Where Do I Start?

[Bruce Coffman]

Hello, All —

Absolutely new member here — please be gentle, it’s my first post.

I’m a 69 yr. old former pro soundman, recording engineer/producer/studio owner and lifelong guitar player. I’ve been wanting to learn the “3-D Chess” that is pedal steel since waaay back in 1973 (long story there) and I’ve now decided It’s Time.

Have yet to purchase ANYTHING so I’m starting completely from scratch with nothing more than some old finger picks and an admiration for Rusty Young, Al Perkins and Pete Kleinow — so my first question: where do I begin?

All suggestions appreciated!

Cheers,

Bruce

[Bill McCloskey]

Welcome. I started at 68 and I’m 71. Greatest joy in my life.

Here is the simplest way to get started:

Look for a late model 10 string E9th pedal steel with at least 3 pedals and 4 knee levers. (3x4). A 3x5 is even better. A pedal steel needs to be fit to the person playing it so if you can sit behind one before buying it, that is best. Things like height (I need legs and rods that are 1 inch under standard).

Right now there is a youtube channel that features Jeff Newman’s lessons. Start with the one called “Pedal Steel Guitar Techniques” and “Right Hand Alpha”.

Have fun.

[Bruce Coffman]

Thx, Bill — I appreciate the feedback.

Re: My First Instrument: I’ve been checking my usual haunt (Reverb) and I find myself drawn to things like Sho-Bud, Emmons, MSA, etc. and most are single neck 3P/4L.

I tend to appreciate quality and solid builds so that once it’s set-up properly it will hold tune and be relatively problem-free. I’ll usually cough up more $$$ if it gets me a quality instrument that feels good and has been owned by someone that really cares about their gear. In short: I like good equipment that works well, and cosmetic “road wear” is just part of an instruments’ mojo.

I’m also assuming that — like some of my other buys — if I decide a pedal steel is not for me (Heaven forbid!) I can flip it for close to what I paid for it.

Any suggestions on specific makes/models and where to look would be really useful.

Cheers,
Bruce

[Bill McCloskey]

I would avoid vintage for a first instrument. I’ve owned 3 sho-buds and even bought back the first one I bought (and then sold again). Stick with a current maker who can make parts if you need them. Look for Williams, Mullen, GFI, Sho-pro. I’ve owned Williams and Mullen and they are both great instruments but The Mullen is the best one I’ve ever owned, by far.

[D Schubert]

You're on the right track about buying a good pro instrument, rather than a bargain that needs hours and hours of adjustment and repair. Every hour you spend underneath may cost you two hours of practice time (I think I heard that straight from Scotty at Scotty's Music when I bought my first one)

If you can swing it, go to a dealer/store that has more than a few steel guitars on the floor. Take along a buddy that plays steel guitar. Sit down and try them on like a pair of boots.

[Jim Fiegen]

I've written posts on my blog about the subject you are asking about, so I would suggest you check it out and see if any of it interests you. A lot of my ideas are not considered main stream by some old school players but they work for me and many others in the PSG world.
https://jimfiegen.com/all-those-strings ... ally-need/
Regarding instrument brands, I have owned Fenders, MSA's, Emmons and GFI. They all have their fans and the new ones are of generally higher manufacturing quality than the older ones. That's the trick if there is one, as in automobiles, new is better as far as the PSG being a mechanical device since it is a machine and subject to wear and tear from daily use.
Good luck in your journey!

[Bob Hoffnar]

Careful with reverb for pedalsteels. It’s a place where sellers prey on uninformed buyers. Flippers from the forum sell guitars that they bought here at vastly inflated prices. Plus there are instruments that are fundamentally unusable selling on reverb that would get not get the time of day here. There are a few decent instruments that are available on reverb that are only way overpriced but overall it’s not a good place to buy a steel.

[Frank Freniere]

Check with Doug Earnest at www.stageonesteelguitars.com to see the wait time. The Encore has all you will ever need on E9.

[Dave Magram]

Hi Bruce,

Here's another thought to consider...

I don't know where you live in Texas, but there seems to be quite a few excellent pedal steel players in that state--you might want to use the SGF "Search" function to find some Texas members near you.

In my experience, most PSG players are very friendly and helpful to beginners, so if you can find someone in your vicinity, they might be able to help you find a good PSG to start with, show you how to get it out of the case without hurting yourself (or it), tuning it, and maybe give you some tips on "blocking" (muting the strings), etc.--all of which is quite different from playing a standard six-string guitar!

I remember how helpful a couple of PSG players were many years ago when I decided to buy one; I believe there's more of a "brotherhood" spirit among PSG players than with most other instruments.

Best wishes on your pedal steel journey!

- Dave

[Bruce Coffman]

Thanks to everyone so far for your replies and advice/generosity.

B

[Jerry Overstreet]

What Dave M said. There are steel players who are members here all over Texas. If you post your area, I'll bet dollars to donuts someone will step up and offer to help you find a good steel in good repair.

[Stew Crookes]

Thx, Bill — I appreciate the feedback.

Re: My First Instrument: I’ve been checking my usual haunt (Reverb) and I find myself drawn to things like Sho-Bud, Emmons, MSA, etc. and most are single neck 3P/4L.

I tend to appreciate quality and solid builds so that once it’s set-up properly it will hold tune and be relatively problem-free. I’ll usually cough up more $$$ if it gets me a quality instrument that feels good and has been owned by someone that really cares about their gear. In short: I like good equipment that works well, and cosmetic “road wear” is just part of an instruments’ mojo.

I’m also assuming that — like some of my other buys — if I decide a pedal steel is not for me (Heaven forbid!) I can flip it for close to what I paid for it.

Any suggestions on specific makes/models and where to look would be really useful.

Cheers,
Bruce

My advice here would be if you are determined to get a vintage steel, do not buy it on Reverb or from any store that is not specialized in pedal steels.

Vintage steels are not like vintage guitars where it's easy to tell if they are in playable shape with just limited knowledge - you can very easily get in over your head mechanically on a worn out or simply problematic steel so you want to make sure it has been vetted by a professional, ideally someone local enough to visit occasionally.

There's several people on the forum who sell / service vintage steels and will be able to make sure you're buying a steel that is playable and will remain that way for a long time.

Good luck on your pedal steel adventure!

[Paul Seager]

First, this forum is the best. I've only ever received helpful, friendly advice here; it's refreshing in this day and age to find a group of people genuinely dedicated to helping one and other!

No further comments on instrument purchase. I live in Europe where PSGs are very rare so to avoid the hassle of old instruments I bought new from WBS, a one-man operation here in Germany. Waiting list is long but worth it, pedal operation is soft as butter!

As to education, I tried the 3-4 books often recommended here but found the MMM Paul Franklin Foundation course absolutely inspirational. Structured videos, multiple cameras, PDF Handouts and VERY, VERY good and thoughtful advice. At 99$ for a year's subscription, there is enough material there to busy a focused beginner for a year! Don't rush it - it's worth the investment of time.

[mtulbert]

Bruce

Where in Texas are you located? I have a couple of ideas to discuss with you about getting your first steel.

Mark T.

PS AM in the DFW area

[Bruce Coffman]

Hi, Mark —

Thx for reaching out — I’m a short hop down
1-45 in Houston.

Bruce

[mtulbert]

Sent you an email