D-8 Clinesmith

Isaac Akuna · Post by **Isaac Akuna** » 29 Jan 2013 9:55 am

Aloha kakou.
After many months of thought , planning, and counsel from my life's partner, we have decided to commit the funds necessary to have Todd Clinesmith create my dream double neck console. Many thanks to b0b and to all who have provided
pictures, analyses and opinions. It played no small role in formulating our decision. Mahalos to Todd himself for being professional and forthcoming in all communications. I am thrilled to be among those who support this fine craftsman's endeavors. As a steel guitar community we are most fortunate to have an artist of his caliber in our midst. Certainly some of the fun for me will be in the excitement that builds in anticipation of its arrival.
I have grown to appreciate my Aiello 'Pan and will continue to have it at the ready for single neck gigs.
On a related note, I'm anticipating downsizing my arsenal of Fenders, Rick Excels, Gibsons...etc. hehe, the journey continues....

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 29 Jan 2013 9:58 am

Congratulations, an excellent choice. The Clinesmith sounds phenomenal to my ears for Hawaiian music.

I have a D-10 on order.

Isaac Akuna · Post by **Isaac Akuna** » 29 Jan 2013 1:23 pm

Wow Mike ! Double 10 . I'm gonna follow your progress on that one. The part of my brain that would have served those 4 additional strings was lost in the '70's.
Seriously, it's gonna be great fun having one of these in the Pacific Theater of Operations (Hawaii).
Everybody seems happy with theirs.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 29 Jan 2013 1:44 pm

You can't go wrong with a guitar from Todd. My 2004 Clinesmith maple resonator is sounding better than ever - I think having 8+ years behind it is breaking it in like a quality flattop does with some age.

I wish it were in the budget to order one of the steels.

Todd is a good man, he is very conscientious with a superb attention to detail, as well as being a highly skilled and creative artisan.

And since he moved to Oregon several years ago, we miss him here in Northern California!

Mike Anderson · Post by **Mike Anderson** » 29 Jan 2013 1:52 pm

I will also be following the Mike and Dr. Akuna Clinesmith sagas! Keeps me fired up for the big day when I go (in an attitude of supplication, on my knees) to MY life partner to broach the question.

Isaac Akuna · Post by **Isaac Akuna** » 29 Jan 2013 2:35 pm

Mike A. , I think supplicating is illegal in some states. In Hawai'i you have to have two consenting adults and no more than two double necks per household member..at least that's what she told me...

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 29 Jan 2013 3:10 pm

Isaac Akuna wrote:Wow Mike ! Double 10 . I'm gonna follow your progress on that one. The part of my brain that would have served those 4 additional strings was lost in the '70's.
Seriously, it's gonna be great fun having one of these in the Pacific Theater of Operations (Hawaii).
Everybody seems happy with theirs.

Isaac, this will be my 3rd Clinesmith. My single 8 has been my main guitar for a long time and sounds great, in my opinion. I've had to step up my playing to do it justice!

Mike Anderson · Post by **Mike Anderson** » 29 Jan 2013 3:26 pm

Isaac Akuna wrote:Mike A. , I think supplicating is illegal in some states. In Hawai'i you have to have two consenting adults and no more than two double necks per household member..at least that's what she told me...

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 29 Jan 2013 6:05 pm

Isaac Akuna wrote:
I have grown to appreciate my Aiello 'Pan and will continue to have it at the ready for single neck gigs....

Grown to appreciate ...

I'm feeling like Elin Nordegren ...

Where is that 5 iron ...

Well, we still have 'Iolani Palace's " Throne Room" ... $:\$

Chrissy, break out the Cherry Garcia and the Sailor Jerry ... Gonna be a long nite ...

Isaac Akuna · Post by **Isaac Akuna** » 29 Jan 2013 8:04 pm

Oh but Rick, we'll always have Paris..

Is there palimony for steel guitarists?

Better check with my attorney,,, $:\$

Always had a weakness for long steel-legged blondes,..er..curly Maples...

Jerome Hawkes · Post by **Jerome Hawkes** » 30 Jan 2013 6:09 am

all set up ready for some pickin'....yeah, i know i'll catch flack for the cigar, but i just had to have the ashtray..plus, its a Montecristo - no rag weed when playing the Clinesmith!!
Todd was great to deal with - this was my 2nd Clinesmith, the first being a S-8 lap which i sadly had to part with to fund the T-8. the consoles are on another level, they are just magnificent works of art. he asked me if i wanted birdseye or flame maple, and i just picked birdseye as i wanted something different. when he sent the pics, i replied - i guess that qualifies as birdseye!!!

David Matzenik · Post by **David Matzenik** » 30 Jan 2013 1:47 pm

As long as one does not allow the ash to fall when reaching the top neck, the cigar is to be defended to the last man. It is, after all, the only civilized way to enjoy tobacco.

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 30 Jan 2013 2:02 pm

Isaac Akuna wrote: Always had a weakness for long steel-legged blondes...

So did Paul McCartney ... And look how that ended up ...

Jeff Au Hoy · Post by **Jeff Au Hoy** » 30 Jan 2013 3:19 pm

That is classy stuff. Now I want the ashtray option. And I don't even smoke.

Anthony Blair · Post by **Anthony Blair** » 31 Jan 2013 10:41 am

Ahhh, front pic of the Birdseye Clinesmith please.

I've got a birdseye D8 due next month... with ashtray.

Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 31 Jan 2013 11:22 am

...love the birdseye maple.
By the photo, it looks as if the string-spacing is that of the pedal steel.
Does the Clinesmith have the bassy, mellow tone of the Bigsby?

Jerome Hawkes · Post by **Jerome Hawkes** » 31 Jan 2013 11:25 am

Anthony - this is the only pic i have handy.

Rick - the string spacing is very close to std pedal steel spacing - i went over this with Todd - thats the way the Bigsby were - remember, these were mainly for flat out western swing with lots of block chords, fast lines and tempos and thats what they did best.
I dont know that bassy, mellow tone would be my initial description of either the Clinesmith or the one org Bigsby i played. lets just say you will be wiping the droll off your chin as you sit down with one of these. there is a characteristic 'silky sheen' yet it has some 'reedy grit' in there to (what i call the Lester Young sax tone when you had that reed broken in just right). in other words, like any good instrument, it will go where you push it with ease - you dont have to force the tone. (i usually keep the tone & volume mid-ways - i dont 'dime' them) i wish i could say, based on owning a wood neck S-8 vs the aluminum neck T-8, but honestly, i cant recall the wood neck having that sheen - it was good in another way. i might lean towards saying the S-8 had more warmth - again, its been over a year so my recollection is spotty. i will say, whether this is by design or random, that each neck really has its own character. the middle neck is just flat out glorious in whatever tuning you use. the outside a bit more biting and the inside neck kind of what i call refined, good for that 'romantic steel sound' of the 60's.

Jeff Strouse · Post by **Jeff Strouse** » 2 Feb 2013 5:46 am

Congrats, Isaac! You'll be starting a new trend in the Islands!

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