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Post new topic Don Helms Amplification
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Author Topic:  Don Helms Amplification
Andy Schick


From:
Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Post  Posted 13 Sep 2007 5:44 pm    
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What did Don Helms use to amplify his 49 Gibson Console for the Hank recordings?
Thanks.
Andy
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Robert Momot

 

From:
Farmington, Missouri, USA
Post  Posted 13 Sep 2007 5:57 pm    
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Don Helms used a 1949 fender pro with a 15 inch speaker,no reverb
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Rick Alexander


From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 14 Sep 2007 5:23 am    
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This is a 47 Pro, but it's the same amp as the 49 model . .





It was restored and recovered by Andy Oleas of Andy's Amps.
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Terry Wood


From:
Lebanon, MO
Post  Posted 14 Sep 2007 8:09 am    
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Don Helms still plays through a small amp.

He played our 2nd Annual Steel Show at Marshfield MO and played through a small amp. He used it as a monitor and didn't care for going through the house system. It works for him!

I was impressed with his tunings and his playing. He defintely has his own sound. His stories about the days with Hank and recording with Patsy Cline and others are a real treat.

If your intersted he's playing and talking on our 2007 DVD the 2nd Annual Marshfield Steel Guitar Show DVD. They sell for $25 and the money goes to fund our show next year 2008.

Order from me at:

Terry Wood
312 NOrth Walnut
Marshfield, MO 65706

You also need to read his biography book "Settin' THe Woods On Fire," it's very imformative and worth the cost. You can order it from Amazon.com books save a few bucks.

Terry Wood
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Tim Whitlock


From:
Colorado, USA
Post  Posted 14 Sep 2007 9:42 am    
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That's a beauty, Rick!!! They did a great job. Bet it sounds as good as it looks!
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Chris Lucker

 

From:
Los Angeles, California USA
Post  Posted 14 Sep 2007 1:10 pm    
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Did a 1947 Pro have the oval tube vent holes in the back panel? I thought that was a later addition. Did they replace the cabinet on yours and use 1950s tweed?

Here is my 1950 Pro




Chris
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Rick Alexander


From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 14 Sep 2007 2:28 pm    
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I think they may have replaced the back panel when they recovered it. The cab is original.

Chris, that is one cool-looking amp!
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Rick Alexander


From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 14 Sep 2007 2:30 pm    
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It does sound great Tim, but I plugged my Gibson Console Grande into it and it didn't sound like Don Helms at all.
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Tim Whitlock


From:
Colorado, USA
Post  Posted 14 Sep 2007 2:50 pm    
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Which brings up an interesting point. Considering the primitive recording technology of the times, how do we really know what Don sounded like? I love old recordings because they have so much more "feel" than modern ones, but I'm also aware that they don't capture the full fidelity of the instruments. Maybe, Rick, what you're hearing IS what Don really sounded like. I'd love to get some old timers' perspective on this issue. Maybe I'll start another thread...

Chris, that is one gorgeous Pro. I notice that the "grain" of the tweed runs opposite that of Rick's. In another thread someone pointed this out for us nit-pickers as a way to tell original tweed from re-do. Both are fantastic looking amps. The TV front looks cool!
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Robert Momot

 

From:
Farmington, Missouri, USA
Post  Posted 14 Sep 2007 3:42 pm    
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Those are awesome amps,I would love to find one myself.Just curious what is the going rate (price) for either one of the Fender Pro amplifiers. Don Helms told me one time that when he played live shows with Hank Williams that he had turned all the knobs on his Fender Pro all the way on to cut thru the noise from the people.
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Tim Whitlock


From:
Colorado, USA
Post  Posted 14 Sep 2007 3:51 pm    
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There's one on ebay for $1650. Item# 330165362044
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Rick Alexander


From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 14 Sep 2007 4:10 pm    
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Yeah, they're not the loudest amps ever made. I think they're rated about 18 watts.
But they sound beautiful, nice natural saturation.

So . . that's the secret - crank it all the way up! Smile
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Bobbe Seymour

 

From:
Hendersonville TN USA, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 14 Sep 2007 8:01 pm    
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I sold Don a new Peavey Nashville 112 a couple of years ago, he said he loves it.
When I met Don in '53, he was using a Fender Pro, like Rick has shown.
Bobbe
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Robert Momot

 

From:
Farmington, Missouri, USA
Post  Posted 14 Sep 2007 8:12 pm    
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Bobbe I think you sold him two of them and he sounds great as always.Bobbe your the greatest.Don Helms thinks the world of you and I do too. Bob Momot.
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Rick Alexander


From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 15 Sep 2007 2:39 am    
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I use Nashville 112s for live performance, sometimes a Nashville 112 and a Valve King 112.
I bought 'em all from Bobbe Seymour - he has the best prices, and he takes care of his customers.
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Gary Boyett

 

From:
Colorado
Post  Posted 15 Sep 2007 4:41 am    
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It is good to see these still around. Here is mine.










This has been updated with a three wire cord, but that is about it.

It sounds great with an RV-3.
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Rick Alexander


From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 15 Sep 2007 5:01 am    
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Sweet Deluxe G-man!

Here's the overview of my Pro:

Hmmm . . looks like it has Don Helms' settings!
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Bobbe Seymour

 

From:
Hendersonville TN USA, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 15 Sep 2007 11:38 am     HUH?
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All I have to say is: There are some wonderful guys in the world of non-pedal steel guitar!
I'm a-gunna' cut all my pedals off!!! Might as well, don't use em' anyway!
I might just sell my steel guitar and buy another amp. I can play the amps a lot better than my steel,,, .

Robert J. Picklessplaymore
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Chris Lucker

 

From:
Los Angeles, California USA
Post  Posted 15 Sep 2007 1:20 pm     Here is my top view
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Gary Boyett

 

From:
Colorado
Post  Posted 15 Sep 2007 6:21 pm    
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NICE SOCKS!!!
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