Pedal Steel Guitar For Sale: Best Deals & Buying Guide

If you’re exploring the world of the pedal steel (or considering the lesser-known lap steel) — great choice. But full transparency: buying one is not like buying a standard guitar. There are more mechanics, tunings, pedals/levers, setup issues, and significantly wider price ranges. Below you’ll find a detailed buying guide + a curated list of interesting instruments (some lap steel, some starter pedal steel) with affiliate-friendly links so you can compare.

Duesenberg Fairytale Lap‑Steel: A premium build (~€2,300+ in some markets) — if you’re serious and want something elite.

Gold Tone 6‑String Lapsteel Guitar: Upper-mid range (~€800) — strong value if you want better tone and durability.

Gretsch G5700 Lap Steel: Mid-tier brand lap steel (~€400 range) — good for intermediate players.

Epiphone Electar Century 1939 Lap Steel: Another mid budget (~€350) with decent vintage style.

Harley Benton Slider II Lap Steel: Entry budget (~€100-€120) — sample the style without big spend.

Lap Steel Guitar Kit: Starter bundle kit (~€135) — includes stand/slide, good for testing the waters.

SX LG2ASHNA Lap Steel Guitar: Budget mid (~€279) — decent build for the price.

Pedal Steel Guitar (Generic Entry): Generic/entry pedal steel listing — tread carefully as specs and quality vary a lot.

How to Choose the Right Pedal Steel Guitar

Because pedal steel and lap steel are mechanically more complex, here are key factors you should check. Many are drawn from specialist guides.

1. Budget & Realistic Price Expectations

• For pedal steel guitars: A serious entry-level unit is often in the US$1,500–3,000 range if new.
• Many professional pedal steel guitars cost $3,000-$5,000 or more, especially double necks, premium builds.
• For lap steel (non-pedal): you’ll still want to spend something reasonable — “you get what you pay for”.
  Bottom line: Don’t expect to get a pedal steel for €300 and have it perform like a high-end unit. Use the budget accordingly.

2. Number of Pedals & Knee Levers (For Pedal Steel)

• Pedal steel guitars have pedals (foot) + knee levers (often) that change string pitch. More pedals/levers = more versatility but also more complexity & cost.
• If you’re just starting and don’t need full functionality, a simpler setup (e.g., 2-3 pedals, 1-2 levers) may be sufficient. For example: “A Justice Pro Jr. with 2 pedals and 1 lever is $995 and that’s probably as good a place to start.”
• Decide: Do you want full country/Western swing pedal steel capabilities or a simpler steel guitar experience? That will guide your pedal/leverage needs.

3. Tunings & Setup

• Common pedal steel tunings: E9, C6, etc. The instrument’s setup must allow those. If you buy used, check the “copedent” (pedal/lever configuration) is clear.
• Mechanicals must work (pedals respond, levers move freely, tuning is stable). Many issues in used pedal steels come from wear/poor setup.

4. Build Materials, Brand & Service

• Build quality: stable wood, reliable hardware, quality pickups matter. As one guide says: “Look for stable woods with good tone… verify manufacturer service & parts availability.”
• Brand & reputation matter because aftermarket parts, servicing, setups are more available for proven makers.
• Warranty or at least informed condition is important. Used units should be inspected carefully.

5. Practical Considerations: Space, Weight & Setup

• Pedal steels often have stands, legs, pedals, levers — they take up more space than a regular guitar.
• Setup and maintenance: tuning, pedal adjustment, cleaning and lubrication are more involved than a regular guitar. If you’re new, be ready to learn or budget for tech/setup help.
• Tonebar/slide usage: For lap steel you’ll use a bar/slide, so your playing technique and comfort matter.

6. Use/Genre Match

• Are you playing country, Western swing, slide blues, ambient textures? The instrument should match your style.
• Many lap and pedal steels excel in certain genres. Choose accordingly.

Quick FAQs

Q: Can I convert a regular guitar into a pedal steel?
A: Not realistically for full pedal steel features. The mechanisms (pedals, levers, tunings) are very different and conversion is often difficult/expensive. Many forums strongly warn.

Q: Is a used pedal steel a good idea?
A: Maybe. But because mechanical issues are common (pedals/levers, wear) used units must be inspected carefully. Many guides caution about “other people’s problems”.

Q: What should I budget for a decent beginner pedal steel?
A: Recent guide: For beginners committed: $1,500–3,000 for an entry quality instrument.

Q: What about lap steel vs pedal steel?
A: Lap steel is simpler (no pedals/levers), easier entry. Pedal steel is more complex but offers greater versatility and sound. Choose based on your goals.