Jerry Fessenden

Savell · Post by **Savell** » 23 Aug 2004 7:07 am

I would like to say a public "Thanks" to Jerry for his good deed this past week.

While playing my Fess SD10 on stage weekend before last, my LKL dropped off onto the floor by my foot. The screw that held it on had broke off. The next day I tried unsuccesfully to remove the partial screw from the bracket. I emailed Jerry to purchase the part from him. He responded within hours and mailed the part to me without charge.

Jerry's courtesy and great customer service has matched to quality of his instrument.

BTW,
I am somewhat curious as to why Jerry and the Fessenden Pedal Steel Guitars are not discussed any more than they are on the forum. I know that P/P's are kinda the hot topic but I have been nothing short of impressed with my Fessenden. It's smooth action makes it comfortable to play and stays in tune very well. I put no less than 15 hours a week on this guitar. I have always used Tommy White Jaguars and have yet to break a string since I bought it in November of last year. My amp settings are the same as a friend of mine that has a Zum D10 and a Nashville 400. We set and play them side by side and I can say that I am not at all intimidated by the sound/tone. His playing skills are however much better than mine. Actually if we swap seats, my guitar sounds better than his.

Could it be that the Fessenden is such a good guitar that it would be considered a silent winner?

Savell Norsworthy

[This message was edited by Savell on 23 August 2004 at 05:13 PM.]

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 23 Aug 2004 7:41 am

Savell,

I can't answer your question. I'm not much of a picker and have never played a Fessy, but I've heard Jim Cohen play his several times on stage and on recordings. He takes a backseat to no one on tone; really a great sound.

Not to ignore other fine players, like Robert Randolph, who play Fessendens, but I'm more familiar with Jimbo's playing.

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HagFan

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 23 Aug 2004 8:08 am

I have owned four Fessies. Currently I have two, both lacquer cabinet guitars. I would think that owning that many would be a good enough recommendation from a professional player.

The guitar in the top two photos will be for sale at Jerry's booth at ISGC, as I need to reduce my inventory. It's the guitar I played at the 2002 Convention, that got rave reviews for its tone.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

[This message was edited by Herb Steiner on 23 August 2004 at 09:48 AM.]

Jeff Bradshaw · Post by **Jeff Bradshaw** » 23 Aug 2004 8:20 am

Hi Folks, Fessenden guitars are absolutely great guitars. Best regards. ..jeff

Bill cole · Post by **Bill cole** » 23 Aug 2004 2:32 pm

I wish you guys would talk a little quieter so the secret don't get out to soon I may want to order another new one. All kidding aside Jerry should get a lot more talk then he does I have been playing the fessenden for five years now and after three new one I have no complaint at all

Tommy White · Post by **Tommy White** » 23 Aug 2004 6:22 pm

I've been playing Jerry's guitars for about a year now and am waiting for my third Fessenden to be delivered. I love the way they sound, play and look, as well as the fair price. Jerry has a gift for detail, especially in the customer service department. And not just with me, but everyone I know that owns a Fessenden enjoys the kind personal service Jerry offers. I'm proud to be one of "Jerry's kids".
Best to all,
Tommy White www.tommywhite.net
[This message was edited by Tommy White on 23 August 2004 at 07:24 PM.]

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 23 Aug 2004 6:26 pm

Jerry and I grew up close to each other in Maine, and we've been friends for a long time. He used to work for me at Dekley, so it's no surprise that he knows what it takes to build a great guitar.

I'm on my third one and am more than satisfied, plus his guitars are a lot lighter than my other ones!

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Jim Smith jimsmith94@comcast.net
-=Dekley D-12 10&12=-
-=Fessenden D-12 9&9=-
-=Emmons D-12 push pull 9&9=-
Stereo Steel rig w/Boss GX-700
IVL SteelRider w/JV-1080

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 24 Aug 2004 2:26 am

Dittos for all the above!!!

Tore Blestrud · Post by **Tore Blestrud** » 24 Aug 2004 5:55 am

Gotta agree. Here's mine:

Any other Fessy's in Europe?

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 24 Aug 2004 6:30 am

I first met Jerry years ago when I would go to the Dekley shop with Jim. Then in later years Jerry would call me up to sing on his sets at steel shows. I was always impressed with his work ethic with Fessy products, And the kazillion miles he travels to shows and the quality of the guitar itself. I've never seen Jerry walk away from anyone with a question or needing help. Jim Smiths blue Fessy that he played in Mass a couple of years ago was a conversation piece. In time this Guitar will get more recognition as more people like those who own one share their testimony of it's quality. Plus Jerry is a simply great guy that loves his work.

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John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 24 Aug 2004 7:12 am

"Jerry's kids"--great quote, Tommy...

I have been a Jerry's kid since about '98, having been a very hard core PP user for a lot of years. SInce I got the first Fessy, they have never seen the light of day since. I have never been happier with my tone, and Jerry is so wonderful in giving the personal attention to get your guitar exactly where you want it. I really can't speak highly enough of them.

I own a lacquer D10 with 9 and 11, and also a SD10 with 4 and 8. I have a third Fessenden in the planning stages at the moment, which will be a mica D10.

Plus, Jerry likes green chili as much as I do

.

By the way, Tommy--I was talking to Jerry this morning, and your new guitar is on the way--went out yesterday afternoon

.[This message was edited by John Macy on 24 August 2004 at 08:17 AM.]

Tommy White · Post by **Tommy White** » 24 Aug 2004 8:40 am

Hi John! Thanks for the great news ol' friend!
I'll be camping out on the front porch awaiting it's arrival.
T.W. www.tommywhite.net [This message was edited by Tommy White on 24 August 2004 at 02:00 PM.]

Andy Zahnd · Post by **Andy Zahnd** » 24 Aug 2004 9:22 am

I'm a Fessyplayer in Europe.... just a great guitar from a honest, fair and great partner made! The Post-service is excelent and the Fessy worth every penny! Nothing wrong.... I would also like to have a Carter too.... to see the difference and as a nice change....( I guess they are great too!)

But I'm a Fessenden-Fan.... just great guitars(And I hope with my comment I will get a good deal for my next one....

)

Who else plays Fessenden on the old Continent???????????

Andy

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 24 Aug 2004 9:59 am

The only D-10 I own and play at the present time is a lacquer Fessy, which I love. I have owned 3 Fessy's (Fessies?) over the past several years and they have all been superb guitars. The sound, IMHO, is "beyond acceptable"!

Jim Florence · Post by **Jim Florence** » 24 Aug 2004 10:28 am

I've got a S-12, fine guitar, I hope to get jerry to help me with a small trouble with my A&B pedals. Not the guitars fault, it's just that I have a special need.

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 24 Aug 2004 12:36 pm

I'm Jerry's webmaster. If you don't have your pix on the player's page of Jerry's site, e-mail me a .jpg. We've got a ton of folks on there now, in fact most everyone on this thread, but there's room for more, especially for the likes of Tommy White!

http://fessendensteelguitars.com/players.html

cheers,
Drew[This message was edited by Drew Howard on 24 August 2004 at 01:37 PM.]

Dave Burr · Post by **Dave Burr** » 24 Aug 2004 1:27 pm

Drew, Joe Alterio posted a picture of Tommy playing his Fessy at the Opry in this thread: http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum15/HTML/007155.html

Respectfully,
Dave Burr

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 24 Aug 2004 3:57 pm

Jerry said I'd better mention that Lyn is the one who takes care of the details of the business. He says she will kick his butt if he gets all the big praise!

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 24 Aug 2004 5:11 pm

Lynn knows that we all know that she's the brains behind the biz. Man, that must be a full time job keeping him in line

...

Love ya both...

KENNY KRUPNICK · Post by **KENNY KRUPNICK** » 25 Aug 2004 7:21 am

I played a couple Fessy's at Bobbe's back in May. Great guitars Pedal action as smooth as butta.Great tone!!!

Sidney Malone · Post by **Sidney Malone** » 26 Aug 2004 3:07 am

I will echo what everyone else has said about Jerry. Great guy and builder, you can't go wrong with a Fessy!!

One other thing about Jerry, he has an amazing memory!! When he built my guitar I mentioned that if he ever ran across a Danny Shields CT-12 pickup to let me know. Well I soon forgot I ever mentioned it and about a year later he emailed saying he had one and would bring it to the Dallas show in March.

So I brought my guitar to the show and he put it in right there on the spot!! Great service from a great guy!!

Tommy White · Post by **Tommy White** » 26 Aug 2004 8:44 pm

Hey John M, Herb S., Jim C.and good fellows,
My new ax arrived this morning and it is nice! Everthing is polished to a mirror finish.
The tone is just great. I sent Jerry a set of vintage single coil pickups to install in the guitar and man does the thing sound good. Jerry is building better all the time. I'm very anxious to play it on a gig.
My best,
T.W. www.tommywhite.net [This message was edited by Tommy White on 27 August 2004 at 05:22 AM.]

jim milewski · Post by **jim milewski** » 28 Aug 2004 10:38 am

Jerry gave me the amp I now play out with, and old silver knob LTD, all it needed was a little work and the BW I put in it. Most mornings Jerry and I have coffee together over the phone, I can't think of him not having an answer to any of my questions like "who played steel on that" to "what years did they use that type of finger" and everything in between, Lynn is a sweetheart as well.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 28 Aug 2004 11:42 am

Tommy, congrats on the new horn!

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 28 Aug 2004 5:49 pm

And you know it's a great horn, 'cause it's got 'horns on it...