What's the Deal with Derby?

Joe Drivdahl · Post by **Joe Drivdahl** » 8 Jul 2007 5:57 pm

I am not familiar with the Derby brand. I am aware of them, but have no experience or knowledge really. I am curious and I thought someone the forum will know the answer.

Did Buddy Emmons have something to do with the design or naming or something? Does the "Derby" reflect the iconic hat that Buddy wore?

Joe

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 8 Jul 2007 7:39 pm

Billy Robinson, Nashville, has a single 10, I believe it is. He plays pedal style NOW by using his fingers to push and pull. Originally with Red Foley on the Grand Ole Opry.

He might have some insight for you.

Billy Wilson · Post by **Billy Wilson** » 8 Jul 2007 8:55 pm

Billy Robinson's Derby S10 has the string spacing so wide you could do in tune slants with ear plugs in.

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 8 Jul 2007 9:02 pm

I have never played a Derby but have a good friend Wayne Addleman who plays with Trace Adkins who just loves his,They look pretty serious.

Tommy Alexander · Post by **Tommy Alexander** » 9 Jul 2007 3:38 am

My good friend and yours, Ron Elliott plays one and swears by it, also Lynn Owsley! Tommy White had one, but changed to another brand; his own choosing.
I have had my Franklin since 1980 and haven't changed yet; but if I had to, it would be a Derby.
Call Charlie at Derby, he will enlighten you about this guitar

john widgren · Post by **john widgren** » 9 Jul 2007 5:00 am

Derby Guitars are made by Charlie Stepp in Brooks KY., outside of Louisville. (where the business started) Louisville is home of the world famous Kentucky DERBY.

Ronald Sikes · Post by **Ronald Sikes** » 9 Jul 2007 5:43 am

I don't know as much about the history as much as some of the other Forum members do, but I'll take a shot at it.I think that Charlie worked for Emmons guitar for a great number of year's before he ventured out on his own,just as most of the other great guitar builders have worked for someone else before they went out on their own.Charlie build's all the part's for his guitars in house.He has a full machine shop,and he makes all of the parts there in his shop.He also builds all of the bodies there.There are a great number of the well known players that play Derby guitar's,including Ron Elliot,Lyn Owsley,Terry Crisp,Robbie Flint,Tommy Butler and the list goes own.I personally love my Derby guitar's and I like doing business with Charlie and Margit.Tommy Butler has a lot of info. on his myspace.Go down to the right side of the page and click on Derby Steel.
http://www.myspace.com/tommybutlermusic[i][/i]

JW Day · Post by **JW Day** » 9 Jul 2007 5:47 am

Joe, I'm sure you will get Many replys from the Louisville Steel Guitar Club on this question. Most of the fellows play the Derby,except for 1 or 2 of us.

Joe Drivdahl · Post by **Joe Drivdahl** » 9 Jul 2007 11:57 am

Thanks guys. Now that I know the Derby is manufactured in Louisville, then the "Derby" name makes sense as in "Kentucky Derby" as was suggested.

I think Buddy's hat might have been a boulder anyway.

Joe

Jeremy Threlfall · Post by **Jeremy Threlfall** » 9 Jul 2007 3:33 pm

Tommy R Butler's #1 build Derby (in "Show off your Steel" Steel Payers) has a hat and a walking cane on the emblem.

Jeremy Threlfall · Post by **Jeremy Threlfall** » 9 Jul 2007 7:06 pm

Bobby D Reed's Derby for sale (7 July post) also has the hat and cane logo.

I think we're definitely talkin' hats, not horseracing.

Whether its Buddy's hat, is another matter. Buddy doesn't walk with a cane, right?

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 9 Jul 2007 7:26 pm

Charles Stepp has been building Derby PSG's for 16+ Yrs. My newest Derby from 12/05 was S/N 401. And yes, them name “Derby” refers to the world~famous ‘Ky. Derby’! I have a Burgundy D–10 with 8 & 7, but; I don't know how or if I can Post pictures with my WebTv! I'm playing my Derby through (2) Nashville 112's and I like this guitar as much as any of the many guitars I've owned over the past 50-yrs.!

Tommy R. Butler · Post by **Tommy R. Butler** » 9 Jul 2007 10:24 pm

www.myspace.com/derbysteel

Mrs. Stepp reads here from time to time.

I have had more complements about tone with my Black D-10 DERBY than any other guitar I have ever owned. Some musicians in town dont even want to share the stage with me unless I am playing the Black Guitar.

Charlie & Margrit are the best. Hardly any wait time for a new guitar.

They are one of the best guitars if not THE BEST. They sell themselves and the Derby Family is getting BIGGER everyday.

I Personally Own Two of them. My Black D-10 has been all over this country and most of Canada a couple of times. Never a problem....!

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 10 Jul 2007 3:50 am

I love my Derby D10, new in Dec. 06.
It's well built, plays great, and has great tone.
She sounds as good as anything I ever played.

Jaynette Mondie · Post by **Jaynette Mondie** » 13 Jul 2007 10:25 am

I am very proud to say Charles Stepp is my father. I just want to clarify how Derby got its name and symbols. My parents lived fairly close to Churchill Downs where the Derby is ran. Since they lived in Louisville they picked the name Derby but could not use horses. He tried using the hats but then decided to use crowns to represent the Derby since it is the first leg of the Triple Crown. My father did not work for Emmons but he was a dealer for them and made several trips there. Then he decided to build his own and the rest as they say is history!

Chippy Wood · Post by **Chippy Wood** » 13 Jul 2007 11:41 am

Elizabeth West · Post by **Elizabeth West** » 13 Jul 2007 6:59 pm

I have a new D/10 Black, Derby waiting in St.Luois for pickup,which Mr.Stepp built set up for me.

Lee Bartram · Post by **Lee Bartram** » 14 Jul 2007 4:51 am

i have owned 5 Derbys and like an idiot managed to trade them all away just to try others.all of them were just wonderful.wish i had one now .but one of the best things about my Derby's was getting to meet Charlie and his wife Margit two of the nicest people you could ever meet.Charlie is one of those people that the first time you meet him makes you feel like he has known you all your life.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 14 Jul 2007 5:31 am

I've played some very nice Derby guitars, though I've never personally owned one. They're basically of the LeGrande style, if anyone doesn't mind me saying so. Kind of Emmons-influenced.

A friend of mine who owned one told me "if you want a LeGrande but not the long wait for one, get a Derby."

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 14 Jul 2007 6:06 am

Thanks Jaynette for clearing that up. I had been told by quite a few people that Charlie was an ex Emmons employee. It's nice to get the real story.
I agree with Herb as to it being very much like a LaGrande, only better in my opinion.
I got to try a brand new Emmons last year and while it sounds very good, it was not as comfortable as the Derby. The knee lever extensions dug into my leg. I love the flag shaped and slightly angled knee levers on the Derby.

James Cann · Post by **James Cann** » 16 Jul 2007 7:09 pm

Whether its Buddy's hat, is another matter. Buddy doesn't walk with a cane, right?

. . . and where's the derby? Haven't seen that since the 80s!

James Cann · Post by **James Cann** » 16 Jul 2007 7:10 pm

Sorry, double post!

James Cann · Post by **James Cann** » 16 Jul 2007 7:10 pm

Wow, a hat trick!

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