My new Grande is home !!!!! With pics

Matthew Carlin · Post by **Matthew Carlin** » 5 Sep 2011 9:12 am

I've been waiting a long time to take this home... but now its mine and its home and I have big grin from ear to ear!!!

Its made by Ron @ RAM GUITARS and its called the NEO-GRANDE

Tom Campbell · Post by **Tom Campbell** » 5 Sep 2011 9:47 am

Outstanding...Stunning!!!

Was it custome made for you or is it a model in their line?

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 5 Sep 2011 10:03 am

If that's not gorgeous, then I don't know what is! Congratulations.

Matthew Carlin · Post by **Matthew Carlin** » 5 Sep 2011 10:49 am

Thanks Mike, and thanks again for the tuning info and all your sweet learning materials, top notch.

Hey Tom, it's custom made and in his line. Ron makes everything 1 at time by hand ...so you can have it your way... Any number for necks, colors, pickups..etc..

I had the pleasure of showing it off in Stl and hanging with Ron and Renne.

Bob Russell · Post by **Bob Russell** » 5 Sep 2011 12:31 pm

That stopped me dead in my tracks at the show. That is one beautiful guitar! Congrats!

Mike Anderson · Post by **Mike Anderson** » 5 Sep 2011 1:02 pm

Don Helms is smiling down on you Matthew.

Chris Bauer · Post by **Chris Bauer** » 5 Sep 2011 1:03 pm

Wow! Where does the line for one start???

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 5 Sep 2011 1:03 pm

Wow! what a beauty!

James Nottage · Post by **James Nottage** » 5 Sep 2011 2:56 pm

I checked it out in St. Louis also and it is a beauty, a real credit to the form. I am worried about how long that line is going to be. There was also a single at the show; pretty sweet.

James

Matthew Carlin · Post by **Matthew Carlin** » 6 Sep 2011 5:08 am

Mike- Thank you, that hits home. I never had a chance to meet Mr. Helms, but his sound is a very big part of why I started playing steel.

It's built a lot like the Helms guitar, with some modern upgrades.
I should have posted the specs huh?

Solid maple body with AAA figured veneer
Aluminum hardware made to spec by steel guru Dave Peterson
Grover vintage tuners
Bound Rosewood boards 22.5 scale
Pickups are lollars, but it's built with a universal rout so I can swap pickups by just swapping the guards out.

Coolest thing about Ron is he's open to custom features and builds pretty fast.

Pictures of the Birdseye single are up on his Facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/Ram.Guitars?sk=photos

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 6 Sep 2011 5:51 am

Thats a beauty Matthew! ... congrads!

Mike Anderson · Post by **Mike Anderson** » 6 Sep 2011 11:31 am

You're very welcome Matthew. I am and always have been as old school as they come, and am SO GLAD to see luthiers doing repros of the classic instruments that inspired my heroes, like Mr. Helms.

I am not seriously in the market, but if you'd like to say how much it cost I'm curious. And I just wanted to say too that the particular color of "speed knob" used here is just perfect with that wood!

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 6 Sep 2011 1:43 pm

Mike Anderson wrote:I am not seriously in the market...

I'm guessing the wife was nearby?

Mike Anderson · Post by **Mike Anderson** » 6 Sep 2011 2:02 pm

Ron Whitfield wrote:
Mike Anderson wrote:I am not seriously in the market...
I'm guessing the wife was nearby?

Hah! Check your email Ron - there is another lust object in the For Sale forum here.

But again, it's the money thing, sigh. Maybe I should reward myself for selling the National without losing too much though (insert sound of sneaky chuckling).

Pastor Bruce Kiser · Post by **Pastor Bruce Kiser** » 6 Sep 2011 5:35 pm

unbelieveable!
the style and color,just fabulous!some of the pedalboys should try that with theirs (ours).
painted ends are refreshing if done right.what a prize.
pastor bruce

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 6 Sep 2011 11:15 pm

at first i did'nt notice it was a custom job
that's really an excellent lookin' steel
many moons of happiness to both of ya's

Mark Roeder · Post by **Mark Roeder** » 7 Sep 2011 8:58 am

I like the look of those old Gibsons alot, Ron did a top of the line job on yours. With the wood fretboard I could see a CC style pick up like the early Console Grandes had. That is a beauty!

Matthew Carlin · Post by **Matthew Carlin** » 7 Sep 2011 9:18 am

Mark you've been reading my mind.

I have a vintage vibe CC in hand ready to drop in.

While designing this guitar it was really important to have the pickups on swappable guards so I can drop in just about anything with ease.

Mark Roeder · Post by **Mark Roeder** » 7 Sep 2011 9:46 am

Any chance you will be in Joliet, HSGA, in Oct. with your beauty?

Matthew Carlin · Post by **Matthew Carlin** » 7 Sep 2011 10:07 am

Mark, Hopefully on Saturday, are you bringing your clinesmith?

I pretty sure Ron is back in the lab cooking up another neo grande double .... I'm pushing for Koa, but I know whatever he does will be very cool.

Ron build a quad

Mark Roeder · Post by **Mark Roeder** » 7 Sep 2011 10:10 am

I am thinking I'll bring the 8-string and the 10-string. I'll be there Th and leave on Sunday

Scott Thomas · Post by **Scott Thomas** » 7 Sep 2011 10:20 am

Mark, what is this guitar??

Mark Roeder wrote:

Mark Roeder · Post by **Mark Roeder** » 7 Sep 2011 2:36 pm

Scott, it's a project I have been working on for a few years, I'll post some pics when I'm done. It's been nearly done for about six months.

Chris Byars · Post by **Chris Byars** » 9 Sep 2011 5:27 am

That is gorgeous. Is it as easy to carry as a 50 lb. feedsack like the original? I bet it is, being solid maple.

Is there a website for the maker?

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 9 Sep 2011 7:29 am

RAM Guitars has a website but no information on this particular custom made instrument.

The Steel Guitar Forum

My new Grande is home !!!!! With pics

My new Grande is home !!!!! With pics

Neo grande info

RAM does beautiful work

neo-grande