Hello there from Middlesex / Surrey borders

[Heartland Balladeer]

Nick / John,

Thanks for your advice.

I see there is a good chance i will outgrow this guitar but Im not in the positionto go for a higher quality model. It kind of a now or never situation.
from what i hear the limitations come mainly from the lack of Knee levers, am i correct? of is it also a case this models tone playability ect.......

If there are alternative out there please let me know. Imay be able to stretch a bit further.

Darren,

[Tony Russell Davis]

The guitar is the student model S-10 "SM". The limitations are not terrible but you'd be best to see it set up because one limitation (guessing from a photo) is the legs
seem non-adjustable and you need to make sure you can reach everything while sat at it.
It will be set up to an "ABC" (or "Emmons") co-pedent, but that's ok too as most, if not all, the tutor material is for that setup. I could sit right down and play the GFI Student as the set-up is the same as mine, only with fewer KLs. I doubt if they make inferior parts just for this model so much of the mechanism will mostly use the standard GFI parts, inc. pickup. Costs will be cut by simplifying production of certain parts and taking out the "adjustability". The changer has simple single "fingers" so you can't change the co-pedent round to "CBA" or "Day" set-up. It must be a pull-release*, but that's ok, you just tune the strings and pulls in a set order, not a problem, just different for those strings that get lowered. It's possible and looks fairly easy to add up to two right KLs as you will feel the need to lower the second string before long. That will have to be on a "right knee left" because of the simplified changer - it can only lower going to the left. Again, that's the set-up I choose.
The deal looks all right - you could pay that kind of money and get much less guitar. I last saw a new list price in dollars that converted to about £750, and you get some kind of vol. pedal and a bar too. Someone else on the forum might have a better idea of UK values.
Regards, Tony.

* In simplistic terms - pull-release means the pedal/KL pulls to raise. To lower, the lever releases the string from the effect of a spring holding it against it's own tension. Try this concept: think of a Strat tremolo arm with limited, adjustable, travel. It is pulled up against the string tension to raise. Then you need to imagine you can move the spring anchorage at the back to release it just enough to allow the tension of the string to lower it.
PS the late Gene Fields (the "GF" in GFI) was a brilliant designer who brought economy of production to pedal steel without loss of function. Check out the threads Basil has put up about the Fender 210 - a totally unique pulling system of complex simplicity!

[Gretschnut]

I hope I'm wrong in starting to hear Gumtree ringing a bell!

[Heartland Balladeer]

Gretchnut,

you are not wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!
Should i be concerned?

I will pm you.

[Gretschnut]

pm sent in reply. Anyone else got any feelings about this?

[Tony Russell Davis]

You know something I don't??? Tony. PM?

[Nick Bidmade]

Darren - once you have taken the plunge why not come along to the next South London Steelies meeting - with or without your guitar. Next meeting 16 March at the Bread and Roses pub, Clapham Manor St SW4 from 12 noon until 6.00pm.
You are assured of a warm welcome, plenty of ideas and advice and the chance to try out a few different steel guitars.
PM me if you want more details.

[Heartland Balladeer]

Hi

I just got back from picking up the guitar and amp. All seems ok at the moment. I printed off the owners manual before I left so I knew how to set it up and tune it.
I really appreciate the advice and concern I have recieved even after just a couple of days on the forum. You got a great community going on and im glad to now be part of it.

Nick,
I would be very happy to come along to the next session. Thanks for the invite I will pm you for details.

Darren

[Tony Russell Davis]

Hi

I just got back from picking up the guitar and amp.

Amp? I didn't see that in the thread, you got an amp too? If that was included in the price, then you did well (whatever it is!)
DO remember to let us know how you get on; and ask anything that you are not totally sure about, you already found that the guys on here love to help out.

[Heartland Balladeer]

Hi Tony
The amp a peavey Nashville 112 was extra but because I took it with the guitar I got it cheap.
also thrown in was an ernie ball volume pedal leads / bar and a book.