Best Modern Steel

[rogerp1]

What are your views on the best modern steel available today or at least made this century?

Not that I can afford such a thing at the moment but its nice to dream.....

[Ken Byng]

What are your views on the best modern steel available today or at least made this century?

Not that I can afford such a thing at the moment but its nice to dream.....

It's all subjective of course Roger, but of all of the guitars I have seen over the years I would say that Peter Schild from Switzerland probably makes the best pedal steel from a mechanical point of view. He came to a gig that I was playing in Zurich in the late 70's, and invited me to check out one of his guitars at his house. I was knocked out by the workmanship and attention to detail. 37 years later and his guitars look to be better than ever. My mate Dave Wheelhouse's Sheffield guitars are not far behind the Schild in terms of build quality, and are a lot cheaper. I would have mentioned Frank Carter's Infinity guitar, but he is currently not producing any more new ones. The Infinity is possibly the top USA-built guitar.

[Willie Gamble]

For my money Mullen, but they are all much of a muchness now.

Asleep at the steel

[rogerp1]

I was thinking of a Mullen or Rains as they may come up 2nd hand. The Sheffield is a beauty if I was after a brand new custom built affair. The Schild looks great but pricey.

[Willie Gamble]

Rodger, all joking aside, I would recommend Mullen as the after sales service is second to none, whether you buy new or second hand, they really do stand by their product.
Aside from that they are splendid guitars.

Asleep at the steel

[Ken Byng]

Roger - you asked what the best guitar is and there are several guitars that are on a higher plane than most.

If you were to ask what guitars represent the best value for money, or make the best buy second hand then you will get a whole host of different opinions. Fact - there aren't any bad guitars being made today. The best guitars are expensive - period, whether they be new or used. Schild, MSA, Infinity, Zum and Anapeg are all revered for their build quality. but manufacturers such as Show Pro, Mullen, Williams, Rittenberry, Star, Sheffield, WBS, Jackson, Justice, GFI and a host of others are producing guitars that are as good as anything in terms of mechanics and tonal quality. Cosmetically the modern guitars benefit from great materials and modern day engineering. Having said that, the Emmons push pull, which was designed in the 1960's is still considered by many to have the tone that is the benchmark that all others aspire to.

[Malcolm]

Roger as stated by others there are no bad steels made by the present day manufacturers these days, it comes down to personal preference, and you really need to sit down behind them and try them out.I have an MSA Millennium, MSA have some unique features on their guitars, and is the only guitar on the market you can sit at and adjust things without tools, eg pedal height, angle of knee levers, modular pick ups that slide in out, and added to range lately,fret boards that light up for dark venues.
Really doesn't matter which of the Major makers you choose, all do great guitars.

[Ken Byng]

When I stated above that there are no bad steels being made today, I should have said to steer clear of the Bentley pedal steel. The only one to have landed on the shores of the UK was totally unplayable. In my opinion it was a pile of crap, and very poorly designed by one Johann 'Ron' Steenwijk. Mr Steenwijk is pretty well known throughout the steel guitar world as someone who maybe should be kept at arms length when it comes to doing business with.

He has been barred from the USA steel forum for some of his very questionable practices, and the guitar that he sold to one of our steel player brothers was an example of this. The only good thing that I could find when I inspected it was the case, which was built by someone else.

[Willie Gamble]

I agree about Mr Steenwink being kept at arms length Ken, but only if you are like Kenny Everets character " Brother Lee Love" and even then with a certain amount of caution.
He lead that lad a merry dance right enough.

Asleep at the steel

[rogerp1]

Cheers Guys.........I have now acquired a GFI Ultra, courtesy of Brad from this Parish.
Now I just need to decide whether to keep it Emmons or change it to Day but that will be another thread