Pedal Steel Shoot Out

[Mr Bassman]

I'm looking for a pedal steel for my son, who recommended I get in touch with Gary Thistlethwaite at Promenade Music. They'd met on a gig somewhere and Gary suggested we take a trip to the shop to try some steels.
I contacted Gary who was really helpful & friendly but lockdown 2 prevented our visit.
After bombarding Gary on the phone with hundreds of questions about different makes, models, pickups & strings he recorded a video demonstrating and comparing a few stock guitars.
I hope ya'll find it useful. (best listen on good speakers or headphones)

Thanks Gary

[Uncle Roy]

Here you go Keith.

[Ken Byng]

There is a noticeable difference between the ultra bright tone of the Mullens and that of the GFI. The GFI has a much fuller bodied tone than both Mullens, which have a clear emphasis on the upper mid range. Obviously a guitar's tone can be tailored via an amp's eq section to achieve whatever tone suits the player. So in this case, I noticed that the YouTube page of this clip explains that Gary Thistlethwaite had the same tone settings on the amp for all 3 guitars. Therefore it was a fair comparison in the shoot out situation.

[hickenjr]

There is a noticeable difference between the ultra bright tone of the Mullens and that of the GFI. The GFI has a much fuller bodied tone than both Mullens, which have a clear emphasis on the upper mid range. Obviously a guitar's tone can be tailored via an amp's eq section to achieve whatever tone suits the player. So in this case, I noticed that the YouTube page of this clip explains that Gary Thistlethwaite had the same tone settings on the amp for all 3 guitars. Therefore it was a fair comparison in the shoot out situation.

The guitars shown definitely have their own character. My overall favorite was the Discovery, to my ears the best middle ground. I found the RP a bit too sharp and the GFI too bassy although as you said, this can be cured with EQ.

Would have preferred to hear them with less effects though. I know I've been guilty of having a lot of fling in the past and sometimes it's great to have it depending on the scenario, but on an a capella tonal demo video it would be nice if they were backed off a bit (not totally). Or maybe a dryer sample and then the one shown. I do actually like the effects chain shown, it's quite haunting but it does plaster over the raw sound for me.

[Uncle Roy]

You are right Ken there is a noticeable difference between both brands, I have the Mullen G2 and a GFI ultra but the Mullen I prefer, as you stated the amp can tailor the tone on either guitars.

[Ken Byng]

You are right Ken there is a noticeable difference between both brands, I have the Mullen G2 and a GFI ultra but the Mullen I prefer, as you stated the amp can tailor the tone on either guitars.

Yes, I've seen your very nice G2 Roy. You know that black steels sound best. Tommy White loves the Mullen guitars, and gets a wonderful tone out of his.

I had a beautiful Royal Precision in red and natural lacquer, but a very nice fellow from Carrick Fergus made me an offer that I couldn't refuse for it. I think the GFI guitars are really well designed and assembled, with great tone. I don't think that they will ever win a competition for the best looking pedal steel IMHO. But, as they say, beauty is in the eye of the bar holder.

[Mr Bassman]

"beauty is in the eye of the bar holder"

[Zebedee]

In my opinion, the GFI sounds more like a pedal steel should sound than the Mullen(s), it has a much fuller timbre.

Saying that, the second time that the Mullen Discovery is played (with the E66 pickup) is a bit mellower than previously.

Of course, even guitars of the same identical model never sound similar, so ultimately it's a crap shoot.

Unless the new owner is a seasoned player, any pedal steel is going to make a noise similar to the noise a cat makes when it's dragged under a door by its tail,
so just get the model that will hold its value at resale.