Billy Connoly's show RT 66 show: lap steel collection

AJ Azure · Post by **AJ Azure** » 29 Sep 2011 5:18 pm

My jaw dropped open. A secret location in Missouri on RT 66 this guy has the world's largest collection of lap steel also has pedal steels, ukes, guitars, zithers, etc, etc OH AND other stuff too

When this guy goes his collection will be probably millions! He never sells so until then they remain hidden.

They didn't say if he actually plays so that's my only sadness is they might not be getting played.

Tom Franke · Post by **Tom Franke** » 30 Sep 2011 5:19 am

AJ, can you post a link?

Brian Hunter · Post by **Brian Hunter** » 30 Sep 2011 5:33 am

I may have to break out my Flash Gordon decoder ring for this one.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 30 Sep 2011 6:12 am

I like this guy already......

Iain · Post by **Iain** » 30 Sep 2011 8:58 am

Astonishing, wasn't it? Incredible number of instruments (steels, guitars, basses...) and amps, racked in tiered rows on his walls. Hundreds and hundreds.

And good quality instruments, too!

Shame they don't get played, but as and when he goes there'll be a sudden glut of vintage instruments hitting the market!

Chris Lucker · Post by **Chris Lucker** » 30 Sep 2011 10:15 am

His name is Bob, he is in Springfield, and yes, he sells and trades.

Well, after watching the clip mentioned below, I guess his name is Rob. I always thought it was Bob. Woops.

Mike Anderson · Post by **Mike Anderson** » 30 Sep 2011 12:45 pm

Here ya go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpX7yIHZ ... re=related

The amazing part starts at 2:50.

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 30 Sep 2011 1:25 pm

I no longer have any guilt about my dozen or so Rickenbachers and misc g'tars and equipment.

Thanks for sharing with us here at the SGF.

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 30 Sep 2011 2:13 pm

That's wild! Certainly the largest collection I've ever seen.

AJ Azure · Post by **AJ Azure** » 30 Sep 2011 4:17 pm

He said he never sells. Meanwhile what does this guy do for a living?!

That silver Ric man mint mint mint!

The funny thing is that he collects teed suitcases and medicine bottles too. Totally non-musical and not connected to the rest.

I wish they filmed him playing. I wonder if he's any good.

Wonder if his will has them all being donated to a museum.

Howard, you've got competition lol Although, you also commission new steel masterpieces.

This show is fun. Gives reality shows a good name.I've always enjoyed Billy.

Matthew Warman · Post by **Matthew Warman** » 3 Oct 2011 1:04 pm

incredible totally out of this world collection what a trip.

...it made me a bit sad though to see all those lovely assorted guitars in what seemed to be almost a mausoleum....the thing is you can't take them with you...I wonder where they will all end up when he heads for that big gig in the sky...

Geoff Cline · Post by **Geoff Cline** » 3 Oct 2011 6:00 pm

You think he plays?

He needs another building just for the cases...

Unbelievable.

Jeff Strouse · Post by **Jeff Strouse** » 3 Oct 2011 9:43 pm

What a collection...Rick Alexander would have loved to have seen this...

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 3 Oct 2011 9:55 pm

While his collection is totally awesome, it is sad also. So many wonderful steel guitars just gathering dust in his "museum". What a waste ! I agree with Skip when he stated he doesn't feel guilty having the few he owns...at least his and mine are being played which is more than I can say about this monster collection ! $:\$

Kay Das · Post by **Kay Das** » 3 Oct 2011 10:41 pm

Agree with George. It is sad if the number of lap steel guitars exceeds the number of lap steel guitarists...

Kay Das · Post by **Kay Das** » 3 Oct 2011 10:43 pm

Agree with George. It is sad if the number of lap steel guitars exceeds the number of lap steel guitarists...

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 4 Oct 2011 2:14 am

I don't understand the urge to collect that much of anything.

Mike D · Post by **Mike D** » 4 Oct 2011 12:29 pm

I guess the upside is that he's preserving them rather than hacking them up to make fake vintage Fenders or pirating the string-thru pickups etc.
It's too much to be buried with so I assume when he dies they'll be back on the market.

Jerome Hawkes · Post by **Jerome Hawkes** » 4 Oct 2011 1:30 pm

- if he IS obsessive compulsive, he spends his days changing all those strings.

Hugh Holstein · Post by **Hugh Holstein** » 4 Oct 2011 2:33 pm

Amazing but indeed very sad they aren't getting played like they should, I noticed a console steel the was being used as a toilet paper rack!

My wife is all over me for having to much stuff, I only have four steels.

I'm going to show her that video when she gets home...

"See honey? I don't have to much, I need to get more before that guy gets a hold of'em."

And she will go,

Steve Green · Post by **Steve Green** » 4 Oct 2011 5:57 pm

For someone to have THAT MANY steels, he must have more than a passing interest in them.

Wonder if he's a member of this Forum?

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 4 Oct 2011 7:26 pm

Well, if you're wondering why a kid with $500 walks out of the music store with an Ibanez or a Schecter instead of a nicely used Fender or Gibson, this guy (and others like him) are the reason, plain and simple. Clearly the guy seems happy, it must be the hunt that for him is the big thrill. I thought the same way about the Chinery Collection - what a waste.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 4 Oct 2011 7:50 pm

<--------not wondering

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 4 Oct 2011 7:52 pm

I'm afraid to look.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 5 Oct 2011 1:57 am

That fellah deserves to be in the Guinness book of records
i often wondered where all them vintage steels could have gone
now i know
amazing !

The Steel Guitar Forum

Billy Connoly's show RT 66 show: lap steel collection

Billy Connoly's show RT 66 show: lap steel collection

Talk about collectors...................