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Topic: Williams Steel Guitars |
Craig A Davidson
From:
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin USA
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Posted 20 Jan 2019 3:41 pm |
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I don't usually do this but I need to defend my friend Bill Rudolph. On another thread a member is talking BS about Bill. He says Bill was rude and would not help him. I have dealt with Bill for the last five or six years. I bought two different guitars from him and any issues I had he talked me through. I talked to him AFTER I went to the website and downloaded the manual. As far as split screws go, Bill doesn't even put them in the guitar. When you pick up the guitar he hands a bag of them to you. There is a rodding chart on the website that explains where the rods go for the changes required.
Just for a little knowledge when you tune a split on a Williams first you tune the string open. Then tune the raise. Then with the raise still engaged engage the lever that lowers that string. Then tune the split note with the nylon tuner. Then let off the raise and tune the lowered note with the split screw. Most likely it will show flat on a tuner. Turn the split screw until the lowered note is tuned. From that point on when tuning the guitar the lower is tuned with that split screw. It's not rocket science. |
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Ron Hogan
From:
Nashville, TN, usa
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Posted 21 Jan 2019 6:28 am
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I agree. Bill has been great to deal with on my Williams.
Come see
Ron Hogan |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 21 Jan 2019 7:51 am
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Bill was great with me. You have to wonder what kind of attitude the caller had when he called.
_________________
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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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 21 Jan 2019 8:51 am
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Tim isn't a bad guy either! 
Erv |
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Curtis Patton
From:
Virginia, USA
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Posted 21 Jan 2019 7:33 pm Williams Steel Guitars / Bill Rudolph
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| All I gotta say is the Williams Steel Guitar Co. and Bill Rudolph are the absolute best.... Bill has been nothing but EXTREMELY helpful, understanding, and kind with any questions I have had with my Williams..... any problem somebody has dealing with Bill Rudolph is THEIR problem. |
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John Ely
From:
Minneapolis Minnesota, USA
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Posted 22 Jan 2019 4:36 pm Williams Steel Guitars
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I have to echo the sentiments posted here. I live in Minneapolis and see Bill/Tim regularly. I own a Williams 2010 D-10; both Bill and Tim have been endlessly patient and helpful over the years.
-John
_________________
John Ely (but I'm not THE John Ely who played with Asleep at the Wheel). |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 23 Jan 2019 8:52 am
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Some years ago I ordered two guitars from Bill.
I found the knee levers to be a little too short to suit me. I let Bill know and the promptly came up with a longer set for me. 
Erv |
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Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
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Posted 23 Jan 2019 9:51 am
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The same here even at this distance. I needed to alter some of my levers and Bill mailed me the parts very promptly.
_________________
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs |
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Billy Carr
From:
Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)
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Posted 24 Jan 2019 12:44 am Williams psg's and Bill R.
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| Couldn't ask for any better service. Good folks!!! |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 24 Jan 2019 6:46 am
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| Ian Rae wrote: |
| The same here even at this distance. I needed to alter some of my levers and Bill mailed me the parts very promptly. |
Same thing here. I ordered a D10 with 9 levers. The middle vertical lever for the C6 neck was too low. When I first played it, my knee hit the lever and the guitar started to fall forward. Even with the lever adjusted all the way up, ig wouldn't clear my knee. I got ahold of Bill, and together we figured out that a shorter mounting bracket would work. He Made one and sent it to me really quick. Great service.
_________________
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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Alan Bidmade
From:
Newcastle upon Tyne UK
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Posted 24 Jan 2019 9:18 am
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Sorry to read that Erv has short knees...
Just go to the Williams web site. There are gorgeous guitars on every page - I can't help but think that these pictures do the guitars great credit.
I would have bought one but for the crippling import taxes between US and UK.
I went for a Ben-Rom from Canada - and I couldn't be happier with it. Bent is a great guy to deal with and makes a fine steel guitar.
_________________
Ben-Rom #017 'Lorelei', Guild D25, Epiphone 'Joe Pass', Roland 40XL, Hilton VP
First name Alan, but known as Nick |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 24 Jan 2019 9:20 am
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Alan, you rascal!
Bless your heart.
Erv |
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Larry Beem
From:
Iowa, USA
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Posted 28 Jan 2019 6:09 pm Williams Guitars
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I bought my Williams used from a forum member. I had no idea at the time, but a few things had been changed.
I called Bill and he had me email him some pics of the undercarriage and worked with me to bring it back to factory specs. He didn't make a dime for his time, and was nothing but professional in every way!!
The tone is to die for and plays like a dream. Bill is all aces in my book!! |
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mike nolan
From:
Forest Hills, NY USA
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Posted 31 Jan 2019 2:03 pm
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| Bill has always been great to deal with. He did some custom stuff for me that went way beyond normal good customer service. |
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Dean Severson
From:
Minnesota, USA
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Posted 10 Feb 2019 3:59 pm
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| Goodness, I am shocked to hear anyone say anything bad about Bill. Excellent guitars (I've bought two of them). Nice man. Very helpful. I have to add my praises for Bill. |
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Lee Baucum
From:
McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier
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Posted 10 Feb 2019 7:29 pm
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| Quote: |
| Nice man. Very helpful. I have to add my praises for Bill. |
Dittos
_________________
Lee, from South Texas - Down On The Rio Grande
There are only two options as I see it.
Either I'm right, or there is a sinister conspiracy to conceal the fact that I'm right.
Williams Keyless S-10, BMI S-10, Evans FET-500LV, Fender Steel King, 2 Roland Cube 80XL's,
Sarno FreeLoader, Goodrich Passive Volume Pedals, Vintage ACE Pack-A-Seat |
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Steve Mueller
From:
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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Posted 17 Feb 2019 9:56 pm
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I've bought 3 new steels from Bill and he has been wonderful and very helpful in all instances. I've been to his shop in times person a few and he took all the time necessary to help with all questions. A great guy.
_________________
2016 Williams D12 8 x 8, 2015 Williams D12 8 x 8, 2023 Williams S12 4 x 5, Milkman Amps, 1974 Gibson Byrdland |
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Warren Tavernia
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 2 Mar 2019 3:46 pm williams steel guitars
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| Bill builds one of the best guitars in the country and is swamped with orders! If every one was as busy as he is they would be a little bit terse at times . when some one calls him they think he has all day to BS about stuff but the fact he is to busy and has to get on with his day answering other calls and Building your next guitar.where else can you get a lacquer guitar at that price??? |
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