Hello there from Middlesex / Surrey borders

[Heartland Balladeer]

Hi there,

I play dobro and a bit of lap steel, and have been wanting a pedal steel for a while now and will be finally picking one up on Friday,
any advice would be most welcome,

Regards,
Darren

[Will C]

Make sure you get some good advice before parting with that cash, Darren! Some people get an old steel because it's cheap, than struggle because of the limitations of the older models. Talk to established steelies here to share what you're buying, price etc. Can't do any harm. You can always pm people to avoid putting stuff out in the open.

Will C

[Tony Russell Davis]

Will's right Darren. You are picking up exactly what on Friday? Give a little more info and you'll get advice. Regards, Tony

[Heartland Balladeer]

Thanks for the replies folks,

It is a GFI S10sm 3 pedal 2 knee levers,
its only a student model I know but its all i will be able to stretch to cashwise for any time soon. I have heard 2 levers can be a bit restrictive after a while but this can be upgraded to 4 levers.
its coming with a hardcase / Volume pedal / Bar for £600, Apparently played only a couple of time from new.

Im always looking out but cheap steels seem few and far between.
This is less than half the price of a new one so hoping im getting a good deal,

I am going to try it out but the person who owns it is out of town and wont be able to set it up and demo it for me, so I will be dealing with his Daughter who doesnt know about steels.
is it fairly straight forward to assemble?
I hear tuning is not as straight forward as turning the machine heads,

Please HELP!!!!

[Gretschnut]

My advice would be to deferr the collection until the "owner" is available to at least show you how it is assembled.

[Heartland Balladeer]

Hi Gretchnut,

Thanks for the reply but that sadly isnt an option, I need to pick it up on friday. I just watched a couple of videos on youtube and the essembly out of the box seems straight forward.

[Nick Bidmade]

Hi - it's difficult to advise at long distance. Check the instrument over - if it looks clean and well cared for, so much the better. Scratches and bar dings are pa for the course.
Look underneath the guitar - do the springs and rods all look straight and clean?
If it is not set up and you don't know how to set it up, I would beware - there's no reason to suspect at respectable seller would try to dupe anybody but you can never tell. Leave a note saying you'll return it within 7 days if not satisfied and would expecta full refund and get the seller (or his agent) to sign it. It may not be worth anything, but they won't know that!
Where exactly are you? You might be able to find someone to go with you or at least give it the 'once-over' within the 7 days.
Three pedals and 2 levers (assuming they raise and lower Es a half-tone) is enough to be able to play most things, but you won't necessarily get all the changes you want. It owuld be an 'interim' guitar if you want to pursue pedal steel further.
However, £600 with the volume pedal etc is a pretty good deal.

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

I agree with Nick, for what you are paying, its a pretty good deal. but you may soon want to move on from it........

[Uncle Roy]

Darren,
What area are you buying this guitar from? As Nick suggested there may be someone from the BSS who just might be able to go along with you to view this guitar.

[Heartland Balladeer]

Hi Roy,

I wasnt around a pc last night.
The guitar is in portsmouth, not sure exactly where as the address will be sent to me today. I have arranged to be there for around 1.30 - 2:00 to fit in with the sellers work schedule.