Winged fry pans, any examples exist?

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 3 Feb 2003 10:20 pm

Scarce photographic evidence from the 30s shows cast aluminum(?) Rick steels with a different body shape than the familiar round. Those shown have a significant pointed area on the left and right sides to provide a more secure position on the players leg. And giving them a more space age look. Has anyone on board the SGF ever seen or PLAYED one? What's the story on these odd ducks?

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Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 4 Feb 2003 6:01 am

Here's one that was at the 2002 HSGA Joliet Convention. Lot's of vintage instruments at Joliet, lot's of great music, 99.99% non-pedal. You guys are missing out on something great by not attending.

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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 04 February 2003 at 06:06 AM.]

Jim Vogan · Post by **Jim Vogan** » 4 Feb 2003 6:25 am

That's a beautiful guitar! I didn't know they existed. I learned something today!

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Jim Vogan Emmons Sd10
G.D. Walker Stereo Steel Combo
Bakelite Ric
Hilton volume pedal

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 4 Feb 2003 7:07 am

Scarce photographic evidence from the 30s shows cast aluminum(?) Rick steels with a different body shape than the familiar round

I don't think they are Rickys ... in fact back in the early days ... Epiphone (Electar and Rocco) and others used the Horseshoe pickup ... till they got FORCED to stop ...

Glad their Patent ran out in the 50's

...

Ricky or not ... I'd sure like one ...

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www.horseshoemagnets.com[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 11 February 2003 at 12:40 PM.]

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 4 Feb 2003 7:14 am

The photo I posted is of a Singing Electric made in Chicago, IL.

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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 4 Feb 2003 7:30 am

Thanx GR !

i also, had never seen one

this Fo'...rum is a gold mine ...

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 4 Feb 2003 9:12 am

(Electar and Rocco

and Vega....

First time I've seen a "winged Fry Pan"

good place to keep cheese & crackers while you're working on that split string slant....

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 4 Feb 2003 10:13 am

Gerald, thanx for making the correction with a great pic, it helps as to what I'm NOT talking about. As for the type in question, I've seen maybe 4 old photos of these particular Rick steels, so only a handful(?) were made. And Prof. Rick, the logo, hardware and body/neck appearance all say Rickenbacher. In fact, one Rick. promo shot had 2 wingers amongst other Rick. products. These had full V shaped protrusions from each side of the body's core. Not 'add ons' but a completely redesigned body, probably for playing stability on a persons lap/leg. But I'm also curious what overall sound/tone differences would be had from these, as well as the 'untold story'.

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Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 4 Feb 2003 10:15 am

I stand corrected ... The only ones I've seen are just like the one in Gerald's photo ...

Sorry ...

How 'bout postin' those promo's ??[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 04 February 2003 at 10:20 AM.]

J D Sauser · Post by **J D Sauser** » 4 Feb 2003 11:01 am

It's a LOEWEY (spelling) design. Loewey designed Greyhound buses, watches, airplanes and even steel guitars in the 30's.
I should have some more information on this somewhere.., but where...

As I had seen one on e-bay, I did some research and finally engaged into some e-mail corespondance with Mr. Loewey´s daughter or grand-daugther some 3 years a go. I had some pictures and send them to them. They confirmed and showed great interest as they don't have one.
PU may have been Rickenbacher as there are no records of production.
These was the time when steel guitars where "cool".

Hope this helps... J-D.

Russ Young · Post by **Russ Young** » 4 Feb 2003 11:52 am

I think the correct spelling is LOEWY.

For you folks who are old enough to remember Studebakers, Raymond Loewy -- sometimes referred to as the "father of industrial design" -- led the team that designed the 1961 Avanti.[This message was edited by Russ Young on 04 February 2003 at 12:08 PM.]

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 4 Feb 2003 12:38 pm

JD and Russ, thanx for the tip on Mr. Loewy. I just did a web search, what an accomplished fella. I always wondered who designed the Coke bottle. But nothing yet on steel guitar design. It'd be great if JD could come up with that 'lost' info and maybe some pix. Sure would have liked to have seen the one on ebay. I'll try and get some shots up too.

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Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 4 Feb 2003 1:16 pm

Do I still have to stand in the corner ???

Russ Young · Post by **Russ Young** » 4 Feb 2003 1:31 pm

You can come out now, Rick ... if you promise to make the casting for some copies with your horseshoes in 'em.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 4 Feb 2003 1:48 pm

Yes, please come out with your hands full of new toys! Rick, I think you and Mr. Loewy would of had some fun.

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Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 4 Feb 2003 2:07 pm

Toys .... New Toys ... Did you say you want New Toys ???

I gottcha New Toys right here ...

New Toys

Fresh from an Atmospherically Controlled Furnace (got 'em back yesterday) .....

More Toys .. Ya want Mo'

Longfellows

If you are not familiar with the a CC unit Comlete unit

[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 11 February 2003 at 12:47 PM.]

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 5 Feb 2003 10:30 am

Happy happy happy, joy joy joy!

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Jeff Au Hoy · Post by **Jeff Au Hoy** » 5 Feb 2003 1:48 pm

Russ Young · Post by **Russ Young** » 5 Feb 2003 2:51 pm

Oddly enough, Jeff, I was just sitting here thinking about how my company needs to apply some of that old industrial aesthetic -- so how would you react to us bringing back something like this?

Mike D · Post by **Mike D** » 5 Feb 2003 3:27 pm

Russ I just watched the NOVA special on the X planes. I loved the Boeing model and wish it had been chosen over the Lockheed.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 5 Feb 2003 5:17 pm

Russ - thanks for that shot I LOVE those planes; one of the most beautiful & romantic aircraft ever designed.

Speaking of aircraft - er, steel guitars - Ron, the frypan needs wings (as my grandmother used to say) like a hole in the head.

Rick: those shots of CC & Horseshoe pickups make my heart go pitter pat! Jason sent me a shot of a single pickup. would you please send me a hi-res shot of the whole pickup family for the book?

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 5 Feb 2003 6:17 pm

Hey Russ...........I have a good friend in Anacortes, WA, that mfr's and installs those little square thingies that you glue to the top of the wings in order to get better LIFT
thro' better air flow. You should be sure to look him up BEFORE you start making these beautiful old round engined flying boats. He can offer all kinds of INCREASED aerodynamic efficiency for anything you might care to fly. TRUST ME!

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 5 Feb 2003 6:17 pm

Very kind of you to offer ....

Various finishes are available ... a family portrait sounds

He's gettin' some done up in "Black Chrome" ... Kinda goes along with this discussion

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www.horseshoemagnets.com[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 11 February 2003 at 12:55 PM.]

Bill Creller · Post by **Bill Creller** » 5 Feb 2003 7:03 pm

Hey Rick, There's this foundry near me that would cast some frypans. I had them cast a flat piece of aluminum about 5/16 thick, to weld in the top of a frypan that had been butchered. They said the open bottom frypan (late style) wouldn't be difficult. When I showed them a hollow neck from the 30s, they were amazed that it was cast in the 30s, and didn't know how they did it. If I was to get into casting frypans, I would have the open back(bottom) type cast, and a cast bottom plate made separate, to weld on the bottom.
Of course they wanted to know how many I wanted, because the price goes down as the quantity goes up.
Bill

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 5 Feb 2003 7:19 pm

Sensei .... I'll be the first in line for a "Creller Cast" .....

I actually took "Metals Shop" in 10th grade ... we did Al sand castings ...

I packed,poured and finished an Al ashtray ... came in handy back then ... Nowdays too