Derby Steel

Rufus Lisanby · Post by **Rufus Lisanby** » 11 Mar 2020 3:26 pm

Hi,looking at a used Derby steel with serial 0024.Can anybody tell me the year of manufacture?Thanks

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 11 Mar 2020 5:26 pm

Really early one. Don't have a production list, but probably within the first year of manufacture...early 90s.

There's some info and a production date list that Dick Sexton compiled. I have no idea how accurate the dates are however. Lots of other Derby info that you might find useful as well.

https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21A ... D13092D8FB

Rufus Lisanby · Post by **Rufus Lisanby** » 11 Mar 2020 5:34 pm

Thank you sir,I figured it had to be early in the history of the company

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 11 Mar 2020 7:46 pm

Rufus, I met Charlie in 1990 when Joe Crowe started the Louisville Steel Club. I think he had just started building the Derby steel around that time.

Dan Galysh · Post by **Dan Galysh** » 12 Mar 2020 8:46 am

The Derby that I own is 0020. I was told by Charlie that it was built in 1990.

Jim Cooley · Post by **Jim Cooley** » 12 Mar 2020 10:15 am

I have the 230 listed in on the serial number page in Jerry Overstreet's link. It looks like it might be a 90s model. It's an SD10.

Rufus Lisanby · Post by **Rufus Lisanby** » 12 Mar 2020 1:32 pm

Thanks for the replies, I should have mentioned 0024 is a sd10.I knew it probably had to be one of first models.

Larry Moore · Post by **Larry Moore** » 17 Mar 2020 3:08 pm

Rufus I have # 27 its a D-10 7-8.
I think mine is Mid 90's.
Does the one you are asking about have this kind of Logo?
See Picture:

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 17 Mar 2020 3:26 pm

No. 27 is not a mid 90s...the latest it could possibly be is 91, but more likely a 90.

I know that guitar and the person that took delivery of it from Charlie. I believe he was playing that guitar when the Lou Steel Guitar Club started in the fall of 1990.

That doesn't mean it isn't still a great guitar. Charlie's mechanics didn't change too much over the years.

The most visible thing was the slant on the changer axle boss, pillow blocks...whatever you want to call them.

Although some of his parts alloys changed over the years, the appearance of said parts did not show that. Many of the other things were just cosmetic. The big D decal didn't come until later, but labels could be changed.

Some guys liked the earlier block logo like yours, or the crown label better and some the hat and cane, so you can't really go by that without considering the serial numbers too.

However, I would defer to any actual bona fide Derby expert if there is one around. Bobby Callaway was with Charlie from early on so he likely knows more than me, but I can't think of anyone else around here.

Not trying to rain on your parade, just trying to help date it accurately as possible.

Larry Moore · Post by **Larry Moore** » 17 Mar 2020 4:44 pm

Rufus hope this will help I got this list from Marget Step

Derby Serial Numbers... Believed to be 500+ steels built

0001.....D10..........................Plastic Derby Hat emblem
0006.....D10.....91.................Derby Hat type emblem
0020.....D10.....Early 90s........Name plate type emblem
0027.....D10.....Early 90's.......Name plate type emblem *
0041.....SD10........................Old Crown emblem
0047
0056.....D10.....96/97
0070.....D10.....Early 90s?......Old Crown emblem
0072.....SD12...93/4
0085.....D10
0102................93/4
0103.....D10.........................Old Crown emblem
0134.....SD10.......................Big D emblem
0136.....SD10.......................Big D emblem
0144.................Early 90s
0145.....SD10....99Feb
0149.....D10
0151.....D10........................Big D emblem
0153.....SD10....92
0170.....SD12....Mid 90s
0182.....D10........................Big D emblem
0190.....SD10....Late 90s
0212.....................
0228.....SD10....90s
0230.....SD10......................Big D emblem
0247.....SD10....99..............Big D emblem
0271.....SD10......................Big D emblem
0272.....SD10....2000...........Big D emblem
0274.....SD10......................Big D emblem *
0362.....SD10....2005
0368.....D10
0371.................2000s
0380.....D10........................Big D emblem
0401.....D10......2006Dec
0418.....SD10
0421.....D10......2006Dec
0422.....D10......2006/7
0428.....SD10....2007...........Big D emblem
0431.....SD10....2007
0434.....SD10....2007
0443.....SD10......................Big D emblem

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 17 Mar 2020 4:57 pm

I won't be arguing the issue further Larry, but that list was compiled by some information that Dick Sexton put together in the link I provided. You can feel free to ask him about it.

I know Margit well and I doubt seriously she knows the serial number history.

I also know your guitar and everybody that owned it before you.

I'm not trying to cause ripples or waves, just putting forth the information as i believe I know it.

I can't speak for Rufus, but I believe he is satisfied that his guitar is probably a 1990 vintage, perhaps NLT 91.

I forgot to mention Jerry van Hoose who also spent a lot of time with Charlie Stepp. Perhaps he can shed light as well.

JO. Out...

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