My Pedal Steel Guitars
I currently have 2 pedal steel guitars in my collection which are as follows;
1. Show Pro SD10 (2015)
A Show Pro was my dream guitar as a 16 year old. Back then I played an old student model that mechanically had seen better days. My dad had always played his legendary Sho-Bud Pro 1 since the 1980s, through to when I was growing up. Because of that I became a big Sho-Bud fan. A new Show Pro was something that really fit the bill. Cosmetically they were beautiful, mechanically they were smooth, tonally they could either go for a modern tone or have a vintage Sho-Bud style of tone, and also the sustain was incredible.
As a gift for a combination of my 18th birthday and graduating school, my dream finally came true thanks to my parents. Throughout 2015 my Show Pro was built by Jeff Surratt and his army of workshop employees in Nashville, Tennessee. The choice of finish was inspired with something I said to my dad at a very young age. Just as my dad was leaving for a 2 week trip to Nashville my 5 year old self said "Dad, please can you bring me back an orange pedal steel?". On that occasion I ended up getting a tiny gift shop guitar...but 13 years later I got the real deal.
A Show Pro was my dream guitar as a 16 year old. Back then I played an old student model that mechanically had seen better days. My dad had always played his legendary Sho-Bud Pro 1 since the 1980s, through to when I was growing up. Because of that I became a big Sho-Bud fan. A new Show Pro was something that really fit the bill. Cosmetically they were beautiful, mechanically they were smooth, tonally they could either go for a modern tone or have a vintage Sho-Bud style of tone, and also the sustain was incredible.
As a gift for a combination of my 18th birthday and graduating school, my dream finally came true thanks to my parents. Throughout 2015 my Show Pro was built by Jeff Surratt and his army of workshop employees in Nashville, Tennessee. The choice of finish was inspired with something I said to my dad at a very young age. Just as my dad was leaving for a 2 week trip to Nashville my 5 year old self said "Dad, please can you bring me back an orange pedal steel?". On that occasion I ended up getting a tiny gift shop guitar...but 13 years later I got the real deal.
Edit - October 2023: After 8 years of hard graft, I sent my Show Pro up to Ronnie Bennett in Scotland for a much needed service. He also added a 4th pedal and a vertical knee lever which I've wanted for a while.
2. Max Steel Guitars "Resobird" - Resonator Pedal Steel - (2025)
Following on from the Hudsonator on the previously owned page, this is Jimmie Hudson's new take on the Resonator Pedal Steel. This has some redesigned features such as the acoustic chamber and pulling mechanics.
The resophonic pedal steel sound is something I'm still passionate about and I'm really proud to own this steel guitar. My Resobird has a Honduran mahogany neck piece, a curly maple top, Sapele aprons, Sapele sound box walls, and is finished off by a solid spruce sound box lid. I think the tone is well balanced across the spectrum.
3. My Dad's 1981 Sho-Bud Pro 1 (Honourable Mention)
Although technically not mine, I have free reign to use my dad's Sho-Bud Pro 1 on projects. I prefer to stay remote recording only with this guitar as I wouldn't forgive myself if I caused any accidental damage.
As mentioned previously, I played a student model when I first started out. After a couple of years, my dad then allowed me to share his Sho-Bud. I played my debut gig on the Sho-Bud and also played it on a few YouTube videos. As much as this steel guitar is a huge part of my dad's journey and sentiment, it is also part of my story and has a lot of value to me. Not just as a son but as a musician too.
My dad has owned his Sho-Bud since brand new in the 80s. At the time he played an 8 string "Guya" pedal steel from Japan. Although the tone was great, it was limited in what it could do and was difficult to tune. Coming from a working class, Northern family, a Sho-Bud was a pipe dream to my dad. One day however his luck was in. He got a call from a Leeds based music shop saying they'd had a sale fall through with a considerable deposit. He went straight down to the store to make the purchase, knowing that he could flog the Guya to make it work financially. The Guya went to a carpet salesman...maybe one day I can find it and buy it back.
The Sho-Bud started out life with 3 pedals and 2 knee-levers. In the early 90s my dad made the trip over to Wirral to Ronnie Bennett. He added 3 more kneelevers to make it a 3x5. My dad has been everywhere on a national level with it and recorded the odd few sessions here and there away from the family band.
As mentioned previously, I played a student model when I first started out. After a couple of years, my dad then allowed me to share his Sho-Bud. I played my debut gig on the Sho-Bud and also played it on a few YouTube videos. As much as this steel guitar is a huge part of my dad's journey and sentiment, it is also part of my story and has a lot of value to me. Not just as a son but as a musician too.
My dad has owned his Sho-Bud since brand new in the 80s. At the time he played an 8 string "Guya" pedal steel from Japan. Although the tone was great, it was limited in what it could do and was difficult to tune. Coming from a working class, Northern family, a Sho-Bud was a pipe dream to my dad. One day however his luck was in. He got a call from a Leeds based music shop saying they'd had a sale fall through with a considerable deposit. He went straight down to the store to make the purchase, knowing that he could flog the Guya to make it work financially. The Guya went to a carpet salesman...maybe one day I can find it and buy it back.
The Sho-Bud started out life with 3 pedals and 2 knee-levers. In the early 90s my dad made the trip over to Wirral to Ronnie Bennett. He added 3 more kneelevers to make it a 3x5. My dad has been everywhere on a national level with it and recorded the odd few sessions here and there away from the family band.
