posted 03 November 1999 07:59 AM         

Here's a picture of me and that guitar in 1995:

As you can see, I wasn't too happy with it.

[This message was edited by Bobby Lee on 11-03-99]

posted 04 November 1999 07:19 AM         

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Carter D10 8p/10k
www.sinkler.com

posted 17 March 2000 09:14 AM         

The BMI guitars were made by Zane Beck in Arkansas after he sold the ZB Company. Zane was not a Nashville style player and built the BIM's for a more mellow jazz tone. They have a unique flat crossbar design and it is easy to add levers. I think that parts may still be available from Don Fritchie@BMI Guitars Scranton,Ark.Zip Code 72863 Phone 501 938 2575, It is best to call him between 7:00 to 9:00 P.M.CST. Zane made keyless models as well as keyed instruments. Many better players such as Julian Tharpe played BMI guitars during the 80's. Because of the perceived tone issue, most BMI's are relegated to the first guitar mode now, but they are a full professional design and make excellent instruments. Zane used a unique tuning and many of the 4 pedal keyless models sold will have his tuning on them. Most that I have seen sell for $600 to $1000 depending on the model.

Hope this helps you,

posted 17 March 2000 12:11 PM         

About 8 years ago while I had my Emmons in the shop, I borrowed a friend's S-10 3P/3K BMI. It sounded O.K. (bear in mind my recollection is a comparison to a '70 Emmons PP). Aside from the fact that it had the "Day" set-up and I was playing the "Emmons" setup, it seemed very light-weight and had the tendency to "walk" away from me while I played. Especially when I would hit the RKR kneelever. I have a heavy foot when it comes to the pedals and it continues to this day. I guess that comes from playing the Emmons PP as my first real PSG. (Buddy once mentioned that his old '68 D10 was like "walking thru gravel"...that's a good'un, Buddy! )

Alot of great players have played BMI over the years and made them sound great (Joaquin Murphey, Herb Remmington, Zane Beck and more).

What ever you decide, I wish you good luck!

posted 17 March 2000 06:11 PM         

I have played a lot of steel guitars and the best one I ever played is my 14 string BMI that Zane Beck and Don Fritsche built for me in 1984.

Some may have had bad experiences with BMI, but I never did. I can tell you that Zane Beck and Don didn't build junk. Yet, I never owned a student model guitar in my life, and maybe they weren't constructed as well. My guitar is built like a tank and it stays in tune better than any other steel I ever saw or heard.

Mellow tone? My steel doesn't sound mellow and never did. Of course I had Zane wind the pickups like Julian Tharpe's and I blew a Peavey Amp all to smither-reens at an Almont, CO ski resort.
I never again played through that particluar steel amp with "Blackie, my 14 string BMI," because the amp was history after that!

Zane Beck's BMI steels were played by Herb Remington, Speedy West (had two of them), Gary West (Speedy Jr.), Joaquin Murphy, Robbie Turner, Zane King, myself (since 1982), Julian Tharpe (He played 4 of them), Zane Beck and a lot more steel players.

Don Fritsche still builds them with either wood or mica. Don started working with Zane when he was in Jr, High School and he too knows the building of a great steel. He works as a fireman and does this on the side because he loves steel guitar. He like Zane is a great guy!

If you want to know what a great BMI sounds like you can still purchase some of Julian's, Zane Beck, Zane King or my tapes or CDs. I just cut a CD with 20 selections and it's called "Strings of Steel." It shows what Blackie can do.

Good luck with your sale and I recommend you contact Don Fritsche as Bill Rowlett suggested. By the way Faye still has Zane's keyless 12 stringer and it is probably going to be housed along with Speedy West's steel in the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame one day!

I hope this helped. God bless you!

Terry Wood

Still playing and loving Blackie the Big BMI after all these years!