Dumping Sierra's

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 12 Sep 2003 6:05 pm

When the masters of tone speak of the Sierras (Buddy and Paul)you know these guitars "Have it". Knowing the history of Sierra over the last 4 decades, the founder, Chuck Wright was not only a fine player but a master craftsman and that quality was in every one that left the factory.

KENNY KRUPNICK · Post by **KENNY KRUPNICK** » 14 Sep 2003 7:57 pm

I'm hanging on to my Sierra D-10 Crown Gearless. Tri-pole pickups. Excellent tone. I am wondering if parts will be available even though the company has closed? Someone suggested that Peavey step up,and carry the torch.

Fred Layman · Post by **Fred Layman** » 15 Sep 2003 7:00 pm

If worse comes to worse and Sierra has to close down, it may well be best to hold on to your Sierras. After MSA's earlier close their guitars became the best value for the buck on the used market and are still in demand. How many others companies that folded can say that? Sierra is an extremely well engineered pedal steel and there are a lot of good service people around.

Jim Walker · Post by **Jim Walker** » 15 Sep 2003 7:51 pm

I wish I had any Sierra pedal steel. The new s12 I had a couple years ago was big on tone and long on looks. I miss it.

Bill Fulbright · Post by **Bill Fulbright** » 15 Sep 2003 7:59 pm

I am also a previous owner of a Sierra Session U-12.

I loved the guitar. Well made, played very well, and built like a rock. Since it was my first pro level steel guitar, it sounded great to me.

I would have it back, if I could afford it.

The numerous postings are coincidental. I think they guitars will be around for quite a while.

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Bill Fulbright
Mullen D-10 8x7; Gibson ES-165; Yamaha SY-77; Peavey Vegas 400;
ICQ# 2251620 My Music Site

Tommy White · Post by **Tommy White** » 15 Sep 2003 8:17 pm

Around 1993 I purchased a new Session series gearless Sierra. Some of you may remember seeing it on TNN's Music City Tonight. I loved that guitar and wish I'd kept it.

Rex Thomas · Post by **Rex Thomas** » 15 Sep 2003 8:21 pm

I remember seeing it & hearing it, Tommy, & yep, it DID sound great.

Bob Snelgrove · Post by **Bob Snelgrove** » 16 Sep 2003 7:45 pm

Tommy

I have that on tape somewhere and I remember it as some of the best tone I ever heard from you! (And I've heard nuttin' but great tone from you

bob

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 16 Sep 2003 8:15 pm

Last year an old friend of mine in AZ, was offering his S.I. D10 nearly unused for half price. Never heard if he sold it.

He kept his Emmons the rest of his life.

My Sho~Bud will be with me for the rest of mine.

"For better of worse.." as they say.

Whatever...

EJL[This message was edited by Eric West on 16 September 2003 at 09:22 PM.]

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 17 Sep 2003 8:03 am

I feel the same way about my Sierra Olympic:
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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/Hotb0b.gif" width="96 height="96">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9),
Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax

David Wright · Post by **David Wright** » 19 Sep 2003 6:13 pm

I've been wrestling with my reply to this thread for weeks now and although I should leave well enough alone (Buddy, Paul and Tommy's comments are wonderful endorsements for Sierra. What's one more comment from a bald-headed guy going to add to the conversation? ), I'm not going to. You see this thread is near and dear to my heart.

As eloquent and simply stated as Buddy's comments are, Gary Walker's response really resonates with me. He wrote:
"Knowing the history of Sierra over the last 4 decades, the founder, Chuck Wright was not only a fine player but a master craftsman and that quality was in every one that left the factory." Thanks Gary! I'll let my dad know you said this about him! Your words are a tip of the iceberg as far as my feelings for Sierra goes.

I'm very proud of the fact that my dad, Chuck Wright, designed and built one of the finest guitars in the industry. His commitment to excellence and his engineering wizardry are still evident in today's Sierra Guitars. I'm honored to have carried on his legacy to the best of my ability for as long as possible. But it seems those days are over. History is once again repeating itself. My dad sold Sierra years ago. The reasons for the sale are many, but Dad did what needed to be done and moved on to other things. That was the best thing he could've done for himself at the time. Now, I feel that I must move on and do what's best for me and mine. This move does not mean that I don't respect and/or appreciate Sierra Guitars. I'm grateful for being involved with what my dad started so long ago. Sierras are wonderful guitars and I'm proud to have been able to share dad's legacy with the steel guitar community.
The company may be struggling now, but like Paul said, "There are alot of mechanics out there that can keep Sierra's operating in mint condition." Parts will be available and folks with the know-how will fix them if need be. And who knows what the future will bring to Sierra? All is not lost, there is still hope for a rebound.

What I am certain of is that I plan on keeping my black and gold beauty "till death do us part"! I love that guitar!

Thank you Sierra Instruments for doing the Wright family name proud.

David Wright..

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DavidWright.us

Peavey-2000-PX-300

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 20 Sep 2003 6:33 am

Mr. Wright,

I love the music on your website! Great sound...

cheers,
Drew Howard

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www.newslinkassociates.com
www.drewhoward.com

Chris DeBarge · Post by **Chris DeBarge** » 20 Sep 2003 7:03 am

Sort of off-track, but there's an early-60's Sierra S10 in a local store here. Like the old Wright customs (David would know better I'm sure!). It's very cool, wish I had the room for it. I bet it sounds GREAT!

Whip Lashaway · Post by **Whip Lashaway** » 20 Sep 2003 9:51 am

I've been playing Sierra's since 1988. I have a Staffard Elegante S14 (88) and a Session S12 (99). I told Don Christianson in 88 that if he ever built a car I wanted one. They are practically maintenance free. The tone is superb. The pedal action and feel are second to none. String breakage is an absolute minimum (I never thought I'd disagree with the Big E about anything). I do a lot of playing and receive comments all the time concerning the quality of my tone. I recently purchased a 78 Emmons P/P and everything they say about the P/P's is all true. For my money, both of my Sierra's stand right up beside the P/P. I will concede the P/P is slightly ahead in tone, but, all things concidered (playabilaty, tone, string breakage, etc...) I'll put the Sierra's right up front with the P/P. I know of 2 Sierra's that won't be for sale till my estate is settled. Hopefully not for a long time. Just my 2 cents. Whip

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Whip Lashaway
Sierra E9/B6 12 string
Sierra E9/B6 14 string
78' Emmons D10 P/P

David Wright · Post by **David Wright** » 20 Sep 2003 2:48 pm

Chris,
Both Sierra's and Wright customs were being built in the 60's....at the same time. The Wright Custom Guitar started in 1949. Sierra came along in the 60's as a production guitar. A result of a venture between my Dad and Bob Crooks (founder of Standell amps). They built basses, standard guitars and amps. Though short lived, this business was the beginning of Sierra Guitars. I hope to have all of the old advertisements and pictures from this era on my website soon. There's a lot of history behind both names: Wright and Sierra. As time permits it will eventually be posted.

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DavidWright.us

Peavey-2000-PX-300

Tommy Oliver · Post by **Tommy Oliver** » 22 Sep 2003 6:44 pm

Tommy I think I have that guitar and it still plays, sounds and looks great so I was told. I have had it for about 10 months

It is black I can email pic and s/n

Tommy

Dave Burton · Post by **Dave Burton** » 22 Sep 2003 6:46 pm

First of all I would like to thank Chuck and David for a GREAT guitar!I played a MSA for years and it was very good, however thers something about Sierra that I really like.I have played alot of steels and to me nothing compares to Sierra,feel,finish,versatility, you name it. I am surprised that more well known players don't play one but that didn't efect my playing one.Don and Tom at Sierra are also a credit to the steel guitar community and I will always be greatful for their help and professionalism.

Tommy Oliver · Post by **Tommy Oliver** » 22 Sep 2003 6:54 pm

I used my Sierra this past Sat.opening for Hank Williams Jr. also (cowboy )Eddie Long uses a Sierra S/12 gearless. Two Sierra's on the same stage at the same.

David Wright · Post by **David Wright** » 22 Sep 2003 6:55 pm

Thank you Dave, I tooo believe Don and Tom did a great job with Sierra, always was there to help the Steel players..

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DavidWright.us

Peavey-2000-PX-300

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 23 Sep 2003 2:21 am

David, I'll be seeing Bobby Dixon this week at the WSMSS Jam in Amarillo....(the player who now owns your "white" Sierra!) I'll check to see if the Harley decals are still intact!

Best wishes,

Gene

David Wright · Post by **David Wright** » 23 Sep 2003 10:01 pm

Gene,
If there not on it, I'll bet Bobby's wife made him take them off !!

..tell him I said to get them back on , if there gone!!!

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DavidWright.us

Peavey-2000-PX-300

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 24 Sep 2003 3:25 am

Photos of Robert Randolph's red S13 Sierra was posted just prior to Sierra's closing. Was his possibly the last one that was made?

Johan Jansen · Post by **Johan Jansen** » 24 Sep 2003 9:39 am

I hope all these nice posts could re-open the doors for Sierra.
A friend of mine, a Sierra dealer still has some singleneck-models in stock.I think they are very good machines, I really gonna do my best to get them a good home!
Johan

David Wright · Post by **David Wright** » 25 Sep 2003 12:13 pm

Howard,
No it was not the last guitar built, Tony gave Tom Baker the last guitar built as a going away gift..Tom got ALL his salary, plus his full
year's allocation of vacation time, as well as the guitar.And it was
the 3rd guitar (2 psgs and an SL-8) I have given Tom during the last two
years of his employment. I hope this answeres any questions you had..Tom gave many years to Sierra, and is truly a great builder, he would make a great hand at any Steel Builders shop.. I hope only the best for him and his family...

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DavidWright.us

Peavey-2000-PX-300

[This message was edited by David Wright on 25 September 2003 at 01:22 PM.]

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 25 Sep 2003 4:03 pm

David
Would you have any reservations if I were to
contact Bill Schultz CEO at Fender?. You are aware of Fenders entry into various new markets. Fender has little or no interest in non pedal guitars,but there is a good chance
someone at Fender may want to get an already established name with a great reputation like
Sierra.

I cant promise anything,but if you have no objections I will contact Mr. Schultz and see if there is any interest there. If so I
will hand the reigns over to you.

I still have friends at the Custom shop and marketing of new products..If you dont feel comfortable I will not follow through.

You have a great product and its a crime to see things go the way they have for you.

I will end you my e mail address.

Thanks
Jody