New Rittenberry

Randal Smith · Post by **Randal Smith** » 11 Jul 2007 11:09 am

Had the pleasure of meeting Gary Rittenberry at Bobbe Seymour's shop earlier today. He brought in a new model he's making, aimed at the intermediate market. It's a beauty. Smooth as butter pedal action, quiet, powder coated metal parts, and TONE! 3 pedals, 4 knees, copedant can be changed (unlike cheaper models), weight is 32 lbs. SD-10 configuration (single on double frame). Endplates are 1/8" steel, everything else is aluminum, including the neck. Body is hard rock maple, mica finish. The one at Bobbe's shop is black, Gary says he'll be building them in black, blue and red. Undercarriage is very clean. Cross rods are round with a flat side milled so slippage is nil. Pull fingers are held in place with set screws. Legs are standard "mic stand" type. Pickup is a George L SS-10. Good sustain.

This guitar plays as well or better than any other steel I've ever sat behind. It's stable, not too heavy. Knees are comfortably placed, throw is medium-short, pull is moderate. All in all, a well balanced, comfortable, easy to play guitar.

I have nothing but respect for Gary Rittenberry. He builds a beautiful steel guitar of the highest quality. He's building my next one, he just doesn't know it yet.

Casey Lowmiller · Post by **Casey Lowmiller** » 11 Jul 2007 1:26 pm

I have a LaGarritt that Gary built and I LOVE IT!!! Gary really knows how to build a sturdy, pretty looking & wonderful sounding steel.

Casey

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 11 Jul 2007 1:26 pm

Gary, Builds Steel's for us (the Steelers) not the bank. He has helped me so much and has never ask for a dime and I didn't even purchase my Steel from him.
Gary is a true friend of the steel guitar world, and I'm proud to say he is a friend of mine. You Go Gary..Anything Gary builds is top notch..

David Fields · Post by **David Fields** » 11 Jul 2007 2:27 pm

Randal:
Do you have any idea what the price is going to be?
Did Bobbe or Gary say?
Thanks!

Dave

Dennis Lee · Post by **Dennis Lee** » 11 Jul 2007 2:51 pm

Fellow Steelers: I just received my new Rittenberry two days ago and have to say this is the best kept secret in pedal steel guitars! Mine is an SD-10 w/3&5 with interesting powder coat finish and emerald green mica. The finish work and engineering on this guitar is unlike any other I have looked at. I sat down to this guitar and was absolutely blown away by the incredible tone and sustain. I should keep this a secret otherwise the demand and price will surely go higher. All I can tell you is that this is a keeper. I sent Gary an email to tell him I purchased this from Bobbe's shop in Nashville. Lo and behold, I got a call at my work yesterday, and it was no less than Gary Rittenberry himself. I had a great conversation with a wonderful gentleman and a machining genius. As for me, I am a Rittenberry fan from here on out!

Jody Cameron · Post by **Jody Cameron** » 11 Jul 2007 4:01 pm

My friend and student Don Walworth plays a Rittenberry S-10. I had never seen one or heard one up close until this week...I was shocked at the tone! It sounds so much like my 74 Emmons, very, very good tone. Light and strong and well built too.

JC

Ron ! · Post by **Ron !** » 11 Jul 2007 4:53 pm

Jody......ow are you right about that.I play one of the older Rittenberry's and they "Do" sound better then an Emmons.All the way up to the 24th fret.I play a modified SD10 3x4.Gary is an outstanding builder and a good man.He loves steel guitars as well as he loves the players.

Believe me when I say that you will hear a lot more from that man.Garry is Number one in my book..

Ron

Sonny Priddy · Post by **Sonny Priddy** » 11 Jul 2007 5:04 pm

Rittenberry's Are Of The best I Bought A New One From Bobbie Seymour. Bobbie Is De Man. And My Great Friend Of Many Years. SONNY.

Randal Smith · Post by **Randal Smith** » 11 Jul 2007 5:30 pm

David, I'm not sure about the price, but I think I heard Bobbe say about $1500 (but don't hold me to that). At that price, it's a bargain.

Jody Cameron · Post by **Jody Cameron** » 11 Jul 2007 5:34 pm

Ron, I would seriously consider buying a Rittenberry guitar someday...can't afford one right now, but I can dream!

JC

Ron ! · Post by **Ron !** » 11 Jul 2007 6:10 pm

I know where you are comin' from Jody.But nevertheless they play like a charm and have a tone to die for.Just quit Mickey "D's" for a year and you have a new one too.

Randall:Bobbe has a green one listed on his website at http://www.steelguitar.net for $1977.....a real bargain if you ask me.

Believe me guys.....you can't go wrong with a Rittenberry.....they will increase in value in a short period of time.

Ron

Randal Smith · Post by **Randal Smith** » 11 Jul 2007 7:12 pm

Ron, I'm not sure, but I think that teal green one has been sold. I didn't see it when I was there today. Somebody sure got a beauty, if that's the case. I saw it the last time I was there, and it was gorgeous. I didn't play it, or I might have tried to buy that one.

BTW, I just posted a left-handed steel for sale in the For Sale section. If I can sell it, the money's going into the "let's buy Randal a Rittenberry Fund".

Dennis Lee · Post by **Dennis Lee** » 11 Jul 2007 9:08 pm

Hi Randal and Ron,
That teal or "emerald" green Rittenberry you talk of in Bobbe's store is now in my front room here in Oregon. It's going to have a wonderful life with me here in the Pacific Northwest. I wouldn't let go of this one for love nor money. Gary told me this was one of those special guitars that comes along every great once in awhile. All of his guitars have superb quality and tone, and some have that little something extra that can't be explained. Apparently my emerald green guitar is one of "those" according to Gary. I believe the Rittenbery is going to set the steel world on a new level. You just have to look underneath the carriage to appreciate how innovative this man is. Sorry you all didn't act quick enough on the emerald beauty. I looked at it until I couldn't stand it anymore, so I purchased it. Best steel money I every spent! Thank you Gary, and thank you Bobbe.

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 12 Jul 2007 7:59 am

Bump,for Gary.

Chuck McGill · Post by **Chuck McGill** » 12 Jul 2007 9:02 am

Vic Lawson with Joe Diffee was playing a Rittenberry
last week and sounded great. Chances are Vic would sound great on any steel.

Ben Jones · Post by **Ben Jones** » 12 Jul 2007 9:03 am

absolutely love my old Rittenbery built nashville LTD. So glad he's making guitars again and finally getting the respect he is due.

Casey Lowmiller · Post by **Casey Lowmiller** » 12 Jul 2007 11:00 am

I'm glad that Gary Rittenberry is finally getting the recognition he deserves!!! His guitars are some of the finest in my opinion.

I've talked to him several times on the phone for some customer support, and he's gotta be one of the nicest guys I've ever talked to. I didn't even buy my LaGarritt from him & he's still gone out of his way to help me & explain stuff since I'm just a mere beginner. He really knows how to explain stuff!!!

I went from a Carter-Starter that I was unhappy with to my LaGarritt & I've never been happier. I really don't see me getting rid of the LaGarritt...it's just that good & such a tone monster.

Casey

Ron ! · Post by **Ron !** » 14 Jul 2007 12:32 pm

Just talked to Gary a couple minutes ago and I like all the features of this new Rittenberry steel.You can't go wrong with this model.It has all the features that a Pro Player wants.Split tuning and all.You name it ....this guitar has it.I had numerous steel guitars.....but the Rittenberry,LTD,LaGarritt have the best of tone.There is no comparison.Bobbe gives you a great deal on this one.You will not find a better man to deal with.

Love ya Gary and keep up the good work my friend.Like I said before....you are number 1 in my book.

Ron

Brad Malone · Post by **Brad Malone** » 14 Jul 2007 7:54 pm

Does anybody know if Rittenberry Guitars has a website? How many does he build yearly?

Bill R. Baker · Post by **Bill R. Baker** » 15 Jul 2007 6:19 am

I had one of his earlier guitars - the Nashville LTD - and it was a fine guitar. Now I have one of his new guitars - the Rittenberry - and do not see how anything could be better. Gary is very responsive to steel players and builds a super guitar.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 15 Jul 2007 3:50 pm

Has anybody seen the new black one on Bobbe's site? Nicest looking guitar I've seen in ages. And what a price for a pro SD10 - $1,599! I'd love to try one of these.

Dennis, do you have pics of your undercarriage?

Randal Smith · Post by **Randal Smith** » 15 Jul 2007 5:28 pm

Chris, that's the guitar Gary delivered to Bobbe's shop last Wed. while I was there. I got to sit behind it and play it for 15-20 minutes. I got more music out of it in that time than I've gotten out of my Carter Starter in the last 3 months. That's not a slap at Carter. That's just how good that Rittenberry is. Somebody's going to get a honey when they buy that one. Unfortunately, it won't be me, because I won't have the money together in time. But that's ok, because it gives Gary time to build me a red one.

Didn't somebody post that red guitars sound better anyway?

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 15 Jul 2007 7:15 pm

Randall, I thought that might be the one you were talking about. Something about that guitar just struck me when I looked at it. What a looker! And I'm more into lacquer guitars........one like that could make me a convert very fast.

Dennis Lee · Post by **Dennis Lee** » 15 Jul 2007 7:17 pm

Hi Chris,

I don't have any pictures of my Ritt yet nor of the undercarriage (my term for underside), but if you would like, I could try to do this in the near future. I'm not going out on a limb here when I say I think this guitar sounds as good as an Emmons, maybe better! I haven't had too much time on this guitar since I got it, work does get in the way once in awhile, but it has clarity and punch to the core! I have to say my Carter (2006) did not sound this good. Whatever it is you do Gary, you're a master of construction and engineering. This guitar and I are married for life, no joking. Trying and hearing are believing. I consider Mr. Gary Rittenberry my friend for life. I am proud to have this guitar made by his hands. If you get the chance to hear a Rittenberry, then tell me you hear just exactly what I hear, sweet, full, incomparable sound. What else can I say?

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 16 Jul 2007 6:18 am

Gary called me last nite about a problem I was having with my 4th string raise. We talked about a hour about this new steel and other things like cabinet drop ect. From what Gary told me about this new steel he could get 2500.00 easy but as I said before Gary dosen't build steels for the bank. Every Steel Gary Builds is built one at a time by him and him alone. They are not mass produced. He wasn't aware of this thread until I told him. He is thankful for your interest and will be coming on to thank you himself soon.

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