Don Helms Amplification

Andy Schick · Post by **Andy Schick** » 13 Sep 2007 5:44 pm

What did Don Helms use to amplify his 49 Gibson Console for the Hank recordings?
Thanks.
Andy

Robert Momot · Post by **Robert Momot** » 13 Sep 2007 5:57 pm

Don Helms used a 1949 fender pro with a 15 inch speaker,no reverb

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 14 Sep 2007 5:23 am

This is a 47 Pro, but it's the same amp as the 49 model . .

It was restored and recovered by Andy Oleas of Andy's Amps.

Terry Wood · Post by **Terry Wood** » 14 Sep 2007 8:09 am

Don Helms still plays through a small amp.

He played our 2nd Annual Steel Show at Marshfield MO and played through a small amp. He used it as a monitor and didn't care for going through the house system. It works for him!

I was impressed with his tunings and his playing. He defintely has his own sound. His stories about the days with Hank and recording with Patsy Cline and others are a real treat.

If your intersted he's playing and talking on our 2007 DVD the 2nd Annual Marshfield Steel Guitar Show DVD. They sell for $25 and the money goes to fund our show next year 2008.

Order from me at:

Terry Wood
312 NOrth Walnut
Marshfield, MO 65706

You also need to read his biography book "Settin' THe Woods On Fire," it's very imformative and worth the cost. You can order it from Amazon.com books save a few bucks.

Terry Wood

Tim Whitlock · Post by **Tim Whitlock** » 14 Sep 2007 9:42 am

That's a beauty, Rick!!! They did a great job. Bet it sounds as good as it looks!

Chris Lucker · Post by **Chris Lucker** » 14 Sep 2007 1:10 pm

Did a 1947 Pro have the oval tube vent holes in the back panel? I thought that was a later addition. Did they replace the cabinet on yours and use 1950s tweed?

Here is my 1950 Pro

Chris

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 14 Sep 2007 2:28 pm

I think they may have replaced the back panel when they recovered it. The cab is original.

Chris, that is one cool-looking amp!

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 14 Sep 2007 2:30 pm

It does sound great Tim, but I plugged my Gibson Console Grande into it and it didn't sound like Don Helms at all.

Tim Whitlock · Post by **Tim Whitlock** » 14 Sep 2007 2:50 pm

Which brings up an interesting point. Considering the primitive recording technology of the times, how do we really know what Don sounded like? I love old recordings because they have so much more "feel" than modern ones, but I'm also aware that they don't capture the full fidelity of the instruments. Maybe, Rick, what you're hearing IS what Don really sounded like. I'd love to get some old timers' perspective on this issue. Maybe I'll start another thread...

Chris, that is one gorgeous Pro. I notice that the "grain" of the tweed runs opposite that of Rick's. In another thread someone pointed this out for us nit-pickers as a way to tell original tweed from re-do. Both are fantastic looking amps. The TV front looks cool!

Robert Momot · Post by **Robert Momot** » 14 Sep 2007 3:42 pm

Those are awesome amps,I would love to find one myself.Just curious what is the going rate (price) for either one of the Fender Pro amplifiers. Don Helms told me one time that when he played live shows with Hank Williams that he had turned all the knobs on his Fender Pro all the way on to cut thru the noise from the people.

Tim Whitlock · Post by **Tim Whitlock** » 14 Sep 2007 3:51 pm

There's one on ebay for $1650. Item# 330165362044

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 14 Sep 2007 4:10 pm

Yeah, they're not the loudest amps ever made. I think they're rated about 18 watts.
But they sound beautiful, nice natural saturation.

So . . that's the secret - crank it all the way up!

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 14 Sep 2007 8:01 pm

I sold Don a new Peavey Nashville 112 a couple of years ago, he said he loves it.
When I met Don in '53, he was using a Fender Pro, like Rick has shown.
Bobbe

Robert Momot · Post by **Robert Momot** » 14 Sep 2007 8:12 pm

Bobbe I think you sold him two of them and he sounds great as always.Bobbe your the greatest.Don Helms thinks the world of you and I do too. Bob Momot.

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 15 Sep 2007 2:39 am

I use Nashville 112s for live performance, sometimes a Nashville 112 and a Valve King 112.
I bought 'em all from Bobbe Seymour - he has the best prices, and he takes care of his customers.

Gary Boyett · Post by **Gary Boyett** » 15 Sep 2007 4:41 am

It is good to see these still around. Here is mine.

This has been updated with a three wire cord, but that is about it.

It sounds great with an RV-3.

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 15 Sep 2007 5:01 am

Sweet Deluxe G-man!

Here's the overview of my Pro:

Hmmm . . looks like it has Don Helms' settings!

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 15 Sep 2007 11:38 am

All I have to say is: There are some wonderful guys in the world of non-pedal steel guitar!
I'm a-gunna' cut all my pedals off!!! Might as well, don't use em' anyway!
I might just sell my steel guitar and buy another amp. I can play the amps a lot better than my steel,,, .

Robert J. Picklessplaymore

Chris Lucker · Post by **Chris Lucker** » 15 Sep 2007 1:20 pm

Gary Boyett · Post by **Gary Boyett** » 15 Sep 2007 6:21 pm

NICE SOCKS!!!

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Don Helms Amplification

Don Helms Amplification

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