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Topic: Jerry Byrd (Excel) Single and double neck Steel |
Steven Cearley
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 9 May 2004 8:11 am |
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I was looking at the Excel (Fuzzy) home page and saw that they list a Jerry Byrd single and double neck steel in the 22" and 24 1/2" scale. I thought that Jerry Byrd designed the frypans that Excel now has, but didn't know the line extended to single and double neck models. The double neck looks like it has two pickups like the stringmasters. I would like to hear some feedback on these as far as playability, quality, sound etc. as I am thinking about buying one. Thanks, STEVE
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Denny Turner
From:
Oahu, Hawaii USA
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Posted 9 May 2004 4:03 pm
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Steve,
Since you didn't mention your experience level, please allow me to mention a few things ...for what it's worth... that would have saved me many problems over the past 46 years of playing Music if someone would have told me or I would have sought same out sooner:
There are several manufacturers of non-pedal Steel Guitars who make or have made exceptionally good instruments that have stood the test of either time or qualified Players' opinions.
Some that make / made consoles and come to mind are Rickenbacher, Bigsby, Fender, Gibson, Sho-Bud, Remington, Canopus, as well as Excel. There are others that would fit the "exceptionally good" bill too, as I feel sure other Forumites will post here as well. I personally think Georgeboards will soon be recognized broadly enough to fit that category by qualified Players' opinions.
But for the Excel(click on English at the bottom of the page): Jerry Byrd is one of if not the most particular-to-details Players I've ever known, and certainly one of if not the most qualified. My experience is that "every" technique and nuance he teaches or has mentioned specific to non-pedal Steel ...that I have encountered... has "always" proven for me to be exceptionally good if not indeed the best way. Jerry has stated often that he has "tried it all" and uses and teaches and promotes the best of what his experiences have found. Of importance to your question is Jerry's particular attention and "demand" for details, ...which by all accounts I've encountered has been the same with Steel Guitars that have carried his name ...a few with shortfalls in production he apparantly has been most open to report, and in a number of cases has had posted on this forum; BUT, I have not encountered anything but the best opinions of Fuzzy Fujii and his dedication to the instruments he has made. Jerry's name on a Fuzzy Guitar carries ALLOT of weight in my personal opinion. Also worthy of mention is that Fuzzy comes from a Japanese generation who seriously takes exceptional attention to excellence and detail as a hallmark of character, ...which Fuzzy is no exception in the nominal amount I have read about him and his work. Another good sign IMHO is that Scotty is the USA Rep for Excel.
So the 2 main considerations that remain in context of your question are (1) other Players' opinions of what other Steels might be comparable and for what reasons, and; (2) what PROBLEMS or contrary opinions Players might have experienced with Fuzzy's JB Excels.
Aloha,
DT~[This message was edited by Denny Turner on 09 May 2004 at 05:04 PM.] [This message was edited by Denny Turner on 09 May 2004 at 05:05 PM.] |
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Bill Brown
From:
Canadian, Oklahoma, USA
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Posted 9 May 2004 5:38 pm
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| hi the above is true but also look at herb remingtons non pedals i own some of his but also they are made in the good old U S a and his work is good quality and herb is a good guy and a part of steel history him self solid built equipment great sounding thanks bill |
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Steven Cearley
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 9 May 2004 7:19 pm
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Thanks Denny and Bill for your reply. As far as my expertise goes, I am in the "don't quit your day job" mode right now. I have had a triple Stringmaster but it was too much horse for this cowboy. I've also had a double and single Stringmaster and really liked the way they sounded. I am trying to play for church and worship style with a little country thrown in, however my wife doesn't like it and our church music directors don't like the lap steel or pedal steel. The only steel I have left is an original JB Frypan, serial # A-034 with Jerry's autograph to the original owner on the back plate (20 some years ago). Found it on Ebay if you can believe that, $950.00. It has a scratchy pot on the volume and I haven't done much with it since. I am hanging onto it just because you don't see many of these original JB Frypans around. I wrote to Mr. Byrd regarding this frypan and he was very kind in replying back to me in writing within a week from receiving my letter. I miss my Stringmasters and kick myself daily for ever getting rid of them. When I clicked on the EXCEL webpage I was surprised to see that Jerry had his name on a single and a double steel that looked alot like the Stringmasters I miss. That's what started my inquiry on this page. STEVE
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Jeff Strouse
From:
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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Posted 4 Jul 2004 4:13 am
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I second what Bill said, in that Herb Remington makes an excellent guitar. I have two (a triple and a single). Definitely consider a Remington for a non-pedal steel - you won't be dissapointed!
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C Dixon
From:
Duluth, GA USA
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Posted 4 Jul 2004 7:12 am
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The Excel fry pan and the Excel double neck lap steels are the ONLY steel guitars that are endorsed by Jerry Byrd.
PLEASE be careful. There are several "JB" clones out there, that are definitely NOT endorsed by Jerry. Also, unless it is made by Fuzzy Guitar Co (Excel) it, in all likely hood, is a fake and should not be purchased.
In addition, IF you find one of these, please let Jerry or his brother Jack (a frequent contribuitor to this forum) know about it. You can do a search and send Jack an email if needs be.
Also, stear clear of claims such as, "These are the last two Jerry Byrd frypans Shot Jackson made before he died". That is rubbish and the truth is not in it! All guitars Shot made were sold long before he died. Even the remaining parts were suppose to be destroyed as agreed upon between Jerry an Shot before the first one was ever built.
carl |
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Jody Carver
From:
KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED
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Posted 4 Jul 2004 7:47 am
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Fender has never manufactured s special instrument for anyone. Often Forrest White asked Leo Fender to do a special guitar made
to Jerry Byrd's specifications.
Leo and Don Randall both thought this was not
a good idea because of the complexity that could follow this should the word get out that Fender did in fact manufacture a special
design to the specification of the artist who requested such.
Forrest persisted in spite of Mr.Randall's decision not to get invloved, and to add to that didn't want to rock the boat of F.C.Hall
then owner and president of Rickenbacker in which Jerry Byrd was the main stay of Rickenbacker endorsers.
Needless to say, Forrest won out and Jerry had a Fender guitar made to his specifications. There is an album of Jerry's where this unique guitar can be seen, but off hand I cant for the life of me remember the name of the LP recorded years ago.
After that one time..Fender never made another guitar or instrument to anyone's special spec's.
That JB model was a one of a kind and a great guitar and incorporated features never
found in any Fender guitar since. It had all the features that Jerry Byrd requested and it has a character unlike any Fender steel I have ever heard.
Happy 4th Of July.  |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 4 Jul 2004 7:55 am
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JODY!
Where might that one of a kind Fender steel guitar be at this point in time? |
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Jack Byrd
From:
Kalamazoo, Michigan
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Posted 4 Jul 2004 8:43 am
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Some time back I posted this little history story on the Fender in question. Jody covered most of it but for those that missed it you can read all about it at this link.
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum2/HTML/002347.html
Ray. Down at the end of the thread you will see who bought the guitar. I forgot how much it sold for but was not cheap and I believe the person lived in Arizona but could be wrong there.
Also the album that he used it on is covered in Jerry's response.
At times when I see this stuff that has previously been covered I try to find my response to link it up to the current disscussion. Remember you can search on my name and may find other gems of information Jerry has supplied for me to post on the forum for all you folks.
The archives are great in that you have it saved for all time but I think some of the newer folks don't realize this capability exists on the forum. |
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Steven Cearley
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 4 Jul 2004 8:45 am
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What were the special features that he incorporated into his special make Fender that made it different from all the rest? Also, Cindy Cashdollar uses a triple neck Stringmaster in her two videos, was that made just for her after they stopped making them?
JB Frypan #A-034
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C Dixon
From:
Duluth, GA USA
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Posted 4 Jul 2004 10:36 am
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Steven I do not know most of the features, but I do know one that Jerry was adamant about.
When Jerry was asked why he did not play Fender he replied and later put it more poignantly in written form.
(I paraphrase since I do not recall the exact words Jerry used)
"My favorite chord on C6 is Db because it allows me to play given open strings to embelish and create chords I like to play.
Because of this the fingers to the left of the bar need to lay comfortably when playing at the first fret.
This is not the case on a Fender!"
Again, that is NOT a direct quote. But IMO, it is, in essence, what Jerry meant. I have to agree 100% with Jerry's assessment.
So if you ever saw this instrument, the area to the left of the nut is far from being typical Fender. To of course accomodate Jerry's desires. I am sure there are others, I just don't know what they are.
I do know that the guitar looked absolutely gorgeous in pictures. I seem to recall reading somewhere that Jerry wish he had kept it.
carl |
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c c johnson
From:
killeen,tx usa * R.I.P.
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Posted 4 Jul 2004 11:28 am
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| I have B10 of the orig JB frypans. I also have ehe Excel JB dbl 8. Inaddition among my many guitars I have a Rem Rider single 8. OF course I have not played all straight steels being made now, but I don't see how any can be better than these. CC |
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Jody Carver
From:
KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED
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Posted 4 Jul 2004 4:15 pm
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To Jack Byrd
Jack,thank you for jumping in. I didnt want to revive the old thread.I had hoped you would see my post and answer those questions
regarding Leo and Forrest and how they admired Jerry. As for the modifications Leo made,I cannot go into detail here,its lengthy
and I dont tell long stories .
All of us Fender reps ( at that time always admired Jerry and we were happy to see that Forrest was able to get Leo to make the guitar as Jerry wanted it to be.
However...knowing all too well that Leo had this thing for treble and I at the time wondered how Jerry would adapt to Leo's obsession with the treble sound he loved and I guess thats what made a Fender a Fender.
I felt that Jerry wanted and needed a guitar somewhat like his own,Jerry himself wrote me
and explained the reason for getting his Fender..FC had started to try to capture the Fender sound for his Rickenbacker guitars, and was told by a few that he should stick with what made Rickenbacker what it is known for, a sweet melodic and sustaining sound and not the bright sound of a Fender which many people objected to,especially those who played Hawiian music.
Nevertheless Leo and Forrest were proud that Jarry Byrd chose to play a Fender.
Forrest was a good friend of mine and I spoke to him only two days before he passed.
His comments to me were personal regarding the mutual respect we had for each other,but
one thing he did say that I can repeat.
Quote..Jody..Leo has been good to me and has made my life a happy one,unfortunatly the end
of the story was not a happy one for me, seeing Leo ill with parkinson disease but I know in a short time I will see him again.
He went on and ended with this...Jody...one of the proudest things in my memory was knowing Jerry Byrd and having my dream come true seeing and hearing Jerry playing a Fender,boy that made this ole heart happy.
"unquote Forrest White".
I then called Forrest two days later and his wife Joanna told me Forrest passed that day.
Jack,please pass this on to Jerry. I may have but I forget.
There was only one Leo Fender and one Forrest White and one Jerry Byrd and it is my good fortune to have known these three wonderful guys.
Best to you and my best to Jerry.
Jody....ooops I forgot to add......that Jerry
Fender is worth its weight in GOLD and whoever owns it has a piece of history that will be difficult to match. It must be PRICELESS,,as is JERRY BYRD.
Thanks to all of you for your time. [This message was edited by Jody Carver on 04 July 2004 at 05:29 PM.] |
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Jack Byrd
From:
Kalamazoo, Michigan
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Posted 5 Jul 2004 5:27 am
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Jody,
Thanks for sdding to the story. I will see that Jerry gets this thread. He enjoys reading these kind of comments.
Jack |
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Tom Campbell
From:
Houston, Texas, USA
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Posted 5 Jul 2004 7:35 am
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| I have a Remington double-neck, non-pedal, "Steelmaster", in walnut stain over a solid ash body. This is the only one Herb produced in this finish. The resonance is fantastic. He uses Geo L, E-66 pickups. Herb use to work for Fender and the features of the Fender "Stringmaster" are all over this guitar. I don't think anyone would be dissappointed with one of Herb's "Steelmasters". |
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