Rare Bird, Bigsby D-8 lap guitar

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 18 Dec 2001 1:55 am

This guitar was made for Joaquin Murphey on 12-20-48 and the ser# is 122048. At some point in it's history, some moron tried to install Fender legs on it. It has since been painstakingly restored by Sean Smith aka Kinney.

Roger Shackelton · Post by **Roger Shackelton** » 18 Dec 2001 3:20 am

Hi Chas,

This Bigsby guitar is quite unique and the restoration job is excellent. Does this type of pickup produce a different sound than a horseshoe pickup on a Rickenbacher guitar?

Roger[This message was edited by Roger Shackelton on 18 December 2001 at 03:28 AM.]

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 18 Dec 2001 5:14 am

A cactus!! What a great setting for a great guitar. I covet this instrument, Chas. Very cool.

Chris Walke · Post by **Chris Walke** » 18 Dec 2001 7:55 am

Wow. Very cool. The shape seems inspired by (or maybe it inspired) the Rickenbacher DC-16.

Is that the original headstock? Was that ahead of its time, or were others making that kind of headstock at that time.

A beautiful guitar.

Dave Mayes · Post by **Dave Mayes** » 18 Dec 2001 9:17 am

12/20/48 : Is this is not the one we see in the Stooges movie, soudies, etc. - different headstock, but otherwise quite similar ? What's the scale lenght on this baby ? Heavy ? Thanks for posting this Chas.

Dave Mayes · Post by **Dave Mayes** » 18 Dec 2001 9:35 am

Chas, if you would be so kind: Is the headstock solid wood ? Did Paul Bigsby create the headstock cavity by useing a router ? Thanks.

Michael Johnstone · Post by **Michael Johnstone** » 18 Dec 2001 1:04 pm

It IS indeed the "Stooge" guitar.It is also the guitar that was passed around and played by Doug Livingston,Bobby Black,myself and others at the gathering we had after Joaquin's funeral.It is one sweet sounding guitar. -MJ-

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 18 Dec 2001 1:26 pm

The pickup is very different from Rickenbacher, those are aluminum covers over the pickup so presumably they don't affect the flux lines and the Ricks had individual poles where these are single blades. Also these are wound (I'm told) with 5000 winds of #38 wire. Real pickup guys can give you the real answers.

One of the advantages of cactus is I don't have to mow them every week although I have backed into them and that's always memorable.

It's the original headstock, I think the shape was inspired by the Rick D-16, I don't know any designers, who at one time or another, when they were starting out, didn't look at some other successful design as a source and appropriate part of it. I don't know of any other guitars that had headstocks like this one in that time frame. The guitar was milled (not routed, Bigsby was a machinist and pattern maker) out of two blocks of birdseye maple joined in the center and it does have some 'gravity'.

The scale length is 24 7/8" which would account for the 1/16" per foot shrinkage when the casting cools.

Why does it seem appropriate that I would own the Stooge guitar?

Mike Black · Post by **Mike Black** » 19 Dec 2001 3:24 am

Sage · Post by **Sage** » 19 Dec 2001 7:18 am

An amazing beauty- the prettiest double I've seen.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 19 Dec 2001 8:28 am

Beeeautifulll !
thanx 4 the pics and the thread Chas !
Steel amazes me here !

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 19 Dec 2001 4:25 pm

Chas
You must be very proud to own that beautiful guitar. Not only is it beautiful but look at
who made that beauty,,and look at who played
it.

That is a "jewel" man if that were mine,,,,,,
I would insist that it be buried with me when
I die. Thats probably selfish of me,,but that
beauty deserves a good home. You are a lucky
guy Chas and so is that guitar to have a home like you have given it.

Only people who would really cherish that besides you would be, MJ or Michael Black,,If Mike Black had that,,,he would sleep with it
and throw his wife out of the bed,,,come to think of it,,Mmmmmmmm I know another as well
who would do the same,,

PS. NO
Black....I dont mean ME "wise guy"

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 19 Dec 2001 4:34 pm

Jody is referring to me.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 19 Dec 2001 5:43 pm

I have to jump in again to say thanks again, Chas. Every time I open this thread that guitar brings a smile and a skipped heartbeat. What history! Certain instruments just about perfectly marry aesthetics, industrial design, materials and utility plus that hard-to-describe extra mysterious "something". For me, Bakelite Ricks, early Sho-Buds, Stringmasters & Customs all have that "something" too. I just deleted my list of those steels that don't have "it". Better leave the lid on Pandora's box.

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 19 Dec 2001 6:38 pm

Herb
You are right,,,,,if you had that Bigsby,,,,,
your wife would throw you out of the bed and
put that Bigsby in your place. Would I blame
her??? No...

Iv'e got my love to keep me warm. Wise guy.

Chas ...you shouldn't post these things,,,look what you started.

Andy keep the lid on the Box,,,I know what you mean,,,,Herb is in the Box right???

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 19 Dec 2001 6:51 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>I would insist that it be buried with me when
I die.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I've thought of ordering an extra large casket. Who was that woman in Texas who was buried seated in her Ferrari?

Andy, there was a thread a while back where we were talking about the value of guitars and how much is too much to pay and I was trying to make a point that wealth is not money, it is the things that enhance the quality of our lives. When I bought this guitar, it was pricey for the time, but it was made by my hero and played by my hero and as far as I was concerned, I traded a pile of paper for an exquisite instrument that has a lot of meaning for me.
I consider myself to be very fortunate to be part of a community where we have access to our heroes, not too many people have that.

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 19 Dec 2001 8:39 pm

Merry Christmas To all of You

[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 21 December 2001 at 09:09 PM.]

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 20 Dec 2001 7:34 am

Herb Im ONLY KIDDING,,,why did you call me
during the night "hollering" and playing your
new CD so loud????.

Get back in bed Chas aint letting that beauty
out of his sight. Cant you take a joke guy??
Next time,,,Please dont call "collect"

I like to hear from you but call earlier...

Mike Black · Post by **Mike Black** » 21 Dec 2001 12:38 pm

Bill Leff · Post by **Bill Leff** » 21 Dec 2001 2:37 pm

Bridget Fonda?

I dunno...maybe Sharon Stone

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 21 Dec 2001 4:59 pm

Mike
I dont have the "red jacket" any more,,,it was lost by the cleaner .[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 21 December 2001 at 05:32 PM.]

Dave Mayes · Post by **Dave Mayes** » 21 Dec 2001 9:13 pm

Chas, I've done a little detective work concerning your guitar and it's connection to the 3 Stooges film "Rockin' in the Rockies". I have a Club of Spade album : " Mr. Music Himself Vol. 2 " who's cover bears a still of the group from their performance in the flick. From what I can see in the picture, the double neck lap Murph is using is not the guitar you own . The guitar pictured has regular solid style guitar headstocks and the body shape is slightly different than yours - but without a doubt a Bigsby.
A video I stubbled on at my local Library : " America's Music the Roots of Country " also provides a very good action shot of Murph with this guitar. What really caught my eye was the placement of the tuners on the headstock : 3 on each side and 2 across the top !
I'll gladly sent you a photocopy of the albumcover if you're curious. Again, thanks for the picks of your wonderful Bigsby.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 22 Dec 2001 3:05 am

Dave
Not to pre-empt Chas-ster's response, but he and I had a phone call about that topic a couple of days ago. Jeremy Wakefield was over the other night and we came to the same conclusion. The guitar in "Rockin' In the Rockies" was as you said... also, in a soundie I have of "Hollywood Hoedown," it's clear that the pickups are either Rickenbackers or Epiphones, horseshoes with a split on the top. Also the bridge is rounded on the ends and kind of contours the bottom of the guitar. And, since the videos feature Tex, Smokey, and Deuce... as well as the rest of the classic band, they had to be made 1945 at the latest.

So Joaquin had at least 4 Bigsbys: Bigsby guitar #1 as shown in the soundies, the triple-8 woodneck console, the lap guitar Chas owns, and the pedal steel PA made in the early 50's that Murph was unhappy with.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Dave Mayes · Post by **Dave Mayes** » 22 Dec 2001 10:47 am

Another possibility ( assuming the Stooges guitar no longer exists ): Chas has what is left of the Stooges guitar, ( i.e. - fretboard/pickguard, volume knob ) transfered to his guitar and the remains of first one pitched ?

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 22 Dec 2001 1:12 pm

Dave, the way I heard it was, PA made two of these D-8 lap guitars, Murph got one and Pete Martinez got the other and unfortunately, Pete's was stolen. I would be surprised if the parts from, what I believe to be, Bigsby #1 were recycled to either of these guitars.

I e-mailed a photo of Murph playing that guitar with the Plainsmen (c.1946) to Herb and I have a photo of Murph playing the "backwards" pedal Bigsby that I think Bobby Black took. I could see about posting both of them.