The Steel Guitar Forum

Dekleys were made about 20 miles away from me, and I knew Jim G, Bob D, Jim Smith, and other Dekley folks back in the '70s and '80s. The demise of the company was sad and shocking. I'm not going to post the details here, although the details were well known to local musicians back in the day. One positive thing... the Dekley steel guitars have stood the test of time and have proven to be reliable workhorses. Dekley owners love their guitars.

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<font size=-1>My Site | My SteelTab</font>

<SMALL>Dekley owners love their guitars.</SMALL>

DITTO,DITTO,DITTO!!

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<font face="monospace" size="3"><pre> ~ ~
©¿© It don't mean a thang,
mm if it ain't got that twang.</pre></font>

So if one owner of Dekley was allegedly involved in illegal activity, why did the Dekley company immediately go out of business? Was the other owner not able to sustain the business due to bad PR? Were there plans for the company to dissolve prior to the alleged illegal activity?

What year did Dekley go into business? What year did it go out of business?

Bob DeKam passed away BEFORE the alleged "bust". I think that came AFTER the company folded.

<SMALL>What year did Dekley go into business? What year did it go out of business?</SMALL>

Only Jim Smith can answer those questions.

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<font face="monospace" size="3"><pre> ~ ~
©¿© It don't mean a thang,
mm if it ain't got that twang.</pre></font>


<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Smiley Roberts on 21 June 2006 at 12:14 PM.]</p></FONT>

Doug,
You could`ent have done your stand up and lean the steel forward while still playing trick with that Dekley.....you would have been flat on your Cooo deee gr ass
(did I spell that right?)

The S14U Dekley that I have was one of the last ones produced. It was custom made for my uncle Billy Joe Moore. It is a maple body with a formica finish and Pakkawood neck. It is rock solid, plays in tune, and doesn't hurt your eyes either.

I acquired a Dekley D-10 as part of a complicated trade involving several intruments. and since I play a U-12, I didn't keep it, But I could tell is was an outstanding instrument, easliy on a par with my MSA.

Weighed a ton though.

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My web site

Sorry to be such a dullard guys but what the heck is pakkawood?

Pakkawood is material made from compressed hardwood veneers, shot full of resins under heat and pressure. It very tough stuff. A lit cigarette won’t even leave a mark on it. Here’s more: What is pakkawood?

Dekley was in business from about 1978 until the mid-80s. I’d say about 7 years in all. My understanding is that the bust happened at the very end of the company’s run.<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Doug Beaumier on 24 June 2006 at 10:07 PM.]</p></FONT>

Hello, Jerry Holmes here. I wish to add a third knee lever for the 2nd string on my 10 string Dekley. Where to go for parts? Can you point me the right way, thanks, Jerry, 512-694-7593

I had a Dekley S-12U with pad, boy it was heavy, I cut it down to a 7" width. It had the maple body with the pakawood neck & and E-66 Geo L pickup. that guitar always sounded great to me. I even cut the case down to fit it. It had the type of endplates that bolted together so it was not too bad of a job. I wish I had kept it.

Ernie

This one has had some mods. I play it on a regular basis, but not in traditional country venues.