Carter Starter vs. Stage One

[Twangasaurus]

I want to play ze steel. The one with pedals.
Anyways, the steel guitar forums scares me as I understand NOTHING that's going on there (you tune it to what? / my slide is made out of metal... or something... / there's levers for your KNEES! ect.) so I decided to ask all of you.
I narrowed it down to two models that seem ok for what they are (and affordable). As I understand it the Carter Starter isn't so great while the Stage One almost universally gets the thumbs up but I was just wondering if anyone here had given either a shot (you know, for realsies?) as I am in Australia, the country of unavailability. Ergo I might not have a choice of what I pick up in the end but I'm keen that it won't be a complete POS.

[Ed Miller]

I would look into getting a name brand single neck, ten string with three pedals and four knee levers. You can likely find one for the same price as a started steel. PLUS you can change the set up on the changer if you choose to. I know on the Carter you cannot change the Copedant. (the raise, lower settings and tuning) As long as you have double raise and lower, you will be fine.

[TC6969]

A friend of mine bought a Carter Starter and liked it but outgrew it VERY quickly and ended up putting some serious money into an Emmons.

[getbent]

the carters hold their value (don't buy new... they don't make them anymore and buying a NOS one is a wasteful idea)....

the stage ones are less easy to sell except on the sgf... and less well known.

I have a carter starter, I don't play it a ton (but have decided that my future will be as a steel player in 5 years, it should be easier to get gigs than as an old guitar player.. there is a funny fascism about that... an old steel player is cool, an old guitar player, not so much... go figure...

I'll upgrade in a year or two, for now, it gets done what I need getting done.. a really good steel player I know (on lots of records) uses a starter on gigs frequently and while it has limitations etc.. it is playable...

the stage one is fine too.. you really won't go wrong investment wise either way, but you'll stay even on a carter and lose 150.00 on a stage one..

you will probably sell it after a year if you get serious.

[Jimmy Row]

I bought a carter starter and outgrew it quickly. I hooked up with someone on the steel guitar forum and purchased a used pro model via the mail and paypal. There's a lot of helpful dudes on that site. I posted an ad looking for a steel for around a $1000. I got an overwhelming amount of responses. I bet there's even some Aussies on there.

[Flewis]

When I was wanting to get into steel I was told to by a single 10 pro model, regardless of make - the carter starter is flimsy I know several people that own them and can't sell them.

[Mojohand40]

I say get a Stage one. I really like mine. I've tried both, and the Stage one is a lot nicer instrument and seems more solid/better made. (imo)
Here's me on mine:

[J. Hayes]

I'd stay away from the Carter Starter and get the Stage one. If you don't mind getting a used one there are some great values out there in other brands. Sometimes you can find a used BMI pretty cheap and they're a high quality pro guitar for sure. I have two of 'em, a single 12 with 8 floor pedals & 5 knee levers, and an SD-12 with 6 pedals and 5 knee levers. You can get a good buy sometimes on older MSA guitars. Most old ShoBuds & Emmons guitars cost more than others and they're not really worth it. I think my BMI(s) sound as good as anything out there. I'd check the for sale section on the steel guitar forum and also Billy Cooper's Steel shop in Orange, Va. or Bobbe Seymore's store in Nashville. They both stock used steels as does Jim Palenscar in the San Diego area. There's also Blackie Taylor music in Riverside, Ca.......... Here's some shots of my BMI's.........JH in Va.

[Twangasaurus]

Thanks for the advice everyone, I'm now really considering biting the bullet and getting something a little more expensive (those BMIs do look like a good option). I'm thinking that Pedal Steel could be something that I get pretty serious about so maybe that's the way to go. If I can't find what I'm looking for I'll probably just get the StageOne to tie me over, if I outgrow it then I can probably trick a friend into buying it.

I have no worries about getting gigs, I have a total Jon Graboff thing going that will make people instantly trust my playing abilities (even if I am rubbish) .