The Steel Guitar Forum

here's a 1960s Ric that Jerry Byrd actually owned and played. Obviously it wasn't one of his favorite models (non horseshoe pickup with plastic cover) or it wouldn't be in my hands now!

I'm attracted to weird and off beat things. So when my Kumu, Alan Akaka challenged me a while back to build an acoustic travel steel guitar I jumped at the chance. (Not really. I whined and grumbled at length about how it couldn't be done). But I remembered seeing a photo here on the forum a while b...

Territorial Airwaves was mentioned and I can not speak highly enough of this vast and wonderful resource of Hawaiian Music!

Check it out:

https://territorialairwaves.com

The project is in good hands with Kilin Reese at the helm. He was responsible for the Kaula Piko "Source of Strings", history of Hawaiian music show last year at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu. He's also an excellent repairman of vintage Hawaiian instruments.

I'm in as well. Mahalo for the heads up Nic!

Those are great stories David and some wonderful guitars. BTW, I think I saw your Radio Flyer on Antiques Roadshow appraised at $3000.

You're a bad influence on me Sebastian! The National hot rod cone swap totally transformed the guitar. I'll be swapping the cones on Alan Akaka's Style 4 now so he can start playing it again! Thanks again for your beautiful music and continued inspiration.

Glenn, I got mine for $3k. But it's a style 1 and sounded pretty awful. They wanted $4k but were open to offers ands to my surprise they accepted it. It probably sat in the shop for a long time. National square necks, at least at a fair price, are pretty rare. I never feel comfortable low balling of...

Yes, good advice on the string change David. I could see what might happen if there was no tension on the cones and the pin in the T bridge missed the hole in the cone. That could cause the kind of damage I've seen. Thanks again.

Thanks David. What I don't understand is how cones can get damaged in this way. There's no evidence of impact on the outside of the guitar and the bridge and cones are pretty well protected by all the metal work. Would simply string pressure be enough to do it? Maybe some one leaned on the strings r...

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/userpix2020-03/18798_IMG_2440_1.jpg https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/userpix2020-03/18798_IMG_2444_1.jpg https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/userpix2020-03/18798_IMG_3927_1.jpg Update on my '29 National Tricone. When I received it sounded like a trash can full of tin cans...

Haha! Great advice Glenn, thanks. I know the resonators on tricones fair better than single cones do after the years so I may get lucky and not have to do anything. The shop I bought it from is very reputable and deals with a lot of vintage and rare instruments and it got a passing grade from the ow...

I've just acquired a 1929 National Tricone Style 1 Squareneck. (I don't even have it in my hands yet, it's on it's way). Although it reportedly plays well, from what I understand from doing some research it could probably benefit from a new set of cones. Has anybody done the swap? If so, what should...

That would be "Mapuana" Joe. You usually hear it in B11 tuning.

To further illustrate what Todd is going through with this horrendous loss, here's of photo of Todd in front of the ruins of his shop that his sister posted on her facebook page. Please contribute if you can.

Good move Mike.

I've already donated to Todd via PayPal (toddclinesmith@yahoo.com) but this is a more convenient way to keep all the funds consolidated.

So sad to hear this news Todd. I'm sure there are many of us here who'd like to help you out. Please post your PayPal account info so we can do so.
Hang in their buddy, you have a good attitude.

I had one that looked just like the one you've shown. It was a model #105, built in either 1970 or 71. I've seen them sell for around $300 or so. (I gave mine away to a new student.) Sounded pretty good but nothing special.

Thanks everyone. I've built a few lap steels for my personal use and then thought of adding them to my ukulele line. Then I bought my B6 followed by the Clinesmith fry pan. Then I figured, why bother! Haha. You can see some of my other work here; www.moorebettahukes.com This probably the best shot o...

Thanks Dave. Email request sent to Tom.

Great! That seems to be the ticket! Tom certainly appears to have the experience. I'll contact him now. Mahalo Nic!

A friend of mine here in Hawaii, slack key legend Ledward Kaapana, just gave me this guitar. His brother, Ned (Nicky Boy) used to gig all over Waikiki with Jerry Byrd and Jerry gave it to him. Ned's no longer with us and the guitar sat in it's case for 25 years and now it's mine. It's a Rickenbacker...

I'm not worthy either. But that didn't keep me from buying this lovely fry pan last week. I opted for a satin finish with black fret board. $1900.

Oh cool, thanks. Always something new to learn!

That was wonderful Derrick! So nahenahe. What tuning are you using?
(BTW, I think you meant to say volume pot when referring to the violining effect. Unless it's a technique I haven't discovered.)