Jack Francis on 07 November 2005 at 04:07 PM.]

Tyler Hall · Post by **Tyler Hall** » 7 Nov 2005 5:27 pm

I have a Fessenden, so here I go. I think the Fessy's are extremely hard to beat. I would put mine against a Zum, or Emmons anyday. They sound great, and are pretty easy on the wallet. A new D-10 Fessy is cheaper than a new SD-10 Emmons, and sounds every bit as good. Bobbe Seymour will make you a good deal on one.

P.S. Bobbe, can I get a discount for the plug?

D-10 Fessenden, Nashville 112, Session 500, Goodrich LDR

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 7 Nov 2005 5:32 pm

Alex the new Carters are a fine guitar and reasonably priced, stay in tune and play wonderfully well. You can order one off the floor right away if they have something you like, or about a 3 week wait for a brand new one of your choice. Can't beat that anywhere !

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 7 Nov 2005 5:52 pm

Another vote for Fessenden, except is is an incredible steel at a reasonable price

Damien Odell · Post by **Damien Odell** » 7 Nov 2005 6:57 pm

BMI are still being made new - I'm expecting a brand new one to arrive over here in December this year! Quality guitar at a reasonable price.

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 7 Nov 2005 7:10 pm

Thanks for the good news on BMI and Sierra. I'm glad that they're still around. Both have always been very '12 string friendly' manufacturers. That's a plus for me.

Bob, I'll remember to call you first when I'm having trouble finding parts.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

James Sission · Post by **James Sission** » 7 Nov 2005 7:28 pm

I recently moved from a Carter Starter to a GFI. It was a very big difference to say the least. I havent played any of the other ones, but I did shop around a lot. Fessy would have been my first choice, but I didnt want to tie up a 500 dollar deposit and wait on it for several months. I ended up getting a good price on a new GFI from Bobbe Seymour and I got in a couple of weeks. It only took a little longer because I ordered a custom color......James

Alex Piazza · Post by **Alex Piazza** » 7 Nov 2005 11:15 pm

Thanks for the input everyone. About how much does a s10 fessy cost?

Tyler Hall · Post by **Tyler Hall** » 9 Nov 2005 8:39 am

In might be wrong, but I think a SD-10 Fessy is $1,999. Seymour has the price on his website. They make a S-10 with the small back neck. So, it's smaller than a SD-10, and about $100 cheaper. I have one of the S-10's with about a 3" pad (not a Fessy), and it's a whole lot easier to carry.

D-10 Fessenden, Nashville 112, Session 500, Goodrich LDR[This message was edited by Tyler Hall on 09 November 2005 at 08:40 AM.]

Grant Johnson · Post by **Grant Johnson** » 9 Nov 2005 9:23 am

I was looking at the BMI site and prices look great for a pro level instrument.
Desert Rose prices are great and I hear that Chuck Back will make you a mica model for even less money....

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 9 Nov 2005 11:55 am

Give the Desert Rose a try,Big Fat Tone!

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 9 Nov 2005 9:53 pm

I've heard good things about Lone Star, and they are reasonably priced.