Carter #2000, the pedal steel guitar as art.

John Fabian · Post by **John Fabian** » 24 Aug 2009 11:31 am

An example of inlay art at its finest.

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This 2000th pro Carter will be on display at The ISGC. See you there.

Joe Smith · Post by **Joe Smith** » 24 Aug 2009 11:48 am

WOW!!!! John, it's beautiful.

Mike Schwartzman · Post by **Mike Schwartzman** » 24 Aug 2009 12:22 pm

Hey now...there's a "sunken treasure" for you! It's beautiful.

Ulf Edlund · Post by **Ulf Edlund** » 24 Aug 2009 12:57 pm

Crazy

Sherman Willden · Post by **Sherman Willden** » 24 Aug 2009 2:33 pm

John;

I assume that is number 2000 of all the steels you and Bud have manufactured. How many 12-strings have you manufactured?

Thanks;

Sherman

Roger Crawford · Post by **Roger Crawford** » 24 Aug 2009 3:10 pm

The "Aquarium Carter". Way to go, John!

Michael Johnstone · Post by **Michael Johnstone** » 24 Aug 2009 3:23 pm

I betcha I could play some spectacular clams on that thing.

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 24 Aug 2009 3:34 pm

Very cool guitar John! Congratulations on a significant milestone.

Ron Bryson · Post by **Ron Bryson** » 24 Aug 2009 4:20 pm

After studying this work of art, I am a little dismayed that one of the greatest underwater proponents of steel guitar was not represented. Spongeb0b.
Seriously, a true work of art. Congratulations, and thanks for sharing it with us John.
Ron

Jeff Evans · Post by **Jeff Evans** » 24 Aug 2009 4:24 pm

I've been admiring it since it debuted in the Test section.

John — it looks as though the underlying wood may itself be exceptionally figured; any chance of seeing a before picture of the guitar body, maybe some work-in-progress photos?

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 24 Aug 2009 4:25 pm

Pretty slick! 2000 guitars is really something. Here's to the next 2000.

Paul E Vendemmia · Post by **Paul E Vendemmia** » 24 Aug 2009 4:27 pm

John go out and record something with it then you can charge more for it just ask Mike
I think you should get $50.000 dollars with or without a recording
great job Paul

Bobby Burns · Post by **Bobby Burns** » 24 Aug 2009 4:34 pm

How 'bout a plug for the inlay artist. I bet that took a while.

Andrew Roblin · Post by **Andrew Roblin** » 24 Aug 2009 4:53 pm

Absolutely beautiful. Looks like an all-time classic to me.

Stunningly creative use of the figure in the wood.

Too funny about the clams, Michael.

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 24 Aug 2009 6:03 pm

John that looks stunning mate, it's so good I have been looking for the slot to put the fish food

Incredible inlays - is that the same guy who did the 12 string with the musical staffe and instrument inlays across the front ?

Hook Moore · Post by **Hook Moore** » 24 Aug 2009 6:50 pm

Very unique !! Congrats on guitar #2000 !!
Hook

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 24 Aug 2009 6:51 pm

That is absolutely, drop-dead gorgeous. The most stunning steel guitar I have ever seen. Might you be open to a trade? If so, I can offer my first-born male child. Let me know; I'm serious.

Per Berner · Post by **Per Berner** » 24 Aug 2009 10:09 pm

Absolutely fantastic inlay work, but way over the top tastewise, IMHO. It's like one of those dreadful showcase Martin dreadnoughts with more engraved pearl than wood visible. When the decorations cost many times more than the instrument itself, something is just wrong. It's much nicer than that ultra-bling $40,000 Emmons, though.

Ned McIntosh · Post by **Ned McIntosh** » 24 Aug 2009 10:58 pm

This is a truly beautiful steel-guitar. Mind you, it may not be to everyone's taste. I take Per Berner's point about the excessively-inlaid Martins, although I don't feel this is the same league for sheer indulgence. Those Martins looked "unplayable" because they were simply too beautiful. This steel looks playable and beautiful at the same time.

The 2000th Carter is quite an achievement, not only because of the artistry, the skill and time that went into it's manufacture and finishing but also because 2000 steel-guitars is something of a milestone in itself. As a proud Carter-owner, I regard this as an eminently-collectible yet working instrument which deserves to be in the loving care of a steel-player rather than a museum. This guitar needs someone to give it voice; skilled hands to make it sing and a musician's heart to make it reach out to the hearts of others.

The other thing this steel-guitar needs, I think, is a name. It's a one-off, so the name should reflect the rarity, beauty and singular nature of this instrument. In keeping with its marine theme, perhaps we could call it the Carter "Atlantis"...symbolising the mythical underwater city, hidden from man just as the steel-guitar hides its potential until we learn the intricacies and subtleties over the lifetime it seems to take to come to terms, let alone master, it.

Micky Byrne · Post by **Micky Byrne** » 25 Aug 2009 12:50 am

Ned...just a thought, how about it being called the Carter "Atlantis" .. guess you remember Atlantis was the lost city under the sea

Yes that is one gorgeous guitar, wish I could do inlays like that. All I do is engraving on the metal parts of my steels,one of which is a Carter Universal.

Micky Byrne United Kingdom

www.micky-byrne.co.uk

Micky Byrne · Post by **Micky Byrne** » 25 Aug 2009 12:53 am

Sorry Ned....you'd already mentioned it...Great minds think alike

Micky Byrne United Kingdom

www.micky-byrne.co.uk

Barry Gaskell · Post by **Barry Gaskell** » 25 Aug 2009 1:25 am

Very cold colours, but superb workmanship.
who did the work and what is the inlay material ?
It's obviously a show piece guitar, which I've no doubt plays superbly. It would really finish the piece if the metal was engraved as well.It seems to be begging for it, maybe a finely engraved day and date and motif
Barry

John Fabian · Post by **John Fabian** » 25 Aug 2009 2:00 am

Craig Lavin did all the inlay except for the straight abalone on the sides of the necks. If you click on the title frame of the flash show, it will take you to his website. Each of the scenes in the flash show can be selected and will show you the picture without the "Ken Burns" effects. We will be publishing a list of materials used for each inlay later.

Craig is one of the top inlay artists in the world.

Engraving chrome-plated aluminum would be "hard".

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 25 Aug 2009 3:25 am

No response to my offer, John? Okay, okay, how about first-born male child plus $10,000? Am I getting warm?

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 25 Aug 2009 6:07 am

As a proud Carter-owner, I regard this as an eminently-collectible yet working instrument which deserves to be in the loving care of a steel-player rather than a museum.

Well. I'll keep it warm for you while you look for a museum, at least. Not too big a sacrifice.