The Steel Guitar Forum

is gary carpenter making a carp d-10 P.S.G or, is just a one guitar ???
p.w

Interesting Paul, Where did this picture come from? It would be a very good thing if he was thinking about it. I had a single 10 Carp Steel a few years ago which I wish I still had. It was as good as any professional guitar out there. Looked good, sounded good and played good. I hope Gary is working on something like that. I would buy one with out ever hearing or seeing one. If Gary Carpenter makes it, you can take it to the BANK. J.R. Rose

J.r
Got that from Gary's Facebook page. I hope he sees this
Or if he is making those d-10

Paul

Gary is no longer involved in making the Rains Pedal Steels. He sold the business to Curtis Hogue and he now builds them.

I believe that picture is a Rains D10 with a Carpsteel decal. I spoke with Gary last week and he is only doing some repairs and helping Curtis with some setups, at least that was my understanding.

Gary was a machinist in some branch of the service best I can remember from my days in Ft. Worth. He was in the service while young then got out and played steel for a few artist like Reba and Red Steagall as well as playing locally around the DFW area then he went back in the military service and retired best I can remember so whatever he engineered was a good one. Had plenty of experience making parts. I use to love to watch him play steel all night. One of the best there ever was on a pedal steel.

When Bob Rains was at the helm of Rains Guitars, he would send parts to Fort Worth and had Gary do the machining work for him.
Erv

Erv, I will add a little to what you said. I was told that back at that time when Gary was doing the machine work for Bob Rains he was doing it all. And then started assembling them for Bob. Bob's health begin to go down more and Bob offer to Gary to buy him out and he did. I have no ideal how many guitars Gary made but a huge amount. Many were shipped to Europe. They are a very fine Pedal Steel Guitar. I have owned three of them. Also had him build me one of his Carp S-10 Steel. Wish I still had, Bright Red. Thanks, J.R.

Carpie (Gary) is the real deal. He also built me a great D-10, it would hold its own with anything out there.

That pic was taken at Jim Fincher’s Perrin Pub in Perrin TX

Gary told me a year or so ago that he was heavy into the real Estate business. Dixie Hankings told me he still plays on Tuesday nights with Tommy Hooker. I am pretty sure he is doing some other stuff to if it fits into his schedule.

Gary is a great pedal steel player and a wonderful person.

George

Gary is one of those guys that is so underrated... except for those of us who have had the pleasure to hear him play.

He was (and is) legendary in the steel guitar community in Fort Worth. Back in the late 70's and early 80's I was working in a music store in FW and the had the opportunity to be around him and share a stage a time or two.

My first exposure to pedal steel was a little S-10 MSA Sidekick we took in trade. I knew less than nothing about steel guitar, but managed to learn how to do the 'B Bend' thing with the first pedal. I was hacking around one day in the store and Gary came in and walked over. Like a DA, I tried to show him what I'd learned. He watched for a minute or so and then said "Hey, you ought to try mashing the first and second pedals at the same time." LOL.. I didn't even know you could do that, the thought never even occurred to me.. Talk about opening up a whole new world.

A few years later, I was lucky enough to play guitar behind Gary a few times, and invariably I'd blow my parts because I'd be watching Gary and get totally lost in that... haha. Great guy all the way around.

Man, I've turned into an old guy spinning tales.. haha I'll spare ya'll the one from Carp about Reba and 'bus hair'..