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Topic: BJ Cole on Bigsby triple neck |
Matt Hutchinson
From:
London, UK
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Posted 18 Feb 2004 5:43 am |
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| I saw BJ play with Los Pistoleros on Sunday (wonderful as always) and he was playing a Bigsby triple neck pedal steel (8 strings per neck). I'd never seen one before, not many around in the UK I'd imagine. Are these fairly unusual instruments or are there lots of them around? (Please excuse my ignorance). |
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nick allen
From:
France
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Posted 18 Feb 2004 6:16 am
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Matt -
Somewhere on the Forum (probably in the Pedal Steel section, but I can't find it at the moment) there is a thread which attempts to detail the present location/fate of every Bigsby steel guitar made!
I don't recall that BJ appeared on that list - could his possibly be one of Paul Warnik's creations?
Interesting that BJ is playing one (whichever it is) - kind of relates to bOb's thread about "why the interest in Fender pedal steels?"....
Nick
Nick |
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Matt Hutchinson
From:
London, UK
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Posted 18 Feb 2004 6:22 am
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| I take it they're quite rare then! I don't know about the one BJ was playing all I know is he was introduced as "BJ Cole on his 'new' Bigsby" by the singer. Great sound anyway, really suits the '50s swing-style the band plays. |
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Jussi Huhtakangas
From:
Helsinki, Finland
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Posted 18 Feb 2004 6:41 am
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BJ's guitar is one of the PA Reissues by Paul Warnik. It's the one Paul originally built for Herb Steiner. Incidentally, there's two PA Reissues in England, the other one is owned by my good buddy Moe Kabir in London. Moe is an incredible upright bass player and a darn good steel player too.
Anyone who's ever sat behind a Bigsby, knows why there is demand for them. No other guitar has that sound, the PU's are amazing and Paul Bigsbys workmanship was in its' own class. The originals are rare, no one knows exactly how many were built, probably around 100. [This message was edited by Jussi Huhtakangas on 18 February 2004 at 06:45 AM.] |
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Matt Hutchinson
From:
London, UK
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Posted 18 Feb 2004 6:52 am
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| Hi Jussi. Does Moe play in a band? Not much chance to see steel players in the UK so all opportunities welcome! |
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Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 18 Feb 2004 8:50 am
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Bigsby's are extremely rare and wonderful guitars. Lee Jeffries was kind enough to let me try out his Bigsby a few years back, and it has an incredible sound and vibe like no other. Sadly, the opportunity to ever own one is remote in the extreme.
Speaking of the "Why the Interest in Old Fenders" thread, is it just me, or is this rubbing anyone else the wrong way? I detect a lot of snobbery towards us "retro" players and our "unsuitable" instruments, etc?
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Tim Whitlock
'58 Fender 1000, '56 Fender Stringmaster, '65 Twin Reissue, Niomi lap steel, old Magnatone tube amp.
[This message was edited by Tim Whitlock on 18 February 2004 at 08:51 AM.] |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 18 Feb 2004 8:55 am
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Moe does an excellent job on HIS BIGSBY!
Lot's of J.Murphy and Speedy West material.
Plus, Moe does his own creative stuff too. You should be looking him up without delay.. If ever you see some "happy" looking dude running up and down the streets over there, driving Model B Ford roadster, it's likely gonna be Moe behind the wheel. Just tho't you should know. |
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John Macy
From:
Rockport TX/Denver CO
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Posted 18 Feb 2004 9:16 am
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I love how all over the map B.J. can be. I have an advance copy of his upcoming record that will hopefully be released soon. Kind in the Luke Vibert vein, but way cooler in more of a chill/hiphop thing, using several producers.
Check out his discography on allmusic.com. Nice career  ... |
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Herb Steiner
From:
Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064
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Posted 18 Feb 2004 1:29 pm
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Lest it be inferred that BJ having my old guitar is a withdrawal of my love of PA Reissue guitars, I want to say that I swapped that guitar to Lee Jeffries for a similar model with 2 10-string necks (and one 8-stringer. Officially it's a 10-10- . This guitar was formerly owned by our friend and forumite, Billy Wilson.
Pete Mitchell, my worthy constituent in the James Hand Band, has challenged me to begin playing the PA Reissue on the gigs, because he just obtained an absolutely beautiful Gibson Super 400 and is looking for the 50's vibe. I'm honor-bound to respond.
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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 18 Feb 2004 1:36 pm
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| How long you been looking for a place to use that Bird quote, Herb? |
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Herb Steiner
From:
Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064
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Posted 18 Feb 2004 1:38 pm
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| You've got mail!! |
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Jussi Huhtakangas
From:
Helsinki, Finland
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Posted 18 Feb 2004 11:26 pm
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Matt, the last time I swapped emails with Moe, he said they're trying to arrange a band together to play some classic honky tonk stuff. But that was only a week or two ago, so you'll have to wait for awhile . THe band he plays upright bass with, is called The Extraordinaires. They do swinging vocal group rhythm & blues a'la The Dominoes, The Flamingos and such, complete with unbelievable stage acrobatics. Their show is something that will not leave you cold. And speaking of not much chance to see steel, try Finland!! 
Tim, I don't know if it's snobbery, maybe in some cases it could be. But what alot of people often miss, is the fact, that this "retro scene" produces some amazing young musicians, not just country, but in the blues field too, people that are putting their very heart and soul into it. It's a real thing to them, not just retro.
Oh btw Matt, you might have a chance to see some steel when Hank Thompson plays in Rhythm Riot festival next November, maybe even BJ and his Bigsby. Hank is retiring after that, so that's a show not to be missed. |
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Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 19 Feb 2004 6:34 am
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Amen, Jussi! Lee Jeffreiss, Jimmy Roy, Jeremy Wakefield and yourself (all Bigsby players, by the way) are creating some very refreshing sounds, outside of the "modern" commercial steel guitar box. Nick Currin is breathing new life into an otherwise very tired blues scene, on six string. Sorry, getting off topic here. Better stop now! Edited to say: Here's a link to some BJ Cole info. Gotta listen to some of this:
http://www.freefolk.com/pistolerosreview.htm
http://www.astralwerks.com/vibertcole/default.html [This message was edited by Tim Whitlock on 19 February 2004 at 06:39 AM.] [This message was edited by Tim Whitlock on 19 February 2004 at 06:49 AM.] |
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