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NAMM Museum steel guitar exhibit

Posted: 30 Mar 2009 9:06 am
by Tom Wolverton
For those of you in So. California, be aware that the NAMM Museum exhibit on slide guitar (lots of steels) will be ending at the end of March. If you have not seen this, it is well worth the trip. Special thanks to Ben Elder for all of his great Weissenborn style guitars on exhibit.

http://www.museumofmakingmusic.org/inde ... 5&Itemid=4

There is a great photo of the band Steppenwolf with John Kay and one other guy playing a stand-up non-pedal steel (6 string, 3-legs ?? make). The steel player has the biggest 'fro I've ever seen. great photo.

- t

...must ...see ...'fro

Posted: 30 Mar 2009 10:24 am
by Ron Whitfield
Where's IS that Steppenwolf pic, Tom?

Posted: 30 Mar 2009 1:41 pm
by Tom Wolverton
Darn it - not up on their site. It is up on the wall of the museum exhibit. We gotta find a copy. It is an interesting looking steel guitar too. The caption mentioned that it was played on their hit "Magic Carpet Ride".

I believe the steel player was Kent Henry, and if I read Wikipedia correctly, he just passed away, 18 days go. May he RIP.

Posted: 30 Mar 2009 4:03 pm
by Darrell Urbien
I'm making a pilgrimage later on this week. If they let me take my camera in I'll try to take a photo of the photo...

Steppan fro

Posted: 30 Mar 2009 5:20 pm
by Richard Terry
Hi fellows

There is a picture of the thing on their online overview of the slide exhibition.
Click on the link. On the page that comes up click on the large blue rectangle advert for the exhibit on the right of that page. Then on the next page you will be invited to enter click it. There will be a list, lower one on the left side with Exhibition Interview heading. Click on "New Expressions" bottom of the list.

richard terry

Posted: 30 Mar 2009 6:23 pm
by Tom Wolverton
Thank you Richard. So it is Goldy McJohn. Here is the photo:

http://www.museumofmakingmusic.org/slide/overview7.html


What is that steel? A Carvin?

Steel - 1, 'fro -0

Posted: 30 Mar 2009 7:01 pm
by Ron Whitfield
That's a Rickenbacker, maybe even the Jerry Byrd model, or what turned into the JB.

But not the biggest afro I've ever seen, even on a white dude! :cry:

But thanx for the link! I remember that pic from a mag long ago. I thot it was a cheesy organ then...

Posted: 30 Mar 2009 8:59 pm
by Ben Elder
Darrell--

"Later in the week" had better be Tuesday--last day...officially. I don't know how quickly Carolyn, Tatiana and crew will be dismantling everything, but just a heads-up on the posted dates.

Posted: 30 Mar 2009 10:35 pm
by Michael Johnstone
That was a promo pic for Steppenwolf when they were involved in an artist endorsement deal with Rickenbacker. Since they had an organist and Rickenbacker doesn't make organs they just had Goldie stand cluelessly behind something they did make - a steel guitar. Simple as that. Kinda like the 60s promo pic of Dylan playing a Fender Jazz Bass.

Posted: 30 Mar 2009 11:19 pm
by Darrell Urbien
DOH! Unfortunately, I can't get there until WEDNESDAY! For some reason I thought it was going on longer; didn't realize it's been up so long already.

I've already made my travel plans, so I guess I'm going to... buy a Ranunculus? :roll:

Posted: 31 Mar 2009 6:11 am
by Andy Volk
Carolyn, Tatiana and the rest of the MOMM staff did a fabulous job with the exhibition and concert series. You'll probably never see a collection of steels like this all in one place again. Creating the video for the gallery was a blast. I wish I could post it but a lot of the clips have very clear copyright/use restrictions. Thanks to Steinar, Rick, Mike, and all the forumities who helped with video, audio, content last Summer.

Posted: 31 Mar 2009 12:44 pm
by Jim Newberry
I was there a few weeks ago with a friend who works at Buffalo Brothers Guitars. Great exhibit! Why go to LegoLand when you can go to the MOMM??

Posted: 31 Mar 2009 2:33 pm
by Tom Wolverton
Of course, since it is so close, you simply *have* to stop by the B-Bros and do some serious drooling. (unless, of course, you are all dried out from the MOMM).

Posted: 31 Mar 2009 2:41 pm
by Jim Newberry
Hydrate aforehand.