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Topic: Sierra Timberwolf |
Michael Dulin
From:
Indiana, USA
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Posted 4 Jun 2008 7:29 am |
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Does anyone remember or know of a Timberwolf by
Sierra. Were they good...know of any available? MD |
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David Nugent
From:
Gum Spring, Va.
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Posted 4 Jun 2008 1:33 pm Timberwolf
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| Michael...The "Timberwolf" was Sierra's intermediate model and was a quality built unit as are all Sierras. That particular model may have been discontinued when Don Christiansen sold the company some time ago but don't quote me on that. |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 5 Jun 2008 2:54 pm About those quality Sierras...........................
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WHY, with so much discussion about quality construction, tonal values and costs.........aren't there more Sierra Guitars being played out front?
Just curious.......
Mullens, Rains, Carter and countless others have hit the scene quite hard and received much attention, however Sierra still seems to linger in the shadows.
Does Sierra lack adequate promotion or what? |
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Eric West
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 5 Jun 2008 3:02 pm
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Well in my experience, they had several models that had problems. Mostly they looked good but they didn't stay in tune.
Buddy Emmons bought one to piss of the people at Emmons. That amounted to a boost. He could play a shovel with strings though... Buddy CHarleton bought one too because Mr E did.
The 12-14 stringers that I tried didn't stay in tune, or you had to jump on the pedals.
The owner, Don Christenson was notorious for not taking suggestions from actual pedal steel players..
Although my friend Danny SHields wound a good deal of the pickups, the rubber mounting sterilized the sound.
Then the company went bankrupt and sold.... while still taking orders..
Lets see...
I dunno.
b0b's got one..
EJL |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 5 Jun 2008 3:39 pm Sierra Guitars and stuff...........
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Thanks ERIC and glad to hear you're back again. Hope you're painfree......
I tho't the Sierra Lap Steel was supposed to be a top o'the mark instrument. That metal insert for lasting sustain seemed like an innovative idea.....?
I always felt it had a THIN sound, too much so for my liking. How about you thousands of Sierra players?
After all, this was an indepth quary in an effort to learn and distribute knowledge and information.
Let's hear it, okay/ |
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Tom Campbell
From:
Houston, Texas, USA
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Posted 5 Jun 2008 5:15 pm
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I have three Sierras: All three are 12 string. One Crown Series and two Session Series. They ALL stay in tune, are set up wonderfully and pedal/knee action is easy and smooth. Have six various pickups to choose from and get most any sound I want. Also have two Sierra lap steels. The aluminum slap gives them great sustain.
Sierra is NOT out of business. They are making steels and are at the various shows! |
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Eric West
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 5 Jun 2008 7:35 pm
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EJL
Last edited by Eric West on 5 Jun 2008 7:46 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Eric West
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 5 Jun 2008 7:42 pm
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Well that's two....
There's an extensive history of Sierra going out of business, auctioning all of their stuff INCLUDING their Company in the archives. They never stopped taking deposits to my knowledge though there are no instances of anybody being stiffed in the process. At least not here.
Here's a post that reflects that 5 years ago
The High Bidder for "The Company" DBA etc was "Santa Cruz Guitars" Of California. Previously it was bought by a Pam Price from Don C in 2002. This according to a business journal online. Then to my understanding by a "Tony" who closed and sold the company.. in 03-4 I think it was
I was there at the auction. My friend Tom Borisoff of Hipshot was among the interested parties, but he didn't see bidding up to the mark.
They commissioned Mr Tom Baker, a friend of mine to make custom PSGs and Lap Steels from that time on. Tom was always the best part of the company.
From my understanding they now are a separate "LLC".
At long last.
HERE'S Tom Baker's Sierra Steel Guitar Link.
Nothing he touches would be less than perfect.
In the "Early Years"?
Lots of them were fine guitars.
Lots of them weren't.
Kind of Like Sho~Buds.
The Search of the Old Forum will yield more for the interested.
It's the oldest of old news, but still....
If you have a nice one, enjoy it. That's what I've done with my S~Bs.
EJL |
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Glenn Suchan
From:
Austin, Texas
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Posted 6 Jun 2008 10:16 am
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Personally, I think the reason Sierra instruments don't get the attention of players , the way most other guitars do, is, they are the "mavericks" in the business. Going back several decades, they've had a unique appearance, with many unique design characteristics (folding and/or quick-twist removable legs, interchangeable pick-ups, ultra-rugged all aluminum construction [except for the necks], ultra-high precision design of under-carriage components).
I used to own a Sierra Crown S14 "Stafford Elegante'", which was a fine instrument. It always stayed in tune and never had problems on stage. Even when I did road gigs. The pedal action was smooth and easy, due to the fact that the pedal pivot points are adjustable (another unique Sierra design). I played it for 10 years, and most of the negative remarks I heard came from other steel players regarding the non-standard appearance of the cabinet with the bevelled front and back aprons, combined with the gearless tuners and square-tube, fold-up legs. The only fault I found with Sierra was, the all-metal construction tended to be more sensitive to temperature changes compared with the wooden cabinets of the other brands.
Ultimately, the reason I sold the Sierra was, I am an Emmons "push/pull" tone junky. I started playing psg with an Emmons p/p and after 10 years I wanted one again. No other guitar would do. BUT the tone of the Sierra was very good, also. Actually, after going back to the Emmons, I had a hard time getting used to the "light-weight" construction and stiff pedal action of the Emmons push/pull compared to Sierra. (though, Dr. Bowman took care of the stiff pedal problems). Sierra PSGs are great instruments. Many players rave about them. Very few owners have had anything negative to say about the instruments and even less about the company.
Best wishes go out to Tom Baker for many more years of successful production!
Keep on pickin'!
Glenn
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