| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic Tips for the Speedy West Jimmy Bryant Tone Knob Hammer On(?)
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Tips for the Speedy West Jimmy Bryant Tone Knob Hammer On(?)
Regan Branch


From:
Alabama, USA
Post  Posted 24 Dec 2019 4:09 pm    
Reply with quote

This is something I first saw done in Buddy Merrill’s performance of “South” on the variety show, but now I see where he got it from… give “Railroadin’” by Speedy West a listen and he does it early on. My god he does it fast. I don’t know how to play that fast how does he not have carpal tunnel? Why did I just hear of him today who knows… had to tell my dad who he was and he opened for Hank… I’ve heard about the history of country my whole life but he missed out on Speedy West. Practice practice practice?
_________________

So if you see my milk cow, won't you drive her on home?
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Skip Edwards

 

From:
LA,CA
Post  Posted 24 Dec 2019 4:19 pm    
Reply with quote

Very cool...
I remember hearing somewhere that Speedy West replaced the tone pot on his gtr with a doorbell switch... for those really fast tone shutters he did.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Don Ricketson


From:
Llano, Texas
Post  Posted 24 Dec 2019 7:37 pm    
Reply with quote

Regan I think he DID develop carpal tunnel. I met him in about '87 in St Louis and he couldn't play anymore. His hand was in a cast.
_________________
GFI D10-8/6 Black/Red
Zum Encore 4/5 Red
Justice ProLite 3/4 Black
2-Nashville 112

"Making The Stars Shine"
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Regan Branch


From:
Alabama, USA
Post  Posted 25 Dec 2019 6:29 am    
Reply with quote

Hahahaha you get what u pay for. And get payed for what you get... I guess.
_________________

So if you see my milk cow, won't you drive her on home?
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Jack Hanson


From:
San Luis Valley, USA
Post  Posted 25 Dec 2019 6:53 am    
Reply with quote

Skip Edwards wrote:
I remember hearing somewhere that Speedy West replaced the tone pot on his gtr with a doorbell switch... for those really fast tone shutters he did.

Many of the postwar Gibson consoles and pedal steels had a stutter button (in addition to the booh-wah button) that were basically doorbell switches.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
John Herb

 

From:
West Virginia, USA
Post  Posted 25 Dec 2019 7:53 am    
Reply with quote

Demonstration of Speedys stutter switch on Speedys Bigsby..

https://youtu.be/PjvEo5b8dXo
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Regan Branch


From:
Alabama, USA
Post  Posted 25 Dec 2019 10:19 am    
Reply with quote

Man.... anybody know a way I can install this kind of thing on my non pedal steel?
_________________

So if you see my milk cow, won't you drive her on home?
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Howard Parker


From:
Maryland
Post  Posted 25 Dec 2019 10:24 am    
Reply with quote

The typical stutter box plugs into the guitar's output jack. Cable plugs into the stutter box.

Works on any guitar.

h
_________________
Howard Parker

03\' Carter D-10
70\'s Dekley D-10
52\' Fender Custom
Many guitars by Paul Beard
Listowner Resoguit-L
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Regan Branch


From:
Alabama, USA
Post  Posted 25 Dec 2019 12:17 pm    
Reply with quote

I don’t think we’re on the same page. I don’t think speedy west used a stutter, it appears he just slams the bar down while turning the tone knob at the same time...
_________________

So if you see my milk cow, won't you drive her on home?
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Larry Dering


From:
Missouri, USA
Post  Posted 25 Dec 2019 2:57 pm    
Reply with quote

Speedy said he held his bar arm clenched tight and kind of shook at the hand. Herby Wallace took lessons from Speedy and said something similar. I never got to see him play at St. Louis because he had his hand in a special glove by the time I was attending the shows.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Howard Parker


From:
Maryland
Post  Posted 25 Dec 2019 3:05 pm    
Reply with quote

Speedy could..

I can't, hence the stutter box.

Rather that then hurt myself. Cool
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
scott murray


From:
Asheville, NC
Post  Posted 25 Dec 2019 4:43 pm    
Reply with quote

I think this is from the Stratosphere Boogie liner notes:

Quote:
In 1981 Speedy West had a debilitating stroke. At first he was partially paralyzed, but brain surgery helped him regain use of his arms and legs. But it couldn’t help him play steel guitar. The stroke also left him with the feeling of extreme cold on the right half of his body. He still wears long underwear, even in the summer, and a brown glove on his right hand.

_________________
1965 Emmons S-10, 3x5 • Emmons LLIII D-10, 10x12 • JCH D-10, 10x12 • Beard MA-8 • Oahu Tonemaster
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Regan Branch


From:
Alabama, USA
Post  Posted 25 Dec 2019 5:08 pm    
Reply with quote

Damn, that sucks, I don’t wanna get old :c
_________________

So if you see my milk cow, won't you drive her on home?
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
John Herb

 

From:
West Virginia, USA
Post  Posted 25 Dec 2019 6:04 pm    
Reply with quote

That stroke may have stopped Speedy from playing but it didn't stop his love and support for the steel guitar.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Jerry Overstreet


From:
Louisville Ky
Post  Posted 26 Dec 2019 10:15 am    
Reply with quote

Fredrick Herb wrote:
Demonstration of Speedys stutter switch on Speedys Bigsby..

https://youtu.be/PjvEo5b8dXo


Slightly off topic, excuse please, but what tuning is Wakefield using on Speedy's Bigsby here?
View user's profile Send private message
Jim Fogarty


From:
Phila, Pa, USA
Post  Posted 26 Dec 2019 9:56 pm    
Reply with quote

As simple as it gets.

I bought a "stutter" box (also called a "kill switch:) off Reverb for maybe $20. I'm sure you could put one together for $5.

Guitar ----> Box----->Amp. I velcro mine to the bottom of the guitar, where the finish was already funky.

https://www.facebook.com/jimfog/videos/10219374605411300/





View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Donny Hinson

 

From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
Post  Posted 27 Dec 2019 6:20 pm    
Reply with quote

The "stutter switch" was standard on the later Multi-Chord guitars. I guess they got the idea to make it easier for steelers to make a similar effect (like Speedy's bar slams). All the switch does is short out the pickup; it's not exactly the same sound as doing the bar slams, and it also doesn't affect the tone. But...it's close enough for those who can't master the technique.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Regan Branch


From:
Alabama, USA
Post  Posted 28 Dec 2019 6:21 am    
Reply with quote

I ordered a custom black delrin 6.5 oz tone bar. I noticed speedy uses black bars. They're light. Maybe that will help me. I don't wanna fake it.

https://youtu.be/OHbbcyIJc5g
_________________

So if you see my milk cow, won't you drive her on home?
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
John Herb

 

From:
West Virginia, USA
Post  Posted 28 Dec 2019 2:27 pm    
Reply with quote

In regards to the tunings this should tell it all.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Jerry Overstreet


From:
Louisville Ky
Post  Posted 29 Dec 2019 3:59 pm    
Reply with quote

Thanks Fredrick.
View user's profile Send private message

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