The Steel Guitar Forum

I've been waiting a long time to take this home... but now its mine and its home and I have big grin from ear to ear!!!

Its made by Ron @ RAM GUITARS and its called the NEO-GRANDE

Outstanding...Stunning!!!

Was it custome made for you or is it a model in their line?

If that's not gorgeous, then I don't know what is! Congratulations.

Thanks Mike, and thanks again for the tuning info and all your sweet learning materials, top notch.


Hey Tom, it's custom made and in his line. Ron makes everything 1 at time by hand ...so you can have it your way... Any number for necks, colors, pickups..etc..

I had the pleasure of showing it off in Stl and hanging with Ron and Renne.

That stopped me dead in my tracks at the show. That is one beautiful guitar! Congrats!

Don Helms is smiling down on you Matthew.

Wow! Where does the line for one start???

Wow! what a beauty!

I checked it out in St. Louis also and it is a beauty, a real credit to the form. I am worried about how long that line is going to be. There was also a single at the show; pretty sweet.

James

Mike- Thank you, that hits home. I never had a chance to meet Mr. Helms, but his sound is a very big part of why I started playing steel.

It's built a lot like the Helms guitar, with some modern upgrades.
I should have posted the specs huh?

Solid maple body with AAA figured veneer
Aluminum hardware made to spec by steel guru Dave Peterson
Grover vintage tuners
Bound Rosewood boards 22.5 scale
Pickups are lollars, but it's built with a universal rout so I can swap pickups by just swapping the guards out.

Coolest thing about Ron is he's open to custom features and builds pretty fast.

Pictures of the Birdseye single are up on his Facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/Ram.Guitars?sk=photos

Thats a beauty Matthew! ... congrads!

You're very welcome Matthew. I am and always have been as old school as they come, and am SO GLAD to see luthiers doing repros of the classic instruments that inspired my heroes, like Mr. Helms.

I am not seriously in the market, but if you'd like to say how much it cost I'm curious. And I just wanted to say too that the particular color of "speed knob" used here is just perfect with that wood!

Mike Anderson wrote:I am not seriously in the market...

I'm guessing the wife was nearby?

Ron Whitfield wrote:

Mike Anderson wrote:I am not seriously in the market...

I'm guessing the wife was nearby?

Hah! Check your email Ron - there is another lust object in the For Sale forum here. But again, it's the money thing, sigh. Maybe I should reward myself for selling the National without losing too much though (insert sound of sneaky chuckling).

unbelieveable!
the style and color,just fabulous!some of the pedalboys should try that with theirs (ours).
painted ends are refreshing if done right.what a prize.
pastor bruce

at first i did'nt notice it was a custom job
that's really an excellent lookin' steel
many moons of happiness to both of ya's

I like the look of those old Gibsons alot, Ron did a top of the line job on yours. With the wood fretboard I could see a CC style pick up like the early Console Grandes had. That is a beauty!

Mark you've been reading my mind.

I have a vintage vibe CC in hand ready to drop in.

While designing this guitar it was really important to have the pickups on swappable guards so I can drop in just about anything with ease.

Any chance you will be in Joliet, HSGA, in Oct. with your beauty?

Mark, Hopefully on Saturday, are you bringing your clinesmith?

I pretty sure Ron is back in the lab cooking up another neo grande double .... I'm pushing for Koa, but I know whatever he does will be very cool.

Ron build a quad

I am thinking I'll bring the 8-string and the 10-string. I'll be there Th and leave on Sunday

Mark, what is this guitar??

Mark Roeder wrote:

Scott, it's a project I have been working on for a few years, I'll post some pics when I'm done. It's been nearly done for about six months.

That is gorgeous. Is it as easy to carry as a 50 lb. feedsack like the original? I bet it is, being solid maple. Is there a website for the maker?

RAM Guitars has a website but no information on this particular custom made instrument.