Sierra Steel Guitars

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 3 Jun 2019 4:34 pm

Chris Schlotzhauer wrote:S10: $10,000
S12: $12,500..........I don't think so

My Granny said "If you don't have anything good to say, just keep it to yourself".....
Now that was some good advice!

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 3 Jun 2019 5:59 pm

My new Sierra is a joy to play and has a robust tone. Happy camperðŸ‘

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 3 Jun 2019 6:32 pm

Mine is my main E9 workhorse....live and in the studio. Sounds great and never lets me down.

admin · Post by **b0b** » 23 Jun 2019 7:56 pm

I saw Josh Yenne playing his new Sierra with Twang Ditty in Petaluma, CA. Ross was there too. The guitar has a Sho~bud pickup. Sounded great!

Josh Yenne · Post by **Josh Yenne** » 23 Jun 2019 8:00 pm

The maiden voyage!

The BRAND NEW Sierra Steel "Josh Yenne" model... HA! But just what I wanted.

The black finish with the other of peal looks KILLER.. subtle and classy..

Been a while since I've played on anything abut a 3X5 at most in any gigging situation... freaking BLAST.

Nice to see you b0b as always!!!!

Josh Yenne · Post by **Josh Yenne** » 12 Jul 2019 11:10 pm

And funny to read the Siri translation a few weeks hence. This guitar ROCKS. Been playing most gigs with it and my 66 Fender Deluxe Reverb with the JBL. Original Sho Bud pickup that Ross modified to fit in. Holy SHITE. killer.

Ross Shafer · Post by **Ross Shafer** » 3 Sep 2019 8:21 am

Hot dang...ain't it about damn time for another Makin' Chips video?

Just say YO!

I'm making pedal rod adjusters this time and using the cnc lathe. Check out the video here: https://youtu.be/CErRMSxvmKo

Thanks for watching!

memphislim · Post by **memphislim** » 3 Sep 2019 9:43 am

Cool video Ross. I love the custom holder with the collet you made to hold the pieces for finishing. Makes for fast work. Kudos!

Johnie King · Post by **Johnie King** » 3 Sep 2019 11:43 am

I love watching the making chips videos.

Ross how long dose it take to teach your CNC lathe to do all those steps.
I wonder is your lathe bilingual.

Ross Shafer · Post by **Ross Shafer** » 4 Sep 2019 6:54 am

Thanks guys,

Memphislim: its a standard 5c collet block, readily available, very handy!

Johnie: for the most part these machines only speak one language, G-code. The machine already knows how to do everything...its me that gets taught when doing this stuff. How long does that take....I'll let you know when I'm finished learning. You will be waiting quite a while for that though.

memphislim · Post by **memphislim** » 22 Oct 2019 8:51 am

I thought I would jump back on this post to update my thoughts on my new Sierra. I recently sent my neck/fret board back to Ross for a remake to bling it up. Nothing was wrong with the original, just wanted to make it more "special". Photos soon.

So, while the neck was off I gigged for several months with 3 of my other guitars: Zum Hybrid, Zum ACS and a Marlen single neck that has tremendous tone. Sunday night I once again played my reconstituted Sierra at my weekly gig. To say I noticed a huge improvement is a vast understatement. The tone, sustain and string separation were miles better than the aforementioned guitars, all of which I still love. The greater ease of playing was so noticeable too. I had a player high when I left the stage. It's funny how stark the differences are and how quickly I realized them once I got back on the Sierra. I also noticed how much more delicate you can play the Sierra and get the same results that are achieved by more aggressive techniques on the others. The way this guitar cuts through the mix too is amazing. I'm playing quieter, but being heard way better by myself most importantly, but also the band and audience.

All in all, it just brought home again how much I LOVE this guitar. Kudos again to Ross for making such a superlative instrument!!

admin · Post by **b0b** » 22 Oct 2019 10:22 am

A great instrument makes you play better.

memphislim · Post by **memphislim** » 22 Nov 2019 4:18 pm

Here are pics of my new fretboard/neck Ross built for me. I loved the original but wanted a little more bling. I designed it, Ross built it better than I'd hoped. It's amazing. I stare in awe every time I play it. Ross really does go the extra mile for his customers.

Mother of Pearl and the diamonds are Pink Ivory wood that matches the logo on the front of the guitar. The colors shifted but in person the diamonds are light pink, the squares amber to match the stripe on the front of guitar.

I've had it a few weeks now and was waiting for the matching pickup cover he's making to arrive. Not sure when it's coming but I couldn't wait to share any longer. I'll update the post when I get it.

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 22 Nov 2019 5:45 pm

WoW...wOw...WoW...

Now I'm seeing spots when the lights go off!

Actually that is very cool and will be easy to see in dark clubs.
It's a great use of laminated mother of pearl sheets.
Looking forward to seeing the pickup cover

Josh Yenne · Post by **Josh Yenne** » 22 Nov 2019 8:43 pm

I saw this when it was "in progress"

Congrats man! Absolutely beautiful! Not really my "style" for myself but glad you like it and Ross knocked it out of the park of course!

admin · Post by **b0b** » 22 Nov 2019 11:26 pm

Wow!

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 23 Nov 2019 8:49 am

Beautiful, just beautiful!

Erv

Dennis Olearchik · Post by **Dennis Olearchik** » 23 Nov 2019 6:43 pm

An outstanding execution of a brilliant design

memphislim · Post by **memphislim** » 24 Nov 2019 5:26 am

Ross actually had a lot to do with the design too. It was his idea to cut the frets out of the surrounding wood and drop the MOP in pockets between them. Much more elegant than the original which had the MOP corners square and the frets out of a third material.

It's easier for me to see the strings too as they stand out against the MOP much better than the rosewood neck I had originally.

Ross Shafer · Post by **Ross Shafer** » 24 Nov 2019 8:52 am

Glad you're digging the neck Michael and thanks to all y'all for the compliments. This was a fun project...and a great challenge for my cnc inlay skills.

Between my improving cnc inlay skills and access to my local good pal (and well known old school inlay guru) Larry Robinson the sky is the limit.

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 24 Nov 2019 9:16 am

Outstanding!

Ross Shafer · Post by **Ross Shafer** » 28 Nov 2019 8:31 am

Happy Thanksgiving Steelers!

memphislim · Post by **memphislim** » 23 Dec 2019 8:33 am

Okay, the masterpiece is complete! Ross surprised me with this beautiful cover for my Telonics X10 pickup. I couldn't be happier! Kudos to Ross Shafer for the outstanding design, build quality, sound and customer service! Sierra could not be in better hands!

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 23 Dec 2019 10:26 pm

Looks wonderful. Ross is some kind of genius, but we haven't figured out yet what kind he is!

I'm still using my Sierra Hat, but still no Sierra steel.
Kind of like all hat and no horse!

Best wishes,
Andy

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 23 Dec 2019 10:31 pm

Ross Shafer wrote:Between my improving cnc inlay skills and access to my local good pal (and well known old school inlay guru) Larry Robinson the sky is the limit.

Larry Robinson has been a great inspiration to so many of us for so many years.
For anyone interest in seeing his amazing inlay work here is his web site;
https://robinsoninlays.com
You won't be disappointed!

The Steel Guitar Forum

Sierra Steel Guitars

My Granny said....

Josh Yenne's new Sierra

WoW...wOw...WoW...

Looks wonderful.

Larry Robinson