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Now really, why might it work for some, and not for others?

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               Bobby Lee
-b0b-   quasar@b0b.com
-System Administrator

[This message was edited by b0b on 27 September 2002 at 12:45 PM.]

Your information bears a lot of merit. However, I became aware of the E to F problem more than 10 years ago, and I dealt with it by developing the "GOLO". It works by nudging the 6th string, barely discernibly, up about 3 cents worth. I agree, it is the most problematic change due to the dropping off of the 6th string, which has to be on the "money", or everthing goes haywire in the 9th tuning. Plus the fact that raising it 1/2 tone requires just a short movement at the changer finger.

For my own personal taste, only a standard fretboard, keyed tuners, and a double-10 can be tolerated. For the sake of scientific advancement, I applaud Mr. Hanky's past, current, and future efforts.

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I'm unable to respond due to an apparent overload.

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At one time, Herb Remington affixed a "feel" fretboard for a completely blind student.

Joke? What joke?

I just announced to the Mass. Bash associates on this forum, under the post, 20th Annual Steel Guitar Bash, that I will be bringing the fretless "Lucky 24" with me to the "Bash" tomorrow. My vision is no longer cast downward, but rather, my chin has been raised considerably; thanks to the design of the "Lucky 24". I'm curious to see if there are others who consider me a "joke". I haven't been this excited about my steel guitar since swapping leads with the guitarist in our band, back in the 80's.

Bill H.

Thank you for the encouragement and support you've shown. Suggesting that the "Lucky 24" may very well be accepted by others, is very helpful. I tried to answer your reply yesterday, only to be foiled by an interruptive web site. That is to say, when I try to type, I get indeterminate starts and stops of the typed letters. I'll be attending the Ma."Bash" tomorrow, and still have a few details to attend to.

Bill H.

[This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 30 September 2002 at 10:44 AM.]

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Johan J.,
Do you trust your ears exclusively while playing an uptempo melody, that requires many zigzag moves involving quick fret changes, and long span glisses?

Bill H.

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Of what use is the fretboard? You have concurred that your ears will guide you while delivering those "hot licks". Wouldn't it be more believable that the player is blessed with a trained brain? Otherwise he would not have the good sense to even approach a steel guitar.

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I think any kind of experiment is worth evaluation. The impact this may have for the visually impaired is particularly appealing.

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I am now playing my steel without the horizontal fretboard. My focus is concentrated on the frets before me, rather than below my line of vision, and the prototype homemade fretboard rests comfortably on the front edge of my steel. That position has been adapted, and will remain as a permanent feature on my steel guitar. I agree that those experiencing impairment of the eyes or ears might welcome this approach to better enhance one's vision.

It is a matter of trial and error. John's impeccable control of the bar accounts for his ability to sniff out the positions in the high registers of the steel guitar. I have a close-up of John playing Vince's "Look At Us", and I purchased the tab from him by mail order. I've scrutinized John's bar movements, and found that he uses the bar shiver in the high ranges to locate dead center pitch. John is cued into the general location, by his fretboard, an then proceeds to perfect pitch. He is among the most admired steel guitarists in my memories. I met John at Hunter Mountain in the Catskills Mountains of N.Y. while Conway Twitty was on tour there. He wouldn't remember me, but I think he would remember the band not feeling well that day.

Forget the mirrors! Put them out of your mind! Cease and desist any such notion! My fretboard has proven to be more valuable than you'll ever imagine. It's 100 % satisfactory and then some, exceeding my expectations many times over what I had originally thought. Wherever and whenever I appear in public to perform, the front mounted fretboard will be my trade- mark, as a symbolic gesture to indicate my intention to move forward, and improve the design of an underdeveloped musical instrument. I will enjoy reading those frets, while appreciating the ability to read ahead without the squirming or angling, seen in reading horizontal fretboards. The eyestrain involved in the struggle to place the bar properly over the obsolete fretboard's frets should hasten others to explore this new concept. I welcome others to join me with this new and rewarding idea.

Bill H.

[This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 02 October 2002 at 11:06 AM.]

Only time will tell.

[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 02 October 2002 at 05:24 PM.]

For the opposition group who are resisting an unique solution to the blind areas on the steel guitar fretboards, I can only remind you that I just came away from my steel. It was there that I ran through John Hughey's "Look At Us".
No problem whatsoever. How is that? The new fretboard reveals all of those nooks and crannies John likes to frequent.

I called Frank Caruso last evening, to ask if he would make a little room for me on his upcoming Waltham, Ma. Steel Show. I requested enough time to play two songs, and feature my "Lucky 24" fretboard. It rests in an aluminum track, 1/4" wide X 5/16" high X 15" long. The track is permanently mounted on the steel, with a 12th fret centering position. The "Lucky 24" is tilted on the approximate angle used in bookreading; away from the player.
The "Lucky 24" is one and 1/2" wide, X 19" long, and simply lifted from the track when packing up. There would be a thousand options that could be used, in furthering the enhancement of the "Lucky 24".
I have a few in mind for the near future.

Bill H.

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The spirit be with you!!

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The spirit be with you!!

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The spirit be with you!!

If all goes well, pictures will be
presented on the Forum soon. They will clearly show the prototype "Innovative Fretboard", and the "Lucky 7".

Bill H.

I must change the name of my Fretboard for reasons of identity.
It will be known as, "Hankey's Upright Fretboard". Thank you Steve, for suggesting the other name.

Bill H.

I am submitting a photo of the "Hankey Upright Fretboard". I'll be showing it in Waltham, MA. at Frank Caruso's Steel Show, tomorrow afternoon.

[This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 12 October 2002 at 07:12 PM.]