Your Name on Your Instrument

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 8 Nov 2006 6:22 pm

Well, I set myself up for this one. Yes, my instruments have SHOt Jackson and BUDdy Emmons on the labels, which isn't what I meant.

I've built many lap and console steels over the years, and I've always put my name on them, but I'm not going to put my name on a vintage instrument until everybody recognises my name, (which means never !)

chas smith · Post by **chas smith** » 8 Nov 2006 10:37 pm

Good-looking wood is better left alone

I have to disagree:

Alvino Rey, Herby Wallace, Jeff Newman, Doug Jernigan, Jerry Byrd, Scotty, Speedy West, Bobby Caldwell, Leonard T. Zinn, Herb Remington, Lloyd Green Bobby Koefer, Ralph Mooney, Joaquin Murphey, Eldon Shamblin, Tommy White of Hee Haw, Hal Rugg, Bobbe Seymour, Bud Isaacs, Bob White, Ron Elliott, Jimmy Day, Buddy Emmons.

[This message was edited by chas smith on 08 November 2006 at 10:40 PM.][This message was edited by chas smith on 08 November 2006 at 10:42 PM.][This message was edited by chas smith on 09 November 2006 at 11:31 AM.]

chas smith · Post by **chas smith** » 8 Nov 2006 10:47 pm

While we're at it:
Little Roy Wiggins, Maurice Anderson, Pee Wee Whitewing, Speedy West. John Ely, Margie May, Ralph Mooney, Joaquin Murphey, Tom Morrell, Jerry Byrd, Alvino Rey, Bob White.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 9 Nov 2006 5:20 am

Well, LOTS of names is different from just one....

Wade Branch · Post by **Wade Branch** » 9 Nov 2006 6:22 am

I often thought of putting my "Stage Name" on mine "Bambi"

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 15 Nov 2006 9:43 pm

I have my name on my equipment, but; it's in the Hawaiian Language, so; it doesn't effect my reputation at all! Everyone thinks my equipment is borrowed!!

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“Big John”
a.k.a. {Keoni Nui}
Current Equipment

Brian Henry · Post by **Brian Henry** » 16 Nov 2006 3:23 am

The only name on mmine is "carter."

Thomas brian Henry

Mark Edwards · Post by **Mark Edwards** » 16 Nov 2006 5:02 am

Sure enough we go to putting our names on our steels, our ex-wives, bill collectors, and the IRS is sure to find us.

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 16 Nov 2006 5:19 am

Chas - welll, I'm sure there are people who like that stuff...but I've never been into autographs, and I think it just defaces a vintage instrument to do that. Maybe on a CD cover or something, OK...but on a vintage guitar?

I guess to me it just ruins it. Plus it becomes one less classic instrument that will be played, for fear of rubbing off the signatures.[This message was edited by Jim Sliff on 16 November 2006 at 05:20 AM.]

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 16 Nov 2006 8:42 am

Terry Edwards · Post by **Terry Edwards** » 16 Nov 2006 10:38 am

I suppose it would at least give the BMI/ASCAP folks a point of contact name for reference if there were any questions about the cover tunes being played....

...well, you get the point!!

Terry

chas smith · Post by **chas smith** » 16 Nov 2006 11:24 am

Jim, we're going to disagree on this one. For me, it's a reminder and like getting to be with my heroes. This is my favorite one:

Joaquin's autograph on the guitar that was made for him. Joaquin is gone, but his guitar and autograph are still here and I believe that the guitar has a "spirit".

Bill Crook · Post by **Bill Crook** » 16 Nov 2006 1:17 pm

Does the name on the Ax really define the player ??????

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http://home.comcast.net/~crookwf/
http://photobucket.com/albums/v479/billcrook/

Eddie Cunningham · Post by **Eddie Cunningham** » 16 Nov 2006 5:18 pm

Back in the early 50s , almost everyone played Blonde stand up Fender D8 steels and almost everybody went to the 5 & 10 store and bought those Decals and stuck on their names. Maybe it was to let the girls know who was doing those beautiful sounds !! I don't think that it hurts the value any now . IMHO !! Eddie "C"

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Ben Jones · Post by **Ben Jones** » 17 Nov 2006 9:04 am

"Chas - welll, I'm sure there are people who like that stuff...but I've never been into autographs, and I think it just defaces a vintage instrument to do that. Maybe on a CD cover or something, OK...but on a vintage guitar?
I guess to me it just ruins it. Plus it becomes one less classic instrument that will be played, for fear of rubbing off the signatures."

-I'd say there's more value in the history and memories invoked by the signatures on those guitars than there is in it sitting in some doctors collection (even if he occasionally plays the thing). Dont take it all so seriously. Same with having your name on your guitar. Its cool to me in a campy way, its traditional, I dig the bravado and showmanship of it...its like elvis's suit, or elvis himself for that matter. Its music, its showmanship...take her easy and have some fun. Forget resale.

chas smith · Post by **chas smith** » 17 Nov 2006 11:05 am

One of the greatest Elvis impersonators was Elvis himself....

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 17 Nov 2006 11:10 am

It's like someone said of John Wayne. He thought that he really WAS John Wayne!

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Bryan Daste · Post by **Bryan Daste** » 18 Nov 2006 12:16 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>
Donny Hinson

I'm not a real big fan of inscriptions, although I do think that the case should be prominently marked (painted) with a name, band-name, or big symbol, like a star. Cases look a lot more alike than most guitars, and it's nice to have something really significant and individual painted on the case.
"That's right, officer. My case had a big, foot-high, gold star painted on it!"

That gives the cops and pawn-shops something obvious to look for.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Good idea Donny! You inspired to me to create my own case ID with my initials, BCD - though it's clearly an homage to the Elvis "TCB" logo:

Fred Bova · Post by **Fred Bova** » 18 Nov 2006 12:55 am

" Now if only my parents had named me Fred instead of Thelonius."

Hey T.C. "So, THERES my Bigsby !!!" , No I only WISH it was !!! Fred Bova

And Chas, Put some Strings on that Ric and give it some Pic'n.

Mike Ester · Post by **Mike Ester** » 18 Nov 2006 8:24 am

I don't even like the tradition of having the manufacturer's name/logo on the front of the guitar. It sort of trashes the look of a nice piece of wood, IMHO.

What if you have a mica guitar?

Daryl Stogner · Post by **Daryl Stogner** » 18 Nov 2006 8:59 am

I'm so new at playing (or trying to), that I just put a piece of duct tape on the front apron with the name "SMILEY" in black felt pen.

No use ruining my career!

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 18 Nov 2006 10:16 am

Daryl... so you haven't been playing long, but you've already figured out that if people confuse you for Smiley Roberts, your career is over?

You're a smart young man, I'll say...

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Mikey D...

A. J. Schobert · Post by **A. J. Schobert** » 18 Nov 2006 6:34 pm

I like the name of the manufacturer on my guitar, it adds to the tone! Now a huge nameplate out front thats not for me, however written on the neck small I don't see a problem since people wouldn't see it.

Donna Dodd · Post by **Donna Dodd** » 19 Nov 2006 5:44 am

Tommy's guitars only have Bruce's name. However, when he was 16, his dad bought him his first steel. When they went to pick it up, they decided to make an adjustment with one of the knee levers and the adjustment left a hole in the front. Rather than waiting for it to be fixed, they took the guitar home. Tommy's daddy fixed the hole. This is my all-time favorite picture of Tommy on steel!!! Donna (He's going to kill me for this!!)

[This message was edited by Donna Dodd on 19 November 2006 at 05:47 AM.]

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 19 Nov 2006 8:46 am

some nice Bigsby`s here,great pictures Chas,thanks

Db

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"Promat"
~when tone matters~ www.promatsteelguitars.com