Unique Resophonics

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 21 Aug 2007 12:15 pm

Congratulations Premod
i'm sure that baby will keep you up at night

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 21 Aug 2007 12:26 pm

A little background here......

When I was in my early 20's....I began to play the dobro...from somebody leaving an old guitar around my house. I couldn't play or tune it.....one day a fellow tuned it to D for me.......and I could strum it....instant musician......that was the begining....and I aquired the bug for...that sound...

I then played nothing but bluegrass for about 7 years while listening to everything that had to do with steel guitar.....then....it went into the closet for about 17 years.....

Then the internet was there & I found Brad's page of steel and it renewed my interest....then The Steel Guitar Forum.....wow....information overload.....then....ebay...

my opportunity to buy steel guitars that I had read about but never had the chance to play or see was on screen....so for the next 7-8 years....I bought guitars left & right....I figured that I'd buy them play them and sell them.....but I got lazy and never sold any....

during the last few years, my interest turned from vintage....to creating different, unique, one of a kind steels/resonators.....and that's where I am.....soon, I'll begin to thin out the herd....I don't need or want all the vintage guitars that I've amassed....I'll keep the ones thaI have a feeling for, or an affinity for...about 1/3 of what I have....and continue with creating....well, creative guitars......

anyhow, if ya'll don't mind....I'll keep adding to this thread as I dig more out,....and receive new builds....and there are a few more in the works.....

Hey Crowbear.....I didn't forget about the Julian Tharpe/Zane Beck recording.....I'm just getting a new turntable...only took a few years.....

Matt Johnson · Post by **Matt Johnson** » 21 Aug 2007 3:22 pm

anyhow, if ya'll don't mind....I'll keep adding to this thread as I dig more out,....and receive new builds....and there are a few more in the works.....

Please do!

Fred Kinbom · Post by **Fred Kinbom** » 22 Aug 2007 12:32 am

HowardR wrote:Michael Dunn has just completed an 8 string modern version of the Macaferri "Le Hawaienne".....that I expect to have within the next two weeks........

That sounds fantastic!!! Can't wait to see pics of that (and sound clips if you have time)! I hope to be able to afford a Michael Dunn guitar one day - I love the "Mystery Pacific" back inlays on one of the guitars on his website.

Will send you a PM in a minute.

Fred

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 22 Aug 2007 6:31 am

"Will send you a PM in a minute."

Mike Black · Post by **Mike Black** » 22 Aug 2007 9:26 am

delete

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 24 Aug 2007 3:53 pm

That's beautiful work, Howard. Not only are they nicely built but I can see you have a good eye for design.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 25 Aug 2007 9:07 am

Mike Black wrote:Howard, are you selling to Disney and retiring?

nah, they're a Mickey Mouse operation.......

thank you Alan.......more to follow........

Edward Meisse · Post by **Edward Meisse** » 25 Aug 2007 10:40 am

I've had some interest in the Weissonator for some time now. Yours looks great! Tell me, how is the volume and tone on it? And how does it like being amplified? I ended up selling my Weissenborne because it didn't have the punch to stand up in an acoustic setting and was a little touchy about being amplified. An electric guitar just solved all my problems. But the ambience of acoustic jams can sometimes be broken by any kind of amplified instrument.
The Benoits also look terrific. Since I play alot of traditional jazz and swing, your comment about the archtop got my attention. I have been saving my money for a resonator guitar of some sort. Both of the ones I'm currently considering, to wit: the National Tricone and the 8 string Mike Auldridge model, cost as much as my car. I know that the Weissenator is only about half that much. Perhaps I should look into both it and the Benoit more seriously. Or maybe I should wait for La Hawaiienne. I loved my Weissenborne's tone.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 25 Aug 2007 10:40 pm

HowardR wrote:...somewhere near or over 100......non pedal, pedal, acoustic steel.....also about a dozen mandolins, a hammer dulcimer, a few basses, an accordina, a Cajun accordian, some chromatic harmonicas,......but I only own 1 couch and a coffee table....

Howard we have a lot in common. I still have all but 6 of the instruments I've made, and together with those I've collected over the years I have a houseful ! They're hanging from every wall and in boxes and cases stacked everywhere. I live in the sub-basemenr and my wife lives two floors up. I see her about twice a week (unless I can avoid it !)

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 25 Aug 2007 10:53 pm

Fred: is that an Appalachian Dulcimer you're hugging ?

Chuck Fisher · Post by **Chuck Fisher** » 25 Aug 2007 11:00 pm

Then there is this little reso...(which I love)

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 26 Aug 2007 4:50 pm

Chuck: When I first saw your photo my immediate reaction was, "Oh a left-handed guitar", and then, "Why do you need a cutaway on a guitar which is going to be played with a steel."

Then it dawned on me... a cutaway on the near side makes a lot of sense when you're playing from above. Ingenious !

Chuck Fisher · Post by **Chuck Fisher** » 28 Aug 2007 2:47 pm

the guitar was built by Mr Benoit as well, its a form-follows-function thing where because I have limited mobility it HAD to be cut to stay out of the way of my wrist, but in a general way most guys like it for comfort. Its also built to 22 7/8 scale with wide spacing, and has a slanted back, making the body thicker at tthe neck end to accomodate my damaged right shoulder, but again it turns out to be good for anybody's lap cause the body slants less from the way it sits on right knee. I think it made the body have less standing waves possibly, the guitar rings a low D off that dinky scale length.

All hail Carroll Benoit!

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 28 Aug 2007 9:27 pm

Ancient citterns used to have a tapered body shape just like you described. Also, Linda Manzer, the Canadian luthier, builds her jumbo guitars like that.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 29 Aug 2007 4:25 am

Hi Chuck........I remember conversing with Carroll as he was building your guitar. This guitar was not an easy build.......and he was determined to get it as close to perfect as he could.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 29 Aug 2007 4:31 am

I will be receiving the "Le Hawaienne" next week and will post photos.......also, when I have the chance....I'll be posting photos of my pedal dobro.....this is not a Pedabro.....but a real dobro (10 string) mounted on a pedal steel frame with a changer.....4 pedals & 1 knee......

john widgren · Post by **john widgren** » 30 Aug 2007 6:10 pm

Hi Howard,

It was great seeing you at Rodeo Bar recently. When you told me about your "one of a kind" guitars I was intrigued. Now seeing the pics, I am amazed! Awesome collection bro. Let's do lunch. Best to you as always, JW

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 6 Sep 2007 6:31 pm

hey John.....always great to see you guys.......

folks....if you have not seen Western Caravan and are in the area......do yourself a favor.....everybody in this group is nothing short of stellar.......these guys swing!

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 6 Sep 2007 6:37 pm

this week, I received "Le Hawaienne"......a modern version of the Macaferri Hawaiian guitars made during the 1930s........built by Michael Dunn.....

Darrell Urbien · Post by **Darrell Urbien** » 6 Sep 2007 6:50 pm

AMAZING!

How does it sound compared to your other Maccaferri-styled steel (was that a Hodson?) without the internal reflector?

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 6 Sep 2007 7:03 pm

It's difficult for me to describe sound....but I'll say that the Hodson, which even warped, though sounds good....is somewhat...muddier....

The Hawaienne's sound really projects without being very..boomy...definate tone separation....also, I neglected to show the sound screen on the audience side of the guitar.....

AJ Azure · Post by **AJ Azure** » 6 Sep 2007 7:48 pm

I just wet myself!

Mike D · Post by **Mike D** » 7 Sep 2007 6:50 am

Sweeeeet!

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 7 Sep 2007 7:07 am

That is a beauty