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Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
 Posted - 08/17/2005 : 9:13:54 PM
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I've seen two Rickenbacker Frying Pan Steel Guitars on ebay lately. Prior to that, I heard Jerry (last name?) play one on Maui last June at the kanikapila in Kaanapali at the Marzullo home.
I did fall in love with that beautiful sound Jerry was able to coax out of that funny looking steel. But the ones on eBay are very old and beat up and getting between $1,000 and $2,000. Are they that special? Any info from you pros?
Julie
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2169 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2005 : 03:28:17 AM
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| The solid cast aluminum body of the "frying pan" gives the guitar it's special warm tone. |
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marzullo
`Olu`olu
USA
923 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2005 : 04:01:32 AM
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hi julie,
if i remember jerry's story correctly (if braddah kevin sees this, he could correct me) the model he has is one of the original electric lap steels. jerry's steel has some odd hole in it, which were drilled so it could be mounted on the wall as a decoration.
aloha,
keith
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Fran Guidry
Ha`aha`a
USA
1579 Posts |
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Konabob
`Olu`olu
USA
928 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2005 : 06:44:17 AM
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Hi Julie!
Basically, the denser the matterial the strings are resting on, the better the sustain. Same reason why pianos have heavy metal frames for their strings. All that cast aluminum keeps those strings ringing a long time.
Unless you are a collector or you run across a really good deal, I wouldn't bother waiting for one to come along. There are plenty of great steel guitars that have wonderful tone and cost less.
Are you still playing your resonator? Have you tried tuning it to D-G-E-G-B-D yet?
There are some pretty amazing Hawaiian sounds waiting for you in that tuning.
Aloha,
-Konabob |
Konabob's Walkingbass - http://www.konawalkingbass.com
Taropatch Steel - http://www.konaweb.com/konabob/
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=Konabob2+Walkingbass |
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2005 : 08:26:24 AM
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quote:
Prior to that, I heard Jerry (last name?) play one
Although I wasn't there, I'll bet your heard Geri Valdriz. He's a local judge (!) and a superb steel player who often plays with Kevin Brown.
Great guy. He's truly got "the touch."
Geri plays mostly in A6.
quote:
The solid cast aluminum body of the "frying pan" gives the guitar it's special warm tone.
That, and the pickup. And the "touch" -- Geri can make anything sound good.
For what it's worth, I have a 37 Ric "Silver Hawaiian"-- also cast metal. Same basic pick-up as the Frying pan. But purists tell me it doesn't sound as sweet as either the Frypan or the Bakelite Rics. Still, it sounds mighty good to me...
happy slidin'
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marzullo
`Olu`olu
USA
923 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2005 : 11:07:47 AM
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quote:
Although I wasn't there, I'll bet your heard Geri Valdriz
that's the guy! i didn't know his full name, but i knew he is a judge. geri's kumu was none other than jerry byrd.
aloha,
keith |
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2005 : 07:09:01 AM
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quote:
geri's kumu was none other than jerry byrd.
Yep. And his first name is Geronimo.
Wish my mother had named me something cool.
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Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2005 : 8:47:09 PM
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So Geri was his name. Man, was he smooth, and what a voice. So that gives me a whole lot of info on that steel he had. As soon as this fundraising Luau is over tomorrow, I will truly tackle the job of learning steel. 
I just may surprise people at the next kani ka pila. Hah!
Julie
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seldomfed
Aloha
USA
33 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2005 : 11:01:10 AM
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Hi Julie,
Yes they are very special. The frypan (A model) from Rickenbacher was the first production electric guitar (1932). Made specifically for Hawaiian style steel playing. The guitar is a tone monster for one reason. The string-thru pickup with that huge horseshoe magnet was the reason for the classic tone. The string-thru design was also used on the bakelite ricks, and the hollow metal ricks like the Silver Hawaiian. There's no way to reproduce that tone with a conventional guitar pickup that I've heard. The aluminum body clearly contributes to the tone, but was more for the Art Deco look and using 'modern' materials of the age. It is a timeless look I think.
They are prized because of the basic Art Deco design and functional simplicity, and because they were played by the early Hawaiian masters. So if you want that special tone, you want a frypan. They are rare, so value is going up. There are reproductions out there from EXCEL and others that don't have the pickup, and they don't sound the same. So be careful when buying. The Excel Jerry Byrd model for example, is not like an original frypan. You could replace the pickup however and get close.
Do you need one to get a good Hawaiian sound, no. Like KB said, there are lots of good sounding steels. But if you like the frypan tone, there's nothing quite like it. Playing those old Hawaiian steel tunes on anything except a frypan or a bakelite is sort of like trying to cop Stevie Ray Vaughn licks on a Les Paul - it just doesn't quite get it. The downside is the aluminum body - it is sensitive to temp. changes so doesn't always stay in tune. And they are expensive. BUT they'll only get more expensive, so it's a good investment if you like to collect and play older instruments.
If you can find a 'Valco' made lap steel like an Oahu, Supro, National, Bronson,.... They all use that early string-thru pickup design and will give you a really nice tone for not much bucks. Usually can be had for $150 or so. They won't sound like a Rick, but they do sound great! Esp. for blues.
For new steels, the West Coast steels are great sounding and have a sound like the old Fender Stringmasters. They are simple, and basic looking, but very playable and have good chimes.
btw, pickups modeled after the early Rick's string-thru pickups are now being reproduced by Jason Lollar and Rick Aiello. Rick can also restore the old pickups to new condition. (re-mag) Rick is also creating some wonderful new fully-cast frypan reproductions on a limited basis that rival the frypan for tone and playability. Asher and Harmos also use the Lollar-Aiello pickup in their guitars, so you can now get close to the classic frypan or bakelite tone with a new instrument.
Chris |
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Jeff Au Hoy
Aloha
USA
17 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2005 : 03:02:46 AM
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| I disagree with the above comment that the metal body of a frypan gives it its "special warm tone". (But maybe I missed the sarcasm?) I feel it is quite the opposite. Rick frypans are some of the brightest sounding steels out there. In its natural wide-open state, the instrument is anything but warm. The key is to control the shimmering metallic brightness, which in turn brings you to a sound that no other steel can deliver. I play a 30's long scale Rick frypan. |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2169 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2005 : 03:24:26 AM
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| Well stated. As a "resophile", 'lectric instruments are still a bit of a mystery, but I do know that a brighter tone offers more opportunities for working the dynamics of the instrument. I'm still plumbing the depths of my ignorance. |
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Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2005 : 7:32:43 PM
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So for the heck of it I bid on a frying pan on eBay, but of course did not get it because I was off doing something else when the auction ended.
What really fries me, though, is that a couple of really sleezy slimeballs contacted me after the auction to tell me that the item is still for sale and would I like to buy it from them!!!! 
I contacted the original seller, and sure as heck, his transaction was finished, and he was sorry that someone would attempt to cheat me like that. I can't believe people could be such lowdown slimy jerks.
Aaargh. Of course, I sadly got my hopes up temporarily. Sigh.
Be cautious when you try to buy anything on eBay.
Julie |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2169 Posts |
Posted - 09/04/2005 : 2:21:06 PM
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| When the going gets tough, the wierd turn pro. Some guys no mo' class. |
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