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Topic: Newcomer question about CLR |
Gerry Brown
From:
Asheville, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 21 Nov 2010 7:08 pm |
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I bought my first steel about 6 weeks ago... a Carter Starter. It was enough of a guitar to get me fully hooked into pedal steel and today I bought my second guitar. I attended the Souther Steel Convention in Saluda, SC and bought a CLR D-10 from a player. I don't know anything about CLR accept that they were made by the late Mr. Charles Reece, one of the founders of the Saluda show. I also know that its a push-pull and I have only the most rudimentary understanding of what that means. I got it home and plugged it in and it sounds great. It needs a thorough cleaning and I need to adjust the pedals.
First question is about metal polish. I read someone's recommendation on the forum a while back but I have not got the knack of using the search function here. Can anyone point me in the direction of the best metal polish?
Second question is can any of you offer any information about Mr. Reece's guitars, specifically having to do with the care and maintenance of a push-pull guitar?
Thanks,
Gerry |
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Eric West
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 21 Nov 2010 7:35 pm
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That's easy. Mother's SUCKS.
THE STUFF you want is Alcoa Aluminum Paste. I use it on my panhead and it makes Mothers look like ####. Lasts a lot longer and polishes to a better shine.
Available at most truck parts places. Maybe online through the places listed in a google search. I checked Amazon and they don't have it. I get it at my local DSU Peterbuilt dealer.
The "Sealer Spray" stage is not a necessary part. It is a MILD acid that stops any oxidation, but it's not that necessary if you plan on polishing it once every few months.
EJL |
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Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
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Posted 22 Nov 2010 2:59 pm
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| You've got a truly GREAT instrument, built by one of the best friends I ever had, and one of the best builders on the planet. A famous guy told me once that Charles' push-pulls were better than Emmons. He's been gone now for about two years, and I still love and miss him. |
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Bill Ford
From:
Graniteville SC Aiken
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Posted 22 Nov 2010 3:46 pm
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Gerry,
Be careful about the slack in the undercarrage workings, If it is a PP, you need slack in the rods to the bellcranks. I didn't know that Charles ever built a PP..I have one of his all pull CLRs, the only S12 he ever made( with a lot of help from me).Super Craftsmanship.
Stephen,
It's been 2 years Thurs 18th., You never know how much you will miss someone, do you?? November has been a bad month...Buddy, Papa John, Charles, Rob, all in November, almost all in the same week.
_________________
Bill Ford S12 CLR, S12 Lamar keyless, Misc amps&toys Sharp Covers
Steeling for Jesus now!!! |
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Gerry Brown
From:
Asheville, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 22 Nov 2010 6:14 pm Clr
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Thanks, Stephen and Bill. I got her cleaned up today and put new strings on and will post photos tomorrow when the light's better. It's good to hear that Charles' guitars are well thought of. I spoke with John Swain yesterday at Saluda and he mentioned the issue of slack in the rods. Thanks for the heads up. I've ordered a video from Bobbe Seymour about care and maintenance of an Emmons push pull and I'm sure that will help illuminate my understanding of the mechanics. I also ordered the little 7/64" allen wrench for tuning the pedals and levers.
Gerry |
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Bill Ford
From:
Graniteville SC Aiken
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Posted 22 Nov 2010 6:35 pm
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Gerry,
I just talked to a friend of mine that confirmed that that guitar was in fact built by Charles. The video will be a big help in setting up, and maintaining your guitar. Waiting on pictures.
Bill
_________________
Bill Ford S12 CLR, S12 Lamar keyless, Misc amps&toys Sharp Covers
Steeling for Jesus now!!! |
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Gerry Brown
From:
Asheville, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 23 Nov 2010 11:12 am Pictures of my CLR D-10
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These aren't great shots but you'll get the idea. I'm a raw newcomer to this world but I do understand that this guitar is based on an Emmons push pull design. Is there a specific model that my guitar is trying to emulate? I'm thoroughly intimidated by the mechanics and hope the set up video will instill some confidence.
Gerry
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 23 Nov 2010 10:32 pm
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| neat...never seen one of those before. looks nice. |
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Ned McIntosh
From:
New South Wales, Australia
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Posted 23 Nov 2010 11:43 pm
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Hi Gerry,
I think you have a very fine steel-guitar there, one with a story. In time it may even become collectible. CLR steels are held in high esteem.
When you get the chance I'm sure we'd like a couple of shots of the undercarriage as well. I never tire of seeing how individual builders found slighty different ways of doing the same basic tasks, and I can add them to my growing collection of steel-guitar photos which make a great screen-saver as a slide-show!
_________________
The steel guitar is a hard mistress. She will obsess you, bemuse and bewitch you. She will dash your hopes on what seems to be whim, only to tease you into renewing the relationship once more so she can do it to you all over again...and yet, if you somehow manage to touch her in that certain magic way, she will yield up a sound which has so much soul, raw emotion and heartfelt depth to it that she will pierce you to the very core of your being. |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 24 Nov 2010 11:26 am
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| i'd like to see the bottom also. i imagine it's similar to a basic emmons push pull. don't let the mechanics intimidate you. it looks complicated because there are 20 strings to pull. if you look at the pull train on one string and grasp the mechanical concept, it's just the same idea on the others. |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 24 Nov 2010 11:32 am
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If there are small scratches and swirls, SimiChrome, or something similar. But I don't like to waste a lot of time polishing metal that isn't scratched up. I use these products from California Custom and Alcoa. The DeOxidizer and Polish work great together, and you can cover a lot of ground in just a few minutes. They produce a very high quality shine! Highly recommended by bikers and hot rodders. The Alcoa polish is excellent too. From truck supply stores. Alcoa knows aluminum!
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 24 Nov 2010 11:40 am
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gerry..also..go to 'john lacey's emmons guitar homepage'
his wildrness guide is the absolute best for understanding the push pull system. |
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