What's the most stable PSG to gig with?

[Deondro Nevarez]

I realize this can be a taste issue, I'm a newer player and looking to buy a professional guitar that will be east to keep in tune as i begin to play with some groups around town. Can't spend 10K but in the 4K range is doable. I don't need flash, just substance. Any suggestions?

[Stew Crookes]

Apologies if this reply is too vague, but pretty much any professional-level steel guitar made in the last few decades is quite tuning stable.
If I'm playing out of tune on either my recent Excel or my 80's EMCI, it's more likely to be my fault than the guitar's

[Dennis Detweiler]

I assume you're talking about a used good quality and mechanically stable guitar? Any of the 1975 and newer MSA guitars would be in this catagory. I'm still playing my 1976 MSA U-12 that I bought new in 76. I also picked up a 1975, same structure and both are birdseye maple (one green and the other brown). I've never had any mechanical issues, stays in tune and sound excellent with a good quality pickup upgrade. Downside is, they are heavier than other brands (like a Cadillac vs Chevy Malibu).

[Richard Alderson]

GFI guitars are light and proven reliable. They are readily available either new or used. Weight is a huge factor for gigging. I have heavier guitars at home and GFIs for playing out. They are reliable & battle tested.

[Earnest Bovine]

Kline

[Rich Ertelt]

I have a GFI ultra, 2002 model I think, I got it used in like 2004.
This past summer, I was doing a lot of gigs, 2-3 a week. All over the NE, NH, VT, NY, PA, VT, even went to Chicago. I put a set of Live Steel Strings on it in like May, and never changed them. We did outside, theaters, bars, all sorts of venues.
I would take the steel out of the case, and it was in tune, or very very close. The pulls as well, I hardly ever had to adjust them.It stayed in tune through the gig. I use a couple Peterson tuners, so pretty accurate stuff.

I got a Mullen Discovery in Sept. It is also pretty stable, though not as much as the GFI. The GFI and Mullen are about the same in the case, but just picking them up, I think the GFI is actually lighter. I've been meaning to measure them. The GFI plays well, the Mullen is amazing.

I got the Mullen because I was not happy with the GFI tone. It wasn't bad, necessarily, just not what I want. Too "modern" is the way I think of it. I am very happy with the Mullen so far.

A used Discovery is pretty hard to find. Not sure the wait time, I waited 9 months, they have had some challenges lately. The Ultras do come up used here more often.

Those are the only 2 I have owned, so can't say for anything else.

[Jerry Overstreet]

I sort of agree with what Stew wrote.....but, guitars will vary one to the other even in the same brand, config. and build era. Some guitars seem to just stay in tune better from gig to gig. Also some guitars drift during the event while others don't.

It's a crap shoot that you get the best one, but well respected recent professional brands are your best bet.

In owning and playing well over a dozen guitars over 45 yrs., my experience is one particular Mullen D10. It just felt solid out of the case to the floor every time and needing very little tuning touch up if any....but those are my favorite guitars of all so may be some bias there.

You'll also find that almost everybody thinks what they are playing is the best and most stable so you'll find very little objectivity here.

[Larry Jamieson]

If I was looking at new guitars today, I'd look at Williams, Sho-Pro and Mullen. Mullen had two deaths within the family just recently so I don't know if they will be up and running the way they once were but their guitars are well built and dependable.

[Bobby D. Jones]

If you are going to gig the guitar, Better be young and strong, If you choose a MSA D10 Classic, They weigh about 85lb in the factory case.
(Weight gets more important the older you get.)

[Erv Niehaus]

You can't go wrong with a Williams.
And Bill is a gem to work with.

[Dale Rivard]

Honestly, I think a well adjusted pushpull is the most stable pedal steel tuning wise. Because you're actually tuning the changer then adjusting the length of the rods to accomodate. The changer has more mass. On an allpull, tuning is determined by the pullrods which are more susceptible to temperature change.

[Dawn Jackson]

Hi Deondro.
We would be delighted to build you a new Maverick II...an amazing pedal steel to gig and/or record with. We have pros, newbies and all levels in between playing them all over the world. They hold their tune and have that good ol' Sho-Bud tone. Still being built by the Jacksons!

https://sho-bud.com/product/maverick-ii ... el-guitar/

Let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks,
Dawn Jackson
dawn@shobud.com

[Brett Day]

Hi Deondro.
We would be delighted to build you a new Maverick II...an amazing pedal steel to gig and/or record with. We have pros, newbies and all levels in between playing them all over the world. They hold their tune and have that good ol' Sho-Bud tone. Still being built by the Jacksons!

https://sho-bud.com/product/maverick-ii ... el-guitar/

Let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks,
Dawn Jackson
dawn@shobud.com

I agree with the comments about the Sho-Bud Maverick II. I'd love to play one myself and the builders are wonderful friends who build wonderful steel guitars