Built by Steel Guitarists for Steel Guitarists

Magnum Steel Guitar FAQs:

Frequently Asked Questions


Question: Who makes Magnum Steel Guitars?

Answer: The Magnum is designed by Bud Carter, who designed the MSA, MCI, and Carter Steel Guitars and John Fabian (Carter-Starter). Magnums are built at the Carter Steel Guitar facility in Mesquite, Texas, USA. By now, many of our previous design innovations have been incorporated into most every brand of steel. In our most recent development, the Magnum, we have intentionally designed in great, consistent and clear sound, while keeping only what parts are necessary and useful. One of the features We feel is important to most steel players is keeping a steel lightweight while being easy and fun to play and maintain. The sustain and tone of Magnum Steel Guitars are among the best available and the result of many years of computer and field studies. The compact, low-profile design provides a Pedal Steel Guitar with maximum intonation and sustain throughout the scale. This results in extremely fast and easy playing action and no "dead spots" anywhere on the neck.


Question: Is the Magnum a Professional-Grade steel?

Answer: Yes. All Magnum Steel Guitars are state-of-the-art, Professional-Grade pedal steel guitars that will give you many years of playing pleasure.

There are basically 3 levels of steel guitar:

  1. entry-level (Carter-Starter, etc.)
  2. intermediate (very, very few companies make these any more)
  3. professional (most steels made today including Magnum Pro Select)

Question: What are the differences between Magnum and Carter Steel Guitars?

Answer: The Magnum undercarriage is simplified and easier to work on. The pedals and pedal bar are different. The Magnum uses Grover/Ping tuning machines, our own pickup (standard) and does NOT have BCT. The legs are aluminum as opposed to steel and the overall finish is a combination of glass beading and powder coating.

Magnum Pro Select Steel Guitars are only sold though our authorized dealer network.
There are no factory-direct sales. Here's a chart of the differences.

Question: What is included with my Magnum?

Answer: The Magnum comes with a hard-shell case, leg bag, Quick Start Video, owner's manual, wrench kit, Jeffran tuning chart, and literature.

Question: How Much Do Magnums Cost?

Answer: MSRP for a D-10 is $3995. MSRP for an S-10DB is $2995.

Question: How fast can I get a Magnum?

Answer: Fast! You can find a dealer near you with some in stock.


Question: What colors can I get?

Answer: We have 5 Standard Glossy Laminate Colors: Black, Blue Birdseye, Red Birdseye, Green Birdseye, and Brown Birdseye. You may select any one of these colors for your Magnum (1 color only). Your color choices are shown in the table below.

Solid colors:

Black

Woodgrain mica (laminate) colors:

Blue Birds Eye

Brown Birds Eye

Green Birds Eye

Red Birds Eye



Question: Can I get a Custom Laminate (mica) on my Magnum?

Answer: No. Magnums are only available in our standard colors.


Question: Can I Order My Magnum with the Tuning/Setup of My Choice?

Answer: Yes, you may order your Magnum in the Tuning/Setup of your choice.
If you would like to check out our Most Requested Tunings, here are the Standard tunings and setups for Magnum Steel Guitars.


Question: What are the cabinets made of?

Answer: All Magnum cabinets are made of Hard Rock Maple with a laminate (mica) covering.


Question: I would rather have the natural wood. Can I get my Magnum with a natural finish?

Answer: No. Magnums are not available in Lacquer finishes.


Question: How thick is the wood used in the Magnum cabinets?

Answer: All the Magnums have the same thickness on their cabinets as follows: the top deck is 3/4", the bottom deck is 1/2", and the front apron is 5/8".


Question: Is the Magnum triple raise, triple lower?

Answer: No. The Magnum is QUADRUPLE raise, DOUBLE lower which allows better action and more options for most of the modern setups. Most setups don't use more than 2 raises and 1 lower per string. Triple raise, Triple lower fingers will be installed on any string that must be lowered three times according to the setup form.


Question: What is a Pull?

Answer: A pull is the connection between a pedal or a knee lever and the desired raise or lower finger. Each raise or lower of a string is isolated and separate from any other raise or lower, even though it may replicate an already existing raise or lower.


Question: Since the Magnum is so much lighter in weight, is it as substantial and well-constructed when compared to other brands? For instance, the Magnum's bell cranks and rods even look lightweight. Are the Magnum's bell cranks, rods, and other key components going to last?

Yes, the Magnum is as substantial and well-built as any other brand out there. And, yes, the bell cranks, rods, etc. will last.

The Magnum is a Professional model steel and is designed and built to last a lifetime.

Some of this answer may surprise you. It surprised Bud when he studied this in college (he took some physics courses a few years back to get this design even better).

The Magnum's bell cranks are made of 6061 Aluminum (hardened to T-6). The Magnum's pull rods are made of Stainless Steel. The weights of these pieces on the Magnum are about the same as most all other brands.

Our rods are actually stronger and will last longer than welding rod and cold-rolled rod, which is what is used by most other manufacturers.

The weight has not been removed in the bell cranks and rods. Instead, the weight has been removed from the Magnum in "dead areas" or areas that do not need the weight, such as the underside of the neck, metal areas on the top deck if not necessary for sound, playability, etc., and so on.

And, 2 other things, which may also surprise you: The Magnum has more actual Steel (versus aluminum and other lighter metals) than most other brands! Also, the amount and thickness of the wood used in the Magnum is at least equal to most every other brand.

The present-day Magnum is a result of a lot of consideration and research on our end so that the player has fast, positive action and stops, and the easiest time possible playing, maintaining, carrying, and setting up his steel as we can possibly design! The Magnum is built as a road-worthy, Professional model steel capable of holding up as well as any other professional models out there ...


Question: I am a 6-string, standard guitar player. Why do steel guitars need to have so many pedals and knee levers?

Answer: The simple answer is that the steel guitar uses pedals and knee levers to form chords, change individual notes, and change tunings rapidly and easily. You can get a more complete explanation of how this works by viewing one of the videos on this page.


We build each and every Magnum to last a lifetime.