Insane Lap Steel collector. You gotta see it to believe it!

[Doug Beaumier]

lines of Fender tweeds about one of everything

not just 1 of everything, sometimes 10, 20, or 50 of an item!

[Dennis Smith]

Hi Steve
I looked at them on ebay. I like the state shapes it would be fun to collect all 50 and make a map with them.

[Dennis Smith]

Doug in the DVD as he is talking about the different guitars he said he never tries to buy more than one of the same guitar or amp. Even each of the 50+ Coronado's have some difference. Some of the steels he has four or five that look the same till he points out the difference. A lot of the 6 string guitars had less than 100 made and some I've never seen and some newer ones and a few one of a kind. It is a interesting DVD and could be a lot longer he has so much. He could do a DVD on his amps, acoustic guitars and electric 6 string guitars.

[chris ivey]

the strange thing to me is that this guy will most likely die with all this stuff.
obviously he's got a zillion bucks worth but won't even get to enjoy that money. i don't get it.
is he filthy rich on top of that collection?

[George Piburn]

I completely agree with HowardR's assessment of this thread.

I don't hear any griping about Keith Richards Thousand + of Privately owned instruments , or Jimmy Pages huge collection, to name a few.

Using this forum to express Hate Talk is such a turn off.

[Andy Volk]

Not to mention explicitly against the forum rules.

[Doug Beaumier]

Chris, I agree. He says he only buys, and never sells. Someday he will leave an estate of 5000 instruments (he had 4300 in 2010). Even if he started selling now it would take years to sell everything. And the guitars would have to be sold slowly. Selling them all at once would flood the market and bring the prices way down. I'm sure he doesn't care about that though. He must have an understanding family!
I agree that some of the hateful comments here are over the top and unwelcome. As I said earlier, IMO this level of collecting is bizarre, but he has every right to spend his money as he sees fit.

[Dennis Smith]

Chris, I think he is enjoying his money and has been collecting over 50 years. How many guitars would any of us own if we could buy what we like and didn't have to sell anything to afford it. A lot of us have a room full of instruments. I hope when he goes he leaves it with a Museum or has one made to display all his stuff. One of the guitar's he was showing in the DVD is a rare Gretsch that he got off of craigslist one time for $600. after a dealer tried to low ball the guy and he is the third owner.

[chris ivey]

i'd sell some of the dumb instruments and get a bunch of french maids.

[Stephen Abruzzo]

I guess the reason we have works of art; paintings, statues, etc.......is because of people who are just like this guy.....collectors.

People who have the financial where-with-all (sp ?) to afford/house such wonderful instruments. He is a caretaker of lap steels and when he dies, he will leave an incredible collection.

Weird? Maybe. Eccentric for sure. Good for him though.

[Dennis Smith]

This is good and show's some of his rare and one of a kind items.
http://youtu.be/DFRLSN2OBrs

[Joe Breeden]

In this country we can all do pretty much as we please. I admire the guys passion, and can only dream about having that much money. From what I can tell he is not keeping anyone from playing an instrument. We all know the market is saturated with new instruments, if you want one, and can afford it. In the end, after thinking about it, I have to admire the guy. He's doing what he likes to do and not hurting anyone, or breaking any laws.

[Stefan Robertson]

Brad can we Lock this post now. I don't think any new opinions on either side will matter anyway.

And unless those 5000 Lap Steel Guitars become available again I don't think this thread needs to be active anymore.