The Amazing Talents of Ray Walker

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 7 Jan 2004 10:15 pm

Ray Walker sent me these pictures of a Body he Built and Finished for a Shobud. The Original Shobud Body was warped/twisted and therefore trashed, no longer usable. So Ray, in his almightyness built The body out of birdseye Maple and the owner wanted Leopard Wood for Aprons and Neck. I would say this is one amazing looking Steel and I know Ray's Wood work and Refinishing first hand as I just received the body back from him; of a old Speedy West Marlen that belongs to Rick McDuffie that was just Aweful and Ray did a re-finish on it that is just to Die for...but I'm not showin' it off till I'm done puttin' it all back together.
Ray Builds a First class Steel guitar Chair; but how about the Talent of his Wood Finishing???

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 7 Jan 2004 11:33 pm

It's so purty-----------I'm speachless for once!!!

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 7 Jan 2004 11:50 pm

Hey, WOW!! That's a really nice black Emmons push-pull sitting there!!!

No, seriously... that's a very beautiful cabinet. Ray does serious work, I see.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Ray Walker · Post by **Ray Walker** » 8 Jan 2004 5:33 am

What a pleasant surprise to wake up to such a gracious post. Thank you very much Ricky. It's a long story about this steel guitar but sparing all the details I must say it was a fun project and worth every minute I spent on it. The downside is that I don't own this steel

. This guitar is owned by Jack Palmer in New Bern, North Carolina who plays such smooth and sweet sounds. The guitar plays out like butter and the tone is to die for. Jack is a very accomplished player and a great machinist...so you can imagine how well she plays. Thanks for the compliments. It's something I love to do and I get the greatest pleasure out of the looks on the persons' faces when they get it from me. I assure you that no picture is ever nearly as good as the real deal sitting in front of you. The "Speedy West" that Ricky refers to was more than a little challenge. Ricky did warn me that is was in a bit of a "stressed" condition

and would need a makeover. Well she was stressed alright

No makeover though...this old gal needed surgery

To share a project like this with the Great Ricky Davis was an honor to say the least. His reputation for detail and perfection is unmatched in this industry and I was tickled to death to share this. Not only will you flip your wig when you see the finished guitar...you just might come calling for a makeover for yours. It's like getting a new guitar for much less than a new guitar. I am fortunate that I know the owner of this guitar and that I will be able to touch and feel and see the real deal when Ricky ships her back this way. I take a lot of pride when I work on a guitar or anything else for that matter and I am probably the most critical person on earth (even compared to Ricky Davis) but to have my work complimented with the Masterful touch of Ricky's expertise...is just awesome. Because without his craftsmanship my work would be just a pretty piece of wood. With "his" work the owner of this guitar will have one of the finest guitars a person could own. I am jealous of Rick McDuffie in that regard. Folks if you have an old guitar that you would like to look and play like new again give Ricky or myself a shout. It might be that old guitar that a loved one once played and it might be that one you sit down to and play. We will even do videos and pictures of the work in process from start to finish. That's always a fun part for me. Then you can take that in a scrape book to look back on from time to time. Thanks again Ricky for this wonderful post and thank all of you who have trusted in me for your steel guitar seats. Walker Seats. You will be seeing a lot more about these seats this year. Give us a try there too and I can promise it is always appreciated.

Ray Walker

James Quackenbush · Post by **James Quackenbush** » 8 Jan 2004 7:55 am

Hey Ray,
Looks like you don't only build the best seat in town, but your wood working skills aren't too shabby either !!....Nice job...Jim

Rick McDuffie · Post by **Rick McDuffie** » 8 Jan 2004 11:50 am

I want to see that Sho-Bud emblem back on there!

Rick McDuffie · Post by **Rick McDuffie** » 8 Jan 2004 11:53 am

Hey, by the way, when am I going to get to see my guitar, Ricky?

Ray and Ricky are killing me folks!- they're emailing photos back and forth to each other. But do I get to see it? HECK no. It's become something of a sport with these two!

One day, one day...

If they weren't such great guys... and if I didn't trust them so much, I WOULD be upset!

Rick

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 8 Jan 2004 3:23 pm

Believe me Brother Rick; I'm as upset as you are that you haven't seen it yet...ha....as it sure is ONE AWESOME RIG...as both Ray and I agree...
Don't worry won't be long now....as Lenny Stadler is sending me some extra stuff to make it even more than originally planned.
Ray; thanks for the kind words...and You really did an outstanding job on the Marlen WOW...and that Shobud...as I would like to see Shobud Nashville, Tennessee on there too....>Seymour has some stick ons that you can put after you've already lacquered.
I'm sending you every body from now on that needs to be Re-born....You'da Man.!!!
Ricky

Rick McDuffie · Post by **Rick McDuffie** » 8 Jan 2004 5:38 pm

It should be noted that Ray BUILT this body from scratch. He only salvaged and refinished my Speedy West body.

This guitar has a Sho-Bud changer, keyhead, fretboard, endplates and pedals. But the rest of it is all Jack Palmer and Ray Walker. Both of these guys are class acts, and they "SHO" know what they're doing.
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Rick McDuffieMarlen SD-10, Sho-Bud Professional S-10, '78 Gibson Howard Roberts, Fender Telecaster Custom Rick's Music Photo Gallery
www.tarheelmusic.com

[This message was edited by Rick McDuffie on 08 January 2004 at 05:52 PM.]

Ray Walker · Post by **Ray Walker** » 9 Jan 2004 3:55 am

Rick Mc....the only reason you haven't seen that "Speedy" yet is because we already know you would like to see the "finished" guitar best. Ricky Davis does a lot of this stuff and he can tell you that no matter how great the picture is...it's never even a tenth of what the real deal is sitting there in front of you. On that Sho-Bud you see in this post...well folks it just ain't a Sho-Bud no more....The changer maybe but every part underneath that baby was made by Jack Palmer himself. I personally "thumped and fingered" every board I choose for this project and I knew the tone would be nice...but even I never expected it to sound this good. When the body is solid and the parts are crafted and installed as precisely as Jack Palmer is capable....you gotta know the tone...sustain and ease of play just have to be there. It's no secret about Ricky Davis' work either. This guy is a fanatic about precision work and therefor it is to be expected that those talents will yeild on heck of great guitar. I just hope Rick McDuffie don't make me wait to play it. Second thought... Ricky...just ship her to my shop first...We can tell him she got lost in route (HEHE). This project has been a lot of fun...Who's next????

Ray Walker

ebb · Post by **ebb** » 9 Jan 2004 4:17 pm

stunning!!!!

Jeb Baldwin · Post by **Jeb Baldwin** » 9 Jan 2004 10:39 pm

IM NEXT! PLEASE PICK ME! My new D10 is in rough shape! Ray, seriously, that guitar is astonishing. Good to know there is still CUSTOM work like this still avalible. No flies on that baby! That aint no Cadillac, It's a ROLLS ROYCE ! YOU DA MAN MR. RAY.

Jeb Baldwin

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Ray Walker · Post by **Ray Walker** » 11 Jan 2004 5:10 am

Thanks for your kind words from everyone. Jeb...as we discussed on the phone I am happy to be able to bring new life to that steel. You are next. I am happy that you finally found a lefty guitar. Now we'll make it a "purdy" one!!!

I'll give you a call next week and we can go down to the coast on a wood buying trip.

Talk to you then

Ray