| Author |
Topic: Rittenberry family |
Tommy Alexander
From:
Friendswood, Texas 77546
|
Posted 27 Nov 2011 7:09 am |
|
Some time back, I had the opportunity to see Jody Cameron at the South Texas Steel Guitar Association in Katy, Texas. Jody was playing a Rittenberry D10 and I was knocked out about the tone of the guitar.
I called Jody, who is a long time friend and asked him if I could come by check out his guitar; and he said to come on down.
After playing on his guitar for about 2 hours, we talked a bit, and I was really impressed with this guitar.
As I left Jody's house, I called Gary and asked him to build me SD10, but I wanted a burgandy color (my favorite color). It took several weeks to find the color, Gary called and said he found the color he was looking for. He had already started on the body.
As soon as the guitar came, I sat down behind it and I was hooked by the way it played and sounded. The next thing I knew, four of the local players ordered a SD10 from Gary and they are still playing the Ritt.
Later on I called Gary and told him that I was interested in having an all wood guitar and Gary said that he was also interested in building one; so off we went with the project.
To sum it up; I have two Rittenberry's and happy as a lark.
Norman new guitar is a beaut! I kept my plain, but the inlay is really something.
I should have got Gary to hide the burgandy mica; heck I might need another guitar.
Congradulations to all of the Rittenberry owners, and as far as a "want one", you can't go wrong. |
|
|
 |
Dennis Lee
From:
Forest Grove, Oregon, USA
|
Posted 27 Nov 2011 10:19 am Rittenberry
|
|
| Hi Tommy. As I've related before, my first Rittenberry was the teal green SD10 that is in the proud hands of Steve Hotra. I was looking for something better than what I had toyed with prior, saw this beautiful hammer tone Green beauty on Bobbe Seymour's website. Well, to make a long story shorter, I bought it without ever trying it. When it arrived, my limited experience told me this guitar played better than anything I had owned to date, and had a tone that blew my socks off! This was the same guitar that Jody first played when he came to visit me in Oregon and gave some instruction to myself and Jay Kardong, from Seattle area. I remember Jody being more than impressed with the tone and playability of this guitar, which I purchased in 2007. Since then, Jody and Jay are playing Rittenberry's. I sold this green guitar to have a polished aluminum SD10 made, all black mica. It too is a fantastic guitar that will always stay with me. Sometimes I wish I had kept the green guitar too, since it started everything, but I can only play one guitar at a time. I am happy for Steve, he got a beauty! I guess this is my testimonial to Gary's superb craftsmanship, vision and genius. Obviously, my Cajun friends discovered the very same thing. Rittenberry's are catching on like wildfire. I salute all my Rittenberry Brothers! This does not mean that there are not other great guitars out there, as there obviously are. I'm saying that the Rittenberry is a perfect fit for me, my ears, and what I want and expect from a pedal steel. Just a conversation with Gary will convince you that this man has a knowledge and understanding about guitars, mechanics, and tone, that will amaze you. I fully expect that his guitars will evolve in ways that other makers will be dropping their jaws about. He is truly a genius, and a genius that also plays one mean pedal steel. |
|
|
|
David Higginbotham
From:
Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA
|
Posted 27 Nov 2011 11:50 am
|
|
Ok Tommy! Tease us with the details and not show off the guitar? How cruel! 
Is this the work of art you are referring to?
I think I may have to join the "Rittenberry" owner's club in the future. Got to hear Murnel Babineaux recently on his and Richard Comeaux last night. Wow the tone!!!!
_________________
'92 GFI D-10 8&6, ‘67 Emmons Bolt-On D-10 8&7, Walker preamp, Sarno Tonic preamp, Tubefex, Stewart power amps, Carvin XT tube amp, Webb Cabinets, all vintage JBL’s! |
|
|
|
Walter Glockler
From:
Northern New Mexico
|
Posted 27 Nov 2011 12:24 pm
|
|
| Being in the market for a new steel and reading all this positive stuff about Rittenberry guitars I will place an order soon for a SD - 10. |
|
|
|
Bill Dobkins
From:
Rolla Missouri, USA
|
Posted 27 Nov 2011 1:16 pm
|
|
I'm a novice compared to some of you and have only owned a couple Steels. I find it hard to beleave any instrument playing or sounding any better than my Rittenberry. Gary is like a brother to me, we have became very close over the past few years. I know first hand how Gary feels about his quality and workmanship. No steel leaves his shop unless its perfect.I think the owners of these Steels will agree with me.
_________________
Custom Rittenberry SD10
Boss Katana 100 Amp
Positive Grid Spark amp
BJS Bars
Z~Legend Pro,Custom Tele
Honor our Vet's.
Now pass the gravy. |
|
|
|
Tommy Alexander
From:
Friendswood, Texas 77546
|
Posted 27 Nov 2011 4:07 pm Rittenberry
|
|
Yes David, this is the one! The finest guitar that I have played on. I guess you noticed Joe Rogers hanging around the booth; I had to watch him the whole time.
And Bill Dobbins, I was there when Gary pulled your guitar out of the case and it blew my socks off!!!
This enticed me to go ahead and get Gary to build my new one; never regretted it for one minute. |
|
|
|
Carl Kilmer
From:
East Central, Illinois
|
Posted 27 Nov 2011 5:16 pm
|
|
I've had a lot of great steels in my days, but these are the best
I ever had, and Gary has always treated me like a good brother.
Jean and I spent the day with him 2 weeks ago, and he installed
a different P/U on my blue steel and did a little adjusting on it,
then he played both of them and almost made my hair fall out. WOW!
These are most likely the last steels I'll ever own and I love them. 
_________________
aka "Lucky Kay"--Custom built Rittenberry SD10 3X5, Walker S/S, NV-112, and Hilton Pedal |
|
|
|
Steve Hotra
From:
Camas, Washington
|
Posted 27 Nov 2011 6:45 pm Re: Rittenberry
|
|
| Dennis Lee wrote: |
| Hi Tommy. As I've related before, my first Rittenberry was the teal green SD10 that is in the proud hands of Steve Hotra. I was looking for something better than what I had toyed with prior, saw this beautiful hammer tone Green beauty on Bobbe Seymour's website. Well, to make a long story shorter, I bought it without ever trying it. When it arrived, my limited experience told me this guitar played better than anything I had owned to date, and had a tone that blew my socks off! This was the same guitar that Jody first played when he came to visit me in Oregon and gave some instruction to myself and Jay Kardong, from Seattle area. I remember Jody being more than impressed with the tone and playability of this guitar, which I purchased in 2007. Since then, Jody and Jay are playing Rittenberry's. I sold this green guitar to have a polished aluminum SD10 made, all black mica. It too is a fantastic guitar that will always stay with me. Sometimes I wish I had kept the green guitar too, since it started everything, but I can only play one guitar at a time. I am happy for Steve, he got a beauty! I guess this is my testimonial to Gary's superb craftsmanship, vision and genius. Obviously, my Cajun friends discovered the very same thing. Rittenberry's are catching on like wildfire. I salute all my Rittenberry Brothers! This does not mean that there are not other great guitars out there, as there obviously are. I'm saying that the Rittenberry is a perfect fit for me, my ears, and what I want and expect from a pedal steel. Just a conversation with Gary will convince you that this man has a knowledge and understanding about guitars, mechanics, and tone, that will amaze you. I fully expect that his guitars will evolve in ways that other makers will be dropping their jaws about. He is truly a genius, and a genius that also plays one mean pedal steel. |
FWIW... I play Dennis's teal green Rittenberry about every day. Its my 1st pedal steel guitar and it is so easy to play. I am still learning something new everytime I play. Larry Behm really encouraged me to keep this Ritt here in the Pacific Northwest. I've talked to Gary once, and appreciated his availability.
I know there are a lot of great steel guitar companies out there, but I am pretty content with what I have been blessed with.
_________________
Guitars: Rittenberry SD S-10, Gretsch Black Falcon. Effects: Wampler Paisley, Strymon Timeline, Sarno Earth Drive.
Fractal FM9
Amps: Mesa Express 5:25, Jazzkat Tomkat & Boss Katana head / various cabs. |
|
|
|
Norman Evans
From:
Tennessee
|
Posted 27 Nov 2011 6:49 pm
|
|
I'm really liking my new Rittenberry. I've found I can get about any tone from a Fender 400 to a push/pull and anywhere in between, yet it still has its own unique tone. This is one good playing instrument.
Norman |
|
|
|
Murnel Babineaux
From:
Mermentau, Louisiana, USA
|
Posted 29 Nov 2011 5:13 pm
|
|
Hello Tommy.. How have you been? Hope to see you in Dallas in March.
I just posted on Norman and Tooty's new guitar..Maroon and Red...Can't go wrong !!
Now if I can just get over to Tooty's and test drive it!
Murnel
_________________
Rittenberry D10 E9/C6 Session 400 |
|
|
|
Terry Sneed
From:
Arkansas,
|
Posted 29 Nov 2011 10:08 pm Rittenberry ??
|
|
Has Gary Rittenberry got a website up yet?
Carl, have you still got those purty Emmons SD-10 you had?
Thanks
terry |
|
|
|
Carl Kilmer
From:
East Central, Illinois
|
Posted 30 Nov 2011 4:49 am
|
|
Hi Terry, all 4 of them are gone. Bobby Reed bought the Red one.
Gary don't have a web sight, but you can always call or email him.
Hope all is going well with you. Haven't talked to you for awhile.
_________________
aka "Lucky Kay"--Custom built Rittenberry SD10 3X5, Walker S/S, NV-112, and Hilton Pedal |
|
|
|
Roger Crawford
From:
Griffin, GA USA
|
Posted 30 Nov 2011 5:17 am
|
|
Another Ritt Brother here! Gary does have a web site by the way. It's in the Forum "Links" under manufacturers.
My beautiful lacquer front baby is on there!
http://rittenberrysteelguitars.com/ |
|
|
|
Mike Archer
From:
church hill tn
|
Posted 30 Nov 2011 12:12 pm me too
|
|
im a Ritt man too
by the way Roger the truetone sounds great in mine
thanks for the help |
|
|
|
Roger Crawford
From:
Griffin, GA USA
|
Posted 30 Nov 2011 12:53 pm
|
|
| Mike, I think Gary is going to standardize on the TrueTone now unless the 705 is requested. He likes the way they sound, too! |
|
|
|
Mike Archer
From:
church hill tn
|
Posted 30 Nov 2011 3:03 pm and my d-10
|
|
ive got 2 for my LaGarritt d-10 its gettin um
real soon I had a friend order one for the c6
but I have the e9 already and waitin as they say
ill post when I get them done and in |
|
|
|
Daniel J. Cormier
From:
Lake Charles, LA, USA
|
Posted 8 Dec 2011 2:24 pm
|
|
I have truetones in both of my rittenberry built guitars.
_________________
Daniel J. Cormier
Rittenberry with Tone to the bone,profex or tubefex and what ever amp, hilton pedal, BJS bars. Email at kajunsteelman@yahoo.com. |
|
|
|
