Steel guitar brands - a list

About Steel Guitarists and their Music

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Ian McLatchie
Posts: 869
Joined: 29 Dec 1998 1:01 am
Location: Sechelt, British Columbia

Post by Ian McLatchie »

Again, thanks to all for the contributions, particularly to Milton and Dave for the references to the earlier posting. I'm unfamiliar with a number of the brands Milton lists here and would appreciate whatever input anyone can give to which are electric instrument manufacturers. Bruce: Mustard was an item on the list originally passed on to me; I know nothing about it. I do recall hearing of a Mustang brand, but am reasonably sure it was American.
Bob Mainwaring
Posts: 1096
Joined: 6 Nov 1999 1:01 am
Location: Qualicum Beach Vancouver Island B.C. Canada

Post by Bob Mainwaring »

The Rogers that I bought here on the Island last year was made by Hank Rogers originaly from Alberta and settled in B.C.in about the early 70s, apparently he'd made in the region of about 400- 450 steels.

Harry Greenwood in Rochdale Lancashire Northern England made quite a few steels over the years 'till he got sick, he'd bought the S10 Z.B. that I now own to copy some of Zanes ideas regarding the strap mechanism and compensating pulls.
He cast all his own hardware and built them from scratch, the only things bought in were the tuning pegs.

Bob Mainwaring. Z.Bs. and other weird things.

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Bill Ford
Posts: 3836
Joined: 13 Dec 1999 1:01 am
Location: Graniteville SC Aiken

Post by Bill Ford »

CLR (Chas Reece Clearwater SC)

Bill

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Mike Fereday
Posts: 186
Joined: 4 Apr 2000 12:01 am
Location: Newbury, Berkshire, England

Post by Mike Fereday »

Columbus - Japan (Lap Steel - possibly made in the same factory as Guayatone).

Mike
Mitch Drumm
Posts: 2664
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Frostbite Falls, hard by Veronica Lake

Post by Mitch Drumm »

century

harlin brothers

electronis (made by national/valco; possibly a model not a brand)

royal (6 string lap steel, possibly british)

tonemaster (6 string lap steel, british, possibly a model not a brand)

speedy west (doubleneck pedal steel, late 60s; i think these were made by another manufacturer and just branded "speedy west")

i have pictures of all of these, mostly from the dreaded ebay. the info i have is generally taken from the ebay description and therefore subject to error.


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David C Neal
Posts: 139
Joined: 18 Mar 1999 1:01 am
Location: Nashville, TN
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Post by David C Neal »

Ian,

Don't forget to add the LaGarritt made by Gary Rittenberry in Cookville Tn.


Dave
Allan Thompson
Posts: 789
Joined: 23 Jan 2001 1:01 am
Location: Scotland.

Post by Allan Thompson »

Springfield, Scotland, no longer made.
Winnie Winston
Posts: 542
Joined: 10 Dec 1999 1:01 am
Location: Tawa, Wellington, NZ * R.I.P.
Contact:

Post by Winnie Winston »

ALIEN-- made on the goldcoast in Australia.
A very inexpensive "starter" model.

Winnie
B Bailey Brown
Posts: 606
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: San Antonio, TX (USA)

Post by B Bailey Brown »

Good Grief!!! I had NO idea that there were this many steel builders over the years. Many of these guitars are not in production today…but that is a LOT of builders. I was going to add the Blanton, but I noticed Mike Sweeney and Milton Guilbeau beat me to it. Way to go guys! Image Image

B. Bailey Brown
Ian McLatchie
Posts: 869
Joined: 29 Dec 1998 1:01 am
Location: Sechelt, British Columbia

Post by Ian McLatchie »

I've added most of the items people have contributed here. Over the next few weeks, I'll try to verify as many as I can and post a revised list. Keep 'em coming.
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