Buying a PEDAL STEEL GUITAR / Cheapest way to get into steel guitar / How to start pedal lap steel
Discussing some of the important considerations for buying a pedal steel guitar or getting into steel guitar. Like and subscribe for more lessons 🙂
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0:00 Intro
0:37 Lap Steel (cheapest entry)
1:51 Main considerations for pedal steel
2:19 Student Models (cheapest pedal steel guitars)
4:29 Pro Models
5:29 Where to buy a pedal steel
7:14 Other things you’ll need
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Pedal steel is an expensive and complex instrument. A lot of musicians ask me what the cheapest way to get into pedal steel guitar is, or the best way to learn how to play pedal steel. In this video, I go over some important ideas regarding affordable ways to start playing steel, lap steel vs pedal steel, new vs used, student model vs pro model, and how or where to buy a pedal steel.
#Buying #PEDAL #STEEL #GUITAR #Cheapest #steel #guitar #start #pedal #lap #steel
Originally posted by UCeZcQIuiEC-tr6JfW4ReJ9A at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_2CWRauQZU
Let me know if you have any questions or comments about getting started on pedal steel or how to buy a pedal steel guitar.
Nice Video well I ordered Sho Bud Maverick as my first pedal steel it was only I could afford cause there is the fact in game that I am from EU and shipping and every fees and VAT would go higher so I found guy on the craigslist, it only has 3 pedals no knee lever I think that I can handle that and maybe later I will do some addings to it like adding a knee levers and also it got changed nut and some repairs and I got some guy who could help me with these knee levers in my country, but thanks for making it clear
Stage one is a great guitar and will resale for close to purchase price. Doug is a great guy to work with.
Just to be of help to you. If you want your audience to learn something, you will need to slow your speech. I tried listening to you at .90 speed & that helped considerably. Try it, so you'll understand what I'm saying….
Before you buy, try to learn about the mechanics & the way they are made. Most of us seniors learned the hard way. WE bought this one, that one, that one & ended up with a good one. That's the expensive route. But If you are just shopping price, you may end up disappointed. One of the main things you need when learning The Pedal Steel is some knowledge about Music. Your not just buying a guitar, you are getting an instrument that changes every time you press a Lever or Pedal. Good Luck…
Tx man. Good to know!
Talked to an old pedal steel guy who offered me a Sidekick but warned me cause I might outgrow it being my first guitar–then he said he'd take $250 for it and I said hell yea LOL
That video was very informative, although you kinda scared me saying if bought second hand it would need a proper resetting… living in Europe, where this instrument is barely known, that gives me something to think about…
Thanks. I'm old, so the idea of learning pedal steel seems like one that could last into even older age. thank you
I have left hand issues, thinking this may be my way to go
For fellow Europeans, the buying tip is, buy any you can find in the area because it's damn near impossible ????. Took me two years of active searching to eventually find a project guitar that's infinitely in repair
Is it a necessity to play guitar before playing the lap steel? I play drum set and flute and I wonder if playing lapsteel is like playing a regular guitar, or is it similar, or even a complete different world. I really love the sound though. Anyway when i played music with friends and i get their guitar i used to hold it like a lapsteel without even knowing about this instrument at that point. So i thought it might be a fun instrument to play.
I realize that this video is 3 years old but it was super helpful. Thanks so much.
ZUHM not ZOOM
He’s absolutely right about the Carter starter guitars – if you can find one – 3 + 4
Are there any left-handed pedal steels available?
Are you in the Marcus king band ?!? Or were you during that exercept from Red Rocks …? (2:42 mark)
It’s a shame not even Guitar Center sells Pedal Steels.
Great introduction to the basics. Regarding the "other things you'll need" category, one crucial item not mentioned is a volume pedal, and it's a must-have for PSG (preferably an optical type).
Buy a pedal steel? Then talking about lap, is like having a title say buying a car then talking about a pushbike. Or a guitar and then ukulele, or gun and peashooter. Why.
Thanks!
I have an old Fender student model; 3 pedals, 1 knee lever. Where is the best place to trade that in for a 3/4 model?
I've been a lifelong guitarist, made it my attempted career and "career-adjacent" focus for a few decades. i've always been fascinated by lap steel and pedal steel (played plenty of slide), but the pedal steel is my new journey. i love this vid! excited to jump in and learn. i know a lot of amazing musicians and the best ones have always been curious and embrace the stretch. thanks for your protips!
What about the old fender 400 from the 60s
Started out playing 6 string slide open G
Next picked up an fender stringmaster 8 string double neck one C6 the other E7
Next ordered a Jackson slide king pedal 8 string set up for E7 no knees 4 pedals
I like them all , play blues and fell in love with sacred steel. I don’t think you are wasting your time starting on a lap. It’s not a big expense to try out lap and jump into pedal when you’re ready . I’m trying to play country but it sounds a little bluesy ha ha !
Hey Hamilton- I found this really helpful and you answered some questions I had.
I've been playing guitar (Classical, Flamenco, Blues, Jazz etc…) for decades.
Pedal Steel- Lap Steel has always deeply fascinated me. I was thinking of getting a Recording King
so you answered my question there. Do you have any suggestions on a good 8 string Lap to start with?
I'm not looking to play in any one Genre or style.
Thanks again for your time, I found this one of the more direct and thoughtful videos out there.
Hi man,
I just got a GFI student model 3×4 from reverb that I got a good deal on and am super excited. Been looking for forever and inventory was so low, and student models were just way overpriced online.
Anyways, this video was super helpful. Thank you!
Also curious if you have any reccomendations for good inexpensive, beginner amps, volume pedal, wiring etc.
Thanks for any recs!
The correct pronunciation is Zum like “gum.” I’ve been playing for over 40 years and I think the Carter starter would be a great beginning guitar. Also, you have to decide if you want a Jimmy day set up or an Emmons set up. The day set up is like a backwards emmons set up as far as the pedals go. The emmons set up is definitely the most common. A single 10 Mullen PRP or royal precision would also be an excellent lifetime guitar and you can find them for around $2500-$2800. The great thing about learning Steel Guitar I found when I was just starting is that it is such an addictive instrument that even when you get frustrated, you always come back to it. I would say the first year is probably the most difficult for learning, and it starts to get a little easier after that. Learning to correctly tune the instrument can also be challenging but I believe investing in something like a Peterson Strobostomp HD tuner pedal with a sweetener specifically for Steel Guitar makes tuning so much easier.
This is so helpful. Thank you!
I made it myself.
Is the carter starter junk or good? One for sale locally for $700