Fulawka?

Stephen Gregory · Post by **Stephen Gregory** » 5 Sep 2005 11:31 am

Any thoughts on these guitars?

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 5 Sep 2005 4:21 pm

Yeah. They are amongst the finest handcrafted steels made today by Ed Fulawka. Thats why there is such a long wait just like ZUM. They are a FANTASTIC guitar.[This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 05 September 2005 at 05:21 PM.][This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 05 September 2005 at 10:40 PM.]

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 5 Sep 2005 5:38 pm

What Kevin said.

Nathan Delacretaz · Post by **Nathan Delacretaz** » 5 Sep 2005 5:40 pm

Ricky Davis could write a book on Fulawka's work... But hey, Ricky could write a lot of books! ; )

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 5 Sep 2005 8:15 pm

Check out Al Brisco's website, he has a real nice one on there for sale....
http://www.steelguitarcanada.com/steels/steeluse.htm

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 6 Sep 2005 1:47 am

The Fulawka is up there with the best, in craftsmanship and construction. From reports, Ed is a fanatic when it comes to selecting the wood for his guitars. He winds his own pickups and is just as selective with his pickups.

I've played Ollie Strong's Fulawka and it plays great. I'd put the tone as being sort of Sho-Budish.

About the only other comment, Ollie has two cases because of the weight.

johnopsg · Post by **johnopsg** » 6 Sep 2005 11:26 am

I have owned and played a Fulawka D-10 for about 5 years. It has a beautiful lacquer finish, the pearl in-lay is high quality, and all the parts you see and use are highly polished and beautifully machined.
The pedal and knee lever action is very smooth and responsive, and I have never had a string not return to pitch after lever or pedal use. The E-9 neck on mine has a p/u wound to about 17.5 or 18K, and it is bright
and full throughout the fret range...very bright on E-9 and just right on the 6th neck. This guitar has seven pedals and seven knee levers, and Ed Fulawka made a crossover system for all the right-side levers...works real smooth, easy, and maintains a light, smooth action on all levers. Gauged rollers on the tuner end; heavy chrome and nice finishes on legs and all parts...no labels on the front of the guitar...on this one, he put his logo on the right-side of the pedal bar at floor level. I plan to keep this guitar. It does have a wide foot print like a Sho-Bud Pro-1,
and this one came in a roll-easy case. Ed used a lot of Delrin and bushing material on this guitar, so everything, even the pedal pull rods are very mechanically silent. It's a beautiful guitar, and it is a fine playing pedal steel, as well.
IMHO. Best wishes.

George McLellan · Post by **George McLellan** » 6 Sep 2005 12:04 pm

I had a nice conversation with Ed a few years back. It's a pleasure talking to him and his wife, he even polished my ring! (what a guy

)

He told me that he made just about all the tools he uses in building this fine guitar.

Geo

Stephen Gregory · Post by **Stephen Gregory** » 9 Sep 2005 8:08 pm

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 10 Sep 2005 4:03 am

Tried one at ISGC 2 years back, and loved it.

Made me instantly think Sho-Bud, but with mechanical smoothness and accuracy, and easy of set up.

If you can find one grab it.

And Ed makes a super barbique spice mix too.

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 10 Sep 2005 7:29 pm

I met Ed and his wife,at LT Zinn's HOF fundraising show in Grand Rapids about 3 years ago. I talked to him and spent about an hour looking over his guitar and playing it in his demo room. He is a great guy and will show you every feature of his guitar, and there are plenty of really nice ideas and well done, and a very beautiful Guitar. Did you ever see Ricky's Blue Darlin? Jack and David mentioned like a Sho-Bud, but with modern features and construction...and Heavy too. But I liked it anyway....al

------------------
My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 10 Sep 2005 11:45 pm

Yep she was a Beauty alright; and the most precise playing pedal steel I've ever played.
Ricky

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 12 Sep 2005 4:07 am

And that says a lot, comin' from Ricky!

Dale Bessant · Post by **Dale Bessant** » 12 Sep 2005 6:00 am

I have had the pleasure of meeting with and visiting Ed's place and playing many of Ed's guitars, what you read here is the truth and it's payable in Canadian funds. They are the cream of the Canadian crop thats for sure........

Stephen Gregory · Post by **Stephen Gregory** » 16 Sep 2005 9:37 am

Willis Vanderberg · Post by **Willis Vanderberg** » 16 Sep 2005 7:16 pm

I would add that Ed's blue guitars don't turn green as some of the others do.
When laquer yellows it turn the blue to green. This is a real problem.
I don't know his process but it works.

Bud

Roger Edgington · Post by **Roger Edgington** » 17 Sep 2005 7:00 am

I often spend a little time in the Fulawka booth playing a little and and talking to Ed. I can't say enough good about the guitar or Ed.

JB Arnold · Post by **JB Arnold** » 17 Sep 2005 7:25 am

I've been playing a Fulawka live for about 4 years now, and I'd never give it up. All the above and more. Great axe. I want another.....

John

------------------
Fulawka D-10 9&5
Fessenden D-10 8&8
"All in all, looking back, I'd have to say the best advice anyone ever gave me was 'Hands Up, Don't Move!"
www.johnbarnold.com/pedalsteel
www.buddycage.net

http://www.nrpsmusic.com/index.html