Should I spend the $695 to buy this or not?

[Taverner]

I've always wanted to learn Steel Pedal, and I'm told this is the best beginner guitar...

http://www.gbase.com/Stores/Gear/GearDetails.aspx?Item=799806

[MadHound]

1. If you can afford it sure, why not`

If it means that you go without food for a week or two, and you're OK with that, sure, why not. If it means that your kids go without food, then there is a problem.

I say get it, it looks like tons of fun.

[atomic-fly]

2. what happened to it?

Looks sweet...looks awsome!

[progmom]

3. yes.

:thumbsup:

[no name no slogan]

4. Do it

do you have an amp? you'll need one of those too if you don't have one already.

[Taverner]

11. I do

A Fender Tube Amp I use for my Strat ;)

[no name no slogan]

12. that will sound beautiful

I was going to suggest a Fender, actually! Now you've got the classic setup!

[Rabrrrrrr]

5. I have to admit, most of me is saying "no, don't get it"

and it's saying that because it's adding "Get the next higher up version".

Something about that one looks a little flimsy to me, and the lowest end of anything is never as good as you will want it to be, and in a few months when you've come to enjoy it and you play well and realize that it doesn't have the sound you want, the sturdiness you want, or the quality you want, you'll kick yourself, because now you're out $695, and can't afford the next higher up version any more.

I'm just not big on buying "starter" instruments, since they never have a sound that's good enough to perform with. Gotta start with something that can be performed on.

Unless you've never played guitar, or any other instrument at all, then the cheapest investment might be the best.

[Taverner]

9. I read reviews on this

And the Carter Starter is pretty much reccomended by everyone as the best Pedal Steel to learn on.

[bigwillq]

6. You only live once.

Go get it.

[ContraBass Black]

7. How much do they normally cost, and what kind of quality is it?

I know nothing about guitars.

Will it appreciate?

[Clintmax]

8. I bought one of those once...

I LOVE the pedal steels too. They're my favorite instrument. Here's a couple of things to think about...

1) They are VERY difficult to learn. It's best if you can play the regular guitar. You'll have a working knowledge.

2) You have to be VERY coordinated to play them. EVERY appendage is doing something different at the same time. Both feet, both hands and BOTH KNEES! (there are bars underneath you push with your knees)

3) You CANNOT learn to play one of them with a book and a tape. Find a good teacher and learn from them instead.

Good luck! I hope you CAN learn! I wasn't so lucky and ended up selling mine. x(

[Taverner]

13. Yeah the feet, hands and knees thing will be tough

Not to mention that although I do play guitar, slide guitar was something I could never master...and that frightens me a little...

Also - how are these things tuned? It has 10 strings, rather than the usual 6 I'm used to. Are they tuned to a key, or tuned to the usual E9 the standard guitar is tuned to?

Also - what do the foot and knee pedals do? Are they what bends the tremelo to take it up and down?

[Clintmax]

15. I was scared and excited at first too...

It's been long enough ago that I don't remember exactly how they are tuned...I THINK it's to a key. They can tell you at the store.

The pedals and knee bars are what change the notes played up or down. You will pluck three strings at once, so you'll wear three picks. Thumb, first and second fingers. You'll press two pedals at the same time, as well as one or two knee bars in or out at the same time to obtain whatever note you need.

[Taverner]

16. Ahhh so you don't use a slide?

Somehow I thought there was a slide involved.....

Perhaps I'm confusing that part with the lap steel...

[Clintmax]

17. No...you use the bar on the top too...

The steel bar makes your main note. The pedals and knee bars change that note as you need it to.

[enigmatic]

10. Do it

Lap Steel is so much fun to play that I've always wanted to get a pedal steel..

[underpants]

14. Where's the other half?

:shrug: