Carl Dixon gave the answer to the often asked
question as to "Why"?. There is another thread that explains the reason why in a simplified manner.
Gene had a great idea and a fine guitar, he also had the corporate shadow upon him.
Bob Campbell then President of Fender CBS had
Gene build a few of his PS 210 guitars of which I had probably the first sample that was sent to me for my evaluation.
If Gene reads this he will be aware of my comments to Mr.Campbell. I copied Gene on my
letter to Mr.Campbell.
The venture between Shot and Fender was short
lived,the Sho-Bud Fenders had all of Shobuds
design with the "add on" "manufactured to Fenders specifications attached".
Leo was long gone and the non pedal guitars were still in existence but barely. Leo left
in 65 and non pedal steels were still available until the group led by William Schultz took ownership of Fender.This was app
1988 Im not certain.
When Leo returned in all his glory with his newly formed Musicman company,,it was then I resigned from CBS.
Leo always loved steel guitar and the people
who played them.He was amazed at the prices
of instruments he developed so many years back and often asked me,,"why" do they spend so much money? when I can build a better
guitar than I ever did right now.
He was a modest man and never took anything for granted,he always thought he could do better than he did,he didnt rest on his laurels.
When MusicMan was having their internal problems,Leo set the G&L company up with Dale
Hyatt and George Fullerton. I got involved with Leo again.
Tom Walker,President of MusicMan and one of Fenders first salesman got together with Forrest White former plant manager for Fender
under Leo's command. That was the beginning
of Leos return. It was Walker who did much of the MusicMan amplifier design, while Leo took care of guitars and basses etc. Fast forward.
G&L was now in full swing and MusicMan was sold to Ernie Ball. There was no room for field reps with EB as all of their sales were generated by telephone marketing. It was
relativly easy for EB as the ground work was done and the MusicMan name was well known throught the world and the man who made it come to be,Leo Fender.
This is the answer to your question..When I called Leo back in 87,I told him of my finding my fourneck stringmaster (original)
"See GUITAR PLAYER" Feb 1988 where there is a story of my long lost Fender.
I told Leo was I was planning on coming out to the NAMM show and that I had a few problems with my "born again Quad" he said,,ship it here,I told him I was afraid to ship it,he said well,,darn it,I'll make a shipping case for ya.
I received a lock jointed case that was iron
clad and it was laquered and had a screw down top with hex nuts,so it could not easily
be opened by unauthorized personnel. It was as strong as a vault. And as heavy as well
I decided to go to the NAMM show after all.
When I arrived one of Leos people met me at
LAX and we went right over to Leo's.
There he was standing with a big smile on his
face and said,,well how did that baby hold up during your flight?? I said that baby is fine,,its me thats sick from the food and turbulance.
Before you could say "Leo" he took the vault
from me and opened it up. I could see by the expression on his face as to the joy of once again seeing one of the loves of his life.
It was as if the bright blonde finish reflected upon his smiling face when he said,darn it Jody,,who built this guitar for ya??.
I told him what was wrong with it and he then
did what he loves to do best,,tinker with it.
He asked me If I thought something like this
(Stringmaster) could sell if he could build them,.
I stuck my neck out and said Yes,I can sell some,,he said how many are "some",,I said "some" he then replied OK thats good enough for me.
Whatever he did to my quad,I'll never know,it sounded better than ever and ever was
great,I asked him what he did,he said,,I just took a few wrinkles out and said,,Jody
if you want a face lift I can do it for ya,with a big smile on his face.
It was shortly after that I sensed Leo was not feeling well,his telephone conversations were not as they were,he had a tone to his voice which I realized that he was ill.
He wanted to build another steel guitar non pedal,,his love for the instrument and the people who played them was his love.
He never lived long enough for that second dream to become a reality,but he always told
me,,( Im workin on somethin & when I get it all together I'll send ya one. He never did.
I have no doubt that the Japanese are working towards a limited production of Fender steel guitars.Most all of what was sold over the past few years was remnants of inventory left over from by gone days.
My feeling is,one would have to love steel guitar and the people who play them in order
for them to succeed.
Im not certain this is the case nowadays.
Mike P. If you go to the NAMM,,the atmosphere
is different and you have a better chance of getting a role in Godfather (4) as you will trying to find out "The Impossible Dream".Better wear your Sunday "Suit".
Leo Fender was the man,those of you who have his originals,keep them,,there will never be
another.
I promised myself I would not post this,
Smiley Roberts sent me the link to this and I
explained my reason.
I'll hate myself in the morning....
PS John Tipka was the last person to touch my quad. He is another dedicated man,cut from
the same mold somewhat as Leo Fender. I should have taken my wifes advice a long time ago and retired myself from this Forum.
Consider this post as a "Cameo" appearance.
The bottom line is,,you have to love the instrument and dedicate yourself to building
them and playing them..the current Fender has no interest in Steel Guitar..It was Leo's
whole life when he built what many called....
The "Diamond Guitar" reffering to Noel Boggs
Custom when Noel Played with Spade Cooley on KXLA TV.The "Diamond Handle" was that the 2 chrome diamonds on the guitar front were recognized as a Fender. It was just that, a Diamond. I hope this lasts you a long time,and to Smiley...next time dont e mail me
Enough already...
IM retired...Gone Ice Fishin..
Copyright "(c)" by Jody Carver 2003 All Rights Reserved.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 12 January 2003 at 04:12 PM.]</p></FONT>