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Topic: Sierra Olympic help/info |
Sylvan Williams
From:
Asheville, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 30 Aug 2022 9:46 am |
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Hello!
I'm a recent new member of the SGF, and a new owner of a Sierra Olympic S-10. I didn't know much about Sierra, but it was in great condition and the price was right.
The listing was for a "1987 Sierra" however, after some poking around here it seems that the numbers were transposed and I actually own a 1978 Sierra Olympic
It plays, but there's slop in the pedals and levers, and some under/over tuning going on. When I first got it, I spent a day rearranging a few rods according to the rod chart of the newer 3x2, which I'm not sure was the right thing to do but it still plays.
I'd like to return this thing to as close to factory as I can, so I'm looking for any information to help with that. Service manuals, photos of the cabinet, photos of the end plate, tips/tricks, etc.
It looks like b0b knows some things about these...hoping he can chime in
Here are a couple photos:
While I'm here, just want to say what an incredible forum this is! It's like I've stepped back into the old internet I used to love where information is the focus, rather than being a consolation for viewing some advertising.
Thank you!
Sylvan |
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Andy DePaule
From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
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Posted 30 Aug 2022 10:26 am Maybe some help?
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Hi Sylvan,
Welcome to the forum.
I took a good friend who did not drive to Portland to pick up his custom Sierra in 1978.
We spent a few days there and I was amazed and left drooling over those Olympic's they were making.
At that time I was not able to afford a Sierra.  
I became so interested in how they were made that I went back to San Francisco and signed up for night classes in machine shop and welding.
Only got a few parts made, but did a lot of bars for friends...
IMHO those were the most advanced steels being made in 1978 and still are good today.
Looks like you got a real nice one. I always liked the Gold with the rosewood mica ones.
There are two members of the forum who may be able to offer advice because they built these steels back then.
They are Tony Glassman and Harley James. Sorry I can't share their contact without permission. You can search their names on the forum.
If you ever need parts Jim Palenscar at Steel Guitars Of North Country bought out most if not all of their spare parts. https://steelguitars.me
He is a great guy to deal with. He does a lot of work on steel guitars in southern California.
Best wishes,
Andy
_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project. |
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Sylvan Williams
From:
Asheville, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 31 Aug 2022 6:31 am
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Thanks, Andy!
I loved reading those stories. I'm from the southeast, but coincidentally lived in Oregon for near 10 years - several years in Corvallis and a couple several years in Bend. I wasn't focused on steels at the time, but I like that this instrument was made there. It's a nice "souvenir" !
Thank you for the leads on people who know about this guitar. As you said, it's in great condition so thankfully I don't need any parts for it (yet!). What I'm looking to do is just "go through it" so I'm just looking for any info that might help me with that. I'm an engineer by trade, so it's in my nature to search for service manuals, first. But I think I can probably extrapolate what I need from the "newer" service manual for 3x2 guitars posted on Sierra's site
I have a lot of family in Nashville so I visit somewhat often. Probably the thing to do is just take it to someone there and let them give it a look.If anyone can recommend a person in Nashville that would setup this Sierra, that would be helpful too.
I've read a few threads on the forum about the mystique of Sierras...how they're very well built guitars, but not many people seem to own them or seek them out. Thanks for coming out of the woodwork, Andy!
I also scored a 3x2 6 string Hudson for a steal in the same deal. I haven't even put the legs on it yet, but I'll get into it after I get this Sierra smoothed out
Sylvan |
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Doug Taylor
From:
Shelbyville, Kentucky, USA
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Posted 31 Aug 2022 7:25 am
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| I own and play the same guitar! They really are great guitars and should serve you well. I second Jim Palenscar if you need parts or advice. Here’s to many years with your guitar. |
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Eric Watts
From:
Indiana, USA
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Posted 15 Sep 2022 9:26 am
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| They are easy to set up and service!! If you are ever in the Louisville KY area, message me. We could meet and I could set it up for You. |
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Andy DePaule
From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
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Posted 16 Sep 2022 4:59 am Sierra History???
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Those steels like the Olympics were built when Sierra was a different company than today. Chuck Wright*, the designer was still alive then. So was Danny shields who made the pickups. RIP to two of the best.
I think it went out of business and was sold once or twice, not sure exactly?
Now it's owned by a mani in Washington. Sorry I can't recall his name as my memory is not what it once was.
The building operation is a one man show by Ross Shafer who is some kind of genius and puts out the work of a three man shop with just him and his pigs in Northern California.
Bob who runs the forum may still have a Sierra like yours and for sure has the first production Sierra Ross built. He may have some pointers for you?
*Chuck Wright invented many new ideas for pedal steel guitars and at one point was involved with MSA and I think maybe with other companies also. His son David Wright is a forum member and a great steel player in Texas. He knows most all of the history because he was there to live it with his dad.
Wish someone would wright a history of Chuck and his innovations. He was building and innovating in the early 50's during the same time as Bigsby was building steels. 
_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project. |
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Larry Jamieson
From:
Walton, NY USA
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