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Wright Custom Advertisement
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This topic was originally posted in this forum: Wanted To Buy |
| Author | Topic: Wright Custom Advertisement |
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David Wright Member Posts: 1863 |
posted 29 March 2000 07:50 PM
Here's the very first a AD for the Wright Custom Steel Guitars How bout them prices!!!   [This message was edited by David Wright on 29 March 2000 at 07:55 PM.] |
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J D Sauser Member Posts: 1240 |
posted 29 March 2000 08:23 PM
1949? Whowww! That must have been quite ahead of it's time. Looks like an enhanced Bigsby! Cool daddy you have  .------------------ |
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chris ivey Member Posts: 1105 |
posted 30 March 2000 02:36 AM
yeah...far out david...i didn't realize there was anything that sophisticated that early....wow |
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Danny Hullihen Member Posts: 1782 |
posted 30 March 2000 05:14 AM
That's the year I was born!!! I'll take two, and I think Joe Wright would like to have a couple of these too... That was a cool looking ad you posted here Mr. Wright. Way to go. |
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Terry Wood Member Posts: 1205 |
posted 30 March 2000 05:16 AM
Hey David, Right on! Thanks for sharing these and the neat picture of Julian! God Bless, Terry Wood |
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David Wright Member Posts: 1863 |
posted 30 March 2000 05:48 AM
  here's some more |
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David Wright Member Posts: 1863 |
posted 30 March 2000 06:00 AM
The two small pic are Wright's from the 60's the top ad is his first steel built 1949, I just wanted to share some of these things with the fourm, there's a lot of guy's on here that may not remember or known that the Wright Custom was built, and went on to be Sierra that we know today.. |
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Steve Feldman Member Posts: 2983 |
posted 30 March 2000 06:24 AM
Looks like there's more Steel than there is Sweetheart on the 2nd above. Training blocks come with that model? Cool pics. SF |
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Terry Wood Member Posts: 1205 |
posted 30 March 2000 06:24 AM
Hey David, What neat picture of little Barabara Mandrell on the steel. Question, where is Danny Sneed? A good guitar player buddy of mine Johnny Spaugh often referred to Danny. Though I never heard Danny pick. God Bless You Buddy, Terry Wood |
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David Wright Member Posts: 1863 |
posted 30 March 2000 06:37 AM
Terry Danny is on the fourm, he's in AZ, playing great player...... |
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bob grossman Member Posts: 420 |
posted 30 March 2000 06:39 AM
The left picture in the second row was mine, I think. Late '56 or mid '57. Chuck lived in Irvington at that time. Earlier photos I had (Tom bradshaw has them now)were of one for Bud Fuller and one for "Little" Eddie Abner, a grammer-school boy with a 4-neck. Played Bud Isaacs style, c.1956. Saw him at the old Napredak hall in San Jose playing with Pee Wee Whitewing's band. |
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Frank Venters Member Posts: 182 |
posted 30 March 2000 07:52 AM
A friend of mine up in Anchorage, Alaska, Jay Decker, played an old Triple neck Wright Custom Pedal Guitar. I don't remember his tunings, but it would shake,rattle and roll up on the stage at the defunct Montana Club. It was held together with coat hanger wire and Jay said many times, he'd never get rid of that old Wright Custom. Great pictures, think I'll have to start printing them and start a book on all of thses old guitars. 73's...Frank |
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Mike Jones Member Posts: 418 |
posted 30 March 2000 08:21 AM
Barbara still has that old guitar, she had it refinished a couple of years ago and we used it on her TV movie of her life story. It's a real monster to carry around. 10 floors and no knees levers on the beast. The guitar is still bigger than her, of course so was my Emmons. Mike "Cookie" Jones |
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Bob Kagy Member Posts: 872 |
posted 30 March 2000 11:07 AM
Cool photos - many thanks for posting them David. |
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David Wright Member Posts: 1863 |
posted 30 March 2000 02:47 PM
Thanks guy's I have some more to post so stay tuned!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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bob grossman Member Posts: 420 |
posted 30 March 2000 03:13 PM
David W.... Tom B. has my collection of steel guitar literature and pictures that I collected for 30 years or more. I have MANY pictures of Wright Custom/Sierra guitars. It's hard to find two alike. Your Dad changed things a lot. The early Sierra was one of the first with raise/lower levers on every string - like the Fender 400/1000. Come to think of it...why am I telling you all this? |
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David Wright Member Posts: 1863 |
posted 30 March 2000 03:35 PM
Hi Bob, Thank's there is much I learn from the guy's who were around in the early day's, I was to young to remember a lot of thing's he did.Al I know he put a BIG part of his life in steel guitar and and most of that time was making it better,as you said it's hard to find two the same he always looked to better it, not make it cheaper to build and as many of you know not LIGHTER!!!!!!! |
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Richard Sinkler Member Posts: 2896 |
posted 30 March 2000 04:55 PM
Hey David! Are there any more in stock?? At that price, I'll take a dozen. ------------------ |
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David Wright Member Posts: 1863 |
posted 30 March 2000 08:15 PM
I would like to thank my good friend Jonathan Light for all the help he has been on posting these pictures, could never have done with out him.   |
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David Wright Member Posts: 1863 |
posted 30 March 2000 08:25 PM
Sorry Richard just sold out ! Sell you a new Sierra at a slightly higher price As you can see my Dad built standerd guitars al so,bass guitars or both on the same guitar. The Andy Doll guitar just sold in Dallas TX guitar show for three times it's cost. |
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Danny Spinks Member Posts: 30 |
posted 30 March 2000 09:06 PM
The display with Gene Pooler on it caught my eye. I met him in 1960 when Johnny Lee Wills played the NCO club at Fort McPherson, GA. Afterwards, several of us went over to the motel where they were staying. During this time someone in the band said, Gene has the four neck guitar that belonged to Jimmy Day. At the time and over the years, for whatever reason, I thought it was a Bigsby guitar. But having found no visual evidence of a four neck Bigsby, I think that they were talking about the four neck WRIGHT Custom that Jimmy Day played. Wish I had seen the guitar. [This message was edited by Danny Spinks on 02 April 2000 at 08:44 AM.] [This message was edited by Danny Spinks on 02 April 2000 at 08:48 AM.] |
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David Wright Member Posts: 1863 |
posted 30 March 2000 09:44 PM
Gene passed away quite a few years ago, know him well but don't know if he had MR. Day's guitar. Jimmy Day told me at a steel Show here in Ca that he recorded Crazy Arms with Ray on a Wright Custom,Curly played one for a while but said it was to heavey. |
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Reece Anderson Member Posts: 1371 |
posted 31 March 2000 09:23 PM
David.....There may be those who are not aware your father worked with us at MSA in the early years. I therefore can honestly tell everyone from past experience, he is a marvelous craftsman, who is also quality oriented and innovative. But more importantly he is a fine man. There may be those who don't know he is a great steel player too. I should mention David also worked with us at MSA. The morals and work ethics of those Wright guys was second to none. I'm sure your father is as proud of you, as you are of him, and rightly so. |
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Herb Steiner Member Posts: 6119 |
posted 01 April 2000 06:35 AM
David, these scans are great! Thank you so much! You played your tail off in Dallas incidentally. FWIW, Bert Rivera played a Wright Custom with Hank Thompson before he went to a Marlen (and ultimately an Emmons). Those early Wright Customs favored the Bigsby design, as did some other steels from that era such as the Lynch Guitar. There was a Wright Custom floating around last year's ISGC that I could have bought for $1000 but passed on... regretfully, now. It was a way cool guitar. Incidentally, there was a steel player in LA, when I was in my early 20's (1967-68 or so) named Lucky Starr, who played a Wright. He seemed pretty elderly to me at that time. Does anyone know anything about him? [This message was edited by Herb Steiner on 01 April 2000 at 06:37 AM.] |
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ed packard Member Posts: 1355 |
posted 01 April 2000 07:26 AM
For anyone that is interested, ..Lil Ed Abner still lives in the San Jose Ca area (as of about 3 yrs ago) and works in engineering for a major high tech co there. He is still into guitars, ..all kinds. |
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David Wright Member Posts: 1863 |
posted 01 April 2000 10:50 AM
Thank's Herb, I'm still looking for my tail though, and a big thanks to Teresa Anderson who made me sound much better than I really did. Thank you Maurice for the king words bout my Dad and I, My years with you and M.S.A are a hight light in my life. I am very proud to have been a part of M.S.A history and to have spent the time learning from you, you'll never know what you brough in to my life !! Thank You........ |
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Terry Wood Member Posts: 1205 |
posted 02 April 2000 07:15 AM
Hi David, I never heard you or your father pick. Do you have anything tapes, L.P.s or CDs available? I saw the photo of Danny Sneed and last night talked to my good guitarist buddy Johnny Spaugh, he was excited to know about Danny and plans to telephone him. Johnny isn't on the forum yet but he's really interested. He is one of the greatest of 6 string guitar players I ever heard. He and Danny played together years ago in AZ. Johnny also0 mentioned a steel player named Billy Easton from IL, said he was really a fine player. Does anyone out there in Forum Land know of him? God Bless, Terry Wood |
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David Wright Member Posts: 1863 |
posted 02 April 2000 11:31 AM
Terry, I have somethings that my Dad did, He played with Jimmy Rivers for years in the S.F. when we moved to Red Bluff Vance Terry took his place.He is a C6 player big cords loved Chalker. He was one of the top players on the west cost in the 50's & 60's. He built his own guitar and sold it then another and thats how he got started building. |
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Terry Wood Member Posts: 1205 |
posted 02 April 2000 08:51 PM
Hey David, Any chance of getting a copy of something your father recorded? I would love to hear his playing and a copy of yours. Still pushing for your father's and Reece and Julian's induction into the SGHOF! Thanks! Terry Wood |
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David Wright Member Posts: 1863 |
posted 19 April 2000 06:18 AM
Found this pic of a Bigsby that belongs to a friend of mine in Wa. He got this new in 53 or 54.  |
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Terry Wood Member Posts: 1205 |
posted 19 April 2000 03:37 PM
Hi David, Boy I am glad we don't have to worry about anyone helping us out on the SGHOF. We'd be in hot water. I mailed in my letters for the SDGHOF to Scotty and never heard a reply. David, I was e-mailed that all the board members had to much to do to ever answer any letters. I tried e-mailing some and it seems Fred is the only one that bothered. Thanks Fred if your out there for at least trying to help answer some questions. A BIG THANKS to THOSE who at least acknowledged our thoughts ands postings. It still amazes me that more won't say anything. I really think they are afraid of saying anything? Otherwise, they could speak up for some of these deserving steel players. I just had to say something about the way it is all handled. I seriously doubt I'll attend another convention unless someone notifys me of Julian, Reece and your father's induction into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. Otherwise it's the same old same old at the convention each year. You seen one you seen them all. Years back it was wonderful, with the playing of Jimmy Day, Lloyd Green, Maurice Anderson, Julian Tharpe, Speedy West and others. I am so sorry that the younger players coming up didn't get to, nor will they get hear some of these guys play live. You knew who these guys were before you could see. You could tell by their original sound. So much for reminiscing of GREAT MUSIC! Terry Wood |
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Mike Black Member Posts: 528 |
posted 19 April 2000 07:32 PM
David That's taking us back! I noticed on the 49 catalog he offers Standard Guitars. Do you have any idea if they were solid like his later ones? That would shed new light on the first solid bodies. I used to own the Andy Doll double neck Standard 6 string and Tic-Tac Bass. The Standard neck had a unique pulling device that worked on 4 strings. I have a tape of Chuck with Jimmy Rivers from 56 and I played it for Vance, he'd never heard it and was really impressed. Vance had a whopping Wright that was a pioneering instrument. I sure think he deserves his over due recognition. |
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David Wright Member Posts: 1863 |
posted 19 April 2000 09:02 PM
Terry, I think Smiley Roberts pretty much hit the nail on the head in his last post, It say's bout everything why Maurice isn't in the Hall, my be Julian crossed a voteing member also. Time will bring the truth out on this matter. Mike: My Dad was a master builder and player Vance took his place with Jimmy Rivers when we moved to Red Bluff. I talked to the guy that has the Andy Dool guitar, he bought it in Dallas at a guitar show a month or so ago. [This message was edited by David Wright on 19 April 2000 at 09:15 PM.] |
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Dave Burton Member Posts: 213 |
posted 19 April 2000 10:41 PM
Hey David great pics! I liked the one of Barbara.Little girl,big guitar.It's good to here from you.I was in Sacramento a year ago and heard you,Jeff Newman,Bobby Black, and J.D. Maness,what a show.You were modest then about your playing and still are.I have adapted a version of Kansas City,inspired buy your take on the tune I heard in Sac.I hope it won't be to long before we are trated to another show like that. P.S I recently became the proud owner of a New HD Heritage Softail Classic,Love It!! Seirra Now Harley.. Somebody pinch me!!! Dave |
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David Wright Member Posts: 1863 |
posted 20 April 2000 06:02 AM
Hi Dave, Thank's for the kind words, what a time we had in Sac such great players were hopeing to have another show in the near furture. I think your living life to good with a Sierra and a new Harley I couldn't be happyer for you, not enless it was me !! Take care and ride safe. |
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bd steelinforfun Member Posts: 375 |
posted 20 April 2000 03:39 PM
David, I was over to Ivan & Zelpha Ward's a couple of nights ago, and Ivan showed me a picture of the 20 pedal, I think it was a D-10, that your father built. I had heard about it from you, but it was a real thrill to see a picture of it. I'm sure you have a picture of it, but if by chance you don't, let me know, and I'll borrow it from Ivan and have one made for you. Needless to say, your father is a genius. Bob Dell |
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David Wright Member Posts: 1863 |
posted 20 April 2000 08:04 PM
BD, That would be Vance Terry's guitar, Danny sneed's has 15 plus knee levers, Tell Ivan and Mom Hi for me....... |
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David Wright Member Posts: 1863 |
posted 25 April 2000 05:30 PM
Hi All' Here's some more info on the Bigsby standard guitar I postedKeith ordered it in July 1951, and waited 1 year and 7 months to get it. Paul was a great person and a great craftsman. When he first ordered the guitar Paul had only come out with the tailpiece, so Keith ordered it. But by the time the guitat was finished Paul had come out with the Bigsby Vibrato, so Keith ordered that. The guitar was $450.00 then and the Vibrato was an additional $50.00. He has used the guitar to back up stars that came thru the Northwest on tour such as Lefty Frizzell, T Texas Tyler, Tex Williams, Jimmy Dickens, Sheb Wooley, etc. |
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