A classic design revisited (my newest steel)

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 22 Dec 2008 1:12 pm

I've always had a strong affinity for the Rickenbacher Frying Pan guitar. I still think it's just about the greatest sounding steel guitar ever made, at least the half dozen or so that I've played. I was always intrigued by the photo of Adolph Rickenbacher holding the wooden prototype, so I decided to ask Mike Dotson of Maricopa Guitars (or better known to some as Mike D) to make one for me.

I decided to go with walnut and Mike used a lovely maple binding on the guitar. Rick Aiello made the pickup for me and it is unbelievably hot! It looks absolutely gorgeous, too. Also, Rick painstakingly provided measurements of his Rickenbacher A25 (maybe the single greatest steel I've played) and sent it to Mike.

The guitar arrived today and it's everything I hoped for. So a big hat's off to Mike Dotson and Rick Aiello for this wonderful guitar.

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 22 Dec 2008 1:38 pm

Lovely. An early Christmas present to yourself! Congratulations.

So how does it sound? We want audio samples!!!

Orville Johnson · Post by **Orville Johnson** » 22 Dec 2008 2:26 pm

Beautiful! You better hang on to this one, Mike! Happy holidays...oj

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 22 Dec 2008 2:37 pm

Orville Johnson wrote:Beautiful! You better hang on to this one, Mike! Happy holidays...oj

You're not kidding! Hey, I have another surprise revisit I'm working on...

Merry Christmas to you, too, OJ.

Danny Bates · Post by **Danny Bates** » 22 Dec 2008 3:11 pm

Beautiful Axe Mike!

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 22 Dec 2008 3:57 pm

Sweet

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 22 Dec 2008 4:03 pm

That's a real beauty Mike.....and the ole' Mike D sure builds some bad azz geetars....

A nice modern tribute to a classic.....

Roger Palmer · Post by **Roger Palmer** » 22 Dec 2008 4:57 pm

Wow Mike....Now that looks like a really nice guitar!

I have been planning on building something similar out of Ash. Just wondering...what is the string spacing at the bridge on this?

I was planning on 1/2" on mine with a P90 pickup. (i've no idea where to get a pickup this wide in the UK though!)

Looking forward to hearing some audio samples of this!

I heard some of your tunes on Slide Planet and thought they were excellent!

I am fairly new to the steel guitar but I like building them as much as playing them

The case looks good too...is it new or an old Gibson?

Terry Farmer · Post by **Terry Farmer** » 22 Dec 2008 4:57 pm

Stunning!

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 22 Dec 2008 5:08 pm

Sweeeet! Post a clip, please.

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 22 Dec 2008 5:15 pm

Charles Dempsey · Post by **Charles Dempsey** » 22 Dec 2008 5:43 pm

Sweet!

I've been thinking about a design for my new ash lap. That is the ultimate (IMHO) of form and function.

Charlie (e-mailing Rick and drawing like mad)

Mike D · Post by **Mike D** » 22 Dec 2008 6:45 pm

Boy that looks right at home there in that case Mike. So glad you like it and thanks again for the order and the inspiration. Thanks also to Rick A for the specs. I was able to follow them exactly with the exception that it is just a smidge longer so I could get the wooden bridge on and give the strings enough room to be anchored, wood not being quite so tough as 'al-oo-min-e-um'.

And yes, post a sound clip...please!

Here's a little clip I posted before I sent it off with me making some squeaks in something approximating High G tuning. My playing is horrible but it does show that Rick's 'unit' is a force to recon with (as his high child count can attest)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siXx65P7qCQ

Thanks again Mike.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 22 Dec 2008 7:04 pm

Beautiful job on the guitar, Mike D and congratulations Mike Neer.

I guess this must be the "new direction" in which you are going after selling that gorgeous Clinesmith steel.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 23 Dec 2008 2:42 am

outstanding !

Mark MacKenzie · Post by **Mark MacKenzie** » 23 Dec 2008 6:32 am

Is it my imagination or is the nut compensated? What tuning you keep on it?

Beautiful guitar!

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 23 Dec 2008 6:35 am

Mark MacKenzie wrote:Is it my imagination or is the nut compensated? What tuning you keep on it?

Beautiful guitar!

No, that's just a trick of light.

This is my C6 guitar.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 23 Dec 2008 10:18 am

Mark Eaton wrote:I guess this must be the "new direction" in which you are going after selling that gorgeous Clinesmith steel.

This may deserve a thread of it's own, but what was the deciding factors in ridding yourself of the Clinesmith, Mike, if in fact you have?

Meanwhile, I too am anxious to hear the beautiful new Maricopa 'Adolph' Rick!

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A classic design revisited (my newest steel)

A classic design revisited (my newest steel)

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