Should I get this Fessenden sd10 ?

[Robert Davis]

Longtime guitarist, play resonator and lap steel a bit.

Wanting a PSG. Just found Fessenden SD-10 locally..not sure of condition.. appears to be late 90s or early 2000s. Blue, no armrest. 2k. thinking will pull the plug. Going to see and try it soon.

Any things I should be on the lookout for or be otherwise wary of ?

[Bill McCloskey]

Fessenden's have a reputation for being uneven in quality. Some are great. Some not so great. And guitar techs I've talked to say Jerry made some "unusual choices" in the undercarriage of some his guitars. If possible, I'd have a guitar tech look at it before buying. Otherwise, I'd probably pass.

[Robert Davis]

Much obliged! I also am looking at a new GFI SM 3x2 singleneck.. for 1700. Or a Fender 400 1958.. that seems well cared for. For 1450.. thoughts ?

[Jerry Overstreet]

I couldn't advise you on the Fessenden without seeing some photos and description. If it's a professional model in good repair, 2K is a very fair price compared to what similar guitars of this type are going for.

You say SD10 without a pad. SD10s are a double body with only a front neck and a blank deck on the rear. That the case?

The SM10 is designation for student model. Just 2 levers will work but most players use at least 4. These are decent entry level guitars but with some limitations in the mechanics.

Fender 400s are a different animal. I would suggest you pass on that. They are very different from modern pedal steels. Not something I would advise for a beginner.

[John Macy]

I will have to say I own a pair of Fessenden guitars that I have toured worldwide with and played tons of sessions and gigs on and have never had any problems. Their tone is superb, also.

[Greg Forsyth]

Hi Robert,
The last several months I've spent a lot of time looking for a psg and have considered several of the guitars you have. I decided to buy new Justice S10.
Relieved the worry of buying a used steel especially one I couldnt test drive

[Robert Davis]

I couldn't advise you on the Fessenden without seeing some photos and description. If it's a professional model in good repair, 2K is a very fair price compared to what similar guitars of this type are going for.

You say SD10 without a pad. SD10s are a double body with only a front neck and a blank deck on the rear. That the case?

The SM10 is designation for student model. Just 2 levers will work but most players use at least 4. These are decent entry level guitars but with some limitations in the mechanics.

Fender 400s are a different animal. I would suggest you pass on that. They are very different from modern pedal steels. Not something I would advise for a beginner.

Just attached a pic

[Robert Davis]

More pics

IMG_1056.jpeg

IMG_1057.jpeg

[Jerry Overstreet]

That looks good. Professional model guitar. It it plays OK and the mechanics are in order, it's a guitar I would buy if I were in the market. Well worth the 2K.

Can't tell for sure but it appears to not be an SD cabinet rather maybe a single on a deck and a half or maybe just a slightly wider deck. No worries there. Has some splits intalled at the right end on the neck. Those will come in very handy.

Good luck with this. I hope you can make a deal.

[Robert Davis]

Appreciated!

[Roger Crawford]

There is a Derby in the vigor sale section that might be a better option for you.

[Dave Grafe]

I played a D10 Fessy all last year, upgraded it and only sold it after getting a nice old Zum on line. A good Fessy is a fine guitar, with smooth action,, great sound and super easy to work on. The foibles alluded to here are not hard to address and the shorter cross-shafts of the S10 helps avoid the flexing that afflicts the double neck guitars, If this one plays smoothly and has a reasonably standard copedant (do I see 3+3?) I would easily choose this one over the other options mentioned here. Plus this one's a looker.

IMHO a good Fessy S10 is well worth $2K, jump on it and your friends here can help you make it a sweet thing.

[Bill McCloskey]

Dave knows his stuff and based on where you are, if you need work done on whatever steel you go with, I highly recommend him.

[Jerry Overstreet]

I believe there are 4 knees. Enough cabbage there to do whatever you want. Have you bought it yet?

[Bobby D. Jones]

That Fessenden looks very good in the pictures, 3 pedals/4 knee levers, 3 Split screws.
The trim strip on the back apron, The screws are factory. That allows access to the cross shafts to be moved or replaced easy.
The guitar is built on a single neck body, The space along the back side of neck is slightly wider, To make room for the knee levers under the guitar.

Some guitars built on a single body have room for a small arm rest on the back of the neck for comfort.

I would choose the "Fessie" over a student model.
Good Luck in choosing a steel, Have a great steel guitar journey.

[Robert Davis]

Thank you all. She is now mine; the sellers dad was a country gigger for years and apparently bought this for his son 25 years ago.. and it never was played. Excellent condition, truly a sweet deal. My wife’s objection to ‘Yet another guitar’ has been made easier to navigate thanks to y’all. I told her I was compelled to do it by my new pack of cheerleaders.

All seems to work fine. I fell asleep playing last night.

[Jerry Overstreet]

Congratulations! You done good as they say. Enjoy your pedal steel guitar experience. Now you're hooked just like the rest of us!

[Quentin Hickey]

Fessendens are sleeper guitars meaning they are highly underrated by most people. They have tone that can hang with the best of them. Super easy to play. Its too bad Jerry couldn't find someone to continue his legacy....

[Erv Niehaus]

I really liked his fretboards and put them on several guitars.

[Bobby D. Jones]

Congratulations, The "Fessie" is a pro class guitar, Happy Steelin.

[john widgren]

PM and emails sent with my contact info. Will buy.
Please send me your phone # and ill call you if you like
JW