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Topic: About those fabulous Clinesmiths........................ |
Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 16 Feb 2009 8:49 pm |
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Just had occasion to visit the Head Office of the Internationally famous Clinesmith Steel & Resonator Guitars Co., Glide, OR. Our host Todd Clinesmith was most cordial to the four of us during our guided tour of his facility.
As most of you realize, Todd, is manufacturing new steel guitars, in the long and conveted BIGSBY form. The craftsmanship is second to none I've ever seen. We were able to see one of his triple-8's and two double necks. What a remarkable sight!
But what really caught "MY attention" was an absolutely beautiful 8-string DOBRO type guitar, 'resonator.....that is. It's made out of Myrtle wood, an Oregon hardwood. The sustain on this guitar is unbelieveable. I've NEVER played a Dobro guitar but after hearing this fantabulous g'tar, I surely want one now! The harmonics at the 5th, 7th and 12th frets were dead-on.
Todd is going to be at the Texas Show and I'm hopeful he'll be taking the Dobro there, as I'd sure love to play at least one song on it. What a treat that would be. Todd's work is so PERFECT, I know this fantasy will never occur, but if he ever ended up with 'seconds', I'd be willing to bid high to get one. |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 17 Feb 2009 6:32 am
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Ray....you won't get an argument about your praise for Todd......and this is a great period in time for the highest quality, beauty, creativity, and sound in both electric & acoustic instruments....
You are really going to enjoy the Dallas Show and experience some wonderful steels there......
and the people ain't so bad either...... |
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George Piburn
From:
The Land of Enchantment New Mexico
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Posted 17 Feb 2009 7:41 am edit
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edit
Last edited by George Piburn on 21 Jun 2012 7:37 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Mark Eaton
From:
Sonoma County in The Great State Of Northern California
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Posted 18 Feb 2009 5:42 pm
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Ray, I'm shocked - you've been playing steel guitar almost since the dawn of time and you've never played a dobro! 
I guess this is like those folks you hear about that have lived in Anaheim for many years, but have never been to Disneyland...
I have had my Clinesmith resonator for over four years, and it continues to get better sounding all the time, or else I understand more and more how to pull the best tone out of it.
As is evidenced by these beautiful Bigsby replicas, Todd's workmanship and attention to detail is second to none.
I know that a number of members have discovered the work of Mr. Clinesmith through these newer steel guitars, but he has been building the resonator guitars since the mid 90's.
_________________
Mark |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 18 Feb 2009 6:11 pm About trying something new....................
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I've ALWAYS avoided picking on someone else's guitar or doing so at steel shows. I was always afraid I'd hear something special that I'd just have to have.
First, as dumb as I am, I had no idea they made 8 string long neck accoustic guitars. Oh well........
Now that I plucked three harmonics on that Dobro, I really would like to have one..... Just proves my point. Now, the depression and sadness sets in, 'cause I cain't have one and I want one......
Perhaps I can do as the mother of the octuplets has done, and open a web site to take Visa donations or whatever, or maybe, go to Washington and make my plea for one of those government hand-outs. If Larry Flint can do, so could a hard-working, wanna-be musician, right? |
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Todd Clinesmith
From:
Lone Rock Free State Oregon
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Posted 19 Feb 2009 6:42 am
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Ray,
It was great having you guys down for the day. It was nice to have a relaxing day in the shop talking steels and lusting over wood, and finishes.... which I do all the time but fun to share.
Howard, Mr Boards I look forward to seeing you guys in Dallas.
Mark, I was registered to display at the Healdsburg Guitar Festival this year but , ended up backing out. I need to take the family on a vacation this year and if I went .... it would have never happened... again. I will be at Grass Valley this year... I hope to see you some where down the road.
Ray, I'll be spending a lot of time with you in the near future. You can play the 8 string all you want. Have no fear ... it's not for sale. I had this guitar design in mind for many years and finally made time to build it for me.
Here is a photo of that one. I may as well put in a few of my steels also. Well I am having trouble with the upload on the forum again. I'll try back tonight
Thanks again
Todd |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 19 Feb 2009 8:59 am
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| Todd Clinesmith wrote: |
Ray,
It was great having you guys down for the day. It was nice to have a relaxing day in the shop talking steels and lusting over wood, and finishes.... which I do all the time but fun to share.
Howard, Mr Boards I look forward to seeing you guys in Dallas.
Mark, I was registered to display at the Healdsburg Guitar Festival this year but , ended up backing out. I need to take the family on a vacation this year and if I went .... it would have never happened... again. I will be at Grass Valley this year... I hope to see you some where down the road.
Ray, I'll be spending a lot of time with you in the near future. You can play the 8 string all you want. Have no fear ... it's not for sale. I had this guitar design in mind for many years and finally made time to build it for me.
Here is a photo of that one. I may as well put in a few of my steels also. Well I am having trouble with the upload on the forum again. I'll try back tonight
Thanks again
Todd |
Todd, I may very well have a huge surprise at the Dallas Show........ |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 19 Feb 2009 9:02 am
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RAY MONTEE!!!!!!!!.....please check your private messages and please get back to me.......   |
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Todd Clinesmith
From:
Lone Rock Free State Oregon
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Posted 20 Feb 2009 7:27 am
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Hi Howard,
Now you have me in suspense. Are you bringing one of those huge bottles of Absolute Vodka again ? I wish someone would cut you down from that steel.... "isn't anyone gonna help that poor man ?" Anyways it will be good to see you.
Todd |
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