Advice for a propsective steelie!

[fenderstrat]

Hi everyone

I'm an old guitarist, all styles, and I'm contemplating getting a pedal steel. I have my eye on a fender 400, 1966. Is this a good place to start? It's going for about £1500; is that a fairish price?

Advice appreciated!

fender

[U_twelve]

Check out the for sale section.

There's a very nice Sho-Bud going for £1500.00. In my opinion way superior to the Fender 400.

[Donny Johnston]

I would agree with Peter the Sho Bud is a much better pedal steel than the Fender 400. It was a great guitar in it's day but the mechanics have long been overtaken by the more modern pull systems. Donny.

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Hi Fender?, Welcome to the forum and what is your name and where are you based?, you have come to the right place for some help you will find all you need on here. first advice from me is do not buy anything until you have learned a little more about what you are getting into, for most of us 1500 is a serious amount of cash and it is a minefield out there. we have good members/ players all over the country and there will be one located near you I am sure that will be glad to help. My offer is, if your within reach of St.Neots Cambs. come on over, there are usually at least two or three different makes of steel set up here, the tea and biscuits are free (as long as you talk steel) you will learn a bit about it, and you don't have to buy anything from me.

[Tony Russell Davis]

Fender 400 as a starter guitar? - here's why not.
It is old technology - it worked, but modern guitars work better.
The changers are operated by cables and not (modern) rods.
It weighs VERY heavy compared to modern guitars.
It has only 8 strings - the pedal steel sounds you heard and liked (a 99.9% guess, I realise) were played on a 10 string and those additional 2 make a world of difference.
It has a (unique) sound that is very different to what you hear on today's records.
The same comments apply to the Fender 800 and, except the bit abut 8 strings, the 1000 and 2000.
The Fender is for established players looking for a retro-vibe. They were good in the 60's but few guys kept playing them once the mechanisms developed more potential.
As to the price, it seems high to me, but there's the "vintage" market premium to consider I suppose.
PS these comments do not apply to the Fender "Artist" series made in 1976-7 or the PS210.

[fenderstrat]

This is great advice - many thanks to you all.

I'm up in the North West but ~I do get over to Cambridgeshire and I'll certyainly take up that offer. I've decided not to get that Fender, despite its retro appeal.

Thanks again to everyone.

Steve