The Steel Guitar Forum

Billy has a great new DVD out. 3 cameras with lots of close ups of his technique and bar slants. Here's a link to the promo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2nXkL8V9P8

Wow. If you play non-pedal, this DVD will be a must-have. Billy's a a master of the instrument in every way. He must pick block exclusively because his palm is nowhere near the strings most of the time and using that large zirco bar, contrary to Jerry Byrd's doctrine, doesn't seem to slow him down one bit. It's great that his style has ben documented in such a professional manner.

Billy Robinson is a brilliant steel guitarist. Does anyone know who made his 10 string guitar, and what tuning is he using? Beautiful playing.

Billy is truly amazing! I can barely make out the logo on the steel when I go to full screen mode, but it looks like it says Derby Steel on the front of the guitar.
Look at those bar slants!!!!!!.....geesh.
I feel like taking my 8 string and using it for firewood now

Check Billys Web site, I put his tuning and string size on the "Musician" page.

Also that is a one of a kind Steel 10 strings on a 12 string neck.

www.BillyRobinson.net
C6th with D on 1st / F on 10th

-1 - D - p
-2 - G - p
-3 - E - p
-4 - C - p
-5 - A - p
-6 - G - w
-7 - E - w
-8 - C - w
-9 - A - w
10 - F - w

3/8 spacing
George L pickup
Bobbe Seymour's strings
When Charlie Stepp build his steel he promise Billy that it would be a one of a kind.
I try to get Charlie to build me one 3 years ago but he keep his promise

Danny

Derby made the 10 string console I've seen Billy play in numerous youtube clips, but I've been unable to find any details about it. I would love to know his preferred scale length, string spacing, and type of pickup. Mr. Robinson is my main inspiration for building a 10 string, myself. I'm getting pretty fair on 8 strings, but I might be biting off more than I can chew with 10. Between listening to both Billy and Carco Clave on their 10 stings, I've just got to try it. I'm putting my 10 together with a custom Jerry Wallace TT-10, and a Ryan Rukavina Wrap around, Nickle plated, brass bridge, both with 3/8" spacing. It ought to sound good, even if I do have to clip 2 strings off to play it.
I believe Billy uses a pretty standard c6 tuning (G on top?), with an added D for the 9th string, and F on the 10th.
Someone please correct me if I am wrong.
Also, what the heck is that huge, white bar he uses? Teflon? Un-obtainium?
Someone said Zirco? What's Zirco?

I stand corrected.
Billy explains his tuning in a short video clip posted a while back by the late, great, and sorely missed Rick Alexander.
D added on top, and a low F added on bottom.
Thank you.

His one off Derby 10 is built on a 12 string body to allow for wider string spacing, and the strings are parallel all the way.

Don look up one post

Danny



LOL I must have been editing when you were posting

Thanks, Danny,
I'm most used to high C6 already, so adding that D might not be so hard to get used to. I can see where it would come in very handy.
I'm thinking he must use a pretty short scale to get all those wild slants so close to in tune.
I just printed out his order sheet, so I'll get my order in as soon as the mail runs again.
Thanks again, and thank you, Rob, for letting us know about this.

Rob was the producer of Billy's DVD. He is really good at it too
I'm almost sure it is a 24 1/4 in scale. I'll check and post it here.

Danny

I checked it is a 24 1/4 in. scale

Danny

Is there tab with the DVD?

No Andrew,it's a performance DVD with an interview and photo gallery.

Okay,
I'm going with what works for Billy. My 10 string will be 24-1/2" scale, too.