The Steel Guitar Forum

I've narrowed my new wood body guitar search to Fessenden and Williams and am curious of other players experiences with these guitars. I'm especially interested in hearing from players who have tried both. Which plays better, stays in tune best, has the best tone, is built more solidly, and allows the easiest setup change?

I don't think you would go wrong with either a Williams or a Fessenden. I don't know how soon you want delivery, though. There is a two month delivery on a Williams and I believe the delivery time is considerably longer on a Fessenden. Also, Bill Rudolph doesn't charge any extra for a lacquer body. The only problem with his guitars, though, is that they are made in Minnesota and you have to keep them lubricated with sardine oil!

Barry, you ask a really tough judgement call question. Both men are totally stand-up guys whom I've known for decades, and both make a guitar I'd be happy to sit behind. I do own two Fessenden guitars, but that's not to say I wouldn't love owning a Williams as well. I just can't own everything!

Barry, What Herb Said.
Price and build time favor the Williams, other than that, they are both top of the line.

Disclaimer: I own a Willy and a PP that Bill rebuilt for me and I personally owe Bill lunch.

SARDINE OIL!! Erv, you're a hoot!

Barry
Jerry F's lacquer cabinets are made by Marc Giles, he of Hamilton TX, and a Forumite. His are the hands that the axe must pass through before Jerry assembles the beast. You might want to do a search to find Marc, and talk to him about the waiting period.

I am not aware of who builds Bill's cabinets, if anyone other than Bill himself does this job.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Bill builds his own cabinets. I was at his shop and he has an area loaded with wood to choose from and I saw his cabinets under const. and finished in lacquer with the inlay in place. He even had one with a combination of abalone and pearl, with a cross inlay. I think this was going to a guy playing honky tonks in Texas. (He wanted to be a good witness).
Erv
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Erv Niehaus on 22 June 2004 at 02:59 PM.]</p></FONT>

Has anybody ever heard of any tuning problems with either of these guitars? I travel alot and am also concerned about durability. I can't have stuff breaking on the road. Any comments on how solid these instruments are?

Both should be as reliable as anything ever built.

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<small>Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

I only have direct experience with Fessendens, but for what it's worth I'll share it.I just got a second Fessenden from Jerry, with a real quick turn-around time. Jerry was great to deal with in every way. Like my older D-10, my new S-10 is a mica finish (over solid Rock Maple) - for mica guitars I believe Jerry does his own cabinets, which may cut down the waiting time. Anyway, it didn't take long at all. As far as durability goes, I know that Jim Cohen went all over the place with the D-10 that I now own (black mica, like my new axe), and that guitar is clearly a survivor. And sounds fantastic (it's the axe Jim used on "Finally Here"), as does my new S-10.

I've recently sold my Williams D-10x to buy a new Williams D-12x. I had no reliability issues over the 3+ years I owned it. It's a very well made guitar, in my opinion.

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<font size="1"><img align=right src="http://b0b.com/Hotb0b.gif" width="96 height="96">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9),
Sierra Laptop 8 (E6add9), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax</font>

I own one of each, and they are both very good guitars. The Willy is possibly a little smaller and lighter. My Willy has BL710's on it and the Fessy has Danny Shields pickups on it. They sound a little different, but both sound good. The Willy is lacquer, with metal necks, the Fessy is Mica with metal necks. The pedal and lever travel seems to be a little longer on the Fessy than on the Willy. Bill Rudolph and Jerry Fessenden both are great to deal with. If I were buying a new steel today, I think I would have to wait until I could buy one of each. Here's what they look like, do you think I like blue guitars? I'm still trying to figure out who that old grey haired grandpa is thats playin' my guitar.





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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording


<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Darvin Willhoite on 25 June 2004 at 02:22 PM.]</p></FONT>

When Bill gets my new Williams done I'll post some pictures. It will definitely be a looker!!!
Erv

I own two Williams steels and recommend them and doing business with Bill Rudolph without any reservation. I've flown with these steels and taken them out of their cases and to find them still in tune. Harmonics jump out of the speakers, and since I play with a lot of loud bands and do a fair amount of recording, this is critical. Bill's guitars are beautifully made, play smooth as silk, are lightweight, of course sound terrific.

I owned a Fessenden for a while as my second steel, but found it to have some ergonomic issues, specifically when I tried to engage pedal A and either the F knee or the E knee. The steel sounded fine, but I didn't feel at home with it. I bought a second Williams shortly afterwards.

I ordered my second Williams with a 910, but came to realize that I prefer the sound of the stock Williams pickup, which Bill makes himself. I bought a stock pickup from him and he sent it within four days. A very open, glassy sounding single coil pickup.

If you have any specific questions about either of these steels, please feel free to send me an e-mail.

Best,

Gerald

Thanks Gerald, and everyone for your feedback,it's all been very helpful. I'd still like to hear more if anyone has anything to add. Anybody ever had any negative experiences with either brand?

Barry, I have played Williams guitars since 1986, exclusively. The only problem I had:
I wore out a pedal coupler. Williams are center pull. The coupler only lasted 14 years and then had to be replaced.
Cost $5.00. They just don't make stuff as good as they used too !

I've had my ''Willy '' for over a year now and i only have praise for them . You can tune it up with your tuner and then look at your tuner with the pedals down and it does'nt move but just a little . Try that with other guitars and see what you have . I'm not saying that others wont fair as well but i'm talking about my guitar . If you want to change or add more bellcranks they are very easy to do . I added a change on mine and it took me around 15 minutes ,and it works great . Bill will make the extra parts that you need and is very reasonable . This is only my openion . Regards,,,Gary .