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Topic: Infinity Pedal Steel Guitars at SWSGA |
Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 24 Jan 2011 9:08 pm |
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At the SWSGA show in Phoenix this past weekend, I had the opportunity to take a test drive on the new Infinity steel guitar that is made by Frank Carter. If you know Frank, and his reputation for meticulous workmanship, you know exactly what to expect. This guitar felt and played and sounded just great. I was immediately impressed (and I don't impress too easily). You gotta check out the positive feel on his half stop on the 'zero' pedal that lowers the B's down a 1/2 step to Bb and then another 1/2 step to A. Wow, you could feel the half-stop so well going in either direction and it was perfectly in tune, going down and coming back up. Very impressive. If you ever have a chance to check out Infinity guitars, I highly recommend that you do so. If I were in the market for a new guitar, I'd take a very serious look at this one.
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www.JimCohen.com
www.RonstadtRevue.com
www.BeatsWalkin.com |
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Rick Schmidt
From:
Prescott AZ, USA
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Posted 24 Jan 2011 11:44 pm
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No kidding. I have a feeling Frank is gonna be real busy...real soon!  |
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Peter Freiberger
From:
California, USA
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Posted 25 Jan 2011 6:19 am
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| I'll second all of that! The pedal/knee action is so unbelievably light and smooth one actually might want to add some more resistance. Luckily Frank has adjustable return springs on them! Also, to my ear Frank got a very p/p like tone from his instrument during his set. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 25 Jan 2011 7:58 am
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| How about a picture? |
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Brian C Peters
From:
Eagan Minnesota
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Herb Steiner
From:
Spicewood TX 78669
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Posted 25 Jan 2011 8:08 am
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Erv
I second what Rick, Peter, and Jimbeaux have previously opined. I experienced Frank's guitar last year and was as impressed then as Jim is now.
A photo would be nice, but suffice as to say the basic Infinity at the moment is, cosmetically, very much of the now-generic Emmons model; black mica with polished aluminum trim, very classic, understated, and beautiful.
Merril Fich also has an Infinity with wood Body By Giles (apologies to Mssr. Fisher  ) that was quite lovely as well.
And conversations with Frank and Fran are always a highpoint of steel shows for me.
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My rig: Infinity and Telonics.
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 25 Jan 2011 8:21 am
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| Very nice, clean design and a lovely bell type tone on the sound clip. |
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Billy McCombs
From:
Bakersfield California, USA
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Posted 25 Jan 2011 8:57 am Infinity
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_________________
78 Emmons PP,Great tone.82 Emmons SKH #56 |
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Jerry Roller
From:
Van Buren, Arkansas USA
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Posted 25 Jan 2011 10:23 am
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Does anyone know the scale length? 24 1/4?
Jerry |
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Peter Freiberger
From:
California, USA
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Posted 25 Jan 2011 11:47 am
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| Yes, they're 24 and 1/4", like a p/p. And the tone tends in that direction as well. A wonderful instrument sonically as well as wonderfully crafted. Frank has them priced quite reasonably too. I was sorely tempted. |
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Jim Palenscar
From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
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Posted 25 Jan 2011 7:17 pm
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I did pull the trigger awhile ago and Mark Giles is just now finishing up on the new lacquer cabinet. Frank builds a wonderful guitar and i will be proud to have one.  |
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Georg Sørtun
From:
Mandal, Agder, Norway
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Posted 26 Jan 2011 1:57 am
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Dallas 2010...
The Infinity was easy to play and sounded OK. |
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Merrill & Vangie Fich
From:
Yuma, Az.
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Posted 27 Jan 2011 11:17 am
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Thank you for adding such a beautiful picture of my new Infinity guitar. Even though I am not a great player, I absolutely love my new Infinity. It is a real masterpiece! It lives up to everything everyone says about it, and more. Besides that, Frank Carter customizes each one to make sure it plays and sounds exactly the way you want it to. I guarantee... this is a purchase you will never regret!
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Zum d10-11, Infinity D 10, NV112,NV400, line 6 pod xt, Gretsch Country Gentleman[1967] Telonics VP. Telonics pickups 1956 Gibson EBO Bass |
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Joseph Carlson
From:
Grass Valley, California, USA
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Posted 27 Jan 2011 11:55 am
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| 530 is Chico, CA. Didn't know we had a builder so close by. |
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Jim Park
From:
Carson City, Nv
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Posted 27 Jan 2011 1:42 pm Re: Infinity guitars
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Joe,
the 530 area code is pretty big........ but he is located close to Truckee Ca |
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 27 Jan 2011 1:52 pm
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Ivan since your sitting there listening to TC and Frank, give us your thoughts on the new guitar mate ! 
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14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases. |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 27 Jan 2011 7:40 pm
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Actually, Frank is in Downieville. It is on Hwy 49 near Nevada City. That is in the hills east of Chico and west of Truckee. He and Fran manage a resort there on the Yuba River. Beautiful country.
Great looking guitars, Frank. I can only imagine perfection coming from anything Frank does, including his playing. I could listen to him play all day.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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Gil Berry
From:
Westminster, CA, USA
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Posted 27 Jan 2011 8:40 pm
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| ....and if you haven't purchased a copy of Frank's CD, you've missed a really good one. His work on "How the West was Won" will give you chills and put you into a trance!! (I think the CD might be available here from b0b). Anyway, I heard Frank live at a jam here in LA a couple of years ago; Frank was playing a guitar of his own manufacture then. I was so entralled I decided NOT to play myself - I sound like some jerk playing a piece of barbed wire on a board next to this guy. Why is it some guys have all the talent the rest of us can only try to copy? Maybe just because we love that ornery contraption and the sweet sound it makes (in my case, on rare occasions). |
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Ivan Posa
From:
Hamilton, New Zealand
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Posted 27 Jan 2011 9:11 pm
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| Paddy, I spent some time with Frank asking him about his guitar. It is a very fine steel, beautiful and precisely built and has excellent tone. I look forward to catching up with Frank at Dallas in March. Beside building a fine instrument, Frank is also a helluva player. |
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Frank Carter
From:
Yuma, Az
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Posted 29 Jan 2011 8:48 am
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Thank you all for your kind comments. Building the
Infinity guitar has been my dream and I am passionate
about this instrument. I look forward to seeing many of you at the Dallas show. Infinity will have a room there and I would enjoy visiting with you.
I will also have cd's available.
Thanks again, Frank |
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