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My Sho-Bud gear

Posted: 28 Jul 2023 4:17 pm
by Johnny Cox
Long post alert....
There is such a story behind this rig and I want to share it with you.
Starting with the guitar.
This 1968 Sho-Bud Permanent was originally built by Shot and Harry Jackson on the third floor of Sho-Bud in what is now known as Roberts Western World at 416 Broadway in Nashville. It was built for my friend Cecil Johnson who was playing with Little Jimmy Dickens at the time. Later Cecil went on to play with Tammy Wynette. I met Cecil in 1970 at the Opry and we became instant and lifetime friends. Cecil moved back to Texas at some point playing this guitar at The Stagecoach in Ft. Worth for over 10 years.
I fell in love with this guitar the first time I saw it. For years I tried to buy it. Even though Cecil had gone on to play an Emmons he wouldn't sell It. One year at the TSGA Jamboree Cecil brought the guitar. He told me "I have told you for years that I would not sell this guitar. I never said I wouldn't give it to you" And with that he gifted it to me. It was in terrible condition, needed refinishing, had some missing parts etc. I pledged to get it restored and did. David and Harry Jackson completely restored and put a more modern undercarriage in the guitar. Unfortunately Cecil didn't live to see it done. When I play it I can feel Cecil's friendship and masterful playing in it.
The two amps were built for Curly Chalker in 1969 or 70. Two of the first Sho-Bud Single Channel Amps. Curly was a dear friend to me and he gifted them to me when he moved back to Nashville from Vegas in the 90s. These are also never leaving my family. The volume pedal is one that I've had since I got my first pedal steel in 1969. The seat is also an old Sho-Bud pac-a-seat designed by Duane Marrs. This one is a 2nd generation design. I'm not sure when I got it but it's been around a long time.
I'm truly thankful for the opportunity to have known and become friends with the majority of my steel guitar heros. And especially thankful to have and continue to use these pieces of steel guitar history.
P.S. the amp to the left, covered is one of two Peavey LTD 400s that Curly gave me just before he passed. A couple years later I gave it to Leon Rhodes and he split into two cabinets and used it until he stopped playing. His precious wife Judi allowed me to have it back earlier this year.
#blessedandgrateful

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Posted: 29 Jul 2023 6:14 am
by Ricky Davis
What a beautiful, Awesome story and thanks for Sharing it Johnny. Of course I love seeing all the Sho~Bud and the history behind, how they live on and get to be heard; especially with you playing.
Ricky

Sho Bud

Posted: 30 Jul 2023 9:57 am
by Randall Palmore
Johnny thanks for story of your awesome Sho Bud guitar! Glad hear about my friend, Cecil Johnson and it being owned by him and gifted to you. Back when I purchased my Maverick from Steve Lamb, he gave me a short list of pickers around Ft Worth and Cecil’s name was on there. He was nice guy and very encouraging! Take care! RP

Posted: 31 Jul 2023 5:12 am
by Nick Fryer
I watched a video of you playing through those two S15 and even coming through my little phone speakers sounded incredible. I can’t imagine what that sounds and feels like in the room. Amazing!

Posted: 31 Jul 2023 11:44 am
by Bob Muller
Johnny:
Thanks for posting that story, it's good to hear the history
about these guitars. I still like the fingertip with the same cabinet that I have.

Posted: 31 Jul 2023 5:11 pm
by Johnny Cox
Bob Muller wrote:Johnny:
Thanks for posting that story, it's good to hear the history
about these guitars. I still like the fingertip with the same cabinet that I have.
I do too. I really should have finished that guitar and kept it.