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Topic: Simmons Guitar Review and My Search for a Guitar |
Matthew Prouty
From:
Warsaw, Poland
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Posted 23 May 2006 9:36 am |
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I have had my Simmons PSG for about a month now and thought it’s high time to comment on it for all you eager readers. I picked up my guitar last month on route to the USVI (St. Croix), which was a lucky bet. As I was there for work and the only thing half interesting on the island is watching the Texas and Louisianans trying to drive on the wrong side of the road. (Side note: St. Croix hosts the larges oil refinery in the western hemi, and is home to a lot of displaced oil workers). I am finally back home in São Paulo and sinking my teeth into this endeavor.
So on to the story…
When I first started looking for a pedal steel guitar I knew I would run into some difficulties being a left-handed player. I have been playing 6 and 8 string steels for years left handed and I am not switching now to playing right handed as so many suggested. Who wants to start over? Not me. Plus my right hand is a little slow due to some nerve damage suffered from an old injury I suffered in the Army.
I set out by contacting numerous manufacturers and sellers looking for a PSG. I was met by discouraging advice trying to sway me to buy a right-handed model and that it would be easy to learn right handed since both hands have to do something. “What about all those years of developing my picking skills with my left hand?” “Should I just throw all of that away?” I contacted several manufacturers who all told me that it would cost extra to make a lefty guitar. This was even more discouraging. I am already planning on paying around 2000.00 dollars for a guitar. Certainly I did not want to pay more. This is when I contacted Bob at Simmons Guitars. The modest website exhibited only a few clues about the guitars and the builder. I sent off an email and quickly Bob Simmons responded saying he would be happy to build me a lefty guitar for no extra charge. He counseled me the benefits of getting the best guitar I could because I would most likely have a hard time selling a lefty. I was initially impressed with Bob’s quick correspondence via email. Since I live in Brazil it’s a little difficult to just call someone up and chat over the phone. The time difference in winter (your winter, not mine) is 3 hours and cost is outrageous. I corresponded with Bob 100% via email. He was always quick to come back with answers and options the guitar. I was very impressed this ease of communication via email.
After a short wait Bob had my guitar knocked out and ready to ship. I picked it up and gave it a though analysis. I have build guitars and worked part time in a woodwind factory so I have an eye for quality. The guitar I purchased is a SD10 3/5 setup. The guitar is a built to a very high standard and beyond any aesthetic concern it is mechanically sound and has a very easy action. It is a wiz to play. I am extremely please with my purchase of this guitar and would love to hear from any others who have Simmons guitars. What their thoughts are on the guitar and stories.
I definitely recommend anyone looking for a good rugged well playing guitar to contact Bob. The price is right and the guitars are built to be played.
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Doug Childress
From:
Orange, Texas
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Posted 23 May 2006 9:45 am
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| Matthew...Roy Thomas of PedalMaster Steel Guitars builds left handed models and has built a lot of them. He is a great resource for information. He is located in Maurice Louisiana. Some of those Louisiana boys in the VI can tell you where that is. |
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Matthew Prouty
From:
Warsaw, Poland
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Posted 23 May 2006 9:57 am
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Doug,
I did check out his site when I was looking and he had had some leftys awhile back. It seems that remember something about him not making anymore guitars. Not sure if he just stopped for a bit or what the story was...
M. |
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billy tam R.I.P.
From:
baton rouge, louisiana
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Posted 23 May 2006 10:05 am
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Matthew, Roy is still building guitars on a limited basis. He builds a quality instrument and is a fantastic gentleman. Give him a call one day and it will be time well spent.
Billy Tam[This message was edited by billy tam on 23 May 2006 at 11:05 AM.] |
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Doug Childress
From:
Orange, Texas
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Posted 23 May 2006 11:14 am
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| Matthew...I talked to Roy a few days ago. He is still building guitars. He had some eye surgery which curtailed his activity for awhile. He was also thinking of using his Son as extra help but that didn't pan out due to increased overtime demands from the Son's employer. Anyway Roy builds left handed guitars and is a pleasure to visit with. He has changed the Phone number for his shop, hopefully he has posted the new number on his web site. If not, call his home number. He usually answers either. |
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Tyler Hall
From:
Mt. Juliet, TN
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Posted 24 May 2006 3:33 pm
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I saw the lefty that Bob built when he was through with it. It's a very pretty guitar. Bob is a top-notch fella. He does all the work on my Fessy, and does a GREAT job.
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"The Kid"
8&7 Fessenden, Session 500, Session 400, BJS, Goodrich LDR |
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Bob Simmons
From:
Trafford, Alabama, USA
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Posted 25 May 2006 7:45 pm
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| thanks for the kind words, us old guys appreciate the work! |
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Chuck Hall
From:
Warner Robins, Ga, USA
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Posted 26 May 2006 9:10 am
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Matthew
I Took my MSA to Bob for a repair on a knee lever. He fixed the problem then another I didn't even know I had. Excellent workmanship from a great builder and player.
I Had Bob build me an intermediate model for practice at home. I could not be more pleased with my new horn. It is 3/4 with a double stop on the D# 2d string on a body and a half with a half pad. When I get ready for my next steel it will be a Simmons. Here is the pix. Simmons Steel Guitar
It is a design I call blue clouds. I fell in love with the look the first time I saw it and my feelings haven't changed yet.
Bob is an excellent mechanic and a great man as well. I took my wife and grandson with me and Bob showed him his electric train set up which was fantastic.. By the way Bob I had an old train set that went around the base of the Christmas tree. Just a small circle. You ought to see it now it goes around half my den. You sure made a great impression on a 12 year old boy. Thank you for everything.
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Chuck
Country Fever Band
[This message was edited by Chuck Hall on 26 May 2006 at 11:12 AM.] [This message was edited by Chuck Hall on 26 May 2006 at 11:14 AM.] |
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Chuck Hall
From:
Warner Robins, Ga, USA
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Posted 27 May 2006 3:09 am
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| ttt |
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