Can you identify this steel player?

Rick Jackson · Post by **Rick Jackson** » 2 Jul 2011 10:08 am

I came across this picture of Benny Martin performing but didn't know who the steel player is or what he is playing. Anyone know?

Rick Jackson · Post by **Rick Jackson** » 2 Jul 2011 10:52 am

Note: June Webb in the background.. VAVAVOOM!!!

Jay Fagerlie · Post by **Jay Fagerlie** » 2 Jul 2011 11:01 am

Is that a Multicord?

Gere Mullican · Post by **Gere Mullican** » 2 Jul 2011 11:29 am

Sure looks like Roy Wiggins to me.
Gere Mullican

Bill Cunningham · Post by **Bill Cunningham** » 2 Jul 2011 11:33 am

Big Howdy on the fiddle I believe.

Danny Spinks · Post by **Danny Spinks** » 2 Jul 2011 5:38 pm

The fiddle player is Earl White. We were in the army together at Fort McPherson. He has the same picture on his website.

Danny

Paul Norman · Post by **Paul Norman** » 2 Jul 2011 6:50 pm

Is he playing that steel backwards. The tuning keys is by his right hand and the steel is on the pickup side????

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 2 Jul 2011 7:11 pm

It does look like a late 40s or early 50s Gibson EH-620 Electraharp - http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/gib62p18.php

I had a ca. 1949 for a while, a friend has it now. Great as a nonpedal steel, not so useful as a pedal steel, although one can change tunings with it. As you can see in the catalog photo, the pedals on an EH-620 are up where his left foot is, front left corner. The pedals on mine were much smaller than the one in that catalog photo.

Jim Palenscar · Post by **Jim Palenscar** » 3 Jul 2011 7:54 am

Dave is right- it is an Electraharp which was basically Gibson's answer to a MultiKord with a nicer body.

Fred Shannon · Post by **Fred Shannon** » 3 Jul 2011 8:43 am

Little Roy, maybe??????

phred

Gere Mullican · Post by **Gere Mullican** » 3 Jul 2011 12:59 pm

Benny's brother, Gene to his left.

Rick Jackson · Post by **Rick Jackson** » 4 Jul 2011 6:29 am

I was asking Bud Isaacs last night if Little Roy ever used pedals and he said no. His computer is down right now so he can't view the photo. Still trying to figure out who the steel player is...rj

Billy Easton · Post by **Billy Easton** » 4 Jul 2011 6:38 am

Rick.....
It sure looks like Little Roy to me!

Billy

Rick Jackson · Post by **Rick Jackson** » 4 Jul 2011 6:41 am

Billy, it seems that is the concensus. Based on Dave's information about the guitar being a good non-pedal guitar, I assume that is how he is playing it. Thanks to all for the input...rj

Danny Spinks · Post by **Danny Spinks** » 4 Jul 2011 9:21 am

I talked to Earl White and the steel player is "Little" Roy.

The bass player is Cedric Rainwater.

I never knew "Little" Roy ever played
pedals, or in this case, pedal.

Danny

Rick Jackson · Post by **Rick Jackson** » 4 Jul 2011 9:52 am

Thanks Danny and all...rj

Bernie Gonyea · Post by **Bernie Gonyea** » 5 Jul 2011 6:29 pm

The guitar is definitely an early fifties Gibson Harp; I own a 53 Multi-kord Harlin Bros. Pedal steel, which I bought brand new in 53; this Gibson was The gibson's company answer to my multi-kord guitar. The aprons were much deeper and a sharper looking guitar. All I have ever changed on my Multi-kord are the tuning pegs about two years ago.The rods or cables were not very efficient, in my opinion on the pedal Gibsons.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Can you identify this steel player?

Can you identify this steel player?

Early Fifties Gibson pedal guitar