Hello All

[ubique]

I'm Neil, 65 years old, retired, and I live in Boston Lincs, and I'm really pleased to have found and joined the forum. I've played guitar [not very well] for many many years and I have decided to take the plunge and have a go at pedal steel. I will probably have a budget of around 750 pounds which will hopefully get me something basic but good enough to to begin with. Hope I'm not being too optimistic? I'm not in any rush to buy as I'm having a great time scouring the internet and trying to soak up a much information as I can about pedal steels and players. Never having tried playing, I'm considering booking a couple of lessons prior to buying so I can at least have a better idea of what I'm letting myself in for lol! Any advice for a newbie will be much appreciated
I would also like to attend the Steelies meeting at Great Barford on the 9th Sept if that would be ok?
Kind regards.
Neil

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Hi Neil, Welcome to the forum, It will be a pleasure to have you come to my steelies meeting and if you don`thave your own steel by then you can have a go on one of mine
Nice to see a sensible approach to it , so many people go out and buy something they have no idea about, quite often unplayable and then they tend to give up, so well done for doing the groundwork.
If you go here.........



I have put some basic help on you tube that will show you where some of the chords are....
Good luck and see you on the 9th Sep.
JD

[ubique]

Hi John
Many thanks for the warm welcome, and the Youtube link. I'd already found them and put them in my PSG playlist. Great stuff, I really enjoyed watching and they were really helpful, even without a guitar lol.
I will definately take you up on your kind offer on the 9th. Is my budget of 750 pounds realistic? Its hard to guage as there are so few second hand steels around, particularly in my price range. The Zum Stage One seems to get good reviews as a beginners model but don't seem to be available in the UK and I would think importing one would be expensive due to shipping and import taxes.
Cheers for now.
Neil

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Neil, I am about same age as you so get to spend a lot of time at home.... If you want to come down to St.Neots you can play an Emmons, or a ShoBud, or a ZB it will give you an idea of what you are looking for
give me a ring if you want 01480 393900

[Jason Lynch]

Hi Neil
Welcome. I've been to JD twice and can recommend him, or David Hartley. Both of those have steels you can use till you perchase an instrument.
All the best.

[ubique]

Hi John
Many thanks, I will definately take you up on your kind offer and will ring you to arrange a visit.
Cheers for now
Neil