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Topic: Rains Steel Guitars by Gary Carpenter |
Chris Schlotzhauer
From:
Colleyville, Tx. USA
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Posted 2 Oct 2007 2:00 am |
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In my book, is one of the top manufacturers around. This past Friday, I went to Gary's shop. He has been after me to bring my guitar in and let him look at it and do some adjustments. After all, I probably have put well over 200 gigs on it. He put it up on the bench, and immediately started going through the entire undercarriage. He was wanting to do some new tricks and adjustments he has learned. Three hours later he had that guitar playing like a dream, and it already played great. But now, the pedals are tighter and the accuracy is dead on.
He was so happy to drop what he was doing and take care of my steel, to which I am greatful and impressed. Gary treats every guitar like it's his personal everyday instrument.
What is really amazing is how he will sit down with his beatup, greasy hands and play the most beautiful steel you've ever heard.
While he was working, I was noodling and drooling over a new black SD10 that was going out. Someone's going to be a happy camper. BTW, I didn't know the new guitars have BL705's as an option.
Thank you Gary! |
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Jim Walker
From:
Headland, AL
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Posted 2 Oct 2007 3:49 am
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No doubt about it Chris, Gary is building a top notch instrument. The customer service is absolutely outstanding. Gary went far and above my expectations to make sure I was happy with my purchase. I can honestly say that since owning a Rains my playing and tone has improved very significantly. To me the guitar is very esthetically pleasing to look at and it's a joy to play. Sure there are a lot of great guitars on the market but Rains guitars have the features, the playabilty and tone of much higher priced brands. If I had it to do all over again I'd buy a Rains any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
Thanks Gary, for doing all you do.
JW
_________________
Show Pro D10, Session 400 |
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Alan Kendall
From:
Maury County Tennessee
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Posted 2 Oct 2007 3:59 am
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| Hey Chris,did you mean BL710's, or has Bill Lawrence started making 705's again? |
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Chris Schlotzhauer
From:
Colleyville, Tx. USA
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Posted 2 Oct 2007 5:15 am
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| Gary said BL started making 705's again. That's the ones with the two blades right? |
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Alan Kendall
From:
Maury County Tennessee
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Posted 2 Oct 2007 5:24 am
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| Thats right Chris its the one with the blades.Thats great news about the 705's.I bought a used one a few months ago from Gary Preston,and to me its a superb sounding pick up. |
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Jim Walker
From:
Headland, AL
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Posted 2 Oct 2007 10:11 am
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| I had a pair of 705's in a MCI and they were awesome PU's. |
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Marlin Gengenbach
From:
New Mexico, USA
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Posted 2 Oct 2007 2:32 pm rains guitars
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I'll endorse the statement made by Chris in that Gary updated my guitar in the very same manner. It played very well as it was, but Gary did "tune" the action and it is sweet! Gary happened to be playing that night at Pearl's and he extended that "Dallas" hospitality by picking me up at the hotel and I got to see and hear him play with an exceptional group (Johnny Cox and Gary trade off the steel playing duties). If you haven't heard Gary play, you are missing a real treat.
Plus, Gary is a real, honest, nice sincere person and I'm happy to call him a friend, in addition to the builder of a very excellent guitar. |
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Hal Higgins
From:
Denham Springs, LA
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Posted 6 Oct 2007 11:18 am
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I've had my Rains for over a year now, and I still am amazed at how great this guitar plays and sounds. I've tried the New MSA Millenium guitar, and without a doubt it is a great guitar, but for me.....this Rains I have just can't be beat. Thanks Gary for such a fine instrument. Rains Guitars Are the Best! HAL
_________________
HAL...Excel D-10 w/ 8 & 5. SteelSeat.com w/back,SteelSeat.com Pedal Board on Legs with Quilter Tone Block 200 amp, Boss GE 7, Boss DD 3, Boss RV 6, Boss RT-20 Hilton Expression Pedal, Evans Cabinet with 4 ohm Eminence 15" speaker. BJS birthstone bar, Powder coated Tone bar by Michael Hillman. Dunlop Coated finger picks and Zookies L30 thumb picks. |
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John Walden
From:
Simi Valley, California, USA
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Posted 6 Oct 2007 4:53 pm Rains Steel Guitars
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I've had mine about 9 months now, and I'm as happy now as I was on day one. It's a keeper!
J. W.
_________________
http://www.myspace.com/johnmwalden
Rains SD-10
Emmons SD-12 PP
Sho-Bud LDG
Fender Twin w/ JBL's
Mesa Boogie Mark IV x 2
Peavey 112 w/Knob-Guards x 2
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Ron Deardorff
From:
Capitola, CA
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Posted 9 Oct 2007 8:40 am
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| Over the 2 or 3 weeks since mine has arrived, I've completely fallen in love with it. Although this is my first experience playing a "real" steel, I don't see myself ever wanting another one. |
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David Hartley
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Posted 9 Oct 2007 12:59 pm From David Hartley UK
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| I will never sell mine too.. Love it.. Bob R better bring a few to the rains booth in Dallas 2008 for my mate keith White to look at. I think he will be bringing one home.. I am not placing an order here Bob or Gary, but if theres a black SD10 with the fourth pedal as mine ie. 1st raise from F# to G#, 2nd raised from Eb to E. and a Left knee up to lower 6th to F# I think he will be almost certainly be bringing it home. Think about it!! David |
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Tim Bridges
From:
Hoover, Alabama, USA
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Posted 9 Oct 2007 1:29 pm
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| It's coming up on a year since I took my D-10 Rains. Gary did a great job setting it up. I wanted TT's wound at 20.5 kohms for E9th and 21.5 kohms for C6th. It's the Spirit model and really plays like a dream. I guess I need to call Gary and set up a tweak for mine at the Dallas show! Great guitars with good people to boot. Lotsa good PSG's out there and this one is at the top of the heap for quality all the way around. |
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Jerry Webb
From:
Weatherford, Texas, USA
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Posted 10 Oct 2007 6:46 pm
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I am not a steel player but I am proud to hear so many fine comments about Gary everywhere I go.
Not only is Gary a world class steel player, he is a great humnan being, hard working and puts a lot of care into everything he does or whoever he meets.
It is an honor to have him as a friend and to ocassionaly work with him on the bandstand. I am very proud to have his exceptional work on two of my CD's. What a talent and what a pleasure.
Keep up the good work Gary. |
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Bill Simmons
From:
Keller, Texas/Birmingham, AL, R.I.P.
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Posted 13 Oct 2007 6:48 am Gary Carpenter and Rains
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The Rains in my opinion is one great sustaining, sounding steel. He's constantly looking for ways to refine an already wonderful steel.
By the way, Gary is not only a great steel guitar builder, BUT he is one of the most knowledgable creative steel guitarists! It doesn't matter what style of music, Carp plays it with ease.
He's one of the busiest session players in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and if you want to hear incredible live kicking steel, you have to hear Carp in a club setting on his Rains! |
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Ken Higgins
From:
Canyon Tx
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Posted 13 Oct 2007 11:03 am
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| Gary really knows how to set up and tune in a steel guitar. He also always has time to help anyone that ask. Along with Gary at the Rains shop is his good friend Corky Owens (Gene Waston's steeler) and they make a fantastic duo !!!!! Nothing gets by either one of them. I think that is what REALLY makes the difference in a Rains steel. |
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john buffington
From:
Owasso OK - USA
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Posted 13 Oct 2007 11:41 am
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Rains guitars definitely "Reins" as far as tone, playability and performance. Has very subtle hints (totally in your face) of the much sought after P/P tone and then some, and they look good to! Built by one of the nicest guys in the business, a super picker also, and my friend Gary Carpenter.
****I'm loving mine too, - thanks Jr. - (hehehehe.)
John Buffington, Pres. OSGA - Okla. |
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Junior Knight
From:
Eustace Texas..paddle faster..I hear Banjos...
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Posted 13 Oct 2007 12:51 pm
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JB...  !!!!!!!!!!!
_________________
2006 Msa S-12 “milly” 8 & 5 1976 Msa D-10 Classic 8 & 6
. Peavey Nashville 1-12 Tommy Huff speaker cabs. Goodrich pedals & matchbro.Steeler Choice seats.. that is all..(for now) lol
www.msapedalsteels.com
texsteelman2@yahoo.com
Jagwire Strings
Facebook/ Junior Knight, Steel Guitar |
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Jim Walker
From:
Headland, AL
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Posted 13 Oct 2007 1:09 pm
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Funny you sould mention push pull tone John. Recently a touring professional steel player sat behind my Valley Pecan Mica SD 10 Rains and made the remark that he heard "THE P/P TONE" that most guys are truely after. Also he noted the sustain and how clean and clear it sounded above the 12th fret.
The more I read about Gary and the more time I spend talking to him makes it easy to recognise him as a musicians musician. I hear the exact things I want to hear in his playing and I believe his vast playing abilities only increases his worth as a builder. To top it all off he's just as down to earth as you and I, and good guy to be around. The world needs more "All around good guys".
_________________
Show Pro D10, Session 400 |
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