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Topic: Derby - what a fantastic guitar!!! |
Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 10 Jan 2009 10:35 am |
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I've heard good things about these guitars, but only now can I attest to their quality from personal experience!
I replaced my 'spare guitar' - an SD-10 Fessenden (a fine instrument, but I wanted a wider rear-pad) - with a nearly-new SD-10 Derby in black mica. My thanks goes to Wayne Tyler for a stress-free transaction, and a guitar that was every bit as good as he claimed it was!
It's better than I hoped - it has very Emmons LeGrande-like qualities, is extremely stable, sustains beautifully (it has an E-66 pick-up) and, most of all, there's a sense of great familiarity as I sit behind it and look down at the front neck. In all honesty, I'm preferring it to my beloved LG111 D-10, 'though that might just be a rash of enthusiasm for my new 'toy'.....
The only trouble? It's still set up 'Emmons' and I play 'Day' - virtually every knee-lever is in the 'wrong' place for me, yet..... I'm managing quite nicely playing the 'wrong' way around.
Thanks to Bo Borland who has patiently explained how I should go about changing the set-up - Bo: I'll get to it soon, I've just been too busy, and I'm kind-of enjoying the challenge of the alien set-up at the moment.
This must be 'old news' to anyone out there who already has a Derby - but I'm blown away by how terrific this steel guitar is! I'd have a D-10 in a heartbeat (Anyone have a black one they don't want?  )
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, Quilter TT-12 & TT-15, B-bender Teles and Martins - and, at last, a Gibson Super 400!
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Don Brown, Sr.
From:
New Jersey
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Posted 10 Jan 2009 11:45 am
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Congrats Roger, on your new DERBY. They don't come any better than Wayne. Although George may have corrupted him by now..
I just recently found out he's a member here.
Maybe you'll end up liking the Day setup, and won't want to change it around?
Good Luck and have fun with it.
Don |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 10 Jan 2009 11:49 am
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No, Don - I am a 'Day' player - it's the 'Emmons' set-up I don't like!!!
I get your drift, though - I may end up liking that, 'though I doubt it; it's been too long....
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, Quilter TT-12 & TT-15, B-bender Teles and Martins - and, at last, a Gibson Super 400!
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Ronald Sikes
From:
Corsicana, Tx
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Posted 10 Jan 2009 11:57 am Derby
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Roger,You are exactly right about the Derby. These guitars play and sound so good. I've added rull rods on mine in the past and they are very easy to work on you. You shouldn't have any problem changing it to your setup.
BTW I've got a nice laquer body Derby SD10 in the "Instruments For Sale" section if someones looking for a nice SD10.
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Show Pro #26 & #83,BJS bars,Stereo Steel,Tommy Huff cabs loaded with JBL D130's, Wampler pedals,NV112,NV400, Steelers Choice Seats |
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Bo Borland
From:
South Jersey -
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Posted 10 Jan 2009 7:04 pm
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RR, I knew you would like the Derby. I tried a lot of new horns and the Derby is the one. I hope everyone doesn't find out or Charlie will get 2 years behind too.
FYI, Big John Bechtel is a great resource for adjustments, I learned alot from his emails.
BB
Last edited by Bo Borland on 11 Jan 2009 5:59 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Don Brown, Sr.
From:
New Jersey
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Posted 10 Jan 2009 9:55 pm
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I'll Second, Bo's opinion on John Really knowing a DERBY.. I don't think Roger works on his own, but for what it's worth. They are NOT like any other steel in the way they are set up.
But very unique in their design at the same time!
I know Bo's sounds great!
Don |
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Greg Wisecup
From:
Troy, Ohio
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Posted 12 Jan 2009 7:31 am
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"Almost" the best kept secret in the steel guitar world! Derby's rule!!!!!!! Greg
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Derby SD-10 4&5 Black!(duh)/
Derby D-10/Steelers Choice/
Goodrich 120/ 2- Katana Boss 100's
/Nashville 400
RV-3/ Zoom MS-50G
As long as I'm down in the mix I'm Fantastic! |
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Brian Kurlychek
From:
Maine, USA
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Posted 12 Jan 2009 9:18 am
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Aren't Derby's made with some of the same parts as Emmon's?
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We live to play another day. |
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Scott Hiestand
From:
MA, U.S.A
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Posted 12 Jan 2009 10:48 am
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| I have owned my Derby less than a year and am very pleased with it. I had attempted to "make the jump" from PP's to a new all-pull guitar prior to the Derby (let's just say with "brand X"), and wound up less-than-satisfied - the tone just wasn't there for me. So I was nervous to try again, but after just a couple minutes at the guitar I knew I had made a good choice. Tonewise, the Derby has it in spades (I find the stock E-66's just fine - warm, rich and full sound). It plays like butter and I have never owned a guitar that stays in tune like this one, even with wide temperature swings. A high-quality instrument all around. Count me as another happy Derby owner! |
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Bo Borland
From:
South Jersey -
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Posted 12 Jan 2009 11:18 am
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Brian K,
I wouldn't say the Derby is made with the same parts as a Lashley made steel, see these pix from the "for sale" section.
There are some obvious differences, the pull fingers, the way the pull rods are attached to the pull fingers, the bracket between the necks, the flags on the knee levers, and some other stuff.
Some obvious similaries are the headstock, pedals, changer design, guaged rollers, fret board colors, and the way the pedal rod to pull crank connectors look (springs etc.)
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Carl Kilmer
From:
East Central, Illinois
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Posted 14 Jan 2009 8:58 am
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Hi Roger, I know you're going to enjoy your new Derby.
I have 2 Derby's, and they are the best steels I've ever owned.
 Carl
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aka "Lucky Kay"--Custom built Rittenberry SD10 3X5, Walker S/S, NV-112, and Hilton Pedal |
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Brian Kurlychek
From:
Maine, USA
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Posted 14 Jan 2009 9:04 am
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Bo, Thanks for your reply and the photos. I asked if they were made with some of the same parts. Not that they were the same build as an Emmons.
I heard that some of the parts on certain guitars are made 100% by the builder. Other builders buy some of their parts pre-made? So some guitar builders are using the same parts - is this true?
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We live to play another day. |
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Johan Jansen
From:
Europe
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Posted 14 Jan 2009 9:12 am
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Derby??new brand??
JJ |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 14 Jan 2009 9:50 am
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| brian..i've never heard that. |
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Skip Edwards
From:
LA,CA
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Posted 14 Jan 2009 11:13 am
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Brian...
I think Pedalmaster uses some GFI parts. Other than that, I don't know of any instances of part sharing. |
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Stu Schulman
From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
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Posted 14 Jan 2009 12:05 pm
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Skip is right,In fact I have a Desert Rose intermediate model guitar it has PedalMaster parts which are GFI bellcranks,and I'm pretty sure the changer also,It also has a dieboard body like a GFI.The Keyhead and most of the other parts look GFI.
Stu 
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Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952. |
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Michael Pierce
From:
Madison, CT
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Posted 15 Jan 2009 4:44 pm Derby?
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At one point I believe Derby's came either with 5/8" wide pedals or 7/8" pedals. Does anyone know if that's still the case, or could a Derby with 7/8" pedals be retrofitted for 5/8" pedals? (I've never been able to play with the LeGrande style pedals and perhaps the 5/8" versions would be easier.)
Although I've never played a Derby, hearing Terry Crisp play one at the 2007 PSGA show made me sit up and take notice -- wonderful sound. |
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Doc Rickles
From:
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
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Posted 15 Jan 2009 7:42 pm Derby's
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Derby's are some of the best sounding and playing guitars you will ever play. Ask Lynn Owsley and Ron Elliot, they have terrific sound. I had an Sd 10 Laquer and wish I had kept it. Some of the best service from Charles "The Builder. Visit the Derby Room at Dallas or St Louis and try one out. You'll e glad you did.
Doc Rickles
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GFI Red and Black SD 10 3/4 Keyless, Fender Jazzmaster Head, Special Jensen 12" Speaker Cab, New Hilton Pedal, Epiphone ES 295,60th Aniv 52 Custom Shop Tele,Tacoma Chief CKK9C Koa Wood
Wonderful Wife who loves all this stuff.
"Steel Away and Pray Everyday." |
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Paul Dittmeier
From:
Jeffersonville, Indiana, USA
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Posted 16 Jan 2009 1:10 pm derby
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| All parts for the Derby steel are Derby parts. There is no one else's parts on them. |
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Tommy Shown
From:
Denham Springs, La.
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Posted 16 Jan 2009 6:07 pm
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Sorry Roger, I got a black Emmons P/P, and I don't want to get rid of it.
Tommy Shown |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 16 Jan 2009 7:15 pm
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 I didn't ask you to.....
_________________
Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, Quilter TT-12 & TT-15, B-bender Teles and Martins - and, at last, a Gibson Super 400!
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Last edited by Roger Rettig on 17 Jan 2009 5:18 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Damir Besic
From:
Nashville,TN.
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Posted 16 Jan 2009 8:09 pm
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I had a chance to play brand new Derby and new Emmons Lagrande II side by side at SGN and to me those two brands have no simularities what so ever..just IMHO....
Db
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https://steelguitarsonline.com/ |
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Robert Cates
From:
Maine, USA
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Posted 17 Jan 2009 4:14 am difference
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Damir
What is difference between them?..In your opinion
Very interested in the Derby or Lagrande and would love to hear your opinion. Don't hold back ..tell us the truth..
Thanks ..Bob
I think that Brian is right.. Some of the parts of different brands of steel are the same. |
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Greg Wisecup
From:
Troy, Ohio
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Posted 17 Jan 2009 5:15 am
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I have never played an Emmons but if it plays smoother and easier than a Derby, it would have to play itself.
Tell us how they differ Damir. Thanks, Greg
_________________
Derby SD-10 4&5 Black!(duh)/
Derby D-10/Steelers Choice/
Goodrich 120/ 2- Katana Boss 100's
/Nashville 400
RV-3/ Zoom MS-50G
As long as I'm down in the mix I'm Fantastic! |
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Damir Besic
From:
Nashville,TN.
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Posted 17 Jan 2009 5:54 am
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they are just different, different feel and different tone..I wont get into the brand war here, I`m just saying that to me those are two different brands, that`s all..
Db
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https://steelguitarsonline.com/ |
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