New Clinesmith steel!

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 28 Apr 2019 4:56 am

I finally realized a long time goal in becoming a member of the Clinesmith owners association. Moving from my 1952 Magnatone to the Clinesmith is akin to stepping out of a Toyota Corolla and slipping into the driver's seat of a Ferrari.

I'm looking forward to making some good music on this thing. Right now, it's telling me to get my chops back in order!

Thanks, Todd for your vision and dedication to create these things of such high utility and timeless beauty.

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 28 Apr 2019 5:40 am

Congratulations! Now the fun begins.

Rick Barnhart · Post by **Rick Barnhart** » 28 Apr 2019 5:46 am

Congratulations, Andy. Beautiful guitar!

Joe Elk · Post by **Joe Elk** » 28 Apr 2019 12:28 pm

Mighty Mighty Nice!!!
Joe Elk Central Ohio

Mike A Holland · Post by **Mike A Holland** » 28 Apr 2019 12:49 pm

What a great choice Andy. Is it the shorter scale version? I would seriously love to purchase one of those but have trouble justifying it. Will be really interested in your views on the instrument after the honeymoon period. I might be just a little bit envious but really chuffed for you! Mike

K Maul · Post by **K Maul** » 28 Apr 2019 1:33 pm

I sure love mine!

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 28 Apr 2019 2:00 pm

Short scale version. I hemmed and hawed quite a bit about whether to go short scale or long or Bigsby or Horseshoe PU. Eventually, I decided I like slants a lot so shorter would make 'em a tad easier.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 28 Apr 2019 2:12 pm

Congratulations, Andy. Play it in good health.

Ralph Czitrom · Post by **Ralph Czitrom** » 28 Apr 2019 2:47 pm

In my ten years of trying to play this instrument, Iâ€™ve owned a whole bunch of guitars. The long scale seven string cast aluminum guitar Todd created for me has no equal.

Congrats, Andy.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 28 Apr 2019 3:02 pm

Congrats, Andy! Enjoy ðŸ˜Š

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 28 Apr 2019 3:04 pm

Beautiful instruments. We are lucky to have Todd.

Nic Neufeld · Post by **Nic Neufeld** » 28 Apr 2019 4:44 pm

Shiny! And with a horseshoe too!

Looking forward to my first Clinesmith, which is in the queue. I would imagine the pans and these designs don't differ too considerably on tone...same pickup, same 8 strings, same body material, but you've got the advantage of a really contrasted fretboard. Well, mine will be longer scale, so that's a major difference. Super excited for mine!

Have fun playing!

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 28 Apr 2019 5:25 pm

Congratulations Andy,
Know the feeling, I got mine almost 2 years ago and it's become my most favorite of 10 PSG's, Lap Steels and a Clinesmith T8 console.
It's the only steel that I play almost every day.
Your going to fall deep in love!

Waiting for my second one now.
Best wishes,
Andy

Bill Creller · Post by **Bill Creller** » 28 Apr 2019 5:32 pm

Beautiful instrument !

Gene Tani · Post by **Gene Tani** » 28 Apr 2019 6:03 pm

A Volk: living the dream!

K Maul: I've had an orange box of Keith detuners sitting in front of me for months, never occurred to put in a non PSG or dobro.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 29 Apr 2019 5:57 am

Thanks, all! And Mike, I had trouble justifying for a long time too but I finally talked myself into it and luckily have a terrific spouse. As much as I'm thrilled to have this axe, as I get older, I'm truly less enamored of acquiring "stuff." The real musicianship is in your hands, ears and heart things like high-end instruments just help you translate it a bit better with less work.

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 29 Apr 2019 6:22 am

Hi Andy.
I found quickly that the Clinesmith improved my playing.
Still no great picker, but I think the great tone and sustain kept me coming back to it every day, day after day for almost two years now.
No other steel has ever done that for me in the same way.
Also the perfect string spacing has been a great help.
Mine is also the short scale (A6th) and the one I've got on order is the long scale and will be E9th or just maybe E13th, not decided yet.

For sure they are a little high in price, but knowing some of what Todd has invested in his productions (Money, Luthier skills second to none, Heart and soul) and the high standards he has attained means they are actually quite a bargain.
Danged sure saving up and working for one is worth it to any serious player.
Best wishes,
Andy

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 29 Apr 2019 6:28 am

You're right, Andy. Really, no luthiers are getting wealthy on steel guitars; It's a labor of love in so many ways. The unseen part of the iceberg is all the design time, R&D, prototyping, etc. that happens before we even learn that a given model exists. The quality of Todd's instruments is apparent in sound clips and photos but they really don't do justice to how spectacular these instruments are. There's a dynamic range far beyond other lap steels I've played and I find that I need to up my game to deal with it.

Jim Newberry · Post by **Jim Newberry** » 29 Apr 2019 11:28 am

Bway-No, Andy! I love mine and I love that I can help support this talented craftsman.

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 29 Apr 2019 2:46 pm

Jim Newberry wrote:Bway-No, Andy! I love mine and I love that I can help support this talented craftsman.

Me too Jim...
That's why I also ordered the T-8 which was finished on the 15th of March 2018.
Because of that being "The Ives Of March" I named it "Littler Cesar"

Now waiting for my next one. Maybe ready when I get back there in June.

Best wishes,
Andy

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 29 Apr 2019 3:53 pm

I have been a "card carrying member" of the Clinesmith Cult for quite a few years now.

My pair above. The resonator on the left is made from Western Big Leaf Maple, 2004.

The 8 string steel is the first of its kind from 2017, the Model B (for Bigsby).

If money were no object I would own several of Todd's instruments in a variety of configurations. Unfortunately money is an object. I hate when that happens.

Peter Raabe · Post by **Peter Raabe** » 2 May 2019 8:56 pm

Super nice. I love it.

Mitch Druckman · Post by **Mitch Druckman** » 4 May 2019 8:21 pm

A beautiful guitar. Is there a particular reason why you decided on this model rather than the new Clinesmith Frypan? I'm sure you couldn't go wrong with either!

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 5 May 2019 2:59 am

Yes, because I thought I would be able to see the fretboard better on this model than on the integrated frets of the frypan. I hemmed and hawed quite a bit about whether to get the Bigsby or the shoe PU; both sound terrific but I figured the shoe was iconic as the best steel pickup ever designed.

The sustain and power of these guitars is really something as is the weight. After playing mostly acoustic the last few years, I'm really getting my butt kicked as I try to get my blocking skills back up to snuff. The race car analogy really holds up, I think.

Nic Neufeld · Post by **Nic Neufeld** » 5 May 2019 4:25 am

Yeah, I would say, all other things being equal, this design has some practical advantages over the frypan...also, I don't think Todd is selling the shorter scale in 8 strings (at least yet). Both are beautiful...I went for the pan myself because of the great history of that design...and mine is getting finished up and ready to ship this weekend I hear!

The Steel Guitar Forum

New Clinesmith steel!

New Clinesmith steel!

Congratulations Andy

The Clinesmith improved my playing.

Me too Jim...