| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic A history / encyclopedia of steel makers?
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  A history / encyclopedia of steel makers?
RD Bennett

 

From:
Central IL, USA
Post  Posted 21 Mar 2010 4:26 pm    
Reply with quote

Hi, all. Being new, I have not yet been made aware of any comprehensive book or resource on PSG makers and their instruments' development over time.

I'm definitely enjoying the process of learning things piecemeal, through deals and hearsay on the forum, but it seems to me that some kind of centralized, all-in-one guide to steels would not only be possible but very useful to steel shoppers, both green and jaded alike.

I've been wondering if anyone has ever attempted anything like this.

If not, would there be any interest from forum members in contributing, wiki-style or otherwise collaboratively, to such a resource?
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
RD Bennett

 

From:
Central IL, USA
Post  Posted 24 Mar 2010 4:31 pm    
Reply with quote

Non-weekend bump. I'm sort of surprised this went unanswered.

If this doesn't already exist in some form, I personally think it would be nice to have, and I'd be happy to kickstart the initiative. I can set up wikis, do the writing, organize the data, etc. Would obviously need a little more experienced help in gathering / providing info, though.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Larry Rafferty


From:
Ballston Spa, NY
Post  Posted 24 Mar 2010 5:02 pm    
Reply with quote

Most of the current steel makers are listed here:
http://www.b0b.com/links/manufacturers.html
_________________
Mullen D-10 8x5; Sho-Bud Super Pro D10 8x6; PedalMaster 5 Star SD-10 3x5; Dekley D-10 8x4;
Sho-Bud S-10 3x1; Fender Lap/Floor Steel; Peavey Power Slide; Supro Lap Steel; Peavey Nashville 400;
pair of Peavey Vegas 400's; Peavey NV112; Webb 614E with matching extension cabinet; Fender Twin Reverb and 3 cats.

They laughed when I sat down to play, cause' somebody pulled my chair away...
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
RD Bennett

 

From:
Central IL, USA
Post  Posted 24 Mar 2010 6:18 pm    
Reply with quote

Larry, I appreciate that link, although I was also aware of it. I am thinking about a more detailed kind of resource with somewhat more comprehensive information on each maker, including companies or builders that are no longer making steels.

Imagine you could pick up a single book that would tell you, at a glance, when a steel maker started up business (and when they closed up shop), the folks that worked for them (and what they ended up doing), how many steels they made annually on average (or a total during the company's lifetime), what particular specialties they may have had, or unique features of the company's steels... maybe with some additional goodies like pictures of sample guitars (and undercarriages), past endorsers, old price lists, a comprehensive list of basic models... so on and so forth.

Such a thing could be a really interesting and incredibly handy resource for newcomers to steel, and possibly quite a few old-timers as well.

A few ambitious folks have attempted to compile similar one-trip data sources for much more confusing fields, such as US piano manufacturers. It would be a challenging endeavor, but as small as the world of steel is, I think it would be very feasible with a couple souls working on the project and the cooperation of the remaining manufacturers.

edit: I just received a really great email from another forumite which I'm responding to, but just in case it's not clear, I am definitely not thinking that there needs to be a literal book published. These days, a web-based direction for the distribution of information would make a lot more sense.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Stu Schulman


From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
Post  Posted 24 Mar 2010 9:07 pm    
Reply with quote

RD,That would be great to have a resource like that. Winking
_________________
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.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Jim Cohen


From:
Philadelphia, PA
Post  Posted 24 Mar 2010 9:20 pm    
Reply with quote

I think it would be a great read.
_________________
www.JimCohen.com
www.RonstadtRevue.com
www.BeatsWalkin.com
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Richard Damron


From:
Gallatin, Tennessee, USA (deceased)
Post  Posted 26 Mar 2010 10:19 am    
Reply with quote

Ditto, Jimbeaux.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
RD Bennett

 

From:
Central IL, USA
Post  Posted 26 Mar 2010 10:23 am    
Reply with quote

Seems we all agree, this would be a great read! Now, if I set up a wiki or webpage somewhere, how many think they might be able to contribute correct / useful info? Smile
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Jim Cohen


From:
Philadelphia, PA
Post  Posted 26 Mar 2010 10:26 am    
Reply with quote

Well, I could correct grammar and spelling, but that's about it!
_________________
www.JimCohen.com
www.RonstadtRevue.com
www.BeatsWalkin.com
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Bobby Burns

 

From:
Tennessee, USA
Post  Posted 26 Mar 2010 11:21 am    
Reply with quote

Call up Mr. Seymour and ask about the progress on the coffee table book that he's been teasing us with for a while now.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
RD Bennett

 

From:
Central IL, USA
Post  Posted 26 Mar 2010 11:24 am    
Reply with quote

Bobby Burns wrote:
Call up Mr. Seymour and ask about the progress on the coffee table book that he's been teasing us with for a while now.


Now this sounds interesting.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  
Please review our Forum Rules and Policies
Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction, and steel guitar accessories
www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

The Steel Guitar Forum
148 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425 USA

Click Here to Send a Donation

Email SteelGuitarForum@gmail.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for Band-in-a-Box
by Jim Baron