Opinions on Sierra Imperial D10? Any info at all?

Paul Arntson · From: Washington, USA

(edited for accuracy)
Here's an interesting steel that I thought briefly about getting. I have next to no clue about this stuff. I barely play a 76 Excel D10 (real bassy) and a Fender 400 (real twangy). I'm thinking about something I can afford that sits in between those two for sound but yet has playable mechanics that might stay in tune.

I don't have photos yet {--- see below - photos posted--}, but the fellow said the pickups were George L's and it is black mica. He also said there is something non standard about the copedant, but not sure what. I have no idea about how old, but I gather from one post I found that these might be really old guitars.

Any suggestions about what I should keep my eyes and ears open for? Any info will help.
Thanks in advance.

Nathan Sarver · From: Washington State, USA

Is this the Sierra in Kent that has nine pedals and a missing knee lever? I thought hard about getting it a couple weeks ago, and the price was really good for a D-10, and it looked like a beaut, but I was just concerned about what other mechanical issues it might have.

David Barker · From: Washington, USA

I made an inquiry about that same guitar in Kent. He told me that the guitar is somewhere around 10 years old, as best as he could determine.

I tried to research the Imperial model of Sierra guitars, but there is absolutely no information on the web about it...

So even though it's a good price, I'm not sure I want to buy something that I can't research..
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Nathan Sarver · From: Washington State, USA

I had the same problem. Nothing came up in google and the Sierra website, which is far from comprehensive, didn't list anything about Imperials either.

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

I thought they were from the early 1970's. I have a Sierra Olympic, built in 1978. Does it look anything like this?

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Bob Bowden · From: Vancouver, BC, Canada * R.I.P.

I haven't heard of a Sierra Imperial either. This is a Sierra Crown from 1991:

Paul Arntson · From: Washington, USA

Yes, Nathan and David, this is the one in Kent. Bill is a very nice guy on the phone. He sent me photos.
(on Wednesday edited to add:)
I just got off the phone with Bill, the seller. He said go ahead and post photos. He's as interested in learning about it as the rest of us.
Also I had a phone conversation today with Tom at Sierra. He confirmed it was probably from before 1976.
...
I will post photos Bill sent me when I get home tonight. Very interesting looking instrument.
Bill if you are reading this, I hope I did the photos right.

The crossrods are knurled rounds, at least that is what they look like on my computer monitor.
The undercarriage looks like more than I want to get into, (I already have tons of projects going) but maybe that is the way it is supposed to look...
One spot looks like a modified air plumbing fitting to me...

It's interesting there is no info on this model of steel. Maybe we can generate some on this thread.

It's really cool looking black mica.

Tony Glassman · From: The Great Northwest

If you email me the pix, I'd be happy to look at them. I worked at Sierra from 1974-1979. Harley James, Larry Behm and Mark Simpson, all worked there as well.

Also, another good source would be David Wright, whose dad, Chuck Wright is responsible for designing the original Sierras and Wright Customs. Chuck is a major figure in pedal steel guitar development, that too often goes unheralded.

Bo Legg · Posted 6 May 2009 12:18 am

I don't know what the heck mine is. Maybe they couldn't spell "Imperial" and they just drew a
eagle on it.

Ernest Cawby · From: Lake City, Florida, USA, R.I.P.

They are very good guitars you just need someone strong to carry it or you.

ernie

Tony Glassman · From: The Great Northwest

This guitar is not a modern Sierra. It's one of the earlier Sierra guitars Chuck designed and doesn't have much in common with the modern era guitars of the same name.

I hope David Wright picks up on this thread. He probably can shed some valuable info.

Nathan Sarver · From: Washington State, USA

Sierra informs me that the Imperial model came out in the early 70's before the Olympic in the mid-70's and any new parts for it would need to be fabricated.

Paul Arntson · From: Washington, USA

OK, I'll try to post the photos Bill sent.
Does this look familiar, Tony?

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

Definitely older than my Olympic model.

Tony Glassman · From: The Great Northwest

It has the old Sierra-in-Diamonds logo on the inner knee lever surfaces. That predates the current Sierra guitars. I don't think these guitars were ever made at the Gresham, Oregon factory where I worked. There was an old one in the showroom for a while (with a Z-rack), but I think Don Christensen bought it from another party for it's historical significance. BTW I may be off on my dates at Sierra. I think I started in 75 or 76 and worked through 1980.

I'm going to refer this thread to the attention of Tom Bradshaw and David Wright for more detail. Harley or Larry if you're following this please chime in.

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

That knee lever linkage is really strange! Whoa!

Reece Anderson · From: Keller Texas USA, R.I.P.

In early to middle 1969 during a phone conversation, Chuck Wright expressed an interest in moving to Dallas. At that time in his life he said he just wanted to build quality guitars and not be involved in the sales or every day business.

Our agreement specified that MSA would buy all his equipment, it would be moved to Dallas, and Chuck was to build guitars with MSA at our facility. It was further agreed he would build a “hybrid” MSA guitar which was to have the Sierra name, be called the “Imperial”, and be marketed by MSA. My brother Jerry and a man named Danny Roll flew to Oregon, rented a truck and brought the equipment back to Dallas.

The guitar shown in this thread was without question one which Chuck made at the old MSA at 200 S. Tyler Street in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas, probably in late 1970. The key head is the old MSA design, and it had the MSA changer of that era. I’m also confident that Danny Roll made the cabinet, and the custom parts were made at the MSA facility by Chuck Wright himself.

Not long after Chuck came to Dallas, MSA entered into business with Micro Instruments and formed MSA Corporation. After MSA’s departure Chuck elected to continue building on his own, and himself and David Wright continued to build Sierra guitars close to where the old MSA had been manufactured.

I don’t know how many Imperials were made, although my dear friend David Wright has recently received a lot of paperwork concerning the old Sierra/Wright guitars from his father Chuck.. so possibly he can shed some light on this.

At the time of the agreement between MSA and Chuck, we each felt it to be a mutually beneficial arrangement, and I was elated to be associated with a man of Chuck’s stature, both as a builder and a player, who in steel guitar history was a living legend……. and still is today.

David Wright · From: Pilot Point ,Tx USA.

well, after some home work I know the origin of this guitar...

It was built in Dallas Tx, 70 or 71, it is a Hybrid M.S.A. which means half MSA/ Sierra..it was built by my Dad, using both MSA & Sierra parts. this is a very unique guitar and not sure how many were built, but would have to say not more than 2 or 3, still trying to get hold on my dad to check that out..In a lot of paper work my dad sent me , this guitar is in it... I have posted the work sheet and shipping...

My Dad Built hundreds of guitars, and I thank all of you that write asking questions about them, he built his first in 1948, his work is still here today in the Sierras, he designed them many years ago, and they still are pretty much as he left them..The interchangeable pick up was his design , which the new M.S.A uses today...he's been out of the business for many years, but I fell his work is still here, hope to see him in the HOF one day, and hopefully while he's still with us, So he can Findlay see, all his dedication to the Steel guitar hasn't gone unnoticed ...I fell He Deserves that much from a small but close community he has given to...As most son's are, I'm very proud of "MY" Dad...

...

Tony Glassman · From: The Great Northwest

Welll....that answers the question!

David,

So when exactly did Chuck move back up to Oregon and start production of the "modern" Sierras in Gresham OR?

Also......it would be great if someone would chronicle Chuck's career. He's one of the few pedal steel building legends we have left.

With all the interest about the new Bigsby book, I bet a "Chuck Wright" book would be even more loaded with info about the development of pedal steel. I'm sure there would be a wealth of information re: builders, tunings, players etc.

David Wright · From: Pilot Point ,Tx USA.

Tony,
He left Dallas in 72 to build guitars with Ernie Ball, in New Port Beach, Ca... not sure when he left there to go to Or, but will fine out from Him...75 I'm thinking on the move to Or... will let you know... Very Happy

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

David, that copedent chart is for a D-12, and the pictures are of a D-10. Confused

David Wright · From: Pilot Point ,Tx USA.

I see that to, not sure about that , just know the serial #'s matched and the time frame was right, could have been a change in the order, and went to D-10

Ron ! · Posted 8 May 2009 10:03 am

David,

I think Louis Armentaro still has that guitar.I tried to give him a call but he seems to be out.
If I find something out I will post it here.

Ron

David Wright · From: Pilot Point ,Tx USA.

let me know, and see if he can get you the serial #

Thanks....dW

Ron ! · Posted 8 May 2009 8:34 pm

David,

I talked to Louis tonight and he told me you contacted him by mail.He is going to send you all kinds of documentation about this guitar and everything else he could think off.

He did tell me that the guitar (you posted the receipts) had 10 pedals and 4 levers.
The color was oxblood red and it was a bradsrack (spelling?)

A man named Bud Fuller sold it to another customer and that customer ( a do it your self kind a guy) trashed it.
What this guy did to it Louis couldn't tell.

Louis told me that he took delivery of this guitar in January 1970 after giving your dad the copedent.

Louis recognized the copedent and told me that that was the copedent he talked to your dad about.

I hope that this sheds some light on this topic.

Louis also told me David that I could give you his phone number in case you did not have it.
Shoot me a mail through the forum and I will give it to you.

Ron

P.S

He could not recall the serial number but maybe it will be included in the documentation he is going to send you.

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