What Is A "Cob Job"?

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 17 Oct 2002 5:26 am

Is this something that occurs often, or rarely, when a steel guitarist attempts to make repairs or changes on his/her instrument?

Bill H.

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 17 Oct 2002 6:42 am

Things will go well if the repair person has the
PROPER PARTS
KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT IS BEING REPAIRED
DEXTERITY TO APPLY #1 & 2
If any of these is missing, the quality of the job will become more 'cobby'.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro

Terry Edwards · Post by **Terry Edwards** » 17 Oct 2002 7:22 am

From the root word "cobble".

Cob-ble: /vt./ 1.To mend or patch coarsly. 2. To make or put together roughly or hastily.

This not a word I would want to see describing the workmanship by my steel guitar repair person!

Terry

Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 17 Oct 2002 7:27 am

Topic: What Is A "Cob Job"?

..as in cobble stone?[This message was edited by Rick Collins on 17 October 2002 at 08:36 AM.]

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 17 Oct 2002 7:44 am

Whew, I thought you were talking about a corn cob job!

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 17 Oct 2002 7:56 am

Like in........"use red cob first, then use white cob to see if you need 2nd read cob.??"

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 17 Oct 2002 7:57 am

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 17 Oct 2002 11:02 am

F.M.,

I thought that a classic goof would be the equivalence of a "cob job".
Whoever said, " If something is worth doing, it's worth doing right",and he must have given much thought to the "cob jobs" he apparently saw first hand.

Bill H.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 17 Oct 2002 11:29 am

It's when you use a corn cob as a steel bar. As we all know, different materials produce different tones. The corn cob produces a very organic sound.

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My gear: A piece of wood with some wires attached

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 17 Oct 2002 1:05 pm

Congratulations, Bill, on asking such a concise question.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 17 Oct 2002 1:16 pm

Mike P.,

I just learned that a "cob job" is not so trivial when a steel guitar becomes nonfunctional on set, or you hear a snap, or loud pop from under the steel. So many everyday occurances account for goofs at the hands of inexperienced personnel.

The carefree workmanship is a serious matter, and there isn't much proof to be found, where anyone is held accountable for classic goofs. "Cob jobs" can be found in the market place, auto industry, medicines, postal services etc. Needless to say, I
want to zero in on goofs that pertain to the steel guitar. There is no intent on my part to try to belittle anyone. Perhaps anyone who feels that they could do better work when making repairs or changes, on their steel guitar, should follow through by doing so.

Bill H.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 18 Oct 2002 1:56 am

F.M.,

Have any of you who possess a touch of skill, ever attempted to assist a fellow player, who was completely befuddled in making repairs on the steel guitar? This point that I'm trying to make, happens more often
in auto repair. About half way through a knuckle busting repair job, the assisted one commences to offer advice. Usually it is unwelcome to the assisting person, due to inconsistencies in working out the problem. That sort of human nature, is difficult to manage, in terms of keeping one's cool.

The "Rope-A-Dope" trouncing that this post has yielded, by abandoning me in some distant cornfield, has made me the wiser, and for that, I'm thankful. The terminology that includes "concise", has touched a network of sensitive nerves within me. This one can drift on down to the imaginary horizon.

Bill H.

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 18 Oct 2002 1:45 pm

I know this will just further the downward drift, but I can't resist. Years ago I worked high-rise construction as a concrete form carpenter in Nashville during the day, and played Dobro and steel at night. Sometimes my day work the morning after would be described by my fellow carpenters as "looking like a baboon's a** laced up with bamboo" - just another way of saying "cob job." I hope no one ever does such a thing on any of your steels.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 19 Oct 2002 7:57 am

David D.,

As you undoubtedly know, there are multiples of cliche's that have been coined by Americans from the earliest times. I feel sure that the quip "Cob Job" has been recited millions of times, beyond earshot of the targeted repairman. It's a way for handymen to stress their displeasure to collegues, for something that they feel could have been done better. The "Cob Job" recital becomes very interesting, when the "hunter" becomes the hunted. That is, when the critic finds his own work in question. At that point it's a situation whereby a hush sweeps in, to clear out any possible blame that would be directed at a so-called "expert". These are some of the everyday situations that must have inspired someone to say many years ago, to a listener, "What A 'Cob Job'".

Bill H. [This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 20 October 2002 at 03:06 AM.]