You Got To Look At This

Instruments, mechanical issues, copedents, techniques, etc.

Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn

John Ford
Posts: 13
Joined: 10 Nov 2018 11:01 am
Location: Oklahoma, USA

You Got To Look At This

Post by John Ford »

Hi, I a newbie to the forum. I'm not a steel player, but Ive played with some good ones. This belonged to one of them. Never seen a model like this. Any one else??


Image
Image
Image
Image
User avatar
Richard Sinkler
Posts: 17067
Joined: 15 Aug 1998 12:01 am
Location: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Post by Richard Sinkler »

😨😨😨😨😨😨
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, NV400, NV112 . Playing for 53 years and still counting.
User avatar
R. E. Miller
Posts: 36
Joined: 11 Oct 2018 9:17 pm
Location: Nowhere, Near Home.

Post by R. E. Miller »

I've no clue what it is, but it's an impressive, if unintentional, steampunk design. Does it function, currently?

Looks like a Flintsone's version of Speedy West's guitar...and it appears to be missing it's carburetor.
User avatar
Charlie McDonald
Posts: 11054
Joined: 17 Feb 2005 1:01 am
Location: out of the blue

Re: You Got To Look At This

Post by Charlie McDonald »

John Ford wrote:Never seen a model like this.
License plates under the... fingers? You win the opening post photo award. Welcome.
Never seen anything like it.
User avatar
Johnie King
Posts: 8538
Joined: 7 Apr 2014 11:09 am
Location: Tennessee, USA

Post by Johnie King »

Heavy duty is a understatement wow.
User avatar
Rick Barnhart
Posts: 3046
Joined: 23 May 2008 2:21 pm
Location: Arizona, USA

Post by Rick Barnhart »

The letters “P A” has me wondering. Could it be?
Clinesmith consoles D-8/6 5 pedal, D-8 3 pedal & A25 Frypan, Pettingill Teardrop, & P8 Deluxe.
John Ford
Posts: 13
Joined: 10 Nov 2018 11:01 am
Location: Oklahoma, USA

Post by John Ford »

The hardware says PA tone raisers. One of my friend collects vintage guitars suggested it might be PA Bigsby, who made steels and other guitars before his tremolo became so popular.. Pickups seem to be Rickenbacker horseshoe.
User avatar
J R Rose
Posts: 2718
Joined: 13 Mar 2009 12:39 pm
Location: Keota, Oklahoma, USA

Post by J R Rose »

Hey John, What an interesting guitar you've got your hands on. Welcome to the forum. That is a one of a kind. Do you have any back story on it. Any info at all would help. Their are guys on here that know about everything. Names of previous owners you might know, where from, anything at all. Paul Bigsby influenced, Leo Fender pickups maybe. Also David Wright might know something about this. Who Knows? But I would like to know the story. J.R. Rose
Black Performance SD-10, 2002. Peavey LTD 400 with 15" Eminence EPS 15-C, Sho-Bud Seat, Goodrich L-120 Pedal, Sho-Bud Bar, Picks, Cords. Nothing else.
User avatar
J R Rose
Posts: 2718
Joined: 13 Mar 2009 12:39 pm
Location: Keota, Oklahoma, USA

Post by J R Rose »

John. Are those knee levers hanging down with padding on them? Thanks, J.R.
Black Performance SD-10, 2002. Peavey LTD 400 with 15" Eminence EPS 15-C, Sho-Bud Seat, Goodrich L-120 Pedal, Sho-Bud Bar, Picks, Cords. Nothing else.
User avatar
Lee Baucum
Posts: 10326
Joined: 11 Apr 1999 12:01 am
Location: McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier

Post by Lee Baucum »

Spooky. That looks like something from the Addams Family mansion.

Maybe P.A. stands for Pugsly Addams.
User avatar
Dave Meis
Posts: 1026
Joined: 8 Jan 2015 7:46 pm
Location: Olympic Peninsula, Washington, USA

Post by Dave Meis »

I'd be sure I wasn't grounded when I played it! :)
John Ford
Posts: 13
Joined: 10 Nov 2018 11:01 am
Location: Oklahoma, USA

Post by John Ford »

I'm helping my friends widow with this. I know nothing. Took a few quick pics. but will look closer. No story. He was a good steel, guitar and harmonica player.
JF
John Goux
Posts: 946
Joined: 25 Mar 2015 12:24 pm
Location: California, USA

Post by John Goux »

Almost looks like a double neck modified Gibson Elecroharp.
Frets and phone cord!
J
User avatar
Dan Beller-McKenna
Posts: 2979
Joined: 3 Apr 2005 1:01 am
Location: Durham, New Hampshire, USA
Contact:

Post by Dan Beller-McKenna »

Just needs some new strings and a squirt of triflow.
User avatar
Barry Blackwood
Posts: 7352
Joined: 20 Apr 2005 12:01 am

Post by Barry Blackwood »

Never seen a model like this. Any one else??

It's in worse shape than Trigger.. That Frankensteel belongs on Antique Showcase on PBS. :eek: :lol:
Pete McAvity
Posts: 420
Joined: 1 Jun 2013 6:46 pm
Location: St. Louis, Missouri USA

Post by Pete McAvity »

Absolutely terrifying.

I love it.
Excel Superb D10, Kline U12, Sarno Black Box, Goodrich L120, Boss DD5, Baby Bloomer, 1965 Super Reverb chopped to a head, feeding a mystery PA cab w/ a K130.

They say "thats how it goes". I say "that ain't the way it stays!"
Pete McAvity
Posts: 420
Joined: 1 Jun 2013 6:46 pm
Location: St. Louis, Missouri USA

Post by Pete McAvity »

Tenor guitar necks for fretboards?
Excel Superb D10, Kline U12, Sarno Black Box, Goodrich L120, Boss DD5, Baby Bloomer, 1965 Super Reverb chopped to a head, feeding a mystery PA cab w/ a K130.

They say "thats how it goes". I say "that ain't the way it stays!"
User avatar
J R Rose
Posts: 2718
Joined: 13 Mar 2009 12:39 pm
Location: Keota, Oklahoma, USA

Post by J R Rose »

Perhaps it is just odds and ends, bits and pieces put together? J.R.
Black Performance SD-10, 2002. Peavey LTD 400 with 15" Eminence EPS 15-C, Sho-Bud Seat, Goodrich L-120 Pedal, Sho-Bud Bar, Picks, Cords. Nothing else.
John Ford
Posts: 13
Joined: 10 Nov 2018 11:01 am
Location: Oklahoma, USA

Post by John Ford »

Yes JR 4 pedals 4 knee kickers.
Bob Carlucci
Posts: 6965
Joined: 26 Dec 2003 1:01 am
Location: Candor, New York, USA

Post by Bob Carlucci »

Whatever that is, its body design looks borrowed from the later Art Deco period in the 30's..
First off, its very well constructed indeed .

I know little of Paul Bigsby but is it possible this was some sort of early prototype, one off, or limited production of his??.. Its does not look cobbled from pieces to me... Looks like a primitive yet well thought out design, and that P.A lettering thats visible has me thinking its something he made early on for some one.... bob
I'm over the hill and hittin'rocks on the way down!

no gear list for me.. you don't have the time......
User avatar
Bob Muller
Posts: 891
Joined: 9 Jan 2008 11:50 am
Location: Oregon, USA

Post by Bob Muller »

Interesting, what does the front and underside look like?
Bobby D. Jones
Posts: 2235
Joined: 17 May 2010 9:27 am
Location: West Virginia, USA

You Got To Look At This

Post by Bobby D. Jones »

Very interesting primitive specimen of a steel guitar.
The Knee Levers are interesting, They look as if they may have been carved out of wood, By the scratches on them in the photo.
Or are they Metal Castings?
Would be an interesting project to get it cleaned, lubed, new strings and see if can actually be played.
Pictures of the under side would be interesting to see.
Good Luck on this project.
User avatar
Dick Wood
Posts: 3060
Joined: 2 May 2005 12:01 am
Location: Springtown Texas, USA
Contact:

Post by Dick Wood »

Pugsly Addams..LMAO...that's great Lee.
Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night.
John Sluszny
Posts: 2237
Joined: 9 Apr 2001 12:01 am
Location: Brussels, Belgium

Post by John Sluszny »

How much ? PayPal ? :lol:
Bill McCloskey
Posts: 6877
Joined: 5 Jan 2005 1:01 am
Location: Nanuet, NY
Contact:

Post by Bill McCloskey »

I've never seen a steel where the pickups are on the same side as the tuning pegs.
Check out my latest video: My Biggest Fears Learning Steel at 68: https://youtu.be/F601J515oGc
Post Reply