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Topic: Newest Rittenberry Prestige |
Joe Rogers
From:
Lake Charles, LA USA
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Posted 16 Nov 2020 8:22 pm |
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I am a tad late in posting this on the forum, but I had hoped to get a studio picture of the guitar...which will be forthcoming by the end of the month. Before I upload the pictures that I currently have, I just want to take a minute and give thanks to the individuals involved.
Gary Rittenberry, I want to thank you for your tenacity at pushing the envelope in putting all of the puzzle pieces together in creating the perfect guitar. I have owned 2 of your previous models, and played on countless others and the evolution I have witnessed just in the last 10 years never ceases to amaze me and put a smile on my face. I know I originally had my doubts about the Prestige, but what I heard in later models confirmed you were onto something and this guitar is simply beyond exceptional. I ESPECIALLY want to thank you for being the consummate mentor in passing your knowledge on to your successor. You most definitely taught him well and he will most definitely do you proud in carrying your name onto the next generation of steel players. I know this particular guitar took some time, but I am here to tell you it was well worth the wait. Thank you so much for every ounce of your input on this guitar, and more than that I want to thank you for your friendship over the last 10 years.
Derek Puckett, I cannot tell you how happy I am that you came along at this particular juncture. Your excitement, attention to detail, and genuine love for this instrument will serve you well in your craft. In an industry with most builders and players reaching their twilight years, it is a breath of fresh air to see your youthful exuberance. Gary knew exactly what he was looking for in a successor and he most definitely lucked out in finding you. I knew going into this that I would be getting a good guitar, and your ideas and workmanship created something that is so much better than I ever expected. Your stamp is all over this guitar.
For those of you who have been on the fence about ordering a new Rittenberry, know that the company is alive and well and in extremely capable hands. A steel guitar builder needs talent in 2 areas, woodworking and machining. Derek has been doing cabinet/mica work since he was 14 years old, later morphing into a mechanic specializing in Porsche and Lexus models. The guitar that was custom built for me is without a doubt the prettiest guitar I have ever owned, as well as being the best sounding guitar I have ever owned. As I mentioned above, I have owned several Rittenberrys. This one has that characteristic Ritt bell tone. But this particular Prestige has a string separation, sustain, clarity, and rich fullness in the upper register that I have not experienced in ANY previous Rittenberry.....including the 3 Prestige models I test drove in the past.
This particular guitar is a mica top/back apron with a wood front. Unlike prior Rittenberrys that utilized lacquer on the wood front apron and underneath, this particular guitar features an automotive finish. Jr. Martin built all of my Cajun Accordions and in recent years he has gone to this finish. It is extremely hard...he tells me you will dent the wood before cracking the finish. This finish is also extremely glossy, it retains the liquid look for life. I can attest to that from seeing older accordions finished with this material. What we didn't know is what it would add or take away from the sound of the guitar. Further in this thread I will upload pictures as well as a video whereby you can hear the sound of this guitar in comparison with what many consider "the standard". Know that even an audio example doesn't do this guitar justice. You don't get the full effect unless you are in the driver seat.
The guitar has 8 floor pedals and 9 knee levers, and the bottom of the guitar looks just as awesome as the top. I didn't want it to be my gig guitar when it was built, but after playing it out live and especially what everyone on the bandstand is telling me, I will likely have to rethink that direction....
Still tweaking it, but I think it is a keeper.. 
Joe Rogers
Last edited by Joe Rogers on 16 Nov 2020 9:30 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Joe Rogers
From:
Lake Charles, LA USA
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Posted 16 Nov 2020 8:24 pm
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These pics aren't the best showcase.....  I plan to upload studio pics by the end of the month...
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Joe Rogers
From:
Lake Charles, LA USA
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Posted 16 Nov 2020 8:31 pm
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Video Link Below. Hughey in the beginning, me in the latter portion. In NEITHER example was anything added, taken away, or sonically altered with plugins....what you hear in the latter part is what is coming off the bandstand into a camera phone....and please excuse my pitchy playing... 
https://youtu.be/JtLD7xzfvq4
Joe Rogers |
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Larry Jamieson
From:
Walton, NY USA
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Posted 17 Nov 2020 5:23 am
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| Sweet! Beautiful guitar, and nice playing. Red guitars do sound better! Enjoy... |
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Joe Rogers
From:
Lake Charles, LA USA
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Posted 17 Nov 2020 5:30 am
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Larry, the top is black....I really think that has a lot to do with it..... 
Thanks!!!
Joe Rogers |
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Charlie Thompson
From:
South Carolina, USA
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Posted 17 Nov 2020 6:51 am
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Nice Joe. Stunning and sweet sounding. Love it.
You gotta be inspired! |
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Dale Rottacker
From:
Walla Walla Washington, USA
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Posted 17 Nov 2020 7:39 am
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Joe, congratulations on your beautiful new Rittenberry.... I read this with a great deal of interest as I too have a new 9x9 Prestige just around the corner. Currently I own the very first of the Prestige line: the Prototype that was originally Wayne Dahl's. I agree with your assessment of Gary and Dereck, who I talk to regularly. I was a little sad that Gary was selling the company, but man did he ever pick the right hands to leave it in. Dereck is and will continue to carry on the Rittenberry name in the best way possible.
I join you in your feelings on the Rittenberry sound with that Bell like tone and incredible string separation. I did this last year on my Prestige and after re-listening to it the other day with my wife, noticed once again the great string separation of this guitar. I'm NO Joe Rogers, but just another example if you'll excuse my playing. BTW, this was recorded with a Sennheiser MD 421ii into my DAW... recorded wet and I don't believe I added anything in post.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv_e0luqFE4
_________________
Dale Rottacker, Steelinatune™
https://www.youtube.com/@steelinatune
*2021 MSA Legend, "Jolly Rancher" D10 10x9
*2021 Rittenberry, "The Concord" D10 9x9
*1977 Blue Sho-Bud Pro 3 Custom 8x6
https://msapedalsteels.com
http://rittenberrysteelguitars.com
https://www.telonics.com/index.php
https://www.p2pamps.com
https://www.quilterlabs.com
Last edited by Dale Rottacker on 17 Nov 2020 7:42 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Joe Rogers
From:
Lake Charles, LA USA
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Posted 17 Nov 2020 10:35 am
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Dale, gorgeous playing....I loved it..!! All I can say is you're not gonna believe the difference between that guitar and what they're doing now. I will let Derek tell you his thoughts on my guitar. If the same build technique translates sonically on your all-mica guitar, you're gonna be tickled.
Like you I wish Gary was still at the workbench, but the loss of airflow from my own vocal cord paralysis has given me a tiny glimpse of what he goes through each day. My situation zaps energy like you wouldn't believe, I know he deals with a lot more. Still, the gears in his head never stop turning...hahahaaa..!!
I cannot wait to see and hear your new guitar, I think you'll be well pleased...
Joe Rogers |
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Dale Rottacker
From:
Walla Walla Washington, USA
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Posted 17 Nov 2020 5:33 pm
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| Joe Rogers wrote: |
Dale, gorgeous playing....I loved it..!! All I can say is you're not gonna believe the difference between that guitar and what they're doing now. I will let Derek tell you his thoughts on my guitar. If the same build technique translates sonically on your all-mica guitar, you're gonna be tickled.
Like you I wish Gary was still at the workbench, but the loss of airflow from my own vocal cord paralysis has given me a tiny glimpse of what he goes through each day. My situation zaps energy like you wouldn't believe, I know he deals with a lot more. Still, the gears in his head never stop turning...hahahaaa..!!
I cannot wait to see and hear your new guitar, I think you'll be well pleased...
Joe Rogers |
Thank you for you kind words Joe... I knew as soon as I touched the strings on mine that I had something special... I may have to do some relearning when I get the new one as I'm going from the E's split to BACK to the left after about 4 years from the time I switched to Split... I love that smooth lower to raise transition with the split, but missing some stuff... Right now my 0 pedal is lowering 5 and 10 and I'm lowering 9 and 6 a half on LKR... that KL will be going to the left of my 0 pedal, making ABC one pedal to the right of where they are now... Fun and Games, but the Lever Labâ„¢ will be closed after this LOL... also have a new D10 9x9 MSA coming LOL... something wrong with me
BTW, what pickups are you using on yours?
_________________
Dale Rottacker, Steelinatune™
https://www.youtube.com/@steelinatune
*2021 MSA Legend, "Jolly Rancher" D10 10x9
*2021 Rittenberry, "The Concord" D10 9x9
*1977 Blue Sho-Bud Pro 3 Custom 8x6
https://msapedalsteels.com
http://rittenberrysteelguitars.com
https://www.telonics.com/index.php
https://www.p2pamps.com
https://www.quilterlabs.com |
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Joe Rogers
From:
Lake Charles, LA USA
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Posted 17 Nov 2020 7:26 pm
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Dale, I made some big copedent changes on C6 neck, so I am going through learning mode as well. I have Lawrence 705's on both necks, that may be the only thing I will tinker with over the life of this guitar.
The volume and character between the E9 and C6 necks are so even on this guitar, that's one more thing I really like about it.
Charlie, thanks for the comments and kind words. It is an inspiring instrument.
Joe |
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John McClung
From:
Olympia WA, USA
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Posted 18 Nov 2020 10:58 am
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Joe, looks like you have a staggered LKL, right? Curious what your E9 copedent is. I own Pee Wee Whitewing's SD-12 Ritt, 8+5, it'll be an extended E9 for me, planning to add staggered LKL and LKR, may need to send it to Derek for a proper makeover like that. Yours is a beaut!
Howdy, Dale! The construction on my new studio is done, just cleaning it up and figuring out how to move everything into place!
_________________
E9 INSTRUCTION
▪️ If you want to have an ongoing discussion, please email me, don't use the Forum messaging which I detest! steelguitarlessons@earthlink.net |
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Dale Rottacker
From:
Walla Walla Washington, USA
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Posted 18 Nov 2020 11:14 am
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| John McClung wrote: |
Joe, looks like you have a staggered LKL, right? Curious what your E9 copedent is. I own Pee Wee Whitewing's SD-12 Ritt, 8+5, it'll be an extended E9 for me, planning to add staggered LKL and LKR, may need to send it to Derek for a proper makeover like that. Yours is a beaut!
Howdy, Dale! The construction on my new studio is done, just cleaning it up and figuring out how to move everything into place! |
2nd Joes setup.
John, look forward to seeing the finished Studio
_________________
Dale Rottacker, Steelinatune™
https://www.youtube.com/@steelinatune
*2021 MSA Legend, "Jolly Rancher" D10 10x9
*2021 Rittenberry, "The Concord" D10 9x9
*1977 Blue Sho-Bud Pro 3 Custom 8x6
https://msapedalsteels.com
http://rittenberrysteelguitars.com
https://www.telonics.com/index.php
https://www.p2pamps.com
https://www.quilterlabs.com |
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Joe Rogers
From:
Lake Charles, LA USA
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Posted 18 Nov 2020 11:14 am
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John, yes my LKL is staggered because I walk that way. The E9 copedent is a bit unorthodox, so as no one can walk up and sit in and play it better than I can't play it. LOL..!! Seriously, I'm left handed as well as French, so backwards is normal for me...things just sort of morphed that way over the years from owning multiple guitars.
Gary added the staggered LKL on my blue guitar a few years after I had it. I thought it would be an involved process, and the way he cut the original cross shaft and modified from there totally blew me away. He had it finished in what seemed like 15-20 minutes and I was absolutely floored..!! Piece of cake for them to modify yours. I remember that 12 string well....great sounding guitar...!!
Joe Rogers |
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Leo Grassl
From:
Madison TN
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Posted 18 Nov 2020 6:12 pm
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| Joe, the new red front black top guitar of yours is super sweet sounding on the highs and crystal clear. I’ve had two Prestige’s. Both mica. The first one I had I never should have sold. It was super sweet and clear up and down the neck and sustained as good as anything I’ve ever touched. The second one was pretty good too and sustained the same as the first but it wasn’t as sweet sounding especially past the 12th fret. Congrats on the new guitar! |
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Joe Rogers
From:
Lake Charles, LA USA
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Posted 22 Nov 2020 6:10 pm
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Leo, thanks for the comments. I really feel they have this guitar dialed in nicely as far as sound, separation, and sustain.
I uploaded a link to a video solo recorded the other night. When I go up high, I can hear a guy saying, "Whoa.."
I think he was impressed that I almost made it up to pitch.
https://youtu.be/z4fvk6QCJ7o
The Telonics amp is the TCA 500C Mini 12....it handles anything you throw at it...!!
Joe Rogers |
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Derek Puckett
From:
Cookeville Tn
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Posted 4 Dec 2020 1:21 pm
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| Thank you Joe for the awesome words of inspiration. I’m working very hard to keep the Rittenberry guitars in the category of its own. These guitars are very dear to my heart and I take pride in every guitar I work on. |
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Jim Hollingsworth
From:
Way out West
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Posted 5 Dec 2020 8:06 pm
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I feel remiss in not posting a review of my recently built D-10 Ritt. Now that Ive had it for a few months & have adjusted & Played it I will put it this way: I seriously LOVE THIS GUITAR! It is the best sounding/playing steel I have ever owned. And Ive had a lot of guitars! It is a pure pleasure to play.
And Gary n Derek continue to give excellent service after the guitar is delivered.
I could not be happier.
jim |
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Dale Foreman
From:
Crowley Louisiana, USA
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Posted 5 Dec 2020 8:17 pm Prestige
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Joe Rogers
I’m extremely hurt for not getting honorable mention in your post! When I let you use my Black Rittenberry Prestige, I thought I was going to have to get a lawyer to get it back! Lol🤪🤪
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Rittenberry Prestige(2) |
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