The Steel Guitar Forum

I've played Williams since 1984, and I don't think there is a better guitar out there. JMO

I play a Williams, a gorgeous guitar both in terms of sound and appearance. Mine is a lacquer D-10, 8X5, natural with a strip of mahogany in front. Plays just as smooth as could be, stays in tune like crazy, and would you believe it isn't even that heavy!

And yes, Bill is a very easy builder to interact with, always happy to send pictures of his work. Highly recommend his steels.

Gerald

Thanks guys . And yes Bill is a great guy and very easy to work with . What i like about my ''willy'' it is so easy to add extra changes onto the guitar and it works great afterward . Regards,,, Gary.

Just took delivery of my new "Willy" SD-10 w/4+5.The maple on this baby would make a 1958 flame-top Les Paul run for cover.Fit, finish, and playability all exceptional!and what a great value for lovers of lacquer finish guitars.Kudos to Bill R. for going the "extra mile".

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Darvin, what kind of effects processor are you using in your rack?

Looks like a Digitech 2112..........

Decade of service on my Dbl 10, 8&5. Smooth and accurate changer, tunable splits, Williams are the Porsches of steels in terms of performance. Bill is a great guy, too.

Good to see other Willy owners! Howdy!

(Edited to add: Just got home from gigging at the Little Longhorn, playing through the old Session 400 JBL, RV-3. Lots of guest singers joined Karen Poston for a bit of a Honky Tonk Christmas show. Sure was fun!)<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Bobby Snell on 14 December 2003 at 12:06 AM.]</p></FONT>

Thanks, BoB. It sounds like you are another happy ''Willy'' owner . And i'm really happy with the service that Bill gives and all the helpful hints and he is happy to make any add on parts that you may need . Thanks again Regards,,, Gary.

My chiropractor has never forgiven me for parking my Sho Bud in favor of a Williams. They are easy on the ears, eyes and back. Mine is a quilted maple blonde and my only complaint is that I can't see the front of it while I'm playing (maybe I should get a mirror for my rehersal room !!). Mine was purchased used but Bill treats me like a regular customer whenever I have a question. If I ever had to replace it I'd buy another Williams.

MW

Thanks ''Doc ''for your reply . And thanks for your support . My ''Willy'' is beutiful and sounds great . Bill does a great job . And i do'nt break my back trying to carry it . I love the ''E'' 66 pickup it gets me where i want to go . Again thanks . regards,,,Gary.

Where are those 2 guys that have the 1st & 2nd keyless Williams crossovers that Bill built? # One was in NJ & # two was in TN. I have a picture of the TN guitar & I still dream about owning one someday while still on earth. Might be the ultimate steel for some? Minnesota is long way from western NY,
Bill can you send me one to try & I'll evaluate for the forum!

Doug: b0b has one, but I think you would have to pry his dead fingers off it to obtain it. Hey, ask him, all he can say is *%$#)(#@ NO!

Jim Bob, b0b Lee was kind enough to share his pic etc with us & I've had e-mail coversations w/him about his crossover, but
it's not keyless & I have been a keyless fan
ever since trying Steve Porter's D10 Kline way back years ago.......I even went so far as to put BELA tuners on a nice older ZUM I had years ago. I now have a keyless Excel S10(in my closet!)but I still miss having the E9th neck......the Excel is tuned C6th.

I wish I had one. Bill Rudolph builds a fine guitar. He had some great looking Axes at the St Louis show. Even though I'm a diehard Emmons man, I'd take a Williams anyday. Man they play & sound GREAT! NR

If someone wants to buy my Williams crossover, I might be willing to sell it. I've been thinking seriously about a D-12 crossover, but I'd have to sell the D-10 to afford it. Make me an offer by email!



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<font size="1"><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 (E6add9), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax</font><FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Bobby Lee on 22 December 2003 at 12:05 PM.]</p></FONT>

How many have the Williams 400 changer?
anyone having trouble keeping string in fork, while changing strings?

I had a U/12 player tell me that it took 4 strings before he got a 3rd string to pitch
without braking.....????

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Gary L.Converse
(teach a kid how to play steel) KEEP PICKING!

Hi Gary . I have the 400 changer and i really dont have any problem with that . I love it when the string breaks and i dont have to get a screwdriver and dig out the brass end from the changer . That baby just falls onto the floor just where it belongs !
Keep up the good work Bill . Regards ,,Gary.

I don't have any trouble with it, and I've never broken a string on my Williams.

I use Jagwires, by the way.

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<font size="1"><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 (E6add9), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax</font>

I don't own a Williams pedal steel, but the guy that played steel on our CD called "Our Kind of Country" does, and let me say this---I have never heard a better sounding steel than that D-10 keyless that he used on the session. He is a personal friend of Bill Rudolph, as am I. In fact, he helped Bill design some of his first guitars back in Minnesota years ago. Dave Knight is who I'm talking about, and a finer steel player would be pretty hard to come by. Info. on the CD can be obtained at hmfiddler@yahoo.com on your friendly computer. Regards, Harley, and a MERRY CHRISTMAS to all.

Same experience as b0b, yet to break a string on my keyless d-10 in the year and a half I've had it.

I've never had a steel that didn't break G#s at least every 3rd gig except this one.

Bill just rebuilt a 72 Emmons PP S-10 for me and I hope the lack of string breakage rubs off on it, but I'll be suprised if it does.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Larry Beck on 24 December 2003 at 05:56 PM.]</p></FONT>

Is this all of the Williams players that we have ? Surley not ! Gary.

Well, here is one more. I have a Williams....great guitar...check out the new website with pictures of guitars and sound files of Albert Svenddal playing a Williams with some nice tunes including Danny Boy, Crazy Arms, Amazing Grace and others. http://www.williamsguitarcompany.com/Sights%20and%20Sounds.htm?Sights+%2B+So unds=Sights+%26+Sounds

To see a picture of my light blue D-10
http://www.benzianlist.com/williams14.jpg
To see a closeup of the 400 changer.....sorry to report I have broken strings with it.
http://www.benzianlist.com/williams10.jpg

Some nice pictures of the ''Willys''. I really like the ''400''series changer .Some may not but i do . And i think that you will break strings on any steel made . ''Bar'' none!! Here goes . G.P.

I have owned and played Williams guitars since 1979. I currently play an older D10 8x8 guitar that has an earlier prototype 400 changer. He has made improvements on the 400 changer since mine, but I can honestly tell you that in about 10 years since I've had my 400 changer, I have yet to break a string. It is a fantastic guitar and has tone that takes a back seat to none. Of course, it is Black mica. I plan to have another one made this year, funds permitting.
Bill is a great guy and makes a really nice guitar.

I've read each comment and I haven't seen (1) instance where more than one person played a Williams Steel! They've all been one-on-one! “BJ”

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“Big John” Bechtel
http://community.webtv.net/KeoniNui/BigJohnBechtels