MultiChord mania

Leon Eneboe · Post by **Leon Eneboe** » 19 May 2005 12:31 pm

My first steel was a used MultiChord, 6 stringer with four pedals. I bought it second hand for $50.00. At the time, I figured I really had something...anyway, it got me started and of course, like everyone else, I progressed and moved up to a Fender 400, followed by a ShoBud LDG and at this time a Williams S12. Also, too many different amps etc. NOW...the question is this...How many of you out there started out with a MultiChord (either 6 or

for your first pedal Steel. I know that those MultiChords were pretty expensive to buy new. I think they hit the market back in about l95l or so. Anyone know about the time? Perhaps there are many playing steel today who were inspired by the Harlin Bros. MultiChord. I know I was.

Bob Strum · Post by **Bob Strum** » 19 May 2005 1:11 pm

Hey Leon, Yes I bought my MC in around 1955. It was easy to change pedal changes and I thought it was outstanding. But as time has shown us, many things get really better. I still have a beat up 6 string and a perfect 8 string. I guess it's time to let others get a feel of history. Ed Naylor rest his soul, contacted me just before his death to get these. Best wishes, Bob Strum

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 19 May 2005 1:31 pm

Leon-My first pedal guitar was not a Multi-Kord.

It was a prewar 1941 Gibson Electra-Harp with the birdseye cabinet all the way to the floor on three sides with 6 pedals and 8 strings.

It was easy to change tunings as it worked just the same as the MK. They had a patent fight on it, I don't know who won.

Later on I did get a 8 string 6 pedal MK changer head from Jay Harlin, in Indianapolis and built a 14 string guitar with the changer in the middle 8 strings.

(it is on my Website where you can plainly see it)

I played it for 10 years on lots of jobs. Then I got a D12 MSA from Reece and moved on from there....al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Al Marcus on 19 May 2005 at 02:33 PM.]</p></FONT>

Danny James · Post by **Danny James** » 19 May 2005 7:07 pm

I guess I've outlived my own generation. I still play a Multi-Kord. In fact I am playing a gig tomorrow evening with our band called The Sounds Of Yesterday.
I took lessons from Harlins in Indy in 48 then worked for them from 52 to 54. The MK that I still play is a 6 string 6 pedal white pearl, that I bought from Jay Harlin the inventor. In fact I now have 4 Multi-Kords.
Back in the early 60's you could buy a 6 string 4 pedal white pearl for$258.00--a 6 string 6 pedal was $318.00 an 8 string 6pedal was $378.00 They also made a double neck but only had pedals on one neck. An 8string double neck 6pedal was $465.00. A plush lined case was $63.00 for the double neck and $54.00 for the single neck. I still have the original price list.
The Harlins were very nice people to know. Jay, Jimmy, Wynn, & Herb had their own hawaiian band. There was another brother George who also was with them in their buisiness but didn't play an instrument that I know of. Jay was the last one of the brothers to pass away a few years ago.

Dave Grothusen · Post by **Dave Grothusen** » 20 May 2005 4:43 am

Add me to the Mulit Kord list. I bought mine in about 1965 for $125 and it came with a DeArmand pedal. Came to me on a Greyhound bus. That used to be the way to ship that type of thing ya know. I think it was 8 string with 6 pedals. I still have it but it is in out of sight and out of mind. I should get it out and play it a little. I do not even remember how I had it tuned. I know it was not an E tuning. That little guitar worked quite well for what it was.

Danny James · Post by **Danny James** » 20 May 2005 5:17 am

The tunings for the original 6 string 4 pedal Multi-Kords were Low bass A tuning on the open strings from 1st to 6 string--E-C#-A-E-A-E---then from closest pedal to farthest away the pedal tunings were A6th---D9th--E7th--C#mi.7th