Thomas steels?

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 26 Nov 2007 4:58 pm

Ok, I did a search, got some info. I know about Barry Thomas, one of our members is trying to find his number for me.

I've never heard of them before. Dave, a friend of mine found one, a purple mica D-10 in a small music store. Apparently it had been sitting in the case for a very long time, unknown and unopened in a back room. (Dave has a way of plundering around everywhere when he gets to a place.) He saw the case, asked the shop owner what it was, and the guy didn't know. Dave told him it looked like a steel guitar case, and asked if he could take a look. (Dave is a guitar player, just has a curious interest in steel, and wanted to find an inexpensive one to piddle with.) They dragged it out, and sure enough, it was. The foam from the case was all stuck to the guitar; it was a mess.

He called me, asked me about it, told him I had no clue, and I did the quick search. Not much info. I called him back, told him what I knew. He said the shop owner offered it to him for $500 out the door, should he buy it? I said, why not, how wrong can you go for $500?

I offered to bring it home and put new strings on it and set it up for him, tune it, etc. I did. Last night, I hit an open E chord on it at 7:32 pm. I walked to the kitchen, got coffee, came back... it rang until 7:36. FOUR MINUTES?!? I played it, it sounded like the best P/P Emmons I'd ever heard.

I took it to work today, a 10 and 2, along with my trusty Sho-Bud. I figured I'd try it on one track, just to see how it recorded. It was a jaw dropper. A true tone machine. My Bud is my first love, but this guitar has magic in it.

Can anyone tell me more about the history of these? I'm as curious as I can be.

admin · Post by **b0b** » 26 Nov 2007 5:08 pm

We had a steel jam once at his shop, back when he was churning them out. A first class operation! They are beautiful guitars. $500 is an unbelievable price for one.

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 26 Nov 2007 5:10 pm

b0b... "churning them out." How many did he make? A bunch?

A. J. Schobert · Post by **A. J. Schobert** » 26 Nov 2007 5:35 pm

MD I know of one for sale, I want it bad, this is my 2 cents and tell me what you think.

They are light and very compact, which is what I look for, at least this one is.

They are smooth, and do have a good sound.

For as old as they are they can compete against a new guitar. They look very modern.

The one I was looking at had a SKH, of course all pull.

500 is probably the best deal I heard of. Heck you should be able to make atleast 1500 on it if you would sell it.

Delvin Morgan · Post by **Delvin Morgan** » 26 Nov 2007 5:54 pm

The guy I bought my old Emmons P/P from a few years back had just bought a Thomas U-12, and loved it.

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 26 Nov 2007 6:15 pm

Mike, it is my understanding that Barry Thomas is now located in or near McAlester, Oklahoma. I'm sure someone else can correct this or add more info. He built a fine guitar. The workmanship was as good as any I ever saw. I heard he was either started to build again or going to machine parts for steel guitars.
Jerry

Rich Weiss · Post by **Rich Weiss** » 26 Nov 2007 6:33 pm

I've been playing mine for about 15 years.
I bought it from Barry, after being recommended by Jeff Newman.
His shop was in Modesto (I think) at the time, and that's where I picked it up.
The one that I have is a single neck with a pad, that he originally built for himself.

I've used several pickups with it, but now I have a Truetone.
It still plays smooth, sounds good, and stays in tune pretty well, after all these years.

I keep hearing that Barry is going to go back to building steels, but it never seems to come to pass.

John Coffman · Post by **John Coffman** » 26 Nov 2007 7:22 pm

Micky D I have three and all are winners. Well build and no mechincal problems. Just play and play and play. Barry is in Chickasha OK. The last time I talked with him in 2006. I have talked with him serveral times. Jim Harper Commanche OK. Should have his number. I have lost it in my move to Texas.

Glad you like it. One note is the springs on the pedal returns need to be replaced about once a year to keep the quick return on the pedals. Doc Bowman in Houston can fix you right up.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 26 Nov 2007 10:31 pm

years ago a friend's new thomas sounded like love..right out of the box...i'll give you $600 for it...and shipping!

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 26 Nov 2007 10:46 pm

John C., it looks like a purple version of the gray one in your first photo. A.J., it is like a boat anchor. It is really heavy. The vibrations from the strings go all through the legs; the resonance is unbelievable.

I called Dave tonight, and told him how good it sounded at the studio today. I was honest, as I always am, and told him I was just sick about missing the deal. He said to me, "Mikey, if it sounds that good, it's yours. I just want something to learn on. It sounds like it's something you need. We'll work it out when I get back home."

YIPEEEEEEEEEE!!!

David Wright · Post by **David Wright** » 27 Nov 2007 12:09 am

I played one for a couple years, had 3 of them,one mica and 2 wood guitars... good guitar, played well, stayed in tune, and got good tone... I worked with Barry at the time... here in Modesto......he went thought a divorce, and soon moved out of Ca...I would be very suprised if he started building again....

He was lucky enough to build steels for funn... and not as a living...we built a "Dallas" guitar one year for the Dallas show, Russ Hicks fell in love with it...I had him giving me some cash and Laney...and a Cad... but Laney said NO...!!!!! $:\$ $:\$ $:\$

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 27 Nov 2007 3:14 am

I know of two of them. One is the 12 string Thomas that Jeff Newman had and it's owned by a local picker and the other is an SD-10 that is in Alton, MO that was bought new by a friend (Ron Cowans).

John Coffman · Post by **John Coffman** » 27 Nov 2007 7:41 am

If anyone would like to purchase my Thomas gray one it can made available. Bob Barker statement: "If the price is Right" LOL. PS Mickey The D10 in my case weight 73lbs. I have never had to chase it around the floor like my other brand.

David Wright · Post by **David Wright** » 27 Nov 2007 8:59 am

heres a picture of the "Dallas" guitar

Jim Harper · Post by **Jim Harper** » 27 Nov 2007 11:52 am

Yes, i know Barry Thomas and i helped John C with his guitar. It is a great guitar. Easy to change copedant,s . I will call Barry and ask him if he want,s his telephone number on the forum. He live,s in Chickasha Okla.==Jim Harper

John Coffman · Post by **John Coffman** » 27 Nov 2007 12:37 pm

David that sure would look nice in my music room. LOL

Wow that sure is pretty.

John Coffman · Post by **John Coffman** » 27 Nov 2007 12:42 pm

Hey Jim Harper, good to see your still out there. Jim helped me pick a real winner and he's a supper nice guy. Hope to see you soon. Thomas guitars still sounds great. Just got me a Lonestar to start playing out a little.

Roger Foreman · Post by **Roger Foreman** » 27 Nov 2007 3:51 pm

Well I have a 92 Mdl. Thomas ( Blue ) 8&5 that I got in 94. Jody Cameron was the first owner. It is definately a keeper. David Wright I saw that guitar in Dallas, 1996 I think. ( Wonder where it is now? ) I met Barry Thomas at June Jam 96, he was great to talk to. Jeff Newman was playing a red Thomas at that June Jam.

tom anderson · Post by **tom anderson** » 27 Nov 2007 4:03 pm

Hey Jack;
If your buddy in Fla. wants to sell that 12 string Thomas, get me in touch with him. Like to have a guitar with my name on it!! Had a D-10 & sold it for a Mullen. I didn't regret it, but I wish I had it back.

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 27 Nov 2007 4:12 pm

Sounds interesting, especially the sustain that rang for 4 minutes!!
Could I ask to see some underneath pictures? What are the different parts made out of..especially the changer..is it aluminum or something else?

Sounds like it weighs about as much as my 1976 D10 MSA.
In other words built like a Mack truck.

David Wright · Post by **David Wright** » 27 Nov 2007 4:48 pm

wood necks, steel end plates, chromed...other than that pretty much like everyone elese

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 28 Nov 2007 3:25 am

Tom, I don't think he wants to sell it. It's his "baby".

Jim Harper · Post by **Jim Harper** » 28 Nov 2007 6:01 pm

Guy,s i have tryed for 2 day,s to get Barry but he doesn,t answer his phone or call me back. Don,t know i will try tomorrow==Jim Harper

John Coffman · Post by **John Coffman** » 29 Nov 2007 7:22 pm

He might be skiing in Colorado LOL. Jim will git r done

Gary Shepherd · Post by **Gary Shepherd** » 29 Nov 2007 8:56 pm

Interesting. He's only about an hour from me. I wonder if I could visit with him about guitar building.

Hey Harper. How are you? Haven't seen you for a while. And we're only 30 minutes away from each other.

If you're ever in Fox, stop and say hi. I'm easy to find. Just ask the first person you see. They all know me. (I think.)

The Steel Guitar Forum

Thomas steels?

Thomas steels?

u-12 thomas