What exactly is a Clinesmith

Nick Reed · Post by **Nick Reed** » 30 Aug 2012 6:54 pm

Pardon my ignorance in asking this, but are the Clinesmith's sort of a clone to the old Bigsby Pedal Steels. They sure do look like them in the pictures I've seen. And they seem very pricey!
Being a Emmons man all these years I was just wondering if any of you know much about them.

Nick

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 30 Aug 2012 9:57 pm

If you are judging them by the 1 on Bobbe's webpage, that is not a typical Clinesmith, It has been hot rodded and customized to Hell and back.
Most of them are substantially less expensive than that 1. He uses Paul's materials and methods, resulting in a heavier and more expensive guitar. But it has that sound

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 31 Aug 2012 5:09 am

I have to speak up about my objection to referring to the excellent PSGs made by Todd Clinesmith as "Clinesmiths".

He also makes other instruments. His resophonic guitars (aka dobros, resos)are among the best in the world.
I know, I own one.

Todd first displayed his Bigbsy style guitars at the Dallas show in 2006. I sat at his booth and spent much time with him and his personal reso. At the time I owned an excellent reso that I never thought I'd replace. That changed.

So my answer to ""What is a Clinesmith?" is:

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 31 Aug 2012 5:44 am

I also have an outstanding Clinesmith resonator, though I don't have a photo handy right now to attach of my guitar.

Todd's website was down for awhile, but now it's back up. He explains in the steel guitar section what Clinesmith steels are all about, though in the first sentence where he wrote about purchasing parts and that it was "last year" he should change it to the actual year, because it's been several years now:

http://www.clinesmithinstruments.com/

Ransom Beers · Post by **Ransom Beers** » 31 Aug 2012 5:59 am

But the name says "Clinesmith"re:(Clinesmith's)as they are refereed to,does not degrade the guitars but moreover identifies them as a specific name brand guitar whether it be a PSG or a Reso.JM $.02,which doesn't matter one way or the other but taking exception to someone calling a Clinesmith "Clinesmith's" is a bit silly.

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 31 Aug 2012 6:04 am

Agree. I guess I chose my words wrong.

The point I wanted to make is "a Clinesmith" is not necessarily a PSG.

Ransom Beers · Post by **Ransom Beers** » 31 Aug 2012 6:09 am

I knew what you meant,I was bored

Marc Jenkins · Post by **Marc Jenkins** » 31 Aug 2012 7:48 am

Q: what is a Clinesmith?
A: forum search.

Jerome Hawkes · Post by **Jerome Hawkes** » 31 Aug 2012 8:24 am

i would summarize like this:
yeah, they are.

i am assuming since you are an emmons guy - you were looking at Bobbe's site - thats not what Todd builds - its Bobbe's "Hot Rod Lincoln" that i guess he experimented with and decided to see what someone would pay for it.
this question seems to come up everytime someone sees that web page. he should really have a disclaimer on it.

Ray McCarthy · Post by **Ray McCarthy** » 31 Aug 2012 1:24 pm

A clinesmith is a guy who cobbles clines together--duh!

By the way, what's a cline

Ransom Beers · Post by **Ransom Beers** » 31 Aug 2012 1:46 pm

Ray McCarthy wrote:A clinesmith is a guy who cobbles clines together--duh!
By the way, what's a cline

A cline is a long walk up a mountain.

Bill Fisher · Post by **Bill Fisher** » 31 Aug 2012 2:16 pm

A Clinesmith is an absolutely gorgeous instrument, manufactured to the highest of standards. To me, it looks better than any Bigsby ever made.

Bill

Jussi Huhtakangas · Post by **Jussi Huhtakangas** » 31 Aug 2012 11:31 pm

Bill Fisher wrote: To me, it looks better than any Bigsby ever made.

Bill

Really??

Seriously though, Todd's guitars are the best!

Ransom Beers · Post by **Ransom Beers** » 1 Sep 2012 2:41 am

I think some people are just prejudice.Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder & if you be holding a "Clinesmith" or a "Bigsby" therein is where the beauty lies.

Marco Schouten · Post by **Marco Schouten** » 3 Sep 2012 7:45 am

Wow, he makes beautiful resonators too....awesome

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 3 Sep 2012 8:06 am

Nick,

Todd Clinesmith builds a variety of beautiful, custom-made instruments. He bought authentic new old stock and reproduction Bigsby parts as well as some patterns from Paul Warnik. Here's the topic he posted when he announced his Bigsby-inspired products:
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=117414

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 3 Sep 2012 5:15 pm

I've been playing Clinesmith steels for about 5 years now--they are my favorites. Todd is also making some new designs that are really beautiful and quite different from the original Bigsby concept. The one I have on order currently is a D-10 that also borrows from the Fender and Rickenbacker console style.

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 3 Sep 2012 6:28 pm

To me, it looks better than any Bigsby ever made.

Here's a couple nice ones. And yes, I have a Clinesmith.

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 3 Sep 2012 7:17 pm

Joey - thanks for replacing that "other" Reso you had mate - I am eternally grateful

Chris Lucker · Post by **Chris Lucker** » 3 Sep 2012 11:29 pm

Here are some nice ones in my pile. I have another Bigbsy that I have under wraps until the appropriate time. I also have a Clinesmith single lap.
Single ten string same year as Maurice show above.

Deke Dickerson recently located the Man himself -- Fireball Billy Earle. I hope to reunite him with his guitar.

Wally played with Eschol Cosby and the Christian Cowboys. His wife was still mad that Wally paid $640 for the Bigsby without consulting with her.

Yes -- that is in fact a Factory original Bigsby D-10.

Better top photo. It never had a name on the apron.

Olli Haavisto · Post by **Olli Haavisto** » 4 Sep 2012 12:51 am

I will know soon.

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 4 Sep 2012 3:48 am

Joey - thanks for replacing that "other" Reso you had mate - I am eternally grateful

Paddy - I'm very pleased that it found such a good home with you, mate....

I originally planned to keep both, as they were both excellent. However one got lonely. Instruments deserve to be played.

Tell it I send greetings, and fondly remember our relationship.

Brett Lanier · Post by **Brett Lanier** » 4 Sep 2012 7:47 am

These Clinesmith guitars look amazing. I haven't seen one up close yet but I'm amazed at how close the aluminum parts look to the original Bigsbys.

Does anyone here know if Todd has built any with knee levers?

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 4 Sep 2012 7:55 am

Chris Lucker wrote:Here are some nice ones in my pile. I have another Bigbsy that I have under wraps until the appropriate time. I also have a Clinesmith single lap.
Single ten string same year as Maurice show above.

Deke Dickerson recently located the Man himself -- Fireball Billy Earle. I hope to reunite him with his guitar.

Wally played with Eschol Cosby and the Christian Cowboys. His wife was still mad that Wally paid $640 for the Bigsby without consulting with her.

Yes -- that is in fact a Factory original Bigsby D-10.

Better top photo. It never had a name on the apron.

Amazing, Chris. I'm really eager to hear about the secret Bigsby, which I'm assuming is really special.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 4 Sep 2012 8:01 am

The Steel Guitar Forum

What exactly is a Clinesmith

What exactly is a Clinesmith

re: "What is a Clinesmith?"