Nothing (Just a Statement)

[bob adams]

Controversial as this subject is we should be making every effort to maintain the value of our instrument (of any manufacture) there are some people among us who will simply not give them away because of a recession and they are right to adopt that line, good grief when I had to quit playing in the late seventies Eric bought my ZBS10 back for £700 (bear in mind that was a buy back or trade price for an instrument for re-sale) if the price now were related to the cost of living can you imagine what the price would be. I got a bank loan for my first steel and was proud to do so though my bank manager was not a happy bunny ( he said what if you can play it! how right was that!) now it seems to be thought that they should be picked up for loose change. Sorry but I think it is time to stop giving things away and there is nobody more fair when it comes to price than I am. Patience is the only thing standing between a good price and a bad one! As for the weight issue we are still a mixed bag of ages and yes those that bit more senior are having to consider the options but there are still plenty of guys around will to put up with the weight in order to achieve the quality and tone! Even if they have to invest in a little porter’s barrow! Thirty pieces of silver come to mind and I say don’t. These machines are our life and they are to be respected!

I am asked frequently (the last time was 11.30 last night!) what do you think the price should be for (xxx??xxx) steel and a rule of thumb is.
S10 £1k ... SD10 £1.5 ... D10 £2-3k depending on make. trade and by back will differ for obvious reasons.

Denmark Street has an MSA12 currently with nothing hanging right on it and a price tag of £2.4k (why!? Because they can wait!) I rest my case!

[Zumbilly(Murdoch)]

With no reference to anyone or anything on this Forum.
I have found from experience that if You wish to move something on,A dealer will offer one third of what You paid(new) and sell for two thirds.
If selling privately You can get close to the two thirds of original price,when the market is right.Again,if a buyer has his mind set on a particular instrument the the sky is the limit.
Too many people think that if an item cost £1000 in 1980 it must now be worth more than the original cost.(collectors items excepted)
I have a banjo which My late Uncle purchased in 1926 for £21 which was about 150 weeks wages It is Yours for £40K plus postage.
Billy

[STEDDIE EDDIE]

thought you might have thrown in the postage if your getting £40k, Billy

[0013]

Hi Bob,

I saw that MSA in Denmark St today - it doesn't look too good to me either, but I'm new to PSG and was hoping to be able to buy something I could see, rather than from ebay etc.

Would you recommend buying a new guitar from someone over here (I see you recommend Dave Wheelhouse on your site) or would I be better off trying to find a good vintage one? I wouldn't say I'm in a desperate rush, but I don't really want to wait for months for one to be made.

I'm a TV and film composer, so I want to use it for textures and little phrases, rather than virtuoso performances - I get real players in if I need that!

I don't have a particular budget in mind, but I'm nervous about spending too much on something I know nothing about.

The most important things are that it has a really warm tone and excellent tuning. Is there a difference in tone between UK and US ones?

Any advice would be gratefully received. Apologies if this has been discussed in another thread and sorry for asking so many questions at once!

[bob adams]

Greetings 0013!

You have mail!

[Ken Byng]

Good topic Bob. My first decent pedal steel (I discount the Burns Ormston that I bought previously) in 1972 was a twin ZB and cost me a grand with the finance cost on top. In fact, Monsieur Snowball informed me that the finance company made more out of the deal than he did!

I think that re-furbing a steel as an investment is a good idea. In some cases the cost can almost be as much as buying a good s/h USA pedal steel, but for those of us who are sentimentally attached to their guitars it is a great option. I see guitars being sold currently in the States for relatively cheap prices - it's just a pity that the cost of freight and (if you are unlucky to get clobbered by HMRC) import taxes & VAT. I am tempted to do a deal in time for my next trip to the States in April and bring it back with me. Now which make should I go for?............................................

[ZBSD-10]

Hallo Ken from a rather cool,wet Corfu !
I read with a hint of mirth your quote from our Eric saying that "the HP companies made more from the deal than he",
I've sent you a PM with the confidential ZB price list of 10/7 /73 which sems to contradict that, but what the heck,
without The Steel Mill we'd still be scratching our a---s looking in wonder at these magnificent instruments from afar !!
All the best
Frank. Corfu