The British Steelies Society

Thank you for accepting me into the British Steelie Society!

I have been playing guitar for a number years and have always been a huge fan of the sound of pedal steel. I am writing my new album 'miles markham at the movies' (an instrumental cover of my favourite original soundtracks) and want the focus of the album to be pedal steel.

The question then remains...where can i find an affordable pedal steel? i understand that a cheap benchmark seems to be around £1000 so i don't expect anything for pocket money.

I have tried an excess of facebook groups, independant sellers, music shops and reccoendations but can't seem to find anything!

really eager to start expressing myself on the pedal steel, any advice on where to find one? it can have a missing leg and i'll still buy it

all the best

- miles markham

Contact John Davis on this Forum or Ted Nesbitt, they'll either have something or point you where you want to go. You could also try 'WBS Pedal Steel Guitars', Wolfgang Bednarz, in Germany is a manufacturer and does a Basic model 1299 Euro (about £1150), brand new with 3 pedals and 4 Knee Levers, you don't want anything with less spec wise. His guitars are excellent quality, well he is German, they don't do tat. Also, going that route means that should you lose interest in the instrument it will be immediately desirable for resale on the market, as well as avoiding the postage and Customs Tariffs involved in buying from USA. I'm amazed nobody else contacted you, I'm not the most knowledgeable by a long way but I hope this helps. Be careful of private sales on ebay and Gumtree, they are wide open to scammers. Good Luck buddy.

The Bennett in the for sale listings would make an excellent first guitar

Hi Miles,
Brian Matchett recommended the WBS Basic E9 PSG, and I too can recommend that model,having started playing on one over three years ago. Very well (German) built with three floors and four knees and sounds great. Very good value indeed for a new guitar. There used to be a build/delivery period of 3-4 months, but that may well have changed since. However, there are other makes available 2nd- hand that you may find interesting and more readily available. Talk to the people Brian mentions. Best of luck to you with your project!
Eamonn O'Regan

Hi Miles and Welcome.

I recently took delivery of a new WBS pedal steel from Germany and I can assure you they are fantastic guitars, excellent build quality, with a great tone. You cannot go wrong with a WBS guitar whatever model you choose. If you happen to be looking for a good used pedal steel I can highly recommend Ted Nesbitt of Rainbow Music in Ireland, he is a top man to deal with. Ted also sell's new guitars and is a Mullen Guitars dealer. Good luck in your search.

Regards Richard