Over the pond.

[acerod]

Don't know if this is the right place for this question but does anyone else have a problem getting responses from Stateside suppliers? I've been playing BMIs for about 30 years, my latest was a custom build from 2008, previously I had purchesed 4 which all went to budding players here in Ireland. However, over that time, any attempt at communication with them went unheeded. Several other suppliers have been contacted recently and the same non-reply. It seems once they have our money the after- sales service is non-existant. I've had much better service from people I never bought steels from, ie Jeff Surratt and Bill Ferguson. I had a Zumsteel delivered from Doug Earnest in November. Hoping to get a reply soon to an email sent shortly after receiving it. Rant over!

[Dave Nutt]

Roy, Happy New Year.
Poor customer service is a trend amongst lots of suppliers not just stateside. I emailed, phoned, wrote to the Emmons company looking to buy parts and get advice, not one reply, very frustrating.
Have you ever thought of buying British? I have just purchased a Sheffield steel, without doubt best guitar I have had and believe me I have had a few in my almost 50 years of picking.
And what’s great is that the artisan is here in the UK and a very helpful guy, I think we are clouded through our love for the instrument to think US brands, all great guitars but sad when some can’t even answer an enquiry, let alone provide after sales service.

Go British

[acerod]

Unfortunately, Dave, I only found about Sheffield this morning and had already purchased the Zum. To be honest after all the raves I had read about Zumsteel I'm quite disappointed in it. Pretty sure I could probably have bought a decent second- hand one for less money. The weight was a deciding factor though. If BMI had been responsive I'd probably been inclined to go to them again. Does Sheffield have a website? I might have a looksee.

[Dave Nutt]

Sheffield’s are made bespoke by Dave Wheelhouse a good player himself.
Not sure about a website but he has a face book site under Sheffield Steel Guitars take a look you will be impressed.
Sorry to hear about the Zum, never played one but always thought them to be good kit. I have noticed how a few UK Steelies.have passed them on for other brands.
Incidentally I have no connection with Dave or Sheffield steels other than he’s a great bloke and his steels are second to none.
I will put up a pic of mine when I get chance.
Dave resides in Southampton.
Regards
Dave.

[Malcolm]

Roy, some of the US guys are better than others at replying, best ones are MSA, Mullen, ShowPro, Williams, some are bad, Emmons not trading now, really bad customer service, Zum Steel not trading ( Bruce retired now). Up till now Zum Stage one and Encore (Doug Earnest) have been good, know someone who ordered one and said service was great.Worst one I encountered was Steel Guitar Nashville when Bobby owned it, they were not interested in sending anything over to U.K., but that business is now in different hands and might be better now.

[Danny Mitchell]

I'd add GFI musical instruments to the list of good communicators, I've had great and swift contact from them, with advice and parts.

[Davie Holland]

Big thumbs up for Steel Guitars of Canada. Al is on the ball with all things steel.

[Tony Russell Davis]

I'd add GFI musical instruments to the list of good communicators, I've had great and swift contact from them, with advice and parts.

Absolutely agree! I did an overhaul of a GFI SD-10 keyless and had immediate responses, and swift delivery of all parts I wanted, from the CEO, Bob Diekmeier. As an aside, I find the guitars top-class. They seem to suffer from an unwarranted prejudice which, I think, is due to them not looking like the competition. However the mechanics and tone are right up there. After working on the SD-10 I actually bought one (keyed, but the keyless was at least as good with less to go wrong!) and only parted with it because I play predominantly C6th and have a D-11 (keyless Sierra). I would have a GFI D-10 without hesitation for weight, tone and mechanics if I started gigging again.