Value of this â€œTravisâ€ custom S-12 5/5

Alan McBride · Post by **Alan McBride** » 20 Apr 2018 4:24 pm

Trying to determine what to ask for this custom built S-12 5/5
New strings , cleaned changer, and nut, sounds awesome, lots of sustain. I was told this one was built by Travis Dean Reed in Muskogee, Oklahoma. I understand he wrapped his own pick ups as he built several psg. It is set up as an ext 9 right now and I estimate itâ€™s over 20 years of age.
Any help you could give me would be appreciated as I have a new Zum ordered and will be raising the funds to purchase.

Thanks for your time and assistance,
Pastor Alan

Ps. Sorry about the foot in the pics, lol

PICTURES:

Alan McBride · Post by **Alan McBride** » 20 Apr 2018 5:29 pm

Tell me what you think, you will not hurt my feelings or surprise me!
I found it in my dads back room in muskogeee covered with dust.
Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 20 Apr 2018 5:59 pm

Did the builder spend more time making the "Travis" logo than on the rest of the guitar?

Alan McBride · Post by **Alan McBride** » 20 Apr 2018 6:01 pm

Tell me what you think, you will not hurt my feelings or surprise me!
I found it in my dads back room in muskogeee covered with dust.
Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.

Alan McBride · Post by **Alan McBride** » 20 Apr 2018 6:02 pm

Ernest that may be the case, I just donâ€™t know!

Paul Sutherland · Post by **Paul Sutherland** » 20 Apr 2018 8:24 pm

It looks heavy. It's an odd ball. Is there a case that goes with it. I think you'd be lucky to get $500.

Art Beard · Post by **Art Beard** » 21 Apr 2018 12:18 am

Golly,where were U when I wanted my 1st steel in 1968 Paul,? ? LOL CAA

Alan McBride · Post by **Alan McBride** » 21 Apr 2018 1:29 am

Thanks Paul, oddball indeed, itâ€™s not real heavy, I would guess around 40 to 50 lbs., and no case that I could find.
I was told by some others that knew Mr. Reed, may God rest his soul, that he crafted almost all his own parts by hand using simple tools, and I can see that he did. Undoubting that many hours of work when in to this custom one of a kind Steel. Lol, I got 20 hours in it just cleaning and restringing. Plan on tuning pedals and knee levers today if I can. 1st 3 pedals are basic emmons set up and rklâ€™s drop and raise the eâ€™s. Not sure on the lklâ€™s or the lkv yet. The other pedals Iâ€™m not sure of yet either, working on in spare time. Itâ€™s a challenge really.

Art Beard · Post by **Art Beard** » 21 Apr 2018 2:35 am

many instruments have been made over the years that were never know due to business failure, etc. Many good many poor. People casting parts in the 60-80's were thinking long term, cheaper way.
I have a BASS, 12 string (3 per string stringing), hand built. The company only makes 25 guitars of each, they think up.! THEY R NOT IN IT 4 THE MONEY. JUST THE FUN. IT IS AMERICAN MADE HOLLOW BODY!, 12 STRING. WOWEE. DON'T ALWAYS JUDGE WITH OUT PLAYING. TRY AS A 10 STRING if s10 us the way u plan to go. CAA
KNEW,A SINGER THAT FILLED IN FOR WAYLON BEFORE HE HIT THE ROAD. People wanted to hear LONNIE more than Waylon. ! VOICE CRACKED OUT FROM DRUGS N BOOZE, HE COULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. DIED WORKING CEMENT FACTORY IN NEB. CAA

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 21 Apr 2018 9:36 am

Its crude but really cool.. Why not get it up and running, and enjoy it as the unique and interesting instrument it is??. Got a lot of changes with 6 and 4, and it might have a fantastic sound. If it were mine, I would hang on to it, unless I was desperate for the $500-600 it would bring... bob

Alan McBride · Post by **Alan McBride** » 21 Apr 2018 10:11 am

Thanks Bob, all I need to do is tune the pedals and levers and it will be in good working order. it actually had 6 klâ€™s, Lkv went to a rod that went up through the body and came up and made a loop beside the 4th string tuner on the headstock, just moving up and down, I have no idea what it did.
It plays and sounds pretty good with the SIT stainless strings, has a slight hum, not sure if itâ€™s the old amp Iâ€™m using or the guitar itâ€™s self. I know I need a heavier bar as it seems like I need to apply quite a bit of pressure to clean up the tone.
Thanks again, you and Paul were right where I was thinking in value.
Iâ€™m going to list it for sale soon on the forum here and maybe get it sold.
So anyone interested in purchasing you can PM me here. If sold here I will make a donation to this forum. Be Blest!

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 21 Apr 2018 7:07 pm

If you price it in that range, it will be sold pretty quickly, and someone will get it all fixed up to play it regularly.. Thats a good thing, and what a pretty neat old instrument deserves... bob

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