Frustrated

[highrisejesus]

Hi All

Compare the opportunity a pedal steel player has to 'try before you buy' compared to a normal guitar player. My local music shop has everything from USA strats and telecasters,Gibsons, to a whole range of newer brands and unusual brands. They have electric, semi acoustic, acoustic classical and steel strings etc etc. My nearest pedal steel dealer is Promenade music. A 10 hour round trip for 2 brands: GFI and Mullen. Single necks only. I am not blaming anyone as it is a reflection of UK demand It's just that I am looking for a new pedal steel. I have an SD-10 Carter 2007 which just to give you a heads up, I will be selling once I get a new one. I am thinking about getting a Williams and have been in touch with Bill Rudolph. The issue is that I have to buy it on blind faith. Has anyone got any suggestions on how I best to go about making the right decision?

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Bill Rudolf makes a fine guitar at a reasonable price you will not be dissapointed IMHO.

[Tony Russell Davis]

Nick, do we know where you're at? There might be somebody near enough to let you try at least one other brand, or get yourself to a festival or steel guitar meeting when they start again - the NESGF sports quite a number of brands, so does Gartcosh: and is the London group still viable? Then there's John, of course.
Having said that I have used Mullen and GFI and both are great guitars, Mullen is the more popular, I preferred GFI, but don't have either now - make what you will of that!

[Ken Byng]

Hi Nick.
Most of today's manufacturers build top class instruments. The only one that I would recommend you steer clear of is the Bentley. Those who didn't have good customer care skills have fallen by the wayside. If you ask people for their opinion on the best guitar out there, you will get a whole load of different suggestions.

I had the opportunity recently to look at a Williams close up, and was very impressed with the design. Flags on every lever, super smooth changer and great pedal action. Bill uses very attractive timber for his cabinets, which are neat and compact. GFI guitars are not the prettiest guitar out there, but they are really well engineered and have good tone.

My three favourite guitars being built today are MSA, Show Pro and Rittenberry. All are magnificently engineered (especially the MSA) and finished, and have superb tone.

Show Pro will build a beautiful SD10 without a pad. Probably MSA and Rittenberry would provide a custom non pad guitar for you. Or you could buy a great quality used guitar in the USA and get the seller to send it to your sister in the USA. You could get it courier'd to the UK. Your options are considerable.

Good to speak to you again last night.

[bazmusicman]

I know only too well the problem/frustration of buying unseen. My problem is twofold because I am left handed.
I have had people say "learn right handed".....I am 77 years old and have been playing normal 6 string left handed guitars for over 60 years so I am too wired left handed to change now.

Anyway, I always liked / wanted to play Steel Guitar so, like a lot of others I started with a 'Lap Steel' which is the cheaper option and learnt play along to some records doing basic 1 / 4 / 5 chords etc. I got a lot of sound advice from this forum such as get something half decent (which I was aware of from my six string playing) and get a 8 string lap steel instead of a six string because it has more scope etc so I bought an 8 string from Ronnie Bennett who happened to have a left handed one already built which he let me have for a good price.

Where is this all going I hear you ask......well, being left handed I had little to no chance of even sitting behind a Pedal Steel Guitar.

So I 'bit the bullet' (spent all the kids inheritance!) and asked Ronnie Bennett if he would build me a left handed twin neck 9 pedals + 5 knee levers. It took 6 months to build (in between his ongoing work) and I got it in the middle of June last year and it is a beautiful well build instrument.

Why all the pedals / levers etc I hear you ask when you are a complete newbie? Well at 77 time isn't on my side so I didn't want to think 6 months down the road I wish I had that extra pedal / lever etc. and the extra hassle to have them fitted so I went for broke (which I am now!) and having the time of my life with it, albeit just plucking along to some Country records. So to the O. P. sometimes you just have go with your gut and do it. I don't regret any of it.

Sorry about a long waffle!

Regards,
Baz.

[Danny Mitchell]

That's a good story, with a happy ending, Baz. Very glad to hear your enjoying your steel adventure. It is without a doubt an addictive but rewarding instrument.

And, Nick, I hope you can get sorted, too. I've seen a couple of Williams up close, an SD10 and a D10 and they were both beautiful looking, and sounding guitars.
After half a bottle of whisky I took the plunge and bought a GFI S10 online from Promenade, and absolutely love it. And I've found GFI a pleasure to deal with, for parts etc (including dumb newbie questions).
Good luck with your quest.

[highrisejesus]

That's for all your feedback everyone. That gives me a lot to think about and take on board. Much appreciated.