Stadler Universal Marlen

[Dan Ramage]

There is a local SD-10 Stadler Universal for sale. I can't find much about that specific model and thought I'd ask here.
It's an E9 Emmons setups according to the seller, I've not seen it in person, but based on the pics it looks to be in decent condition.
This would be my first pedal steel, I've been playing lap steel but want to start learning pedal steel.
What price range would these be in? The current price is $2900 with a Peavy amp and a volume pedal, however he'll sell the steel separately.

Thanks!

[Ricky Davis]

Dan; any pictures top/front/underneath would do a TON as that info would help. Leonard Stadler built D-10 and S-10 and Universal 12-string...but not a SD-10 Universal Marlen. So that description you gave/got makes me worry of authenticity. I know the Marlen pedal steel very well; but they were such a custom made pedal steel; so many variations with each model; I need to see pic and serial number if you have pic underneath to see it.
Ricky

[Dan Ramage]

Here are some pics, I've asked for the serial number and an underneath shot as well:

[Ricky Davis]

Okay thanks for posting those pictures makes a little more sense, that's a later model Marlen that probably Leonard Stadler came up with after him and Marvin were no longer together Marvin stood for MAR and

in Marlen and LEN stood for Leonard in Marlen, they were the starters of the Marlen they weren't always together looks like it's a later model that Leonard built probably in the 90s probably 10 years before he passed away. Stadler Universal probably a model that he came up with himself but Marlen on the front was still the name of the company

 it'll be a very good pedal steel guitar and I'd say it certainly is worth probably no more than 2,500.

Ricky

[Dan Ramage]

Got some underneath shots:

[Dan Ramage]

WEnt and played(well my fumbling more like it) it and now own it.

[Ricky Davis]

Well that is so awesome Dan, and you got a very rare Marlen made and labeled "Stadler Universal" , as he was trying to come up with his own model name. You got to love Leonard, I miss him so much, and this is the only one that I've heard of him doing this and now I've seen it.

 I'm glad you got that guitar now go play it and enjoy it.

Ricky

[Dan Ramage]

I know nothing about PSGs, but the build of this thing is impressive as a piece of machinery.
Oh, I also have a owners "manual" sheet. Can post the pages if anyone is interested, it's like a 3 front/back pages.
Case is a dang tank.

Well that is so awesome Dan, and you got a very rare Marlen made and labeled "Stadler Universal" , as he was trying to come up with his own model name. You got to love Leonard, I miss him so much, and this is the only one that I've heard of him doing this and now I've seen it.

 I'm glad you got that guitar now go play it and enjoy it.

Ricky

[Ricky Davis]

Dan; they ALL learned from Leonard; he also was the first to ever have a Patent on a Pivoting moving String Changing Changer Mech.
Here is a very early "Speedy West" Model Marlen; made in the 60's; I loved it so much; I ended up selling it to this Steelguitarforum Proprietor "b0b Lee"(RIP).




You have the Mech that Leonard came out with early 80's and does have that Patent Changer on there that can raise and lower the same string; by pulling inward. The Changer on the speedy west model I pictured is the earliest Mech and was a single finger that you "Pull-Released" to raise and lower..yeehaaa.
I have a Lot of sheets of so much stuff Leonard gave to me; but never posted any as so much you can search here on the forum; is already up there in Information about Marlen Pedal Steel.
Ricky

[Dan Ramage]

I've been playing the hell out of this PS. My duo buddy and I went and hit an open mic and I played pedal steel. I realized I've got to get a dedicated seat. Instead of raising the pedal steel a bit, I lowered my office chair seat. When I got to the open mic and grabbed a regular chair and I could just barely get my legs under it.

Currently going through the Paul Franklin course.

While putting it in the case I noticed it was originally built for Davis Hall(name scribbed underneath), anyone know him?

[Donny Hinson]

Strange guitar! I suspect it was put together by someone other than Leonard, as the serial number plate clearly says "D-10", but that pedalboard looks like it never had more than 3 pedals? It also seems odd to put a different nameplate (or any nameplate, for that matter) on the back of the guitar? Now, Ricky knows far more than I do about them, but from what I see, most of the mechanics look more like one of his 1970's guitars than something he built in 1985, as the serial number plate would suggest. And some parts look too good for something Leonard built.

Still, all that counts is how it plays and sounds. Everything else is kind of superfluous, IMHO.

[Steven Hudson]

Well that is certainly a new one on me. Only Stadler badge I have seen. Fretboard is definitely Marlen and the model/serial number plate looks good, although all Marlens I have seen have the date reversed. Maybe it was begun as a D-10 and the order dropped and changed to an SD-10. Very interesting. Glad you are enjoying playing it.

Ricky. Always love it when you show the Speedy West.