Bigsby Pedal Steel

John Ummel · Post by **John Ummel** » 30 Jun 2005 5:36 am

Hello everybody,
I've followed the forum here for a couple of years but this is my first post.
I played Pedal Steel and fiddle in country bands here in the Pacific Northwest for 20+ years. First steel was a Sho-Bud Maverick in 1973. Also had a Pro I, and a couple of Excel U-12's. Not playing pro now, but gettin a little itchy for a new steel! But that can wait, right now I have a question. Maybe somebody is familiar with Bigsby Pedal Steels. I know they are quite rare and I discovered one sitting with its face to the wall in the corner of a friends home studio. I took a look and saw it is a Bigsby Double 8. I took some digital pics and sent them to George Gruhn for appraisal.
The necks on this guitar are wooden (maple) and the headstocks are wooden also, one piece with the neck. George said he felt that these wooden pegheads are not characteristic of Bigsby's work and may not be original. But I inspected this and they sure look like the same wood and finish as the rest of the instrument. Anyone know if Bigsby made any guitars with wooden necks with one piece pegheads?
Best Regards,
Johnny

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 30 Jun 2005 6:33 am

Geo. Gruhn is not the person to ask anything about steel guitars, Bigsby included. Lead guitars yes, no steals though. If you paid for this apprasial, you should get your money back.
These necks are original for Bigsby, these could be orderd either way. Many people on this forum will back this up. Chas. Smith, Paul Warnik etc. I have had fourteen of this brand steel guitar and several had wood necks. The only ones I know of that don't have "original" wood necks are the triple that Walter Haynes had and the triple that Herb Stiener has. Shot Jackson did the "Wood neck conversion" on these guitars to alleviate the expantion-contraction tuning problems the aluminum necks had.
Bobbe Seymour [This message was edited by BobbeSeymour on 30 June 2005 at 07:35 AM.][This message was edited by BobbeSeymour on 30 June 2005 at 07:37 AM.]

John Ummel · Post by **John Ummel** » 30 Jun 2005 7:22 am

Thanks Bobby,
That's what I suspected.
The front neck was cut by a previous owner and repaired by my friend, the current owner.
The guitar has also had a knee lever added. The owner would like to remove this and restore it to original. But is not quite sure what the "original" postion of the pulley's etc. is. Anyone have any advice on this. Pics of an "original" D-8 undercarriage would be most helpful.
Johnny

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 30 Jun 2005 8:03 am

Pictures won't do you much good as every Bigsby was built differently as per the set-up ordered for the particular guitar.
bobbe

Paul Warnik · Post by **Paul Warnik** » 30 Jun 2005 8:12 am

John U-Yes some Bigsby steels had wooden necks that were completely of maple from the tail through the headstock-I have the original wood templates for them-they are rarer than the metal necks and desireable to Bigsby players because they were less susceptible to tuning problems occurring from temperature changes

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 30 Jun 2005 10:00 am

To add to what has been said, a D-8 Bigsby pedal guitar with wood necks is a rare find. Out of curiosity, what are the numbers stamped on the end plate? And is there a name on the front? Is the fret board flat or is it cast aluminum with raised graphics?

John Ummel · Post by **John Ummel** » 30 Jun 2005 10:49 am

Thanks Bobbe, Paul, Chas...
We could not find a serial number on this instrument. The name "SUNNY" is on the right front of the cabinet. The fret board is cast aluminum, raised graphics. He wants to "undo" the mods and repairs so the guitar is as "original" as possible. I advised him not to do a thing until I had the chance to post it here and find out more about it. He does not have internet access, so I agreed to do this for him. He is not a steel player. He's had the guitar sitting in a corner of his studio for years. Now he says he would like to see it the hands of someone who appreiciates it.

Larry Strawn · Post by **Larry Strawn** » 30 Jun 2005 8:47 pm

John,,,

I can't add anything concerning the Bigsby,, But welcome to the Forum nieghbor..

Larry

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Emmons S/D-10, 3/4, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

Jussi Huhtakangas · Post by **Jussi Huhtakangas** » 1 Jul 2005 12:32 am

John, check for the serial # again, under the endplate, maybe around the righthand side front leg. That's where the serial # on mine is. It'd be an oddity if there wasn't one. The raised graphic fretboards make it an early 50's one. If you can post pictures here we will be able to tell you lot more about it.

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 1 Jul 2005 5:01 am

Yes, pictures please for the lascivious among us. This is an historical piece.

John Ummel · Post by **John Ummel** » 1 Jul 2005 8:25 am

Thanks to all for your kind replies.
I should post here that the Bigsby has been sold.
The owner accepted an offer yesterday afternoon.
I am so grateful for this forum and thanks again to all for your replies here.
johnny

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 1 Jul 2005 8:40 am

Congratulations to someone, out there.