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Topic: Carter #2000, the pedal steel guitar as art. |
John Fabian
From:
Mesquite, Texas USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 24 Aug 2009 11:31 am |
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An example of inlay art at its finest.
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Click picture for more. The resulting Flash show contains large files. Not recommended for dial up.</center>
This 2000th pro Carter will be on display at The ISGC. See you there. |
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Joe Smith
From:
Charlotte, NC, USA
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Posted 24 Aug 2009 11:48 am
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| WOW!!!! John, it's beautiful. |
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Mike Schwartzman
From:
Maryland, USA
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Posted 24 Aug 2009 12:22 pm
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Hey now...there's a "sunken treasure" for you! It's beautiful.
_________________
Emmons Push Pull, BMI, Session 400, Home of the Slimcaster Tele. |
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Ulf Edlund
From:
Umeå, Sweden
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Posted 24 Aug 2009 12:57 pm
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Crazy 
_________________
1983 Emmons D10 SKH, Carter SD10, Nashville 112, Session 500, ProfexII, Lapsteels, GT-Beard reso, guitars of all kinds...
http://www.myspace.com/ulfedlund |
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Sherman Willden
From:
Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
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Posted 24 Aug 2009 2:33 pm
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John;
I assume that is number 2000 of all the steels you and Bud have manufactured. How many 12-strings have you manufactured?
Thanks;
Sherman |
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Roger Crawford
From:
Griffin, GA USA
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Posted 24 Aug 2009 3:10 pm
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| The "Aquarium Carter". Way to go, John! |
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Michael Johnstone
From:
Sylmar,Ca. USA
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Posted 24 Aug 2009 3:23 pm
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| I betcha I could play some spectacular clams on that thing. |
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Bob Blair
From:
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Posted 24 Aug 2009 3:34 pm
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| Very cool guitar John! Congratulations on a significant milestone. |
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Ron Bryson
From:
Bonifay, Florida, USA
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Posted 24 Aug 2009 4:20 pm
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After studying this work of art, I am a little dismayed that one of the greatest underwater proponents of steel guitar was not represented. Spongeb0b.
Seriously, a true work of art. Congratulations, and thanks for sharing it with us John.
Ron |
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Jeff Evans
From:
Cowtown and The Bill Cox Outfit
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Posted 24 Aug 2009 4:24 pm
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I've been admiring it since it debuted in the Test section.
John — it looks as though the underlying wood may itself be exceptionally figured; any chance of seeing a before picture of the guitar body, maybe some work-in-progress photos? |
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Mark van Allen
From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
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Posted 24 Aug 2009 4:25 pm
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| Pretty slick! 2000 guitars is really something. Here's to the next 2000. |
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Paul E Vendemmia
From:
Olney Maryland Mongomery
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Posted 24 Aug 2009 4:27 pm
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John go out and record something with it then you can charge more for it just ask Mike
I think you should get $50.000 dollars with or without a recording
great job Paul |
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Bobby Burns
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 24 Aug 2009 4:34 pm
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| How 'bout a plug for the inlay artist. I bet that took a while. |
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Andrew Roblin
From:
Various places
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Posted 24 Aug 2009 4:53 pm
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Absolutely beautiful. Looks like an all-time classic to me.
Stunningly creative use of the figure in the wood.
Too funny about the clams, Michael. |
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 24 Aug 2009 6:03 pm
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John that looks stunning mate, it's so good I have been looking for the slot to put the fish food 
Incredible inlays - is that the same guy who did the 12 string with the musical staffe and instrument inlays across the front ?
_________________
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases. |
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Hook Moore
From:
South Charleston,West Virginia
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 24 Aug 2009 6:51 pm
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That is absolutely, drop-dead gorgeous. The most stunning steel guitar I have ever seen. Might you be open to a trade? If so, I can offer my first-born male child. Let me know; I'm serious.
_________________
www.JimCohen.com
www.RonstadtRevue.com
www.BeatsWalkin.com |
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Per Berner
From:
Skovde, Sweden
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Posted 24 Aug 2009 10:09 pm
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| Absolutely fantastic inlay work, but way over the top tastewise, IMHO. It's like one of those dreadful showcase Martin dreadnoughts with more engraved pearl than wood visible. When the decorations cost many times more than the instrument itself, something is just wrong. It's much nicer than that ultra-bling $40,000 Emmons, though. |
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Ned McIntosh
From:
New South Wales, Australia
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Posted 24 Aug 2009 10:58 pm
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This is a truly beautiful steel-guitar. Mind you, it may not be to everyone's taste. I take Per Berner's point about the excessively-inlaid Martins, although I don't feel this is the same league for sheer indulgence. Those Martins looked "unplayable" because they were simply too beautiful. This steel looks playable and beautiful at the same time.
The 2000th Carter is quite an achievement, not only because of the artistry, the skill and time that went into it's manufacture and finishing but also because 2000 steel-guitars is something of a milestone in itself. As a proud Carter-owner, I regard this as an eminently-collectible yet working instrument which deserves to be in the loving care of a steel-player rather than a museum. This guitar needs someone to give it voice; skilled hands to make it sing and a musician's heart to make it reach out to the hearts of others.
The other thing this steel-guitar needs, I think, is a name. It's a one-off, so the name should reflect the rarity, beauty and singular nature of this instrument. In keeping with its marine theme, perhaps we could call it the Carter "Atlantis"...symbolising the mythical underwater city, hidden from man just as the steel-guitar hides its potential until we learn the intricacies and subtleties over the lifetime it seems to take to come to terms, let alone master, it.
_________________
The steel guitar is a hard mistress. She will obsess you, bemuse and bewitch you. She will dash your hopes on what seems to be whim, only to tease you into renewing the relationship once more so she can do it to you all over again...and yet, if you somehow manage to touch her in that certain magic way, she will yield up a sound which has so much soul, raw emotion and heartfelt depth to it that she will pierce you to the very core of your being. |
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Micky Byrne
From:
United Kingdom (deceased)
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Posted 25 Aug 2009 12:50 am
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Ned...just a thought, how about it being called the Carter "Atlantis" .. guess you remember Atlantis was the lost city under the sea  Yes that is one gorgeous guitar, wish I could do inlays like that. All I do is engraving on the metal parts of my steels,one of which is a Carter Universal.
Micky Byrne United Kingdom
www.micky-byrne.co.uk |
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Micky Byrne
From:
United Kingdom (deceased)
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Posted 25 Aug 2009 12:53 am
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Sorry Ned....you'd already mentioned it...Great minds think alike
Micky Byrne United Kingdom
www.micky-byrne.co.uk |
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Barry Gaskell
From:
Cheshire, UK
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Posted 25 Aug 2009 1:25 am
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Very cold colours, but superb workmanship.
who did the work and what is the inlay material ?
It's obviously a show piece guitar, which I've no doubt plays superbly. It would really finish the piece if the metal was engraved as well.It seems to be begging for it, maybe a finely engraved day and date and motif
Barry |
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John Fabian
From:
Mesquite, Texas USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 25 Aug 2009 2:00 am
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Craig Lavin did all the inlay except for the straight abalone on the sides of the necks. If you click on the title frame of the flash show, it will take you to his website. Each of the scenes in the flash show can be selected and will show you the picture without the "Ken Burns" effects. We will be publishing a list of materials used for each inlay later.
Craig is one of the top inlay artists in the world.
Engraving chrome-plated aluminum would be "hard". |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
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Posted 25 Aug 2009 6:07 am
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| Quote: |
| As a proud Carter-owner, I regard this as an eminently-collectible yet working instrument which deserves to be in the loving care of a steel-player rather than a museum. |
Well. I'll keep it warm for you while you look for a museum, at least. Not too big a sacrifice.  |
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