Open letter to Bobbe Seymour

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 29 Aug 2011 11:16 am

Bobbe, you know that I have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for you. You have always been 100% honest with me in our business dealings, and I have no problem doing business with you again.

I also admire your musicianship. You are a great player.

But I have a problem with your referring to the MSA Millennium in your latest newsletter as "Tupperware."

You have the right to say that you don't like they way they sound, but if you should refer to the carbon fiber as carbon fiber. Calling it Tupperware not only is disrespectful to Reece and Kyle and Johnny Cox and all those who play Millenniums (like me,) but also makes you look small and petty.

You are better than that.

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 29 Aug 2011 11:41 am

Mike, I'm sorry to hear that you're having problems with your Tupperware. It you call Customer Service, Tupperware will probably replace it under your Lifetime Warranty.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 29 Aug 2011 12:39 pm

i'd like to thank bobbe for his great sense of humor. it keeps the community from getting too stiff.

i think the tupperware is just as nice as the previous genuine authentic simulated reconstituted wood like material covered with a kitchen countertop that some steels have previousy used.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 29 Aug 2011 12:51 pm

Personally, I always preferred the mother-of-toilet-seat covering.

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 29 Aug 2011 1:41 pm

Does anybody remember when Bobbe had his own alternate forum, and there was a character who called him self "Ben Dover" whose entire reason for existence was to attack Reece and put down his guitars? Dover not only called the guitars Tupperware, he suggested that they were junk, and that all MSAs were pieces of garbage, and the people who payed them were all lousy players.

Does anybody remember that this person wrote that he hoped I choked to death while performing oral sex on Reece?

I didn't and still don't find that funny.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 29 Aug 2011 1:45 pm

WOW!!

Pretty heavy stuff. I admit that if I owned a Millenium (or other so-called "tupperware" guitar) I would also be offended by Bobbe's reference.

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 29 Aug 2011 2:39 pm

Richard Sinkler wrote:...if I owned a Millenium (or other so-called "tupperware" guitar) I would also be offended by Bobbe's reference.

How do you think Mr. Tupper feels?

Daniel Morris · Post by **Daniel Morris** » 29 Aug 2011 4:04 pm

Geez, seriously, Mike?
I wasn't aware of that forum. I've played a 1979 MSA 12 string Universal exclusively since I bought it new, and while I prefer wood, I simply cannot fathom someone putting down all MSA steels.
I fondly recall Reece phoning me, asking how I like my (at that time) new guitar. As I recall, MSA was sort of the Cadillac of pedal steels, and if I ever had to replace my present one (God forbid!), I'd look to MSA once again; Reece said I can still get wood, if I want it.

Dickie Whitley · Post by **Dickie Whitley** » 29 Aug 2011 4:39 pm

I have a great deal of respect for Mike and Bobbe. Mike taught me to read sheet music with a phone call, that I will never forget. But in fairness to both, the Constitution of this country does not guarantee that you won't be offended by something, and offers no method of recompense if you are. A lot of people have said things I don't like in my over half-century on this planet. But to speak their opinions is a right (whether I like it or not) all people in this country have. Just like Bobbe stated his disdain, Mike has stated his objection. Let's leave it at that.

Daniel Morris · Post by **Daniel Morris** » 29 Aug 2011 4:44 pm

True, true, Dickie.
I guess I feel that it's such a pity that there's so much infighting within the steel guitar world (or Forum, at least), and it's a small world to begin with.
There's room for many styles and opinions, but why the grudge matches? Pity.....

Dave Hopping · Post by **Dave Hopping** » 29 Aug 2011 4:53 pm

Context,guys...Bobbe's characterization wasn't much more than a meant-to-be-humorous aside,and was followed by some very nice things said about Reece.All of this was contained in an extremely well-written piece about Bobbe's concern that the mistreatment of Gibson might extend to other manufacturers,and perhaps even private owners.I share Bobbe's concerns;Mike's,not so much.

Daniel Morris · Post by **Daniel Morris** » 29 Aug 2011 5:56 pm

Yup, I got that in the e-mail, Dave.
It's the other things Mike mentioned that didn't seem so humorous.

Alan Tanner · Post by **Alan Tanner** » 29 Aug 2011 5:57 pm

...amazing....

Elton Smith · Post by **Elton Smith** » 29 Aug 2011 7:30 pm

Mike I would like to read this as I own two Msa's.This may be a misunderstanding.Carbon fiber is the strongest lightest toughest material on the planet.They use it in spacecraft and aircraft.Passenger jet engines have a carbon fiber bag around them to catch a blade should it break off the turbine. http://www.howstuffworks.com/fuel-effic ... risis1.htm

Jim Hollingsworth · Post by **Jim Hollingsworth** » 29 Aug 2011 7:31 pm

I was surprised when I read the email.... but I spose we all "oooopsy" from time to time. Personally I was interested in the Millennium as an alternative to maple - especially the light weight! Too bad it became so cost prohibitive!

By the way Mike - how does it sound? Honestly, since I've never heard one in person - how does it compare to a maple or mica axe??

Jim

Jim Hollingsworth · Post by **Jim Hollingsworth** » 29 Aug 2011 7:32 pm

But I will also add that Bobbe is definitely a fine player and is entitled to his opinion.

Jim

Paul Warnik · Post by **Paul Warnik** » 29 Aug 2011 8:37 pm

Mike P-Lighten Up-I OWN a carbon fiber Milly M2 and DON'T feel offended by Bobbe's verbage-Over the years of our dealings I've learned how to take him. We've had issues between us in the past and I feel we mended fences years ago-The man is not in good health and not even well enough to attend his own induction into the H.O.F., Which I KNOW means alot to him because HE told me himself (when we were in St. Louis) that he would NEVER be inducted to the H.O.F. (Good things can happen to those who wait)
If you read Bobbe's latest e-mail news it is plain that he is in effect of the recent crack-down by the government on the wood importation issue. I believe that is the root of his sarcasm. Let it roll like the proverbial "water off a duck's back" and YOU will be the bigger man for it.

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 29 Aug 2011 8:39 pm

Mike don't forget to 'burp' it when you close the case !

Paul Warnik · Post by **Paul Warnik** » 29 Aug 2011 8:49 pm

Paddy Long wrote:Mike don't forget to 'burp' it when you close the case !

A man with a sense of humor!

Paul Warnik · Post by **Paul Warnik** » 30 Aug 2011 12:23 am

Mike Perlowin wrote:Does anybody remember that this person wrote that he hoped I choked to death while performing oral sex on Reece?

I didn't and still don't find that funny.

Mike-That's something that I CAN understand you being quite rattled by

David Wright · Post by **David Wright** » 30 Aug 2011 12:33 am

Mike,
You off your meds again?? or just bad pot?? I told you not to mix the two and then get on a computer..

I well remember the "Dover" thing, and all the B.S. he said...long time ago, you need to let go mike...

you need to move on///
As far as Tupperware and thinking Carbon fiber are one of the same , well, one needs to pull his or her head out of there ass..

Now, lets move this to

Jim Hollingsworth.... As far as the sound goes on A Milly, it's as good as the guy playing it...I've played 3 Millys, loved them all.

Bill Cunningham · Post by **Bill Cunningham** » 30 Aug 2011 12:36 am

Mike, lighten up on this one brother. I read that newsletter and Bobbe made it clear he was joking when he made the reference to Tupperware. We all know Bobbe's sense of humor I think.....

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 30 Aug 2011 1:05 am

don't let it bend you out of shape Sir Perlamunde
it's Bobster's renown humor

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 30 Aug 2011 2:03 am

Jim Hollingsworth wrote: how does it sound? Honestly, since I've never heard one in person - how does it compare to a maple or mica axe??

Jim, the maple guitar shown in my avatar (which I no longer own) has a richer, warmer tone that the Milly, but the Milly has better string separation and every note rings out clearer and more distinctly.

Some people prefer the sound of a wood guitar. Jr. Knight and Pee Wee Whitewing both sold their Millys because they could not get their signature sounds out of them. I can't get the same sound out of mine that I got from my green guitar. I just accept that my new guitar doesn't sound like my old one. So what? It still sounds good.

Bobbe is certainly entitled to his opinion, and he is entitled to make his opinions known. My opinion is that he should have done that without resorting to a snide comment.

I was unaware that he is ill, and I hope he recovers soon.

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 30 Aug 2011 3:26 am

Before b0b locks this one down, I will say this. Maurice and Bobbe put this issue to bed quite a while ago thankfully, and while they were at it they renewed a friendship that goes back over many, many years.

Both guys are very good friends of mine, and I will say this Mike - you don't get Bobbe's humour at all. If he refers to any material as Tupperware it is said with his tongue firmly in his cheek.

Re Bobbe's old forum - yes it did get a bit OTT at times, and that's why Bobbe closed it down after receiving a complaint about it. Having said that, it did contain threads that were very irreverent and humourous, and sometimes we need a bit of that to take away the seriousness in our lives.

As one of the previous posters has said - 'lighten up'. Just love Bobbe for what he is.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Open letter to Bobbe Seymour

Open letter to Bobbe Seymour

oooopsy!

Re: oooopsy!