The Steel Guitar Forum

Has anyone tried one of these? I saw this on ebay - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2513027404
What do you think? These look cool as anything.

I think that's about the uglies 'Fouke-ing' thing I've ever seen.
Might just sound great though.

I bet that is exactly what they said about the original resonater guitars when they came out with a big ugly metal thing where a sound hole should be. To me a tele is beautiful, but they were pretty wierd and radical for the time. And how about the "frying pan"? Any one else out there, anybody heard one? Or bought one?

If it's any indication, the only place I've ever seen or heard about them is on eBay.

If you think this particular design is "way out there," wait until you check out their web site ...

I bet that is exactly what they said about the original resonater guitars when they came out with a big ugly metal thing where a sound hole should be

The original resonator guitar was the National tricone. A polished and plated, brilliant (literally) example of Art Deco design and function. I don't see any resemblance.
I was having fun playing off the 'Foukes' name and was probably out of line with the comment.
Still don't like it much but I guess I wouldn't toss it off a cliff.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Mike D on 06 March 2003 at 12:45 PM.]</p></FONT>

I was close to buying one of those lap steels, but when I mentioned to Fouke that I was torn between one of his and a Chandler he replied that I would probably be better off with a Chandler.
So I ordered the Chandler instead, and for all I know I may have offended him with my remarks about my doubts....

But I'm still a little intrigued by these guitars, as much as I love the more traditional designs (and the Chandler sure is a beauty) I also have a "thing" with the more radical ones.

The soundclips that there are links to on his website sound awful, though.

I don't think it's for me, and the demo has some of the worst playing I've heard yet, although you could hear the resonator fairly well.

Actually I thought the line was great. And I consider the original Nationals to be works of art. The point I had hoped to make is that if they did not sound good, and had not succeeded, we may not think that they looked so nice. Radical ideas are often not accepted well at first. And truly - some of the other "guitars" they make are even more "out there". I would still like to know how they sound. I would think that they sound unlike anything else. <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Buck Dilly on 06 March 2003 at 01:17 PM.]</p></FONT>

I don't play resonators, but doesn't it look like the strings are just skimming across the bridge without much load on the cone? Maybe this doesn't matter on an electric?
http://www.industrialguitar.com/indyauctionpix/142_0821.jpg

Kerry Wood

I like the looks of the Fouke guitars. What better place to sale them than Ebay? My experience with electric reso's though is that it is hard to capture the reso/Dobro sound with just a regular electric guitar pickup. You almost need two different types of pickups. A regular pickup and some type of an acoustic pickup or mike. I thought the Fouke regular lap steels sound great, like a semi-hollowed bodied regular electric guitar.

One of the lap steels is in a local music shop. Can't say I was impressed with the sound. Pretty thin and whiny, to my ears.

Speaking of new and weird designs,- I guess you've seen the Harmos electric lapsteels that Jerry Douglas edorse? http://www.harmosmusic.com/

I have not tried one of the Foulke guitars, but I have bought some humbucker pickups from the guy and I like them a lot. My opinion is to applaud and encourage anyone who has the desire and inclination to further the cause of lap steel guitars. Instead of criticism I would suspect the guy would appreciate suggestive comments for improving the work he is doing.
I say long live Foulke guitars!
Just a thought...
Steve

Steinar, if you do a search you'll find that Sage Harmos has been a long-time, valued contributor to the Non Peddler's Forum and has taken a huge and visionary leap in lap steel design. Many top players have been knocked out by the sound of these instruments. One person's "weird" is another's holy grail.

Andy,- "weird" is not necessarily negative in my book.

Nor mine.

Thanks for your kind words, Andy. I've been off of the forum for a while, (busy) but am happy to be back. I appreciate those who turn their vison into reality. Once it is out there, it has to survive or fail in it's performance and in the perceptions of those who see and use it. Most new things take time to come to fruition- Leo Fender's guitars are a good example. The rare exceptions to that gradual acceptance are the National tricones, and the early Ricks. The culture was different at that time though. In the '20s and especially the '30s, there was a popular sentiment that technology would solve humanity's problems- hence streamlined everything in the machine age art deco period. These days we are not so naive. While it is easy to be infatuated with new technologies, most of us tend to carry some realistic hesitation when facing yet another change in a rapidly changing world. I remember a saying of Bucky Fuller that went something like "A well performing artifact is irrefutable proof of clear thinking". Even though the pace of change these days is tiresome, I still believe in advancing the performance of tools in the service of humanity. I happen to design musical instruments, and love the steel guitar. So, what you see is whatcha get.
T. Sage Harmos
Harmos Steel Guitars<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Sage on 17 March 2003 at 05:52 PM.]</p></FONT>

I tried one of the Harmos at Willie's in St. Paul. Really cool instrument, and better looking in person than in the pix.

<SMALL>Many top players have been knocked out by the sound of these instruments.</SMALL>

Some of us bottom barrelers kinda like them also....

I may be light hearted and light headed, but this thing is really light. I have a weak back, so here's a photo taken, oh, about a week back....(oooh, that was terrible, sorry)

Howard, you are a bright 'light' for all of us. It was good to meet you (and many others) in Dallas. For those who don't know, Howard was one of our first customers. Thanks for your help, and especially for pinch pitching when I was out to lunch at the convention.
T. Sage Harmos