As some of you may already know, I've always had a secret desire to learn to play pedal steel. Realizing that the NAMM show I'm attending later this week includes most all worldwide music instrument manufacterers, was wondering if anybody here could tell me who the leading pedal steel guitar manufacters are, so I might checkout if they're exhibiting at NAMM this year. Thanks. - Scott

From Wikipedia.org:

Some popular brands include

* Derby
* Zumsteel
* Emmons
* Sho-Bud
* MSA
* Mullen
* Fessenden
* Williams
* Market-Rite


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Bill
Yamaha PSR2000

Hey, Scott...what ambition!

Pedal steel is a really difficult instrument to master. The above post has the names of most of the majors. Some of the top ones are really expensive.

There is also a minor brand called Carter. They're not bad. There is a beginner model for around $700.00. I fooled around with one and they're OK. They stay in tune better than most of the beginner models.

There is also another way to approach steel. You could pick up a lap steel, fool with that awhile, and then move up to a pedal unit if you still want to.

Remember "Sleepwalk"? That was played on a lap steel (Santo and Johnnie). Morrel, Gretch, Chandler and others make descent
models for around $200-300.

Just a thought.

The boys from Q-Lighting are gong to be looking for you. I probably won't be able to finish my Lowes project in time to make it.


If you stop by the Morrel booth, you might remind them for me that they still haven't shipped my 8 string lap steel I ordered at the summer NAMM.


Have Fun next week!


Russ

I bought a fiddle the other day. I tried for nearly ten minutes to play it, then gave it to my friend Dean.
DonM

Scott...forgot to tell you that Musicians Friend stocks the Carter single neck peal steel...pretty good return policy!

Russ

Scott, looks like you're a step ahead of me. Obtaining and learning PSG is on my list, tenatively sometime late in '06. While you're checking out the PSG venders, see what you might learn as far as crunching the learning curve on it. Ambitious move, but you only live once, right? And you just can't do it on keyboard. Good luck and keep us posted.

Glenn

Hey Buddy, are you also moving to Nashville? I can't wait to hear your "Night and Day" done on the pedal steel. Good luck Scott and don't forget us gnomes who can't attend.

Tom

Checking the NAMM show 2006 exhibitor list, I was surprised to only find Carter Steel Guitars among all the Pedal Steel manufacterers you guys had listed.



Hmmm. Morrel isn't listed as an exhibitor at Winter 2006 Namm either, so I'm wondering if they're still in business. Russ, I only hope you hadn't pre-paid or put down a deposit for that lap steel you had ordered at Summer Namm.


Russ, sorry I won't get to chance to meet this time, but I'll be sure to checkout the Q-lighting booth and pay my respects to your buds.

As far as any REALIZED Pedal Steel Guitar playing aspirations go, I know that I'll be lucky to even become proficient enough to play even the most basic licks. To be honest, I'm most interested in learning PSG basics to help me better emulate PSG on the keyboard. Though I'm first to admit that no pedal steel keyboard emulation can approach the sound & unique expression of a true Pedal Steel, The Tyros2's new Super Articulation Pedal Steel, which now includes the ability to bend only a single note in a chord, at least takes me a step closer.



Hmmm. maybe if I wait long enough, GlennT will buy his, and then eventually pass his PSG along to me too. - Scott



Tom: Not sure if he ever recorded "Night and Day", but you gotta checkout the late great pedal steel guitarist: Buddy Emmons', classic Jazz album entitled Steel Guitar Jazz It's a masterpiece: Country meets Jazz.

Scott

Scott:

Musician's friends carter, is a entry level, and a waste of good money.Better off buying a used one. Country music, you can get by with 3/or/4 pedals and 10 strings,with a nashville tuning.If you like other music,(plus country) 12 strings 8 pedals and your all set. I like sierra guitars, they're the cadilac of steels. Have one setting in my studio. emmons/MSA is a good middle choice....My opinions.....pose

[This message has been edited by loungelyzard (edited 01-17-2006).]

Scott,

You really put an idea in my head.Many years ago,(and I mean many), I used to play a steel guitar. In fact it was a Fender triple neck that I eventually sold. I haven't touched a steel since. I just went to the Carter web site and watched a demo of someone giving basic lessons on the pedal steel and the concept of it doesn't seem too difficult. I just may pursue this a little further.

Tom J

Thanks Pose & Grandpa Tom for your replies. Just checked the NAMM exhibitor list again, and notice that Sierra & Emmons/MSA are also not listed. As far as I can tell, the only Pedal Steel Manuacterer showing at Winter NAMM this year is Carter. On that note, off to the Carter booth I go. - Scott

Tom...I had the same three neck Fender years ago. A touring group came through town and had their Fender stolen. They were in a bind, so I sold mine to them for about $200.00. That was in 1968. Regretted it ever
since. Last one I saw was in fair condition for about $1100.00.

Once, in a fit of stupidity, I tore apart a C-3, built a new case (White) and mounted a Fender double lap steel in the position of a third board. At least I had the sense to keep the steel body.

Now, I'm looking at installing a Hipshot Trilogy bridge on an 8 string I've ordered.
(The one I'm trying to get shipped from Morrell). Morrell also makes an adjustable stand. You can stand or sit at the lap steel, instead of holding it on your lap.

Ah, boys and their toys...!


Russ

Hi Russ,

Yeah, it's interesting what we sell sometime. I haven't gigged since the late 70's when I was playing a 1958 Fender Bassman. I eventually sold it for around $ 4,000 thru Willie's American Guitars which is a guitar brokerage in St.Paul, MN. As the name implies, he only deals with American gear.

When I was gigging, we did a lot of Eagles stuff which on some tunes used a pedal steel. I thought very seriously of learning then, but alas, I never took the time. Now I have my 3K, an old upright piano and a 10 yr. old Roland. I also sold my B-3 about 8 years ago. No regrets there either.

By the way, here's a link relating to non-pedal lap guitars.
http://www.well.com/user/wellvis/electric.html

Good luck Scott with the pedal steel if you get one. I'm going to look at the electronic accordians by Roland as I fancy one of those.
Just got to find a distributor near me and get a price
And no, I'm not going to get the matching shorts and braces to go with it lmao

Pose, you're right...the Carter line is beginners quality. For my purposes, which is to have a "beater" around, the Carter beginner, with 10 strings, three pedals and 4 knee levers was not a waste of money. But, my expectations were pretty low. No studio work, no playing out. Don't intend to be a performing pedal steel player. I buy high end instruments for one purpose (performing, recording and making money) and "junkers" to have fun with. I have accordions, Sitars, and a big stack of other oddballs. This Carter suits my purpose, which is to take it out 4 times a year to just fool around. I have no intent to actually learn to play the thing (no time). Frankly, I was surprised that the thing stays in tune!

Again, big boys love their toys!

Russ