A Williams 700 Series Arrives Downunder!

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Ned McIntosh
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A Williams 700 Series Arrives Downunder!

Post by Ned McIntosh »

A few photos of my Williams 700 Series D10 which arrived a couple of days ago, via the ever-helpful and knowledgable Al Brisco. Played it at band-night this evening...what tone, smoothness, ergonomics, engineering excellence and sheer physical beauty! There's something about lacquered Maple which makes it balm for tired eyes!

First, the audience-side view:-

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Now the player's side view:-

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What I choose to call "The Playing Surface":-

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The undercarriage deserves a shot all of its own:-

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The changer features very easy string attachment:-

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and a few more pix for general "eye-candy" purposes! Here's the left knee-lever "cluster":-

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Here's the right:-
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Williams uses a short keyhead...

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and a three-quarter shot of the front with the inlays, name and series identifier:-

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There may be a few Williams' already downunder, but now there's one more, and it's staying here. My thanks to Al Brisco for his help, and my thanks, humble admiration and compliments to Bill Rudolph and his craftsmen for making such a magnificent example of our unique instrument. :D

Note to Aussie steelers: with our Aussie dollar so high, there has never been a better time to buy a top-quality steel-guitar from the US or Canada than now. Life is short and this is not a rehearsal. What are you waiting for?
The steel guitar is a hard mistress. She will obsess you, bemuse and bewitch you. She will dash your hopes on what seems to be whim, only to tease you into renewing the relationship once more so she can do it to you all over again...and yet, if you somehow manage to touch her in that certain magic way, she will yield up a sound which has so much soul, raw emotion and heartfelt depth to it that she will pierce you to the very core of your being.
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Jeff Spencer
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Post by Jeff Spencer »

Oh Ned, well done! What a gem :whoa: I was ready to pull the trigger on a Williams when I came upon a mint Zum U12 here. Have not got her yet - soon I hope

Love to here that beast of yours!

Have fun
Cheers
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Dennis Saydak
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Post by Dennis Saydak »

WoW! Even the hand cart is color coordinated. :D

That's a gorgeous guitar.
Dennis
Just when you think you're getting ahead in the rat race, the rats get faster.
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Chuck McGill
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Post by Chuck McGill »

How much is this beauty? Bill makes a work of art. I will own one of his someday.
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Steve Alcott
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Post by Steve Alcott »

Congratulations! Bill makes a fine instrument.
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Larry Baker
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Post by Larry Baker »

Very nice color, I particularly like the color cordinated dolly. L.
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Ryan Barwin
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Post by Ryan Barwin »

I've played that guitar at Al Brisco's shop...it plays and sounds just as beautiful as it looks.
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Paddy Long
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Post by Paddy Long »

Ned that is one sweet looking guitar mate ... I do love that Flame maple lacquer ... I can see a Lacquer Zum in my future :D

Glad you dealt with Al Brisco - he is a gem of a man all round.
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
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Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Tone-X, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases.
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Scott Schurhammer
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Post by Scott Schurhammer »

Very Nice! Welcome to the Blue Willy Club!
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Ned McIntosh
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Post by Ned McIntosh »

To answer Chuck's question, the steel was $3600Canadian, and with air-freight, insurance etc added it totalled $4300Canadian, then there was $800Aus when it arrived for GST and customs, quarantine and clearance fees. Imported pedal-steel guitars in Australia are duty-free, according to my customs agent.

Our Aussie dollar is buying about $1.07US at the moment, so when you add it all up the steel cost me (in $Aus) about $4856...this was not a cheap steel in any way, but quality is paid for just once and the rewards for buying quality are ongoing.

I see this as an investment in my playing pleasure and one I am more than happy to make. I got a lot of steel for my money.

I also emailed Bill Rudolph to let him know one of his fine steels had made its way Downunder and he was very pleased to welcome me to the group of Williams owners.
The steel guitar is a hard mistress. She will obsess you, bemuse and bewitch you. She will dash your hopes on what seems to be whim, only to tease you into renewing the relationship once more so she can do it to you all over again...and yet, if you somehow manage to touch her in that certain magic way, she will yield up a sound which has so much soul, raw emotion and heartfelt depth to it that she will pierce you to the very core of your being.
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Mike Perlowin RIP
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Post by Mike Perlowin RIP »

I love the color. If I ever get another steel, it's going to look like that.

Congratulations.
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin
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Jeff Spencer
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Post by Jeff Spencer »

this was not a cheap steel in any way, but quality is paid for just once and the rewards for buying quality are ongoing.

I see this as an investment in my playing pleasure and one I am more than happy to make. I got a lot of steel for my money.
Well said Ned :!: :!: . It would be great to see you up here at the Bris Steel Festival one year, but you would have to bring that baby along.
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CrowBear Schmitt
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Post by CrowBear Schmitt »

She's a beaut' Ned
you done real good
many moons of happiness to both of ya's ;-)
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Brendan Mitchell
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Post by Brendan Mitchell »

Congrats Ned
What a looker !
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Terry Winter
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Post by Terry Winter »

Nice, nice guitar Ned.....Al has always given top notch service and advice. Terry
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Tomi Graso
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Post by Tomi Graso »

Wow Ned, that looks awesome man, please bring it to our next steel meeting in Sydney , would love to test drive it if possible !?! An engineering jewel that guitar is ! Congratulations once again !
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Larry Lorows
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Post by Larry Lorows »

That is a great looking guitar. I feel the same way about my Williams. Larry
U12 Williams keyless 400
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Ned McIntosh
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Post by Ned McIntosh »

Will do, Tomi, will do and you are very welcome to play it as much as you want! We just need Nick to set another date.

Been playing it several times with a couple of bands and it is truly magnificent. The build quality is second-to-none and the tone equals the looks. Ryan Barwin's post was spot on!
The steel guitar is a hard mistress. She will obsess you, bemuse and bewitch you. She will dash your hopes on what seems to be whim, only to tease you into renewing the relationship once more so she can do it to you all over again...and yet, if you somehow manage to touch her in that certain magic way, she will yield up a sound which has so much soul, raw emotion and heartfelt depth to it that she will pierce you to the very core of your being.
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Tim Heidner
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Post by Tim Heidner »

GAS!!!!!!

Those Williams guitars are beautiful! 8)
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Brad Malone
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Great choice

Post by Brad Malone »

Ned, you have made a great choice..you are going to love that great changer..I have mine for 4 years and have never broken a string..also, when you change strings it is so much easier..enjoy.
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