The Steel Guitar Forum

Mike, I don't mean to suggest it should go to the Country Music Hall of Fame, just that the experience of donating another instrument to that museum taught us a thing or two we'd like to be sure you're aware of before dealing with any museum, including the Autry.

There are so many instruments in museums that are never seen by the public. So what is the point then of donating. Instruments are made to be played. I have Curly Chalker's MCI and have been asked to donate it. I won't because it will end up in a storage room somewhere and never be seen much less get played. Tom's Bigsby is being seen and played, as it should be IMHO. I hope I have the honor of playing it again someday.

...it will end up in a storage room somewhere and never be seen much less get played

Exactly right, Johnny. And this is the problem we had (and still have) with Shot Jackson's Sho~Bro at the CMHOF.

Right on, Johnny-it kills me to see a perfectly functional instrument hanging on a wall. I understand the concept of preserving old instruments in their original condition, but a players instrument should be played unless it's too fragile to be used. Even Paganini's violin is pulled out and played once a year.

zxzx

Mike, Joan is putting me up for adoption. Seriously, someone will want that guitar (myself for one) and any proceeds can be left to your favorite charity in yours and/or Tom's name. The guitar is yours to do with as you wish. If a Steel Guitar Hall of Fame ever gets built that would be the place for these treasures. I personally don't ever see that happening.