Latest Incredible Bobbe Seymour Mystery!!!!!

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 19 Sep 2004 10:06 am

No. Don was. He passed away a while after our conversation. He taught me a lot about what's really important in being a steel player.

Actually, it kind of brings to mind the kind of dull superficiality of wanting to own a guitar "because it was somebody else's".

Other superfluities beg I guess..

Damn.

Of all the guitars I might want, I would want it because it wanted to be mine....

Selah..

EJL [This message was edited by Eric West on 19 September 2004 at 08:04 PM.]

Jimmie Martin · Post by **Jimmie Martin** » 19 Sep 2004 11:42 am

it aint the ax or who it belonged to. its the player.

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 19 Sep 2004 1:17 pm

when I go to buy a guitar I don`t care what brand it is,what color or who owned it ,I just care about the TONE and playability of the instrument.I also don`t care how much person I`m buying it from ,payed for it,if it`s worth to ME what seller is asking for.

Db

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Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 19 Sep 2004 1:57 pm

Yeah, but if Buddy owned the guitar it might still have a fingerprint smudge or ciggy burn or carved initials on it. "Leavings" from famous people! Cool!

sorry, I'm off my meds,
Drew

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Fessenden D-10 8+8 / Magnatone S-8 (E13)

[This message was edited by Drew Howard on 19 September 2004 at 02:57 PM.]

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 19 Sep 2004 2:52 pm

Buddy I'm guessing that your red and black MCI is the same guitar as the one your sitting behind on the cover of the MCI catalogue ??
Maybe if I paint the top deck Red, on my Black and Grey, Bobbe might make me an offer I can't refuse!! Ha - fat chance, there is no way I would sell that beauty, I've been playing it for too long.

Frank Freniere · Post by **Frank Freniere** » 19 Sep 2004 5:13 pm

Whew! That was a long thread...

So who knew Don Everly played the steel? There must be a story behind that one, sensei.

Frank Parish · Post by **Frank Parish** » 19 Sep 2004 6:36 pm

I could be wrong but I think that was the guitar I seen Buddy playing in a studio here in Nashville somewhere around 84-86 doing a session. I was there with John Shepherd. I think he told me it had a BL 605 on the front neck and a 705 on the back. How close am I Buddy?

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 19 Sep 2004 6:37 pm

Robert Martin, you have never been so correct, It makes absolutly difference who owned the guitar. The greatest guitars I have are the ones that were owned by unknown players that took very good care of them and didn't play them to death. These are the ones I look for to stock my store.

Most "star owned" guitars have been pretty well "played up", not taken very good care of,and if played on the road, even worse. Notice that when I say a guitar was owned by a certain player, the price is never increased because of this fact. This is because the guitar is probably more worn and beat than a "normal" guitar loved by some non-pro. When I state that a guitar was obtained from a pro, just remember, he sold it for a reason. Why? He obviously may have thought he could get a better one? It didn't meet his standards? Who knows.
I feel the best used guitars I've obtained over the years for my customers were guitars from older players that may have had several guitars in their collection, hardly ever played them and just wanted a change of scenery in the bedroom. I get several like this from time to time and now have a waiting list from many pro players that are looking for a great older guitar in new condition.
This is what I want in my "playing inventory". Not a guitar that was owned by someone because I'm a fan of his/hers.
I'm sure most of you can understand this logic.
Robert Martin, you are a good thinker!

This post doesn't mean that I'm not a fan of Buddy's, I've known him since 1955 and have admired his tone, technique, taste. This admiration will continue from now on, as it does for all great players and many non-pros alike. I am a steel guitar lover and this is one of the greatest.

I'll continue to promote, play, sell, teach, design, write about, preserve history and probably build steel guitars until I can no longer do so. I'm here to help all I can.

bobbe [This message was edited by BobbeSeymour on 19 September 2004 at 07:47 PM.]

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 19 Sep 2004 7:15 pm

it aint the ax or who it belonged to. its the player.

Robert, I disagree. I want to believe that when a player expends so much energy and concentration into the instrument that he or she is playing, that some of that spirit or energy becomes part of the instrument. I have some instruments that were owned and played by my heroes, and every time that I touch them, I'm reminded of the "history" of the guitar. It's a very powerful and humbling moment.

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 19 Sep 2004 8:26 pm

I'd rather not sell or stock worn out guitars. No matter who wore them out. Nice thought though.
bobbe[This message was edited by BobbeSeymour on 19 September 2004 at 09:31 PM.]

Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 19 Sep 2004 8:45 pm

All my guitars have sounded better the longer I have owned them (and played them).

THis is MUCH more significant with acoustic instruments. I have a dobro I bought a couple of years ago from a great dobro player who didn't play it much (before then it was not played much either). It was an average 70s OMI instrument, set up nicely, but nothing spectacular. Now it doesn't sound like the best dobro in the world, but it's really, really nice sounding, much better than when I bought it. I have noticed subtle changes in the electric instruments.

You really see this in the classical instrument world. The last thing one would want for a Strad or Guenerni violin would be for it to sit in a closet. It needs to be played, or it loses it's voice. That's one reason why collectors lend their million dollar violins or cellos to great musicians (to increase their value, through being played by great players).

I personally believe there is some magic in the Blade or in Lloyd's old LDG.

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 20 Sep 2004 3:20 am

I think there are two issues here: one, the physics involved in the "relaxation" or "break-in" of the woods used to make the instruments. As Mr. Tyack mentioned, this is far more noticeable in acoustic instruments. I would instinctively guess that in solidbody electrics, lighter woods like basswood or poplar might show more of this effect over time than hard rock maple. To find out how pronounced this effect was in a pedal steel guitar, you would have to do a soundwave analysis comparing the vibrations of a well-played old steel to another identical steel, made with wood from the same tree, that had sat in the proverbial little old lady's closet for 40 years. The second issue has to do with the supernatural or mystical qualities imparted to an instrument over the course of time, from usage by a "master." Obviously, this is important to some people - one of Jerry Garcia's guitars (NO NOT A STEEL) sold for $800,000. This belief in the ability of bits of wood and metal to absorb "vibes" or "spirit" is the same type of belief that fuels voodoo dolls, crystal therapy, rabbit's feet, the Wailing Wall, pilgrimages to Loch Ness and a baseball pitcher's "lucky socks." I personally believe that this sort of effect exists only in the mind of the beholder, but if you fervently believe that it does work, then it still may help your playing. I'm not the least bit convinced that in a controlled study, musicians or anybody else presented with two beat-to-death Stratocasters could identify which one was Stevie Ray Vaughn's, without prior knowledge. Maybe the next time Bobbe gets one of "Buddy's steels", he could try this experiment?

What if you buy an instrument that has been played constantly by a hack for 40 years? Does it make you play worse?

Farris Currie · Post by **Farris Currie** » 20 Sep 2004 4:19 am

This is funny,my 93 ford pickup has taken me
to a restarunt for breakfast for 8yrs.early in the A M,it goes out to the road,turns to the right,and 10miles down a winding road.
many mornings i'm not even awake,and it takes
me!!If i dicide to go to the left one day,man
i have to wrestle that wheel,it don't want to
do it!mabe it's JUST ME huh.!!!!!

Andy Greatrix · Post by **Andy Greatrix** » 20 Sep 2004 4:39 am

When I get a new (or new to me) instrument, It's me that has to be broken in to it. Once I get used to that instrument, I play it better. Every instrument has it's own feel. That's my take on this subject.

Peter · Post by **Peter** » 20 Sep 2004 5:08 am

When instruments are manufactured by hand, there will always be a variation in quality. If an instrument is of a lower quality variation, it will not be used a lot and eventually disappear. If an instrument is of extreme high quality, people will look after it and it will become a "classic" in the end. Usually the "stars" will find those instruments and use them.

Even Bobbe admits this. His website says:

"If you don't see the guitar you're looking for, then call me directly. Often times, the hottest guitars never make it to the website because I have a waiting list of people looking for them. So give me a call and let me know what your dream guitar is. I may just be able to find it for you!"

So what you see on his website are the leftovers. I wouldn't buy leftovers, no matter how cheap they are.

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Peter den Hartogh
1978 Emmons S10 P/P; 1977 Sho-Bud D10 ProIII Custom;
1975 Fender Artist S10; Remington U12; 1947 Gibson BR4;
Internationally Accredited 3D Animation Academy

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 20 Sep 2004 5:49 am

Peter, is this why you bought a fake Remington from Gruhen guitars a few years ago? Ha!

Farris Currie · Post by **Farris Currie** » 20 Sep 2004 5:57 am

I bought a remington shot gun from a man,bird
hunting he just couldn't miss.with it.well,
i ain't hit nothing yet!!! Darn thought sure
it was the gun!!!

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 20 Sep 2004 5:59 am

AHA!! The ratings,on the forum,go up again!

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<pre> ~ ~
©¿© It don't mean a thang,
mm if it ain't got that twang.
www.ntsga.com</pre>

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 20 Sep 2004 6:52 am

A 'bump' for this amusing thread, 'though Lord knows it hardly need one.....

Farris Currie · Post by **Farris Currie** » 20 Sep 2004 7:00 am

good morning RODGER,i just went to Nashville
steel guitars,xxxrated,don't hardly got no
guitars left.Man i hope BUDDY is getting a cut on all this!! bout sold all the seconds
off!! guess the good ones are still in the
back huh! you de man BOBBE!!!
farris

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 20 Sep 2004 7:10 am

Yes, I guess with my warped sense of humor, I really do set myself up for being picked on by you guys, however don't stop. When you quit picking on me, I'll know something is wrong.
Thanks, you bunch of silly nuts! You too Peter! Now, do I owe you $1.72 or do you owe me this amount?

Peter · Post by **Peter** » 20 Sep 2004 7:22 am

Bobbeeee!
I also bought a fake 1978 Emmons S10 for only $300. And a fake brand new Fender Artist S10 for about $75.
And a fake Sho-Bud D10 ProIII Custom and a fake 1947 Br4 Gibson Lapsteel. And they all sound awesome to me.
Bobbe, the first picture on your website, which says: "Click picture to enlarge", is that fake or real?

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 20 Sep 2004 8:11 am

real.......real expensive....

Farris Currie · Post by **Farris Currie** » 20 Sep 2004 8:58 am

HEY BOBBE,what happened to VW BUG,mabe it got
traded for EXPENSES??keep it live boys!what
do you think?

Charles Turpin · Post by **Charles Turpin** » 20 Sep 2004 9:28 am

I bought a S12 Zum steel 20 years ago and have played all over northern Missouri. I might have played a little Buddy Emmons licks on it and i might have played a little JOhn Hughy licks on it . I might have even played a lot of Lloyd Greens licks on it and Paul Franklin licks but does that make that guitar any less worth anything just cause the legends didnt play it. Then i bought a double 10 , 5 years ago. Is it worth nothing just cause a great didn't play it. Buddy you are one of my heros but i don't feel anyone ought to sell an instrument just cause some one else played it anyway. To me what is more important is the knowledge that went into making the instrument.What is so special about that guitar that isn't special about other guitars.My guitars means the world to my family for the memories we have had and the fun we have had with each other.But anyway Bobbie and every steel player that sells stills ought to try and not use such tactics as this to sell a steel. I got another friend that use to say Johnny Cox owned that steel then the next time. That is the first steel a person built for John Hughy. But i just think to myself ," yep" but they ain't playing it now, and I'm not jamming with Hughy or Jamming with JOhnny, hehehe you are behind it now.

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