The Steel Guitar Forum

Posted: **3 Jan 2019 6:57 am**

I'm sure my wife won't notice if I just write a check...

They're both so clean. Just beautiful instruments.

Posted: **3 Jan 2019 8:25 am**

Beautiful!!! Nothing left to say!

Posted: **3 Jan 2019 10:45 am**

I haven't learned to play one neck yet much less play three necks.................

Posted: **3 Jan 2019 11:10 am**

Posted: **3 Jan 2019 11:12 am**

Posted: **7 Jan 2019 6:05 pm**

Looks like Middle neck is standard A and B pedals on E9 (or D9?) strings 3-10 (or would be on a 10 string). I can't really make out what's happening on the back neck with pedals 3,4,5. Is it a C6 setup? Also looks like this is not the first set up - are those filled holes? Amazing guitar!

Posted: **7 Jan 2019 6:13 pm**

Abe Levy wrote:Looks like Middle neck is standard A and B pedals on E9 (or D9?) strings 3-10 (or would be on a 10 string). I can't really make out what's happening on the back neck with pedals 3,4,5. Is it a C6 setup? Also looks like this is not the first set up - are those filled holes? Amazing guitar!

Abe, guitar was serviced by Dick Miller when Ben bought it, it looks like new... as far as set up goes, I know just about nothing when it comes to this 8 string stuff ... I bought it for myself, but decided to keep my Franklin instead , so since I can't afford to keep both, Bigsby is looking for a new home... it is an amazing instrument, as soon as I can figure out the way to keep it, it will be off the market immediately ...

Posted: **9 Jan 2019 10:06 am**

ooohhh...

Posted: **9 Jan 2019 10:58 am**

wow.. That looks like it was built last week, and never played.. simply amazing condition... bob

Posted: **9 Jan 2019 12:22 pm**

this is the message I just received form a friend that would like to stay anonymous , so here is what he says...

Damir, I was told about this guitar so I took a look. From my notes, I probably got the info directly from Ben as I knew him. It wasn't built for Ben. He bought it used. It was built for Buddy Baker. I can't recall if he got it from Buddy? As the serial # is from 51 the pedals aren't original, and were possibly added by PA later. The parts look correct and he did alot of refits when pedals became popular. In 51 the changers would have been at the head stock. The knobs are not Bigsby, the pup covers aren't original to 51 but look like Bigsby parts, the steel ones came in the later 50's. The case I can't tell I've not seen an original case that was that much longer than the guitar. If it has a pocket for strings in the lid it's most likely a Bigsby case.

I don't have the original case, guitar is right now in Mullen D12 case... as far as more history, I was told guitar was restored by Dick Miller after Ben bought it, and the name on the guitar was Fey McKay ... Ben Jack name is under the lacquer, and I have no intentions of removing it, if I keep it I will get a nice plate with my name

Posted: **9 Jan 2019 12:23 pm**

The finish is not original. Either is the case or legs.

Ben Jack was not the original owner.

Posted: **9 Jan 2019 12:32 pm**

The parts look correct and he did alot of refits when pedals became popular.

legs were probably changed when pedals were added ...

Posted: **9 Jan 2019 1:57 pm**

The legs came from Paul Warnik. Paul had them made and plated.

Posted: **9 Jan 2019 1:58 pm**

Todd Clinesmith wrote:The legs came from Paul Warnik. Paul had them made and plated.

ðŸ‘

Posted: **10 Jan 2019 10:22 am**

Posted: **11 Jan 2019 8:21 am**

Buddy Baker and Ben Jack were both friends of mine. Ben could afford anything he desired and nevered settled for less than the best and took excellent care of his equipment.
Jerry

Posted: **11 Jan 2019 9:33 am**

And Buddy and Ben were somewhat friends to me also Jerry. Have not thought of Buddy Baker in years. He lived in Poteau, Oklahoma not very far from me. I remember this guitar well, saw Buddy play it several times. I do not think it had pedals in it's early life. And Jerry, you might remember Red Earls and Slats Cooper from that era. They were from that area and played with Buddy Baker. I think I remember this guitar setting in Ben Jack's new store in his museum but I cannot put a year to it. I do not think that Ben Jack's name was on it at that time, I think it had Buddy Baker on it, not sure? But whatever, Damir you sure got you self a Beautiful piece of history their. Enjoy. J.R.

Posted: **11 Jan 2019 9:36 am**

Jerry Roller wrote:Buddy Baker and Ben Jack were both friends of mine. Ben could afford anything he desired and nevered settled for less than the best and took excellent care of his equipment.
Jerry

.

I never had a chance to meet Ben, but I did get a couple of his guitars, and they are all amazing guitars in great condition... this Bigsby is no exception.... Iâ€™m taking it to the next get together at my bud Mike Scaggs place, and have guys try it and play it, and will take some pictures and videos as well... this is a fantastic instrument all the way ...

Posted: **11 Jan 2019 9:38 am**

And Bob White from Fort Smith had one of these I think.
And it had his name on it also. Big letters like these.
Bob White played with Hank Thompson for a long time. Does anyone have info on Bob White and his guitars? J.R.

Posted: **11 Jan 2019 9:46 am**

J. R. I think Bob Whiteâ€™s Bigsby is currently listed on the forum for sale. It was a week or so ago.
Jerry

Posted: **11 Jan 2019 9:47 am**

Ben owned Bobâ€™s guitar, and itâ€™s for sale now for around $25K I think...

Posted: **11 Jan 2019 9:57 am**

I located it and brought it to the top. Wow, two Bigsbys in a row on the forum and both lived very close to me owned by good friends for a long time. Played by two great players that in a way were mentors to me. I used to sit in my car behind a club in Ft Smith and listen to Ben. The bandstand was just the other side of the wall and I was too young to go in.
Jerry

Posted: **11 Jan 2019 10:14 am**

I searched all over the internet to find any videos or music of Ben, without any luck... if anyone has any links to some stuff with Ben playing Iâ€™d love to see it ...

Posted: **11 Jan 2019 11:09 am**

Ben played for Ray Pillow in the 60â€™s and some with Hank Thompson. He also had a recording studio in Van Buren and had his own label â€œBeJayâ€. He also built some pedal steels in the 60â€™s also branded â€œBeJayâ€. He produced at least one of Bob Whiteâ€™s instrumental albums.