I've has 2 steels: a Sho Bud D10, and an MSA S10. It's like the old adage that the 2 best days in a boat owners life are, the day they bought it and the day they sold it.
My experience with my 2 steels is amazing, I loved them both to death. As a keyboard player with some music theory chops, I took to it like a pig to mud. I can't imagine a 6 string player adapting to a steel with out wanting to through that steels on a burn pile.
Same for lap steel (though I have contemplated getting one).
IMHO, if you want to take up the steel, "Abandon all hope ye who enter here".
I would be more than willing to share my history with the steel. But, before you enter, you would be wise to consider the following:
1. You would be best served if you have a PhD in mechanical engineering;
2. You have unlimited resources;
3. You must be willing to wake up and go to your studio at 4 pm to work out an idea;
4. You must be willing to go back to bed at 6 am thinking that you are a useless piece of protoplasm. Worthless. Devoid of any talent. Not worth the elements you are made of.
5. You must be willing to listen to Paul Franklin at breakfast and say, "I can do that!". And mean it!
6. You must have 3 arms: one to pick, one to slide and one to tune.
7. You must have knees that can bend in ways that knees are not intended/capable of bending.
8. You must be able to abandon any and all things you have ever learned about tuning, anything you may think you know about tuning, and be able to deny principals, theories, and anything else about tuning that you think you may know.
9. "TEMPERD TUNING". That will become your mantra, and your Master. Embrace it, and it will embrace you.
10. There is no such thing as "the best tuner".
11. Above all else, you must be able to accept that when enough is enough, it is enough.
12. If you have any doubts about selling your steel, spend 30 minutes listening to Buddy Emmons.
Lest anyone think that I am discouraging the venture into pedal steel, please keep in mind that this is a satirical post. IMHO, there is not a more beautiful, expressive instrument out there to play. You can amaze your friends just by playing a I IV V, or the intro to "Best of My Love". I would highly recommend it. (Especially to younger players).
This instrument should survive!!!