My First Impressions of my ETS

[Bill McCloskey]

Just picked up an S10 3x5 ETS from Jim Palenscar. (and of course it's always a pleasure dealing with Jim who goes above and beyond for his customers). I brought it up to Dave Grafe to go over and get set up. Dave did his usual fantastic job. And now I've had a couple of days to play it.

First, let's address the weight, which is a godsend. At 71, with bad feet and knees, I can pick this up easily in the case with one hand and carry it out to my car and back. No more wheels, spit cases, and 70 pounds of steel to load into the back of the car. And tonight I hooked it up to a Spark amp and it sounded great. The Spark amp is also light as a feather, so my grab and go is now almost as simple as grabbing an acoustic guitar.

The engineering is a wonder. If Dave pops into the the thread, he could probably give a more intelligent description. But it is just "elegant".

As far as playablity is concerned, it isn't going to replace my Mullen. I look at my Mullen like a Ferrari: smooth, butter, almost plays itself.

But the ETS is more like a dune buggy. Fun for it's own sake. I wouldn't drive a Ferrari on the dunes. It has it's own unique sound and way of playing. And it's almost like training for the Mullen. After I play the ETS for a while, it is like I've been training with ankle weights: I fly on the G2.

I'm absolutely in love with this thing. And the price? I'll keep it between my and Jim but I got the deal of the century. I can't imagine ever selling it. Where else are you ever going to find something like this. Around 160 made, I've been told. Bud Carter's final statement to the Steel Guitar Community.

[Lane Gray]

I'm glad it's light and well made. I've got one from near the other end of Bud's career: a 1970 (pre-Micro) MSA S-12 with the ZB/BMI style crossbars, that MSA said "that serial number was made by and for Bud himself.
In case, that S12 weighs 75.8 pounds.
I'm going to make it purty and playable again, and keep the link to Mr. Carter in it.

[Chris Templeton]

Looks nice.
As for light guitars, Tom Bradshaw had the idea of stabilizing a light steel by with the weight of the seat somehow.

[Bill McCloskey]

Actually it is surprisingly stable. Perhaps the aluminum frame?

[Bobby D. Jones]

When I went from a heavy MSA Classic with hard short crisp knee lever moves.
To a much lighter GFI S 12, I learned quick.
Replace the rubber feet on the legs, With the softest feet you can find. For better traction.
With a light guitar, The days of short quick knee levers are gone. It takes too much pressure on the knee lever, And wants to move a light guitar. I lengthened the knee lever travel, Which takes less pressure to engage the knee lever, No more trouble with guitar moving or wobbling.

Its just another one of those rules of physics, When sitting up a light guitar.