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  Joaquin Murphy's Bigsby surfaces (Page 1)

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Author Topic:   Joaquin Murphy's Bigsby surfaces
Jussi Huhtakangas
Member

From: Helsinki, Finland

posted 18 September 2006 10:39 PM     profile     
Hey everyone, I'm posting this for a friend who's not a member, but he contacted me sometime ago about this extraordinaire guitar. Please read:

"The first console Bigsby steel guitar which was built for Joaquin Murphy has been found. This instrument has been missing for nearly 50 years. It is dated 1946, and is as far as we know, the earliest Paul A. Bigsby made instrument in existence, it was Murphy who first asked Bigsby to build guitars. This instrument documents Bigsby's extraordinary skill and craftsmanship even at the earliest stage of his guitar-building career. Of course every Murph fan here on the forum knows what it looks like, it's the guitar Murphy is most often pictured with. The importance of this guitar goes way beyond the fact that it was Murphy's. It was the first guitar ever to have features we now see in all modern pedal steels; console stair-step cabinet with metal endplates, separate raised necks instead of just fretboards on top and keyheads instead of just slots for keys. This Bigsby/Murphy Triple Eight Steel embodies not only an extremely important era in the American art of steel guitar, but the first major work of one of the 20th century's most influential post-war guitar builders. Furthermore, this was the guitar that really caught other players interest and got Bigsby into guitar building business, his next customer being the legendary Merle Travis, whom after meeting Joaquin was introduced to P.A. and requested a guitar solid in construction so that it would "sustain like a steel." Bigsby was a one-man operation who influenced other and much larger scale manufacturers like Leo Fender, Ted McCarty, Chuck Wright, etc. I could speculate even more, but you'll get the picture."


The current owner is a Bigsby enthusiast , and is looking for a possibility to have this guitar permanently displayed in a museum of some-kind, possibly the Nashville Country Music Hall of Fame where it could sit next to Travis' electric for good. It's in remarkably great shape, sounds like million bucks, and even has the original Bigsby made hard case. The PU's are of the earliest Bigsby design, resembling the Ricky horseshoes. I don't have a chance to post a recent picture here on the forum, but I can email one to someone who could do it for us."

Andy Sandoval
Member

From: Bakersfield, California, USA

posted 18 September 2006 11:00 PM     profile     
Jussi, This is awesome news and I know I for one would love to see this great piece of history. Email the photo to me and I will post it.
Jussi Huhtakangas
Member

From: Helsinki, Finland

posted 18 September 2006 11:20 PM     profile     
Andy, you got mail!!
Andy Sandoval
Member

From: Bakersfield, California, USA

posted 18 September 2006 11:46 PM     profile     
Here are the great photos that Jussi sent to me to post. That guitar is just beyond words!


[This message was edited by Andy Sandoval on 18 September 2006 at 11:52 PM.]

Doug Beaumier
Member

From: Northampton, MA

posted 19 September 2006 01:11 AM     profile     

------------------
My Site - Instruction

Roger Kelly
Member

From: Mount Carmel, TN. 37645

posted 19 September 2006 05:51 AM     profile     
quote:
The current owner is a Bigsby enthusiast , and is looking for a possibility to have this guitar permanently displayed in a museum of some-kind, possibly the Nashville Country Music Hall of Fame where it could sit next to Travis' electric for good. It's in remarkably great shape, sounds like million bucks, and even has the original Bigsby made hard case.

I hope the owner will think hard and fast about Donating the Bigsby Guitar to any Museum without getting assurances, in writing, that the Guitar will be displayed in a prominent place. But even with assurances from the Museum, they have the right to do as they want as it pertains to the items donated to them. I would suggest that he "Loan" them the guitar for display and if they don't honor your request, as it pertains to displaying the instrument, you can simply remove it from their possession.

I won't go into the problems that I had with the "Birthplace Of Country Music Museum" when I donated Billy Bowman's Marlen Pedal Steel to them for display some years ago and eventually had to repossess it due to the Curator's lack of interest on displaying Billy's Guitar, after I was given assurances that this would be done. Billy's guitar is now in the possession of his brothers.

[This message was edited by Roger Kelly on 19 September 2006 at 05:57 AM.]

Michael Johnstone
Member

From: Sylmar,Ca. USA

posted 19 September 2006 07:25 AM     profile     
Since Murph hated Nashville,everything it represents and like P.A.,was really an L.A. guy who put West Coast steel on the map,why shouldn't it sit in the Gene Autry museum of Western Heritage?
http://www.seeing-stars.com/Museums/AutryMuseum.shtml
I could make that happen BTW. Or you could simply let me take care of it and display it here at the Joaquin Murphey hall of Fame in Sylmar Ca..... -MJ-
b0b
Sysop

From: Cloverdale, California, USA

posted 19 September 2006 07:33 AM     profile     
I got an email this morning directing me to this page about the subject.

[This message was edited by b0b on 19 September 2006 at 07:34 AM.]

David L. Donald
Member

From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

posted 19 September 2006 08:11 AM     profile     
It might be better being left to
a left coast home, the Autry Museum fits.

It is pretty cool to have it come up for air now.
After all this time.
Very pretty instrument.

Barry Blackwood
Member

From: elk grove, CA

posted 19 September 2006 08:18 AM     profile     
As per another related post here on the SGF, possibly Mr. Bigsby should be nominated for the SGHOF as well ....

[This message was edited by Barry Blackwood on 19 September 2006 at 08:23 AM.]

Bill Hatcher
Member

From: Atlanta Ga. USA

posted 19 September 2006 08:26 AM     profile     
Anyone know the selling price of the instrument?
chas smith
Member

From: Encino, CA, USA

posted 19 September 2006 09:45 AM     profile     
The Holy Grail surfaces. wow!!!
Billy Wilson
Member

From: El Cerrito, California, USA

posted 19 September 2006 10:02 AM     profile     
What years did JM play this steel? Since this is the first Bigsby then the lap model, which I think Chas has, was a later guitar?
Mark Edwards
Member

From: Weatherford,Texas, USA

posted 19 September 2006 10:09 AM     profile     
It's a blessing that the folks that have had possession of it in the past have taken good care of it. Beautiful guitar, love that Birdseye maple.
Jussi Huhtakangas
Member

From: Helsinki, Finland

posted 19 September 2006 10:23 AM     profile     
Billy, Murph had this from -46 to -58 when he traded it back to Bigsby. Retrofret has pretty accurate story there, I didn't realize they had it on the website already since, as far as I know, they don't have the guitar there yet. BUT, they will have it in a week or so when I happen to be on an east coast tour and in NY, so guess who's paying Retrofret a visit in their shop in Brooklyn. They have Lefty Frizell's J-200 w/ Bigsby neck there too, will be tough to decide which one to strum first

[This message was edited by Jussi Huhtakangas on 19 September 2006 at 10:33 AM.]

Mike Black
Member

From: New Mexico, USA

posted 19 September 2006 10:24 AM     profile     
I agree with M.J. that this really belongs in the Autry Museum. But then sitting side by side next to Travis's Guitar would be something too!!
Mike J. Do you know, Since the guitar is for sale does the Autry buy stuff to exhibit? It doesn't appear that the C.M.M. does.

[This message was edited by Mike Black on 19 September 2006 at 11:01 AM.]

Mike Black
Member

From: New Mexico, USA

posted 19 September 2006 10:25 AM     profile     
Hey Jussi, I'll meet you there!
chas smith
Member

From: Encino, CA, USA

posted 19 September 2006 10:26 AM     profile     
Billy, the D-8 lap guitar was 12-20-48. Speedy's T-8 was Feb 48. Lee Jeffries just sent me a jpg of Marv Erickson's T-8 that's from the same era.

Here's some links from Retro Fret
http://www.retrofret.com/image_popup.asp?img=3226_guitar/3226_02.jpg
http://www.retrofret.com/image_popup.asp?img=3226_guitar/3226_05.jpg
http://www.retrofret.com/image_popup.asp?img=3226_guitar/3226_03.jpg
http://www.retrofret.com/image_popup.asp?img=3226_guitar/3226_09.jpg
http://www.retrofret.com/image_popup.asp?img=3226_guitar/3226_08.jpg
http://www.retrofret.com/image_popup.asp?img=3226_guitar/3226_06.jpg
http://www.retrofret.com/image_popup.asp?img=3226_guitar/3226_04.jpg

[This message was edited by chas smith on 19 September 2006 at 10:36 AM.]

[This message was edited by chas smith on 19 September 2006 at 10:37 AM.]

Ron Whitfield
Member

From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA

posted 19 September 2006 12:37 PM     profile     
I'd be stoked to have just that very cool Vol. knob.
Were they common for Bigsby instruments?
I can't recall seeing one like that before.
Michael Johnstone
Member

From: Sylmar,Ca. USA

posted 19 September 2006 01:13 PM     profile     
I don't think the Autry would pay for such an artifact since most all of the stuff in there is still owned by the contributor and everybody involved likes it like that. I'm connected enough to the inner sanctum of the Autry thru my association with The Riders Of The Purple Sage and other cowboy music and movie activities to get such an exhibit seriously considered though. I'd envision it in a large glass case with a collage of pictures,Spade Cooley movie posters,etc and text telling who Murph and Paul Bigsby were and why they are still so important. Hell,I might even put the 1951 8-string Ricky G-Deluxe Murph owned the last 5 years of his life in there with it. Another cool thing you could do is have an audio kiosk built into the exhibit with 10 or 12 of his best solos in an audio loop complete with Spade announcing the incoming solos: "Awww Joaquino!". BTW,I own the tapered Bigsby bar Murph is holding in the fringed shirt photo shown above and it's got some serious mojo coming off of it when you hold it in your hand.I might even contribute it to the exhibit to make it complete. -MJ-
John Billings
Member

From: Northfield Center, Ohio, USA

posted 19 September 2006 02:18 PM     profile     
Some sort of pedal device on the middle neck?
Lee Jeffriess
Member

From: Yucca Valley California

posted 19 September 2006 06:39 PM     profile     
Jussi, what do you mean the pick ups are the earlier Bigsby design?,are you refering to the early type string covers?.
Lee
Jussi Huhtakangas
Member

From: Helsinki, Finland

posted 19 September 2006 10:27 PM     profile     
Yup! Anyone ever compared the guts of these early ones to the later ones?.

[This message was edited by Jussi Huhtakangas on 19 September 2006 at 11:18 PM.]

[This message was edited by Jussi Huhtakangas on 20 September 2006 at 12:27 AM.]

chas smith
Member

From: Encino, CA, USA

posted 20 September 2006 11:45 AM     profile     
Steve Uhrik was kind enough to send me some pics:






[This message was edited by chas smith on 20 September 2006 at 02:03 PM.]

Jody Carver
Member

From: The Knight Of Fender Tweed~ Dodger Blue Forever

posted 20 September 2006 02:14 PM     profile     
Chas, what is the knob on the 1st neck for?
Tone, Volume?
chas smith
Member

From: Encino, CA, USA

posted 20 September 2006 04:24 PM     profile     
Jody, Mike Johnstone is more knowledgable than I am, but I'm guessing that it was a tone control.
Lee Jeffriess
Member

From: Yucca Valley California

posted 20 September 2006 08:14 PM     profile     
jussi, Im pretty sure the pick ups on jouquins T8, are the same as the ones on your guitar, or for that matter all Bigsby steels, about ten years ago myself and, JW took Chas Smiths 48 D8 apart nothing different from my 50 T8, I think its the earlier string cover/ hand rest, it does kind of look like a horse shoe, but thats the only difference, we also measured the DC resistance, one of them was 1.7 K and, I think the other was around 2K, mine were all an even 2K.
I think on JWs 49 he has a pick up that is around 3k?.
But generaly there all around the 2K mark.
From all the bigsbys I have seen one of the constants is the pick up,the string cover changed three times.
Lee
I just noticed on the underside shot of the guitar, that it looks like the legs are held in place with some kind of clamp?

[This message was edited by Lee Jeffriess on 20 September 2006 at 08:21 PM.]

Bill Hatcher
Member

From: Atlanta Ga. USA

posted 20 September 2006 08:54 PM     profile     
Thanks for the amazing pictures!

Can someone elaborate on how the fretboards are constructed.

Lee Jeffriess
Member

From: Yucca Valley California

posted 20 September 2006 09:18 PM     profile     
Bill, there cast aluminium.
Lee
Jussi Huhtakangas
Member

From: Helsinki, Finland

posted 20 September 2006 10:31 PM     profile     
Lee, seems logical. I've actually never measured the DC resistance on my PU's, but I have no reason to believe they'd be any different from others.
Am I seeing things or does that one pedal pull three strings? It does pull two at least.

[This message was edited by Jussi Huhtakangas on 20 September 2006 at 10:42 PM.]

Mike Shefrin
Member

From: New York

posted 21 September 2006 01:23 AM     profile     
Awesome photos/thanks for posting this nugget of history.
Jody Carver
Member

From: The Knight Of Fender Tweed~ Dodger Blue Forever

posted 21 September 2006 05:32 AM     profile     
Chas, Thank you, Mike Black called me last night we dicussed it and Mike thought it was a tone control.

Mike Black
Member

From: New Mexico, USA

posted 24 September 2006 09:40 AM     profile     
Here's a close up of a leg socket. It does look like the legs clamp in place. Lee, what do you make of the screw in the endplate where the leg socket is? I wonder if it keeps the legs from going in to far? The legs look like the same ones he's always used. FWIW, the legs are on backwards in the Retrofret shots. The small collars are on the pedal rack legs.
It would be interesting to find out exactly what that top knob does. I was wondering at first if the guitar originally had only that control? If so and he used a footpedal for Vol then his could possibly be the first footpedal, which makes sense unless it was Speedy West's idea? I don't have any clear period shots of the endplates to see if it had V/T controls also. Has anyone seen them? The current shots do show endplate mounted controls but they could have been added prior to it being resold. And the legs among other parts, could have been updated also.
It appears that his C6 with the high B isn't used which leads me to believe at least 1 nut has been changed. It would be cool to know what neck he used that tuning on.
The fringe shirt photo used is a photo copy. In the original over his left shoulder is a Sure mic, most likely a 55, and a Fender Dual-Professional Amp. The amp has the earliest Tweed so it dates the photo to at least 47. Makes me wonder if all that 40's stuff was cut with the Fender? Keith Holter told me when he saw Murph circa 1950 he was using a Gibson GA-50. Those were available in the late 40's also.
As far as the earliest Bigsby instrument in "existance" there was a standard guitar built for Jack Rivers that might pre-date this one and for sure the lap steel he used with Cooley and the Plainsmen must pre-date it. The Rivers guitar is accounted for in a well known Bigbsy afficinado's collection. It would be easy to verify the date. As for the original lap guitar, well, let's keep a good thought that it's out there in an attic sitting next to a beat up Dual-Professional amp just waiting to be plugged in!
I hope one day I get the chance to check this great steel out!

BTW, the badge is a reproduction.
Edited for spelling

[This message was edited by Mike Black on 24 September 2006 at 09:40 AM.]

[This message was edited by Mike Black on 24 September 2006 at 09:46 AM.]

[This message was edited by Mike Black on 24 September 2006 at 09:48 AM.]

[This message was edited by Mike Black on 24 September 2006 at 09:50 AM.]

[This message was edited by Mike Black on 24 September 2006 at 01:28 PM.]

Ron Whitfield
Member

From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA

posted 24 September 2006 11:49 AM     profile     
That's probably as close to a Bigsby steel that I'll ever get!
Doug Seymour
Member

From: Jamestown NY USA

posted 24 September 2006 06:55 PM     profile     
I think someone sugested Paul Bisgby be nominated for the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. Wow!, what a fine idea! Did the Merle Travis solid body Bigsby built for him preceed the Fender Telecasters design??
Jussi Huhtakangas
Member

From: Helsinki, Finland

posted 24 September 2006 10:36 PM     profile     
Oh yes it did, with about four years.
Ron Whitfield
Member

From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA

posted 24 September 2006 10:57 PM     profile     
Bigsby is most deffinitely late to the game as far as any HoF recognition.
Things would be much different without his historic involvment in the steel/guitar world we've known for decades.
Just wish I'd been akamai to make the short walk from my home to his and witness some of the happenings of that incredible era.
John Drury
Member

From: Gallatin, Tn USA

posted 25 September 2006 06:01 AM     profile     
I would like to see Bobbe Seymour and Paul Bigsby inducted at the same time, that would be sweet!

Bobbe is a long time Bigsby player, restorer, collector, enthusiast, etc.. Over the years I recall always seeing Bigsby guitars around his various stores. At one point he had five or six of them in the Hendersonville store. I'm thinking that the dude is pretty much the Bigsby Guru of all time.

I remember when I first met Bobbe in the early eighties at his very first store, I was drooling all over the new Sho~Buds he had on the floor. The whole time I was there he was wrenching on an old Bigsby in the back room that he had just taken in.

One of his most prized posessions, if not the most is an old Bigsby volume pedal he has had since way back when. I have seen him turn down some princely sums for it.

When I worked at his Goodlettsville store I remember seeing a single neck five pedal guitar that looked like new! I actually would have liked to bought it, it was beautiful! Too pricey for me though. Bobbe and prospective buyers of that axe would talk prices so high a dog couldn't hear them!

------------------
John Drury
NTSGA #3


Mike Black
Member

From: New Mexico, USA

posted 02 October 2006 07:15 AM     profile     
Has anyone seen this guitar in person yet?
Jussi Huhtakangas
Member

From: Helsinki, Finland

posted 04 October 2006 07:14 PM     profile     
Ha, indeed I have. Chiming in from Portland, ME, we're on a tour here right now. I got to see this guitar on Monday at Retrofret and it was most interesting, to say the least. I guess the most revealing thing to me were the PU's; it was suspected here that they are just like any other Bigsby PU, just different covers. Well, nothing like that, they are Bigsby horseshoes, totally different from the usual and later Bigsby PU's. We didn't have a chance to measure the resistance or anything, but they sounded incredible. The knob on the front neck wasn't wired, so can't say whether it's a tone or vol,my guess is still tone. All in all, it's in great condition, no real damage or anything. Lot of interesting things there, you can tellthere was a lot of tweaking done, seemslike some of the necks have been switched over, there might have been a plunger style keyhead changer at one point. The original case is in good shape, I rubbed my hand all over it in hope of getting some Murph-DNA on me If not, some Lefty Frizell DNA will do too, his Gibson with the Bigsby neck was there too,not to mention Nudie Cohen's Bigsby mandolin and a lap steel and A Bigsby standard guitar that my friend Bob brought over for me to drool. It was definately a Bigsby geek's wet day dream.

[This message was edited by Jussi Huhtakangas on 04 October 2006 at 08:21 PM.]


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