The Steel Guitar Forum

Just got home from my first show playing the Desert Rose blond beauty I purchased from Chuck Back.This is the first Desert Rose in Australia,but looks like another is on the way.Had nothing but compliments about tone and looks.Chuck builds a great guitar and is a pleasure to deal with.Now looking forward to my next show in 2 weeks.

G'day Malcolm, nice choice of steel!

I reckon most of the current major brands are well-represented here. I know of Emmons's, Sho-Buds, MSAs, Carters, Mullen's, Fessendens, Excels, Rittenberrys, ZBs and Show-Pros that are definitely here, and of course we have reciprocated by exporting Anapegs to those fortunate enough to obtain them.

However, I suspect the older, discontinued makers are not well-represented, if at all. I'd be surprised if there were any Blantons, Dekleys, Klines, Sierras or Thomas's down-under, for example. There is at least one old Marlen (a D10) however, because I imported it in 1975 and sold it in 1992. No idea who owns it now, but I'd be pretty sure it is still here somewhere.

Another interesting indigenous brand is Perina, and I saw the great Kenny Kitching playing one at a gig where I had my Carter on-stage (talk about a hard act to follow, playing steel after Kenny has been on-stage!). The Perina was custom-made for Kenny and sounded beautiful.

Anyway, congratulations on the Desert Rose. Now we gotta see some piccies.

I know Garret Costigen is still playing a Sierra .And there must be a few JEM's around and at least one Fender .

Ned there is a fair old pile of Zum's in Oz too mate !
Michel, Wazza, Bob Alloway, Phil Baker and a couple of others I can't immediately think of, and I have 2 over the ditch here, as does Ivan Posa.

Hi Paddy,

Yes, I completely forgot the Zums, probably because I have been working for a bit over 24 hours now, with another 8 to go before I can get home. Sometimes it just happens that way.

I would very much like there to be one more Zum in Oz - an I'd very much like it to belong to me. This may take some time.

Norm Bodkin played a left-handed Fender, it's pictured on the front of his album "Fender Bender". No idea who has it now.

Hi Guys,Most brands of steels would be here Down Under somewhere.Also been some top builders around in the past,but most seem to have got out of trade in the last few years.Would be hard with most players wanting custom guitars built to there own specs.Perina guitars were made here in Toowoomba by Peter Williams who now winds pickups.Laurie Minson in Tamworth was also building steels.Maybe he still does?I still have a Emmons s10pp appox.1970 that belonged to Peewee Clark and it plays great for a 40 year old.
I went with Desert Rose after weeks of checking Forum posts and watching YouTube vids. DR seemed to have the tone that I liked and I have not been disappointed.Tone and sustain are tops.

That would make an interesting survey.
I've seen a couple of those Perinas from Peter Williams - they looked like really nice guitars ....

Are there any photos of the Perina guitar?

Good question Stu...there's no picture of a steel on my "Dog Chow Bag"!

Jack,Not to hi-jack this thread but have you ever looked at the bottom of a Jack In The Box bag?Australia would be a good place for my Desert Rose Boomerang guitar.

I love that geeeeetar!!

Jack,Jack In The Box is owned by "Purina"

Kenny Kitching lives near me, next time I see him I'll ask if I can take some photos and post them. His Perina sure sounded good, and there was a retractable set of brackets at the back (sliding in and out) which allowed Kenny to sit an 8-string non-pedal lap-steel on them and play that as well.

Stu...that' answers a lot of questions!!

Ned, photos would be awesome.

Ned that guitar of Kenny's is very nice and the brackets to attach his lap steel on the back of the C6th neck is quite unique --- very cool idea !

Hi Guys found this thread from last year and missed it then, so I will add to it now. There is at least 1 Sierra in Australia - Joe Writes salmon pink one. Harry W. from Toowoomba who is a graet player imported it and I bought his Perina 3x3. He said, about Joe's guitar, that it was like learning the steel all over again, however he did say that he just cannot seem to get the tone that his, now mine, Perina delivered. Peter Williams made a buitiful instrument and is currently building a twin neck for himself I think. He makes the PUPs for my lap steels.
Here is Harry playing the Sierra and some of my Perina (soon). Mine is a little battle scarred but what a supurb instrument!! It has a a Sho-Bud fretboard as it is 24 1/4 scale and his were normally 24.
Stu Schulman - You wanted some photos? I will post some of my Perina soon (battery flat in my new camera)



Here is Kenny Kitching playing his twin neck Perina. he has his lap steel clipped to the back but you cannot see it. I will get some pics at the upcoming Brisbane steel guitar festival in June.

Here are some Pics of my Perina 3x3 made by Peter Williams from Toowoomba Australia.
Tone is supurb. This is my first Pedal Steel and at 50 the learning curve is steep!
Its a little battle scarred. IT was custom made for the previous owner pictured in the last posting and has a Shobud fretboard as it 24 1/4" and Peters guitars were 24" so he could not use his own fret board.