Yesterday I went up to Tommy Cass' place (it's only an hour away)
and I had Tom tweak my old Emmons. He did a great job, as usual.
This time I brought my camera!
The Sho-Bud below is a sight to behold.
Tom's restoring it, and it shines like diamonds.
The D-10 Emmons p/p is another one that caught my eye.
The Evans amp...
Mooney fans, Look what's written on the back of the Amp! How cool is that?
Last edited by Doug Beaumier on 26 Jan 2007 10:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
When Tommy Cass gets through restoring a guitar you can eat off of it, it will play itself, and get up and pack itself away at the end of the night. Absolutely flawless work.
Tommy tweaked my U-12 Williams back in October, and it really improved the guitar's response time. Tom is a first class mechanic, restorer and player. And just a great person all around.
He had a bunch of steels out that he was working on and some ones that were ready to be shipped. They sparkled and shined so much, that it was almost like looking into the sun. They were that intense.
Very nice pictures, Doug. The rod ends don't look like the conventional hexagonal tuners. What are those?
Chip
Williams U-12 8X5; Keyless; Natural Blonde Laquer.
Chip, that's the older Sho-Bud "barrel" style. I think it's a 'female' hex at the endplate. The brass barrels at the other end of the rod are threaded. and that's what lengthens and shortens the rod. I had a LDG model with that system back in the 70's... a great sounding guitar, but I never liked the barrel tuners. When I saw the undercarriage of the Sho-Bud above I thought for sure Tom had put in 'new parts', but they are all original, and highly polished. Amazing!
Doug I have been totally amazed at what Tommy can do. Everyone that has had their steels tweaked and peaked by Tommy and has displayed pictures is a true testament of craftsmanship, artistry, and pure ingeniousness. Awesome work. Thanks for posting those pics.
I can`t go there any more!! every time I go I have to bring one away with me!!! I can`t move around here, Steel guitars all over the place No more!! No! No! No!...........ok I`ll take it!!!!!
Yes, There's some Coop artistry installed in this beautiful Pro II. You can see the beautiful craftsmanship of two geniuses here. John Coop to create parts that blend so well with the original 'bud parts, and Tommy to clean this guitar up better than new and to install Coop's parts. The results are just stunning!! Both these gentlemen have contributed what it takes to take this guitar far beyond mediocre. If the tone is anything close to what this guitar looks like, who ever the lucky owner is, smacked a huge homerun!!
I think Tom is still working on the Sho-Bud, but it looks pretty good right now! That classic Sho-Bud finish is 'to die for'! Tom uses a 'secret solution' to bring out the luster in mica and wood finishes.
Chris L., James is absolutly right. Coop did supply the fret boards. The cross shafts, mounting brackets, and stops on the LKR & RKR are also coops'. He did supply the original parts on both of these levers also. I am really impressed with coops work, and suggest that anyone wanting precision parts for their guitar, contact him.
Chris C. "secret solution" Whatever happens here, stays here.
John Davis, You have enough !! Let someone elese have a turn.
Doug, Thanks for the kind words and the posting of the pics.
Tom
I'm not too sure what to say here other than, WOW. It's not easy being patient, especially when your waiting on such a beautiful looking guitar. And yes, by the way, it does sound as beautiful as it looks. I am simply waiting for that email / phone call saying it's ready!!
Tom, your work is second to none!! To all, thanks for all the kind words on the guitar and on the man who resurrected this instrument into what it is today.
I'm a waitin' . . .
All I ever had was the E9th to learn and play but always wanted to try the C6th. I'm not gettin' any younger so I figured that I might as well do it now! I bought my Pro-1 over 15 years ago. It was 3 and 2. Guess who added the other two knees? Yep, Tom. And such a flawless, fantastic job. I haven't been playing much through the years but have been slowly making more time for it in the last two or so. Thanks for taking and posting all those beautiful pictures. I hope to see you at the shows this year!
Tommy Cass is just the ultimate in the rebuild and restoration of the steels! I believe they are better in everyway then when they first arrived from the factory. My '68 Emmons that John Davis (hi John) now has was just unbelievable...I still sob when I think I let it go but...I'm going to get another Emmons p/p one day from Tommy...great work and a great person.
