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Topic: Frankie Kay w/ unusual "Dual Pro" Stringmaster? |
Scott Thomas
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Posted 25 Aug 2011 11:08 am |
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Here is a great interview of Frankie Kay by Mike Neer on his blog:
http://www.mikeneer.com/lapsteelin/
The picture really caught my attention. Behind Frankie is what looks like a Stringmaster in a Dual Pro body!!
Just when you think you've seen everything.
Mike, don't suppose any mention was made of this?
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 25 Aug 2011 7:19 pm
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Scott, that dawned on me when I received the full 8X10 from Frankie, but I really never gave it much thought. I will call him and ask him about it.
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Todd Clinesmith
From:
Lone Rock Free State Oregon
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Posted 25 Aug 2011 7:50 pm
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| Interesting, I had a chance to buy a Stringmaster prototype with trapazoid pups on it, about 7 years back.... kinda the opposite the looks of this guitar. |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 27 Aug 2011 10:08 am
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I spoke with Frank today and asked him about his guitar and this is what he had to say:
FK: "Well, the story on it is: it was a triple neck blonde Fender (Stringmaster) and I had so many cigarette burns on it and the nightclub turns that blonde into a terrible looking tobacco brown. One of my best friends was a cabinetmaker and he looked at it one night and said, "When are you going to let me take that to my house and redo it for you." And I said, "Anytime, right tonight."
He took it home and he made the body out of 1" white pine laminated and then he took all the parts and components off my Stringmaster and made it into a double, because I told him I didn't want 3 necks anymore. So, I had the pickups and the other parts (from the other neck) which my friend Ray Noren made into a little lap steel for me....
Then my wood-working friend put formica on it so it's all tobacco brown formica."
MN: Do you still play that instrument?
FK: "I still play it, it looks just like in the picture. I take good care of my stuff....He isn't alive today, but I always cherish the fact that my best friend made that for me."
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Scott Thomas
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Posted 27 Aug 2011 9:09 pm
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Thanks so much for following up on that as promised, Mike. It figures it would be something like that.
What a fascinating life in music in this man had. So many "unsung heroes" like him, I'm sure. Kudos to you for seeking Frank out and getting some of his story out there.
I don't think many steelers play the Leon E13. I dabbled in it while learning his "Blue Guitar Stomp" some years back, but that's it. I think Cindy Cashdollar is about the only other prominent player I know of who uses/used it. |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 28 Aug 2011 5:22 am
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I've been using the Vance Terry version of Leon's E13--E C# B G# F# D B G#
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Jim Mathis
From:
Overland Park, Kansas, USA
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Posted 29 Aug 2011 11:29 am
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Here is a photo of Frankie Kay receiving the Heartland Steeler of the Year Award a few weeks ago in Kansas City. L to R are Theresa Kaat-Wohlert, Frankie Kay, & Roger Hurst.
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Jim@MathisPhoto.net |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 29 Aug 2011 12:44 pm
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Thanks for posting that pic, Jim! I've grown very fond of Frankie after our conversations. He is a great guy and I'm sure he's very deserving of that award which, of course, he never mentioned to me.
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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