Derby History

Ray McCarthy · Post by **Ray McCarthy** » 19 Aug 2009 2:48 am

I heard that Charlie Stepp worked for Emmons before he started making the Derby guitars, and that Buddy Emmons had something to do with them at first.
Anyone know if these things are true?

Tommy R. Butler · Post by **Tommy R. Butler** » 19 Aug 2009 9:41 am

Charlie was an Emmons dealer and when he decided to build his own guitar he got a lot of input from Buddy. A lot of trial and error with the end result being one of the best guitars ever made!!! His guitars always sell themselves !! Buddy gave alot of his time to Charlie and the end result was not only a great guitar it was also making tons of friends who all love him and supported him just as much as he loved and supported them!! Miss ya "bud"

Sonny Priddy · Post by **Sonny Priddy** » 19 Aug 2009 9:41 am

Charlie Ran a Body shop In louisville.KY. Don't Think He Ever worked for Emmons. He said Buddy helped Him some When He Frist Started. SONNY.

Johan Jansen · Post by **Johan Jansen** » 19 Aug 2009 9:51 am

Ask Margitt Step.
I think she is so proud of what Charlie did that she is delighted to tell the story.
Regards, Johan

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 19 Aug 2009 3:39 pm

Charlie, did indeed work for Emmons. He learned a lot about the design of the Derby there.
I have a question. Did Buddy E ever play a Derby.
BD

Greg Wisecup · Post by **Greg Wisecup** » 19 Aug 2009 4:10 pm

Yup!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFuYmuZpFiw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFuYmuZpFiw

Jack Strayhorn · Post by **Jack Strayhorn** » 19 Aug 2009 4:35 pm

Charlie NEVER worked for Emmons guitar company.

Lonnie Portwood · Post by **Lonnie Portwood** » 19 Aug 2009 6:35 pm

Charlie told me when I interviewed Him for Steel Guitar World Magazine that He worked for Emmons Guitar Co. approx. 10 years, and thought He could build a better guitar and began The Derby Co. He was an auto body man and used his painting experience to put those beautiful finishes on His hardwood Derbys.
I've never sat down to a better playing guitar than a derby, and I own a custom made Fulawka, also a magnificent instrument. I will miss Charlie Stepp! Lonnie

Lonnie Portwood · Post by **Lonnie Portwood** » 19 Aug 2009 6:58 pm

Bill, Buddy Emmons did play a Derby at least once. A few of us were in the Derby room in St. Louis one year when Buddy walked in, sat down to a Derby and began "messing around". After a particularly hot move someone said, "that calls for a drink". At that Buddy stood up, pulled a flask from his hip pocket, turned it up, emptied it and said,"I believe you're right. We laughed our butts off, don't you know. Lonnie

Buddy Emmons · Post by **Buddy Emmons** » 19 Aug 2009 7:01 pm

I did play a Derby, for how long I don’t recall, but I used it on the last Step One swing album entitled, “Goin’ Out Swingin’. I’ve known Charlie for many years and have spent time with him over matters regarding the Derby and don’t recall him ever working for the Emmons Company.

The last time I was in touch with Charlie’s wife, Margit, she mentioned she would be attending the St. Louis convention this year and be happy to answer any and all questions regarding Charlie and the Derby guitar.

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 19 Aug 2009 8:04 pm

All I'm going on was a conversation I had with Charlie about the Emmons steel. He said he use to work for them but didn't elaborate as to what he did.Builder,Dealer or salesman. His statement was that it really helped in his development of the Derby, having spent time with Emmons.

Great to see your post Buddy.
BD

Terry Sneed · Post by **Terry Sneed** » 19 Aug 2009 9:20 pm

Is the Derby guitar still being built? Just wondering if Derby players can still get customer service if needed? Thanks

Terry

Ward Skinner · Post by **Ward Skinner** » 19 Aug 2009 9:29 pm

For what it's worth -

July 27, 2007
Jaynette Mondie

Posted 13 Jul 2007 11:25 am .. L_POST_SUBJECT}: -->
I am very proud to say Charles Stepp is my father. I just want to clarify how Derby got its name and symbols. My parents lived fairly close to Churchill Downs where the Derby is ran. Since they lived in Louisville they picked the name Derby but could not use horses. He tried using the hats but then decided to use crowns to represent the Derby since it is the first leg of the Triple Crown. My father did not work for Emmons but he was a dealer for them and made several trips there. Then he decided to build his own and the rest as they say is history!

Bob Callaway · Post by **Bob Callaway** » 20 Aug 2009 4:00 pm

Terry.
I have known Charlie since 1992. He never worked for Emmons,but was a dealer for them until he started building the Derby. You can still get service and parts,just call Derby steel if you need something.
I sure miss my buddy Charlie!
Bob.

Terry Sneed · Post by **Terry Sneed** » 20 Aug 2009 9:44 pm

Thanks Bob, appreciate it. Very sorry about your friend Charlie.

terry

Ray McCarthy · Post by **Ray McCarthy** » 21 Aug 2009 2:55 am

Thanks everyone. Great to hear from my hero, Buddy Emmons!

Derby SD-10 (#316), TruTone, NV-112

Greg Wisecup · Post by **Greg Wisecup** » 22 Aug 2009 5:38 am

I havn't played 'em all but I can't imagine what I could ask for that the Derby does'nt provide.
GREAT tone, easy action, durable, looks good.
Maybe someone could open my closed mine if they can.

What a great guitar and with Margit still at the helm and Bob backing her up I hope Derby will last forever.

Kenny Martin · Post by **Kenny Martin** » 27 Aug 2009 5:07 pm

I will say that i have a 1969 Emmons and had a 1986 Emmons both P/P! The all pull Derby i have is awesome and the pedal action is sooooo fast!

The only thing i wish is if i could get the 1/2 stop on the R/K/R tight instead of mushy feeling!

Hey Buddy, Charlie told me when i bought this steel that you had played it for a while! I would like to know and if you did, i can't find any of your licks on it anywhere! Did you leave a few?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM0V0a0egAw

Miss ya Charlie!

Thanks!

Kenny Martin · Post by **Kenny Martin** » 10 Sep 2009 10:45 am

Bill Myers · Post by **Bill Myers** » 30 Sep 2009 7:52 am

I spoke with Charlie on several occasions and he told me as well that he was a dealer for Emmons guitars for many years before he decided to build his own. One other thing that is missing here regarding their history is that the first Derby's had a cabinet that was the exact dimesion as a push-pull Emmons. The blocks on the end of the changer axle and just about everything on the top of the guitar was very similar to a push pull. I had a cover for a push pull that I owned and it fit that older derby perfectly. I have two later Derby's and the cover was just a little too big for those guitars. I asked Charlie about that guitar and he confirmed that the early one's were infact very similar to a push pull. After some discussions with Ron Lashley he mad some modifications to the original design. To my ears, that early model Derby was one of the best sounding guitars I've heard.

Buddy Emmons · Post by **Buddy Emmons** » 30 Sep 2009 12:36 pm

Kenny… I do remember playing on a couple of guitars Charlie had ready to ship so yours was likely one of them. I know what you mean about not finding the licks. I haven’t played in so long, the last time I went to my guitar I couldn’t find them either.

Ulf Edlund · Post by **Ulf Edlund** » 30 Sep 2009 12:56 pm

A good lick is like a good pen. They instantly goes missing when they are not used.
However, there are a few players that seems to have an awful lot of pens regardless.

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 30 Sep 2009 2:18 pm

and here i was hoping that the legs would go first

Johnie King · Post by **Johnie King** » 24 May 2023 8:25 am

I like my Derby!

Buddy Emmons wrote:I did play a Derby, for how long I don’t recall, but I used it on the last Step One swing album entitled, “Goin’ Out Swingin’. I’ve known Charlie for many years and have spent time with him over matters regarding the Derby and don’t recall him ever working for the Emmons Company.

The last time I was in touch with Charlie’s wife, Margit, she mentioned she would be attending the St. Louis convention this year and be happy to answer any and all questions regarding Charlie and the Derby guitar.

Mike DiAlesandro · Post by **Mike DiAlesandro** » 25 May 2023 12:32 pm

Nice Derby Johnie, and thank you for bumping up this thread...

Yesterday, Conway, the young steeler for Joe Nichols picked up his Derby SD-10 that he will be taking out on the road starting this weekend.

Conway is a very talented young player, and quite humble to boot.

Here he is trying out his Derby -