Melobar Fire

Ted Smith · Post by **Ted Smith** » 11 May 2001 4:17 pm

Well, I believe you can call the decision to shut down Melobar orders for the summer was Divine intervention. My Wood cutter (Mel's) building, for the Melobar Lap Steels, Steelgitrs and Skreemrs, just burned to the ground. Jigs, Machines, wood, everything - No insurance.

Ironically the Melobro, which has taken so much out of us, was not effected at all. It's mahogany neck is cut by a CNC machine in Twinn Falls. And My shop is about 4 miles away so it was safe. But I have no idea if we will ever offer any lap steels and Steelgitrs, J.Bolen offered to try cutting some wood for us, so we are talking to him, and of course we have 5 months to work it out.

To the 27 customers with guitars still on order-NONE were lost, check the updates icon on the web site.

Definitly a change in history for Melobar - just had that feeling this spring.

I will post any updates.

Ted

Andy Alford · Post by **Andy Alford** » 11 May 2001 5:36 pm

Ted,
I know all the Forum members will be thinking and praying for you and all the Melobar family during this time of loss.I am so very very sorry.

Ted Smith · Post by **Ted Smith** » 11 May 2001 6:30 pm

Dear Andy...it was a shop and we know you, you're grinning from ear to ear.
But I think you're probably one of the only guys that is.

Don't bury me yet...[This message was edited by Ted Smith on 11 May 2001 at 08:01 PM.]

Cliff Swanson · Post by **Cliff Swanson** » 12 May 2001 3:37 am

Ted,

Man I don't even know what to say here... I'm very sad to hear the news of the fire. Words seem totally inadequate. My family went through the ordeal of a total loss house fire about 15 years ago or so. Even though no one was hurt, the loss was almost insufferable. A lot can be said for the idea that our material goods are just things we have, but there is also the very real issue of how the things we own define us and in some ways are a large part of who we are and what we do with
our lives. I'm really sorry about this for you and Mel, Ted.

Cliff

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 12 May 2001 9:34 am

Ted,
I hope everything works out for you. You make a great product !

I don't see my name on the updates page.
Is everything cool with that Ratt 2nd I am in line for ?

Bob

Geoff Brown · Post by **Geoff Brown** » 12 May 2001 12:49 pm

Sorry to hear the bad news, Ted. But, no loss of life or limb, and that's what truly matters. Things have a way of working out, and I'd bet that video (I'm still waiting on it..sorry

) that your fire will be a blessing in disguise down the road. Hang tough, bud.

Peter Jacobs · Post by **Peter Jacobs** » 12 May 2001 1:38 pm

Ted -- I'm so sorry about the fire. While I can't imagine what you're going through, there's no question that you can't be counted out yet. Your dedication to the instrument, the community of players, and the Melobar legacy is, well, remarkable.

Out of adversity comes opportunity -- sounds like Melobro is now the focus of your business, and that might be a really good thing for you as well as for all of us in the non-pedal world.

Best of luck to you and your family. Please let us know how things are progressing.

Regards, PJJ

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 14 May 2001 7:21 am

That's horrible news, Ted, but I'm very glad to hear no one was injured in the fire. I hope everything works out for you.

------------------
Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars

Chris Walke · Post by **Chris Walke** » 14 May 2001 11:32 am

Ted--I'm very sorry to hear about the fire. I certainly hope that this misfortune is actually a new beginning in disguise.

Ian McLatchie · Post by **Ian McLatchie** » 14 May 2001 1:13 pm

Sad news, Ted, but I know you're a hard man to keep down. Here's hoping to a speedy reconstruction.

Ted Smith · Post by **Ted Smith** » 15 May 2001 5:19 am

Looks like the worst thing is the Rattler and TD8 are history because we will never get that price again - I feel bad about that because the Rattler was a terrific starter guitar. Probably the Supersteel is gone too. Doing everything I can to not loose the Steelgitr and SXL.

Ted

Chris Walke · Post by **Chris Walke** » 15 May 2001 3:16 pm

Supersteel gone for good, or gone for now?

It would be a shame to lose any of the melobar models, but aside from your work on resos, is there any concept you've built that you feel is as innovative as the Supersteel? A completely custom modular unit. I'm no steel guitar historian, but I can't think of any change in nonpedal design that was (IMO) as great an idea as the Supersteel.

Paul Crawford · Post by **Paul Crawford** » 15 May 2001 9:15 pm

Ted: Those of faith believe all things are according to plan, with each closed door simply making room for the next one to open. You a man of good heart and good intent. Your contributions have been many, and I truly hope we can look back at this and somehow see it as the start of something good for your company and your family, worth the cost of today's pain and sadness.

You will stay in our thoughts,
Paul

Sage · Post by **Sage** » 16 May 2001 7:16 am

Ted, I'm very sorry to hear of the loss. I'm very thankful that no one was hurt, but what a tough way to be thrown into rethinking things. You and your family and friends have made so many beautiful instruments. I hope that this legacy helps to sustain you as you cool the coals and begin to decide what to do next. I trust that with your God given creativity and the help of others, many more great instruments will rise up out of the ashes.
Best wishes- T. Sage Harmos, Harmos Music[This message was edited by Sage on 16 May 2001 at 08:23 AM.]

Ted Smith · Post by **Ted Smith** » 16 May 2001 7:50 pm

Agree 100% Paul - and thank you everyone for your comments and encouragement.

Here's the latest. Bolen will build new templates but it has to be money up front on everything, and it is not cheap by any standard, but, he is one of the best. So, with no income, because sales are stopped, we've got to rebuild, while still finishing the guitars in house. Guess what the familys response was, "beans ain't so bad", Amazed me!

What do you think - call the next generation Melobars the Phoenix series?

Chris Walke · Post by **Chris Walke** » 17 May 2001 6:55 am

"What do you think - call the next generation Melobars the Phoenix series?"

Absolutely.

Geoff Brown · Post by **Geoff Brown** » 17 May 2001 2:58 pm

Ditto. Go for it, Ted

Mike Tatro · Post by **Mike Tatro** » 21 May 2001 11:53 am

Ted-

I'm so sorry to hear about all this. I don't check in here very often so don't construe my tardiness as disinterest. I pray you will be able to rebuild the entire product line and continue the Smith family tradition of fine instruments at fair prices.

Word escape me now... be well!

David Pennybaker · Post by **David Pennybaker** » 21 May 2001 12:32 pm

Ditto what Mike just said. Can't believe I missed this until now.

Ted,

I can't add much to what's already been said here. Thankfully, nobody was hurt.

Joe E · Post by **Joe E** » 22 May 2001 12:42 pm

Bump this one up. There's not a week that goes by that I don't bang on my Red Rattler.

Can't wait to see what the future brings out of the Smith Family work-shop. This is just a new begining Ted!

Your in my prayers too..

Joe

Ted Smith · Post by **Ted Smith** » 4 Jun 2001 6:01 am

The Rattler and the TD8 are history.

The new model lap steel out of Bolen will come in the SXL frame with any of the componants we offered in the past. i.e. Teleratt, CC8 etc. in our best frame. But only a few dozen each year.

I don't know about the Supersteel yet.

The Steelgitr will be available by fall.

Ted[This message was edited by Ted Smith on 18 June 2001 at 07:46 AM.]

Paul Crawford · Post by **Paul Crawford** » 4 Jun 2001 8:43 am

Man, I hate to hear that about the Rattler. Marcus and I were talkin' just the other day about what a killer sound you got that little guitar. A true jewel for the entry level steeler. It will be missed.

But we'll keep a sharp eye out for the new offerings. Hope the recovery is going well. Paul

Ted Smith · Post by **Ted Smith** » 18 Jun 2001 6:44 am

To answer many emails at once here--We are still in business--for some reason our site is off line right now,(I have a server that leaves a lot to be desired).

This is really the first day I've been back in my own shop for some time, we've been working with the new wood shop, (Bolens) about a hundred mile round trip from here, getting it up to speed. So I'm blowing off the dust and finally getting things back on track--what a year!

For you guys that patiently waited through this, I've got something special planned for you this fall, early Christmas present, and thank you!! for the support!

Ted [This message was edited by Ted Smith on 18 June 2001 at 07:45 AM.]