SGC and Carter

[bob adams]

Al Brisco just emailed me the following, the PDF is very comprehensive and definitely worth a read!

Hi International Steelers,

A note to let you know that our Steel Guitars of Canada 2010 Newsletter/Catalog is now released, & available in .pdf format to download from this link from our Home Page http://www.steelguitarcanada.com/cat_download.htm

In addition to all the steel guitars, accessories, CD's, Instructional Material, etc. there are newsy-type articles including one on the Legacy of John Fabian, the owner/president of Carter Steel Guitars who passed away this past January.

As many of you may know, Carter Steel Guitars is for sale to a qualified purchaser. In the interim, SGC has the remaining stock of guitars, viewable at this link, http://www.steelguitarcanada.com/steels/carter.htm plus ample parts for warranty & optional kits that customers may wish to purchase.

[Basil Henriques]

Can you just imagine it, a UK or European buyer for the Carter Company..
25 directors with a couple of thousand apiece could probably buy it.. I wonder how much Ann Fabian wants ?
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=179134

[The Invisible Man]

You don't need 25 directors, our Resident Forum Millionaire - Ken Byng, can buy it on his own.

[Basil Henriques]

I didn't know I had company, tell him it's illegal not to declare ..

[Ken Byng]

If I could buy any steel guitar company, it would be the Emmons Co. That one would never be for sale. Carter guitars have never appealed to me, although I know several players who love theirs.

What I would like to know is - has the Invisible man hacked into my bank account to check the balance. It is a real drag when you are down to your last million!!

[STEDDIE EDDIE]

well he is invisible! you wouldnt see him hacking into your off shore account! in fact he is so invisible, we dont know his real name! WHO ARE YOU?? [played out to clint eastwood music]
i owned a carter s10 5x3, from new up to a couple of years ago, actually regret selling it, a very accurate, stable, nice modern toned instrument, perhaps lack the character of emmons or sho bud, as would most if not all modern steels, but a very well built steel, lovely smooth pedal and knee lever action,

[Alan Mills]

Yep, and I bought it. It was the first and, to date, only pedal steel I have played so I can't make any comparison to any other and I bought it to learn to play on. It has served me well in that respect and the service I received from John Fabian was not only helpful but extremely gracious. To me, the value of any company lies not only in the product but in the heart of the man at the helm. John added value to Carter Steel Guitars that will be difficult to restore. Nevertheless, I wish Ann all the very best in finding a suitable buyer.

[Ken Byng]

Alan - Carter had the lions share of the new pedal steel sales through their excellent marketing strategy. Although Bud Carter retired about 18 months ago, John Fabian was really the driving force behind the company. He died very prematurely and as you say, he would be a hard act to follow. Bud built a good guitar, but some of the real inovations of the Carter came from Johbn Fabian.

The company would not be a viable proposition if it was owned outside of the States or Canada IMHO

[Shaun]

I bought my Carter-magnum pro-select from new to learn on.
I love it, just wish my fingers would behave as well.