Williams 400 Series vs 600 Series, differences??

Stan Paxton · Posted 9 Mar 2007 12:48 pm

I just was reading Ken Andersons thread about his new Williams 600 (most beautiful), and didn't want to hi-jack his thread. ...I just got my new/used Williams teal lacquer 400 Series, just like new in all respects, and wondered what the differences are between the 400 & 600 Series. Any input would be appreciated Smile

(or maybe, if the differences are too great, maybe I don't wanna know) Confused

Thanks in advance....
_________________
Mullen Lacquer SD 10, 3 & 5; Mullen Mica S 10 1/2 pad, 3 & 5; BJS Bars; LTD400, Nashville 112, DD-3, RV-3, Hilton VP . -- Gold Tone PBS sq neck; Wechter Scheerhorn sq neck. -- "Experience is the thing you have left when everything else is gone." -anon.-

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

I might be wrong but I think the only difference is the way the string attaches to the changer finger.

Jim Bob Sedgwick · From: Clinton, Missouri USA

Bill Rudolph told me that the changer fingers have either been specially hardened, or plated or both.
This was done in an effort to reduce spring breakage.

Williams guitars have never been string breakers anyway.

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

There's another improvement in the fingers that makes it easier to string up.
_________________
-𝕓𝕆𝕓- (admin) - Robert P. Lee - Recordings - Breathe - D6th - Video

Larry Jamieson · From: Walton, NY USA

If my memory serves me correctly (and often these days it doesn't), I think Bill told me the 600 series fingers are hardened steel, rather than aluminum, and that this will prevent the possibility of grooves developing in the fingers over time. The new 600 changer also costs $100 more than the 400 changer. I am currently waiting on a new Willy.
Larry J.

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

Bill has a patent on the design of his changer. There isn't a 90 degree angle that the string has to bend around. This contributes to less string breakage and when a string does break, the end doesn't fall down into the changer, it winds up on the flooor.

Stan Paxton · Posted 10 Mar 2007 8:02 am

Hey thanks a lot guys, makes me feel better already. Was hoping I wasn't missing out on a whole bunch of new technology. The changer looks to be a great idea, and should almost eliminate string breakage from the looks of it. So, I probably won't work it hard enough to develope too many grooves. And haven't been breaking strings at all since changing to Jagwires a few months ago on the Mullen. ...thanks again for the info Very Happy

_________________
Mullen Lacquer SD 10, 3 & 5; Mullen Mica S 10 1/2 pad, 3 & 5; BJS Bars; LTD400, Nashville 112, DD-3, RV-3, Hilton VP . -- Gold Tone PBS sq neck; Wechter Scheerhorn sq neck. -- "Experience is the thing you have left when everything else is gone." -anon.-

Albert Svenddal · From: Minneapolis, MN

I just got off the phone with the builder of the Williams guitar, Bill Rudolph, to discuss the details of my new Williams which is being made. The biggest difference between the 400 and the 600 series is the material used for the changer in the new 600 is hardened steel to "rockwell 40" and then chrome plated. This prevents the usual grooves that can happen on the changers, and gives it more sustain (as if the Williams needed it). Lefty Shrage, who played an Emmons D-10 for a long time, really likes his new 600 Williams.

Also, he is using several other updated innovations on all of his new guitars (both 400 and 600) such as new knee levers designs, improved undercarriage mechanics, and grover tuners with an 18 to 1 ratio (instead of usual 16 to 1). I can't wait for my new guitar. I will be playing it at the Gospel Steel Show in May. Hope that helps. Blessings, Albert
_________________
Williams D-12 9x7, Emmons PP D-10, 8X5, Quilter SteeAire amp.

Stan Paxton · Posted 12 Mar 2007 3:11 pm

Albert, Appreciate your comments. My Williams is said to be about 2 year old, but from the looks is brand new, so I don't know what if any updates were on this guitar. Has the wood neck, but has nice loud string sounds just picking across the strings without the amp, so sustain is real good. High end in "Hughey" land is very good as well, clean clear note separation. ...Wish I could go the Gospel Steel show, just to listen, not play. Be Blessed. ... Smile

_________________
Mullen Lacquer SD 10, 3 & 5; Mullen Mica S 10 1/2 pad, 3 & 5; BJS Bars; LTD400, Nashville 112, DD-3, RV-3, Hilton VP . -- Gold Tone PBS sq neck; Wechter Scheerhorn sq neck. -- "Experience is the thing you have left when everything else is gone." -anon.-

Brad Malone · From: Pennsylvania, USA

Albert, Let us know how you like your New Williams when it arrives. I just received an Email from Bill and like you say, the New 600 changer has steel string levers, hardened to Rockwell 40 and Chrome plated, with a hole in the tip of the nose for restringing. Williams holds the U. S. patent on that lever design. This is really something that is innovative and with less of a string bend on the changer to lessen string breakage, I think it will be a real winner. Please let us know how you like the timbre of that beauty when you get it...is it a D-10 or SD-10?

Albert Svenddal · From: Minneapolis, MN

Brad, I actually have a 12 string universal ordered and it's what Bill calls his wide-body guitar. It is slightly larger than a single neck with a small pad, but the legs are angled out more so that the leg stance on this wide body is the same distance as that of a double neck for better feel and knee lever usage. Great concept. Bill is always coming up with great new innovative ideas. I will post a photo and some sound samples of it when it arrives. Should be by the end of the month. Blessings, Albert
_________________
Williams D-12 9x7, Emmons PP D-10, 8X5, Quilter SteeAire amp.

Brad Malone · From: Pennsylvania, USA

Albert, is the string separation the same on the 12 string steel as it is on the 10 string steel? That new 600 changer you are getting seems to be the most advanced that I've read about. I can't wait to see the pictures and read your description about your new Williams.

Jim Bob Sedgwick · From: Clinton, Missouri USA

Brad... When Bill got the idea for the 400 changer, he made my guitar with one prototype finger. I have had the guitar for 17 years. In that time, I have broken 2 strings on that finger. It doesn't groove, and this finger is made just like most with aluminum stock. The 600 can be nothing but another of Bill's improvements. I have played Williams guitars now for about 24 years. They are as good a guitar as is made today IMO. FYI

Richard Cooper · From: Eads,TN,USA

Love my 400, don't see how it could be improved, but if Bill makes changes I am sure it is better.
I trust Bill and the work that he does.

Brad Malone · From: Pennsylvania, USA

Jim Bob, It seems everything I've read about Williams is positive and with that new 600 changer, I think Bill is way out front in concept and design...I know it will be my next Steel but I'm still keeping my Pre-royal Mullen..still waiting to hear more about their G2.

Ronnie Sellers · From: Seymour Tenn

Hey Guys"
Just got my new Williams on the 9th of march and i love it.
Had Bill to custom build one for me, single double
4.pedals 5.knees SUNBURST 600.
The changer is by far the best i've seen, and like the others are saying with out the 90 degree angle
makes for less string breakags, and with the hole in the top of the changer "Ray Charles" could restring it.
Played out with it twice so far and everybody loves the sound, plus it stays in tune.
What a great guitar and many thanks to the builder! Bill Rudolph.

Roger Crawford · From: Griffin, GA USA

What pick-up are you Willy players using?

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

I had Bill put TruTones in mine.

Gerald Menke · From: Stormville NY, USA

I have had a Williams D-10 for nearly five years, and although I prefer the sound and feel of an Emmons push pull these days, I will say that Bill's changer design is totally brilliant. MUCH easier to restring, and the only time I ever broke strings on that steel was when I was lazy and didn't change them as often as I should have. Bill's steels are beautiful to behold and hear.

As regards pickups, mine has two of the stock Williams single coils, I had a 910 in a single neck that Bill built for me, but it sounded lousy compared to the stock pickup. I like the sound of a Williams through a Ken Fox-modded Nashville 400, very silky sounding steel. Also much lighter than the push pull!

Gerald

Ronnie Sellers · From: Seymour Tenn

When I ordered my Willy I ask Bill to install a Wallace Tru Tone.
I can get all the lows and highs I want, and the harder you work the pick-up the better it sounds.
Ronnie.

Brad Malone · From: Pennsylvania, USA

Ronnie, I also ordered a TruTone on mine..BTW which tuning gears did you select?

Bob McCartney · From: Redondo Beach, California

Steelers--Bob here. I'm jumpin' in head first. I have on order a Williams Universal 12, the S12U. I am a total beginner, and not afraid of the challenge of starting with this choice of guitar. 600 series, Wallace Tru Tone, the new Grovers. I can't wait 'till mid to late May!!! Tough road? You bet, but what the heck, you gotta start somewhere. I did my research and this is what I settled on. Later, Bob

Brad Malone · From: Pennsylvania, USA

I did my research and this is what I settled on. Later, Bob<<

Hi Bob, I came to the same conclusion. I think we will both be happy come May or June...Bill said mine would be in the next batch...hope to hear from some that already have the 600 series.

Forum Index > Pedal Steel		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic