Info wanted on Phil Baugh

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 23 Sep 2003 6:38 pm

Can someone give me some info in the late and fabulous Nashville guitarist Phil Baugh. I would like to know something about the pedal/cable set up he used for standard electric guitar. How did this work and what kind of pulls did he have set up. He and Emmons sure had a nice live backup band on several TV shows.

Mac Bellingrath · Post by **Mac Bellingrath** » 23 Sep 2003 6:45 pm

I suggest you contact Reece Anderson. I am pretty sure the rig that Phil used was built by MSA.

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Lefty Pedalmaster D-10 8x5, Nashville 400

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 23 Sep 2003 8:03 pm

Phil and Buddy together were magic.

George Kimery · Post by **George Kimery** » 23 Sep 2003 8:58 pm

Mac may be correct. I heard that Joe Kline, that built Kline Steel's built it. But, it was 2nd or 3rd hand information, so it may not be true. If it turns out that MSA did not do it, then try Joe Kline.

Ernie Renn · Post by **Ernie Renn** » 24 Sep 2003 3:25 am

Bill;

Phil's guitar's were set up as follows: Each string had a pedal. Strings 1-E, 2-B, 3-G, 4-D, 5-A were each raised a whole tone. String 6-E was lowered two and a half tones, (from E to B.) Pedal one was for the small E and so on. He ran the pedals with his left foot and the volume pedal with his right.

(I re-scanned the image that was here. It's down the page.)

I played the guitar in the picture above at Phil's Sound Factory office in Nashville in '82. This one is a Peavey T-60, but the first one I saw that had pedals was either a Music Man or a G&L. He played it when the Nashville Superpickers were on Austin City Limits, (below).

Sadly Phil passed away on November 4, 1990. He was 53 years old.

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My best,
Ernie

www.buddyemmons.com[This message was edited by Ernie Renn on 24 September 2003 at 09:00 AM.]

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 24 Sep 2003 5:18 am

GREAT INFO!!! Thanks.

Looks like an old Bigsby vol. pedal there. I have also seen a pic of Baugh using a beautiful Gibson L5S solidbody guitar. Sure would like to see how the connector/assembly at the bridge of the guitar worked.

Wade Medlock · Post by **Wade Medlock** » 24 Sep 2003 6:25 am

This is great stuff. Did Phil do any solo albums? If not, what would you suggest as the best showcases of Phil Baugh's work?

Ernie Renn · Post by **Ernie Renn** » 24 Sep 2003 6:42 am

Bill;

It was a Fender swivel top volume pedal. Phil had it wired so he could go between the straight guitar sound and the Korg Guitar Synth by swiveling to top of the pedal.

The pedals were done with cables, similar to brakes on a bicycle. I don't recall how they were connected to the strings.

For a time there was talk of Peavey producing a Phil Baugh signature model pedal guitar. At the time the Sound Factory was doing two TV shows, "That Nashville Music" and WTBS's "Nashville Alive!" with host Ralph Emery, (I believe the show eventually turned into "Nashville Now" on the Nashville Network.) Both shows were cancelled and interest in making the guitar without the national weekly promotion faded.

I'll see if I can find a couple more pictures...

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My best,
Ernie

www.buddyemmons.com

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 24 Sep 2003 6:58 am

This is my tribute to Phil Baugh
Uncle Phil

The Echoplex stuff and pedal bends he and Buddy tossed back and forth made some of the most entertaining music I've ever heard.

I'm 53 this year, myself. And I miss Uncle Phil. Incicentally, I've exchanged EMails with his daughter Tiffany who lives in Texas.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Ernie Renn · Post by **Ernie Renn** » 24 Sep 2003 7:45 am

Bill;

It was a Bigsby pedal. I looked and found a couple more pictures, including one where I could see the name on the pedal. All I really remembered was the swivel.

One a little closer:

The "Pak-a-couch":

Coincidentally, my cousin bought this seat from Phil. I wonder whatever happened to it... (I found out where it ended up: The Sumner County dump, just outside of Nashville. My cousin said he kept it as long as his second wife would let him. But it was getting pretty rickety by the time he got rid of it.)

Larry, could you please send my e-mail address to Tiffany. Thanks! BTW: I heard your tune just yesterday. Another coincidence? Hmmm... (Ironically, I've called him Uncle Phil since 82.)

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My best,
Ernie

www.buddyemmons.com[This message was edited by Ernie Renn on 24 September 2003 at 09:27 PM.]

Tom Kaufman · Post by **Tom Kaufman** » 24 Sep 2003 7:50 am

I happen to have an old album by Phil Baugh; I don't know if it's still in print. But the title of it is "Country Guitar." One of the cuts he does that I just love is a thing called "Live Wire." Another is called, "The Finger." And then, there's the title cut, "Country Guitar", wherre Phil does some nice impersonations of some of the guitar greats like Billy Byrd, Merle Travis, Hank Garland and Chet atkins. If you can find this album, it's a fine showcaseing of what Phil Baugh was doing when he was about 28 years old. I think that it is on the "longhorn" label; will have to double check on that one. He sure was a fine picker!

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 24 Sep 2003 8:11 am

Ernie,
Done.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Ernie Renn · Post by **Ernie Renn** » 24 Sep 2003 8:25 am

Thanks, Larry!

"Uncle Phil" is a really cool tune! Are you playing guitar and steel? (I do that, too...)

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My best,
Ernie

www.buddyemmons.com

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 24 Sep 2003 8:34 am

I do play both on some tunes on my CD, but not on that tune. Guitar player is my best musical friend Jeff DeHollander. He lives in Orlando, FL. Incredible musician. I WISH I could have played that solo. Phil woulda loved it.

You should hear from 'Cousin Tiff' soon. I just got a response from her. She's a sweetie.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Ernie Renn · Post by **Ernie Renn** » 24 Sep 2003 8:37 am

She already mailed.

Thanks, Larry!

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My best,
Ernie

www.buddyemmons.com

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 24 Sep 2003 9:05 am

Earnie. Looking at the bridge on the guitar, is that a vibrato handle on that thing!?
Looks like all the pull assembly is on top of a Fender jazzmaster vibrato assembly.

I also have the Phil Baugh LP in my collection. I used to enjoy so much seeing him and Emmons on the live shows from N'ville. BIG sound.

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 24 Sep 2003 9:21 am

Sometime in the late 60's while Phil was living in Dallas he and Maurice Anderson came to Blackie Taylor's music store which was in Hawaiian Gardens, California at the time. I was lucky enough to be there that day and got to run the drum machine for them and do a few on bass. As I recall, Buddy Emmons came by and played some bass too as he was in Calif. at this time. The unit was indeed built by MSA and I think Phil had it on a Les Paul Gibson for this thing if I remember right. The good thing about this unit is the vibrato arm. On Parsons/White, Bigsby Palm pedals, Hipshot units, etc. you can't have a vibrato tailpiece too so this unit was really cool. Phil could do some cool stuff with that E string lower to B. One of the things I liked to hear him play with this unit was Shadow of your Smile. He really nailed that one. By the way, Phil's the man who did all the lead work on Haggard stuff like Strangers, and the Bottle let me down too if I remember right. Can you imagine the scenario, Maurice Anderson on steel, Phil on Guitar, and Buddy on bass. If no one's ever heard Emmons play bass they've missed something. He's dang near as good on it as 99% of the guys who play bass as their main instrument. Have a good 'un. JH

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Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 24 Sep 2003 9:52 am

Also, if you like Jimmie Crawford, listen to the guitar part on 'Dee Dee' off JC's 'Steel Crazy' album. One of the most clever steel instrumentals I've ever heard and Phil's contribution fits the tune perfectly.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 24 Sep 2003 9:58 am

Since you asked, I happen to have a pedal guitar in my collection. It is a Peavey T60, but the pedal attachment may not have been made by MSA. It looks different than other pictures I've seen, and the pullers attach to the back of the guitar instead of the front, and pull the strings through the body. Rollers were added to the bridge saddles, but they are too small and the high E strings don't last long. There are no markings whatsoever that indicate who made it. I haven't played it much, it needs some adjustment and tweaking, and I just haven't taken the time to do it.

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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 24 Sep 2003 10:07 am

Hi Larry- I met Phil Baugh at the MSA factory in Dallas when I was picking up a D12. He showed me his new pedal operated guitar. I thought it was great! Reece was higly impressed with it too, if I remember. Phil was a top guitar player . that's for sure. I am sorry that he died so young.

I almost bought a 14 string lightweight Proto-type Msa that Bud and Chuck Wright built when I was there.

Carl-It had a vertical knee lever that pushed straight up, with a long piece with holes in it, so you could get just the exact adjustment .

I think it was called "El Camino" model...al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

RON PRESTON · Post by **RON PRESTON** » 24 Sep 2003 11:40 am

It is sad that Phil died so early in his life. Because of him, I met Buddy for the 1st time in 82 or 83 at the "hot licks studio" on W 18th St. I looked ALL OVER Nashville to find "The BIG E", and a Gentelman, Mr. Wheeler himself, of "Wheeler Steels" on Broadway sent me there. I will never forget how kind and caring Phil was to me in helping me see Buddy that day. I took photos of both Phil and Buddy and showed Tommy White of the "Proud" photo I had of Buddy. Of course he ask where I met him, and, I told the story to Tommy, and I remember Tommy saying to me....."Ah, The BIG E!" This was when Tommy was playing in Louisville for Mike Lungsford at the "Lemon Tree Lounge" NEVER in my life was I so nervous as I was that day To meet BOTH Buddy and Phil.

[This message was edited by RON PRESTON on 24 September 2003 at 12:41 PM.]

Fred Jack · Post by **Fred Jack** » 24 Sep 2003 4:49 pm

Jerry, Do you remember when Phil played with Vern Stovall at The Blue Room in Pomona in 60-62? They did a song like you mention with Phil playing several styles.
Also ... James Burton did The Bottle Let Me Down and probably Swingin Doors, however, Glen Campbell may have done Swinging Doors.
Regards, Fred

Rick Jackson · Post by **Rick Jackson** » 24 Sep 2003 5:39 pm

Fred, I have a cd from the late Jack Morris of Toppa Records with that recording of Vern Stovall and Phil Baugh. The name of the cd is Toppa Then and Now. I don't know if it is still available....rj

Winnie Winston · Post by **Winnie Winston** » 24 Sep 2003 9:20 pm

I met Phil at the MSA factory in January '73. I was heading east from California trying to outrun a hell of an ice storm that had me stranded in (I think) Colorado City, TX for 3 days at the worst motel I've even been in.
Maurice was busy for a while, so left me with Phil. I wondered what kind of idiot Reece had working there who didn't know squat about steels. He couldn't answer anything I asked, and when I pointed out details to him he was truly amazed.
Then Reece came back, and Phil showed me his pedal guitar that Reece just finished for him. THEN I understood why he didn't know from steels!
He was soooo good on that guitar!

JW

L. D. Cochran · Post by **L. D. Cochran** » 25 Sep 2003 4:55 am

Vern was playing in a little club in Grandprarrie TX,in about 91-92, club was called Carsons,i set in one night with him,he has a son who is real good also,Vern is from Vian,Okla.