Benchmarks

Roger Shackelton · Post by **Roger Shackelton** » 14 Aug 2003 12:49 am

Over the years certain guitars established "The Benchmark Sound," that other guitars are judged by. In the 1960s Sho-Bud and Emmons guitars helped create "The Nashville Sound." I Don't know how true it is, but I heard in the 1960s and 1970s era, that if a steel player didn't play one of the two guitars I mentioned, he didn't play on any major recordings. ???

Seems like the comparison now days is still, "Does it or doesn't it sound like an Emmons P/P"? With so many electronic sound enhancers that we have available today it's a bit difficult to tell one guitar from another, but the Benchmarks are still there.

Roger [This message was edited by Roger Shackelton on 14 August 2003 at 10:55 AM.][This message was edited by Roger Shackelton on 14 August 2003 at 11:04 AM.]

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 14 Aug 2003 1:32 am

Ever heard of Paul Franklin ?

Roger Shackelton · Post by **Roger Shackelton** » 14 Aug 2003 10:02 am

Sorry Tony, I was speaking of a different time period. (1960s and 1970s)

I met Paul Franklin in Nashville in 1969 at the DJ convention, when he was 17 years old and playing a ZB PSG.

Roger

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 14 Aug 2003 2:43 pm

Well it seems for PF playing on a ZB didn't hold him back none!

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 14 Aug 2003 5:21 pm

Roger, those "benchmarks" are gradually fading away. Yes, back in the '60s, it was Emmons, Sho~Bud...or nothin'. At least, it seemed that way. I recall the same about cars. It was Ford, Chevy...or nothin'. Nowadays, it's different, with Ford's and Chevys regularly "gettin' dusted" by Bimmers, Volvos, and most of the other import rolling stock, as well (Mitsu's, Nissans, Subes). In the same way that it's no longer a "two-brand" auto world, it's no longer a "two-brand" steel world.

Yes, those Emmons and Sho~Bud fanatics are constantly askin'..."Does it sound like an Emmons p/p?" Or, "Does it sound like an ol' Sho~Bud?" But others...a growing group of "others", don't seem to care. These "others" (the novices and pros alike who play other brands) don't buy into the "magic sound" line of bullhockey. They are above all this pointless snobbery, and they know that other guitars can sound just as good. More importantly, they know that the player's skill is far more important than his guitar, anyway.

Roger Shackelton · Post by **Roger Shackelton** » 14 Aug 2003 11:07 pm

I agree with you Donny,the benchmarks are slowly fading away. I saw Butch Cornwell play a Fulawka S-12U a couple of years ago at the ISGC and his guitar sounded great.IMO I also agree that it's more the player than just the guitar.

Roger