The Steel Guitar Forum

My dream machine finally realized.. Here she is - 4x5 - quilted maple body and neck, Abalone inlay and Ebony to Charcoal "burst."

I can't say how incredible it is. It's perfection - Bill is an artisan.. Always willing to answer any questions and accommodating a (literal) last minute request. It was a difficult decision to make but, I'm glad I chose a Williams!

That is a beauty. You won't be sorry, I sure like my "400". What pickup did you choose?

Hey Matthew! Why would I say that? Had to be giving you "the business"! You will absolutely love it. It looks positively great. Ebony Charburst...and the quilted maple is happenin'. No ugly guitars where Bill R. is concerned. Still lovin' mine(my second). I believe Bill is on the leading edge of steel technology...and is there to stay! The changer design is brilliant. I've owned quite a few guitars over my years of pro playing and my Williams incorporates all of the things I ever liked...in one handsome package. Hope you will feel the same. Best of luck and play goood! Regards, Rick K.

In a word... WOW...

Congrats Matthew,
I am glad to here how happy you are with your new WILLIAMS 700.
I just ordered an SD12 from Bill at Williams. The craftsmanship
looks outstanding from the pictures I have seen, and all of the comments
I have seen on his work has been quite positive. Like you said Bill is
very patient and accommodating. Can't wait for mine!!!

"Sweet" Congrads, thats pretty.

Hey Matthew, Like Rick just said, "The changer design is brilliant" plus the mechanics and playability are great..unlike many others, you got it right the first time....now you can concentrate on the music.

I had dinner with Bill, his son, and Gerry Walker in Dallas. I knew Gerry but had only seen and talked to Bill briefly. What great guys both he and his son are. We really had a good time.

Wayne

Delvin Morgan wrote:That is a beauty. You won't be sorry, I sure like my "400". What pickup did you choose?

Another hard choice between a 705 and the Alumitone.. I chose the 705 - it looked less like a toaster/spaceship to me!

Welcome to the club, Matthew! My 700 is the greatest thing that ever happened to me in 58 years! Exquisite tone, astonishing beauty, and flawless construction. ENJOY!!!

Wow Matthew...that is one beautifull guitar, that is one of the best looking Williams i've seen.

congradulation on your new axe

My new Williams 700 is the best sounding guitar I have ever played yet.

Albert

WOW....WHAT A PEICE OF WOOD...AND THE MECHANICS....
GOTTA BE THE HOTEST THING TO HIT BEER CITY SINCE "HAPPY DAYS".

CONGRATS ON A TRUELY REMARKABLE PEICE OF CRAFTMANSHIP!
MS

Hi Matthew, let me say it's beautiful !!
I'm a new PSG student from Italy, and I received some weeks ago my first Williams PSG from Bill: a RED mica gearless 400 serie. I Agree with you he's a really good and professional person and make such a good PRO guitars, like ours. I'm sure you are loosing sleep in these nights... enjoy it .

My Best

Just wanted to jump in here for a moment regarding the exceptional beauty of the Williams guitar. This is a big thing to Bill..he's definitely into the wood!You know it's funny(and somewhat ludicrous) that Gibson guitar has got everybody horn-swaggled into believing that the wood they use is so, so rare, and obviously costly. Bill did give me some insight into his procuring of the wood he uses and the general costs. I was surprised to find out that the really nice stuff is about twice the cost of plainer maple, which is not THAT expensive, not what other guitar(or steel) builders would have you believe. My point....the exquisite wood coupled with Bill's unique finish "curing" process is an ultra-bonus.This was the main reason that I chose my first Williams(see inset)...having never even played one. I'm sold! Regards to all, RK

Bonus photo - much better image!

w0w! beautiful guys

Bill is a meticulous perfectionist if these two adjectives can be combined. He is always willing to go the extra mile in building the guitar YOU want with your setup and requirements, including wood or aluminum necks. I find it amazing that he still offers a choice that YOU the customer wants with no additional charges. Some like the Mica finishes for their sound, durability and road worthiness, others like a fine piece of wood and Bill just builds em' to your liking w/o the upcharges of other builders!

Heck he may even become the king of wood~N~lacquer soon!

Not only that he is a true craftsman & gentleman along with his son Tim. None finer

Mine looks just like Matthews in the first picture except it is a D-10 8&9 700 with Alumitone and (only 2 cents) cabinet drop.Great tone. Bill is a first class builder and great to deal with. You are going to see more and more of the williams steels when the word gets around.And it won`t take 8 or 10 months to get one.I have owned most every top line steel there is williams can stand with any on the market.

Congrats Matthew! Mine was in the same batch as yours I think, Did bill send you a pick just after laquering of 4 steel bodies? Yours was far left and mine was far right (blue/brown) I will take pics tonight with this new camera.

I agree with everything you said, Bill Rudolph is the Man. Absolutely flawless work, delivered on time even with last minute requests. I spent months trying to decide what to get and don't regret my choice one bit.
Mine is a S12 uni, gearless with an Alumintone and a wood neck. Love it!

Yeah, I love the wood neck Bill put on my 700 Series. He said it would "growl" a bit more than an aluminum neck. I guess so -- it growls like a hippo in heat! I love it!

It was indeed in the same batch! Bill sent me the same pic.

Olie Eshleman wrote:Congrats Matthew! Mine was in the same batch as yours I think, Did bill send you a pick just after laquering of 4 steel bodies? Yours was far left and mine was far right (blue/brown) I will take pics tonight with this new camera.

I agree with everything you said, Bill Rudolph is the Man. Absolutely flawless work, delivered on time even with last minute requests. I spent months trying to decide what to get and don't regret my choice one bit.
Mine is a S12 uni, gearless with an Alumintone and a wood neck. Love it!

Here's a few blurryish pics of mine





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Hey Olie, Your Steel looks like the perfect "Dream Machine". It looks great from the front, from the top and from under the hood. With that new Changer design and the great mechanics and playability of the Williams 700 Series,...you made a very wise choice.

yeah olie...that's one super hot rod there!! wow. fully loaded keyless twelve. could be the ultimate guitar. i applaud your unique and personal color choice.

matthew..also a beautiful guitar..love the charcoal color.

all these williams cabinets are far out quality. i've never played or heard a williams in person. i can only hope they sound half as good as they look.

To me it sounds amazing, and definitely more options than I know what to do with yet. Something I can grow into. Still trying to figure out pedals 5-8. But I do like my '0' pedal, raises #1 F#>G#, #2 D#>E, and #7 F#>G#, a nice lazy mans I chord pedal, all 12 strings are an E major triad, add the A pedal and the min VI C# chord on all 12 as well. Anyone coming to the Portland Jam is welcome to take er for a spin.