New & confused seeks helpful & wise

[Ruddalo]

Hi everyone

I'm posting here as a new member looking for advice on a possible step into the world of pedal steel! I'm a guitar player and have dabbled in slide & lap steel in the past. Plus. there's something about the sound of pedal steel that is just awesome! I've recently wondered into a music shop from my past to find MSA Pro-am Sidekick 10 stringer for sale and, being a bit better off than in recent year's, pondered whether to give it a go. Having spent an hour tinkering & occasionally making an acceptable noise I felt that it is a challenge I'd be willing to accept.

The first question that I would like to ask is whether the instrument I have seen is a good place to start? the asking price is £750, although this does include commission for the shop as it's being sold on behalf of a local professional who is no longer playing It's a 3 pedal, two knee lever model & looks to be in good condition. Having played it, everything appears okay apart from the odd occasion when using a knee lever doesn't seem to get the note to the right pitch. This leads to my second question....

Is there a good network in this county for spare & repairs? Strings I've already checked out but I don't really want to put a lot of money into something in the initial purchase only to find that I could struggle in the long term to keep it going. I'm not very practically so could struggle doing more than the basics of maintenance!

Apologies for a long post (and if I've posted in the wrong place). It's just a bit make or break decision for me.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

John

[Danny Mitchell]

Hi John and welcome to the forum.

I, like you, played some other instruments and became attracted to the sound of the psg. I took the plunge two years ago and am now thoroughly hooked.

The guitar your looking at is, I think, a student model, albeit a great make and by the sounds of your potential commitment you'd be better going for a second hand pro model with the full compliment of levers. I would advise that you have a chat with John Davis, a forum member, and by the look of his front room a pedal steel guitar breeder. His contact details can be easily found if you search the forum.

Any technical problems you might have, I'm sure would be solved with the help of members of this forum. An extremely helpful bunch.

Hope this helps a little.

[Willie Gamble]

Wise words Danny, and you my friend are a shining example of commitment to this wonderful instrument.
I would also like to say a personal thank you for your kind words of encouragement last Monday in the studio, and for your kind words and generosity to my son Fraser.
You are a true Gent and I am proud to call you a friend

Asleep at the steel

[Willie Gamble]

John have a look at the Carter SD10 on the for sale section of the forum, excellent guitars and at 1450 euros not a lot more expensive than the MSA

Asleep at the steel

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Thanks for the intro Danny, John where are you located? , If within travel distance to St.Neots Cambs you can come and try about four different makes of steel and learn about a few pitfalls.... you don't have to buy anything but you may learn what to avoid.... glad to help if I can........ also for a little more than what you are intending to spend , Dave Seddon has a beautiful steel he has built and its to a pro standard. Dave's work is well respected in our community....

[Ruddalo]

Thanks for the replies so far! I tried uploading a photo, but the file is too large....

Willie - I'll check out the SD10 & keep an eye on the sales section from now on!

John - I'm in Frome, Somerset. It's a bit of trek to St Neots but I'm not against a road trip if it's going to give me a better understanding of the instrument & what I need to be looking out for, so I would be happy to take you up on your offer. Gives me a good reason to use up the leave that I never manage to take!

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

John, I am out playing Tuesday or Wednesday next week but any other day is fine, be prepared to spend at least a couple of hours here to make it worth your while coming all that way, any time in the day is good with me....