Bigsby sound clips,

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 16 Jan 2006 10:05 am

Jim Phelps, great questions.
I know of no steel guitar that sounds anything like the Bigsby. But then Bigsbys are built quite differently than all other guitars. The pickups are the most different pickups ever made. Like only 1900 olms, most pickups are at least ten times that.

How to get the Bigsby sound today? Right now, you have to get a Bigsby to get that sound, however, this may change as I know of a plan to rejuvinate the Bigsby guitar, exactly like the originals. Actually a very simple guitar to manufacture, finding the great maple and the iron castings may be hard to get at first.
Yes, they can and will be built. (in our life time, the new Standel amp is too!)

Bobbe

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 16 Jan 2006 10:38 am

Just checked the clips,- thanks alot Bobbe! I'm now going to sell all my instruments and start a bug farm...

Steinar

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www.gregertsen.com

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 16 Jan 2006 10:50 am

One of our Forumites has one FOR SALE, a triple neck, on the Forum pages. Good Luck!

J D Sauser · Post by **J D Sauser** » 16 Jan 2006 2:08 pm

Now that thing sure sounds purdy. It's so full and easy on the ear.
Still it's surprising to hear it sound just so not vintage. That's nothing bad by itself but it raises a question for younger people like me: When we listen to those old recordings there is a sertain sound that some of us try so hard to replicate... so what did a Bigsby sound like life or in a studio back then... like we hear it on the records or like we just heard it on that clip?
Was it the amps or was it the recording equipement that altered the sound so much between yesterday and today?

... J-D.

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 16 Jan 2006 4:56 pm

Don't know WHO the steel player is.......so don't even think of him as any kind of a real player but, it is another fine example of that one-of-a-kind BIGSBY SOUND. Don't know what it is that makes them so great, but it definitely a unique sound, all its own. What do you think? Any other Bigsby recordings out there? http:///www.jerrybyrdfanclub.com/Music/Stainless%20Steel.mp3 [This message was edited by Ray Montee on 16 January 2006 at 04:56 PM.]

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 16 Jan 2006 5:22 pm

JD Sauser, one of the biggest things on the way a Bigsby sounded on records 50 years ago was the amplification back then.
Most guys that had these guitars had the very great Standel 25L15 amps, and toward the end of the '50s, the 80L15s. These amps were beyond a doubt the greatest steel amps ever built. The old Fender 4-10 Bassmen, and the later Concert and Super Reverb amps were used also, though not very powerful. Most steel players in big swing bands used two fender amps, mostly for power, however, when using a Standel, one would do the job, ala Hank Thompson's Brazos Valley Boys where everyone in the band only had one Standel 25L15.
Tone? My Lord!
The guitars were incredible yes, but the amps were astounding.
Standel seemed to lose the great edge they had when the production went to transistors in the early 60s.
The original Standel amps are being re-manufactured once again in CA. on a custom basis. I have three ordered two of which will be in stock for anyone that cares to have the greatest. Expensive, but more than worth it, I'm sure. Ask Buddy E., he has one and loves it , so I understand. He played the great tube Standels back in the 50s, as did all Bigsby players, Speedy West, Maurice, Braddy, Boggs, Murphy, Iaasics, V. Terry, Tiny Moore, Merle Travis. Remember, no reverbs on any of those recordings either, everything was recorded flat.
As a matter of fact, just punch up "Standel Amplifier" on Google, and you'll see the story.
But, can the Bigsby guitars sound great without the Standel part of the equation? You bet it can, but having both is pretty amazing, as hundreds of great recordings from the past prove.

Bobbe Seymour [This message was edited by BobbeSeymour on 16 January 2006 at 05:27 PM.]

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 16 Jan 2006 5:49 pm

Don McClellan: Being from where you are, very special meaning to me, get me a job in the islands!

Roger: Fender 400 tone? Not one spec of likness between those two guitars, no comparison at all. Night and day.

Geo Keokie, thank you, I've been following you for a long time.

Ben Rubright: The inside neck is tuned ECAGECAF, the middle neck is ECAGECAE, the outside neck is GECAGECA, but I use this neck very little.

Ricky Davis: What are you doing on this page! Ha! I had to use ecco becaues I couldn't afford a band! (You nut! why do I love you!)

Steinar: You want to raise old Volkswagons? Ha!

Scott: don't send money, I'm just very flattered that you and these others care enough to give me these great comments, (I'm serious now).

Larry Robbins: Future in the biz? My future is all behind me. Ha!

Roger Smith: Lets do another CD? NOW!

Andy Volk: You are now and have always been my hero,

Thank you all, I'll answer any questions,

Oh yea, I don't read Tab, Ben Rubright, so it's hard to write it, possibly Jernigan could--------------> Naw,

A special thank you to Bill McCloskey, Bill Ford, George Rout,Drew H., Dave Z.Gary Boyett and Papa Joe.

Bobbe S. [This message was edited by BobbeSeymour on 16 January 2006 at 05:53 PM.][This message was edited by BobbeSeymour on 16 January 2006 at 05:56 PM.]

Jeff Au Hoy · Post by **Jeff Au Hoy** » 16 Jan 2006 10:24 pm

Is the abundance of pick and bar noise from the mike being close to you or was it coming through the amp like that?

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 17 Jan 2006 6:27 am

Good question Jeff, it appeared during the process of transfering from one format to another and cutting the bandwidth. Notice the overall picture quality is poor also. The quality of the clips could be improved greatly by increasing bandwidth however, there are still many folks that don't have high speed connections, just "dial up", these clips have been formatted so thay can recieve them also.
This is when the over abundance of strange noises become appearent.
Hopefully, someday soon, high speed connections will be available everywhere.
Thank you for mentioning this,
Bobbe

Ron Brennan · Post by **Ron Brennan** » 17 Jan 2006 10:12 am

Bobbe,

I was able to see/hear both clips on my work DSL computer (couldn't at home with dial up, windows media, time to upgrade)...

Thank you for the treat...It is Fantastic...

A couple of observations IMHO....The Bigsby tone sounds just wonderful...is it hollow underneath?? Further, it seems to me, the tone is similar to your vintage Shobud D8...

I jumped up when I heard you playin "Born To Lose!!!" I never touched C6th until I got your two instructional C6th videotapes...and as you know, "Born To Lose" is the first song you teach on your Shobud D8.

Bobbe, you were absolutely right, now I'm into many more C6th songs. Like you said, it gets easier with each one you learn...For me, it truly is like a whole new steelguitar world has opened up...Lawd, I love that C6th tuning..I can't thank you enough...TX
rgds,

Ron

PS: On another matter, I sent you a wonderful P51 Mustang story on e mail...hope you get to enjoy it!!

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JCFSGC member since 2005 "Be of Good Cheer"
"55" Stringmaster D8,"59" Stringmaster D6
"67" Telecaster,
"60"Fender Concert Amp 4-10's

[This message was edited by Ron Brennan on 17 January 2006 at 02:17 PM.]

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 17 Jan 2006 11:44 am

Ray,

"Stainless Steel". Great clip, thanks for sharing! Love the twin fiddles. When did you perform this?

thanks,
Drew

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Drew Howard - website - Fessenden guitars, 70's Fender Twin, etc.

J D Sauser · Post by **J D Sauser** » 17 Jan 2006 12:53 pm

Thanks Bobbe. I must admit I almost hoped you would tap into the trap and just say it's the old recording... i was already prepared to hold Hank Thompson's Columbia recordings against that

. While it is true that some the the old hillbilly stuff was less than HiFi... most of Columbia's stuff was of outstanding quality.
So, I tend to agree with you on the amps issue.
I would love for you to cut a sample file using one of these Amps with the Bigsby, playing it the way and with the drive it was being plaid and heard back then...

Thanks! ... J-D.

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 17 Jan 2006 6:45 pm

Hi Drew! That was aired in about 1965 +/-.

Glad at least one person liked it. Your kind words are appreciated. That little Bigsby more than paid for itself.

Stephan Miller · Post by **Stephan Miller** » 17 Jan 2006 7:05 pm

Ray-- the spirit is willing, but the computer's another story. Don't usually have any trouble with the JBFC links, but yesterday and today, no luck here. Maybe others are having the same trouble.

--Steve

Bob Hickish · Post by **Bob Hickish** » 17 Jan 2006 8:24 pm

I could download Rays grate picken
but all I get on Bobbe's is computer
gibberish - So Ray wins !

Bobbe ! I mean just a bunch of letters !
No music ! looks like this ,

0&²u?fI¯L¸U²E¯bÎl?@??O¯ãO¯?? É^¨PE²
SfOriginalFPS?IWMFSDKVersion10.00.00.3646WMFSDK
Needed0.0.0.0000IsVBRA²ÜG¸?GS·I¯?äA¯ Sehc·

Hick

Stephan Miller · Post by **Stephan Miller** » 17 Jan 2006 10:28 pm

Ray-- finally got it...great playing, you really made that tune cook! Nice team, you & that Bigsby.

--Steve

Jussi Huhtakangas · Post by **Jussi Huhtakangas** » 17 Jan 2006 10:47 pm

On this page there are two examples of Bigsby through a new Standel 25L15, just click on the underlined sample tunes:
http://www.saunalahti.fi/~helaak/records.htm

Nathan Hernandez · Post by **Nathan Hernandez** » 18 Jan 2006 11:21 am

Jussi, that is great cant wait to see you in Vegas. Ray, that sampl of steel guitar jubelie that used to be on the link is one of my favorite. Bobby, is there any instruction on Travis style stuff for steel guitar?

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 18 Jan 2006 2:54 pm

Thanks for the kind words.

I hate to be the one to mention this Bobbe as your a really nice guy.......but, let's face it, the truth can't be denied.

MINE is BIGGER than YOURS!( Sorry the photo didn't make it!) Oh well......what's new?

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Ray Montee-email: pi007flyer@msn.com C

oncuments and Settings\ray\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content IE5\IAKOG80P\4 neck[1]jpg

[This message was edited by Ray Montee on 18 January 2006 at 02:56 PM.][This message was edited by Ray Montee on 18 January 2006 at 03:20 PM.][This message was edited by Ray Montee on 18 January 2006 at 03:47 PM.]

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 18 Jan 2006 3:19 pm

Hey Ray, Are we talkin' Bigsbys here? if so, I know yours is bigger, but its really all in how you use it. (So I'e always heered).
Sometimes a short double can be as effective as a long quad.
All depends on how,,,,,,,,,oh never mind! ha!

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 18 Jan 2006 3:21 pm

Bob Hickish, might be time to get a newer computer and spring for a high speed connection.
Your buddy,
Bobbster,

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 18 Jan 2006 3:24 pm

Nathan, I have an instructional video out teaching the Travis style on steel guitar. Order it from my web-site: www.steelguitar.net
I'm always glad to help anyone get where they want to go.

Bobbe[This message was edited by BobbeSeymour on 18 January 2006 at 10:15 PM.]

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 18 Jan 2006 3:31 pm

Ron Brennon, thank you, yes, I enjoyed the P-51 story. I got my P-51 type rating (sign off) last summer in FL. So the story meant a lot to me. Now,,,,,, AT-6s scare me!
However, that V-12 Merlin has tone, and volume.
The North American P-51D is the Bigsby of airplanes.

Bobbster,

Ron Brennan · Post by **Ron Brennan** » 18 Jan 2006 6:36 pm

Captain Bobbe,

Quote: Bobbe says....

"However, that V-12 Merlin has tone, and volume".

Yeper, your right, it does....almost as good as your Bigsby & Shobud D8's...........

Truth be known, I more scared of PSG playin that AT6 flyin...Yikes, what am I sayin???

Type rating on the 51D !!!....Fantastic!!!! Congratulations.....that is a great accomplishment....Now with your smooth slants, you got to be good on crabing, eh?

Hmmm, don't want to think about reverses on a P51D ...Slippin is OK though...TX

rgds,
Ron

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JCFSGC member since 2005 "Be of Good Cheer"
"55" Stringmaster D8,"59" Stringmaster D6
"67" Telecaster,
"60"Fender Concert Amp 4-10's

[This message was edited by Ron Brennan on 18 January 2006 at 06:37 PM.]