Sierra Steel Guitars

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 17 Apr 2018 9:34 pm

memphislim wrote:For those wanting more info on these remarkable guitars, I created a video:

viewtopic.php?p=2730138#2730138

Great demo, Michael. Did you put those A B C D labels on your pedal rods? My prototype doesn't have them.

FWIW, I moved a bell crank and pull rod to a different string this morning (copedent change on a knee lever) and it took about 20 minutes from start to perfectly balanced finish. First time I've done that so I was figuring it out as I went. The parts are small but machined incredibly well. It seems to me to be a perfect design.

Ross installed the tone posts on mine last week. I have been playing for a year without that invention, and the midrange change was a bit much for me. I've backed the tone screws out a bit, and now it's "more me". What a great feature! I remember how people used to say that the tightness of the neck mounting screws on a push-pull could change the tone. Every aspect of acoustic coupling affects the tone and sustain of an instrument. Ross says he got this idea from the tone post of a violin. Fascinating!

memphislim · Post by **memphislim** » 18 Apr 2018 5:19 am

Yes Bob, I put the labels on the pedal rods myself. Good old Brother Ptouch label maker.

It is super easy to change around your copedant on these guitars and yes brilliant design!

Thanks again Bob for the phone run-down you gave me of your guitar, it was very helpful in the decision to purchase mine.

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 18 Apr 2018 7:51 am

Ross installed the tone posts on mine last week. I have been playing for a year without that invention, and the midrange change was a bit much for me. I've backed the tone screws out a bit, and now it's "more me". What a great feature! I remember how people used to say that the tightness of the neck mounting screws on a push-pull could change the tone. Every aspect of acoustic coupling affects the tone and sustain of an instrument. Ross says he got this idea from the tone post of a violin. Fascinating! Cool

I found the tone posts to be quite useful and have all three cranked up....but maybe the difference is because I have a single coil pickup wound at 13.5K. My small experience with humbuckers is that the mids are a little thicker already. But then again, tone is subjective, right?

I haven't experimented much with them yet. I just cranked all three but when time allows I will try just one or different combinations...and report back!

Art Beard · Post by **Art Beard** » 21 Apr 2018 1:01 am

IMHO ROSS is building the finest, most inovative steel out there today. ! I spent over 17 years in aerospace, ending as a,Quality Engineer. I design a system to control tight tolerances (.00001) with repeatability, not easy.
Ross keep up the good work, buddy.
We spent 3-4 hrs together at the SWSGA SHOW 2018. BEST TIME OF THE LAST 35 YEARS 4 ME. CAA

Johnie King · Post by **Johnie King** » 21 Apr 2018 5:22 pm

Ross I have watch all your videos an enjoy them immensely. I’m curious to know how the changer works . Dose it have a knife edge or axel or black magic.

Ross Shafer · Post by **Ross Shafer** » 22 Apr 2018 6:43 am

Glad you like the vids Johnie, we're slowly editing a final assembly video....lots of video to edit down to something watchable.

My changer is similar in function to Excel's and Anapeg's (both of which function like Rickenbacker and Fender PS210 changers of the past.

The main pivot on my changer fingers is a 3/32" pin.

Ross Shafer · Post by **Ross Shafer** » 2 Jun 2018 6:33 am

Jeez Loueeze....this latest video took a long damn time to get done. My poor wife Mari may be permanently cross eyed from editing this one down from hours of raw footage.

https://youtu.be/r3KnlyY2fho

In this episode of Makin' Chips I'm assembling Dave Zirbel's new Sierra.

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Ross Shafer · Post by **Ross Shafer** » 14 Jun 2018 10:07 am

Howdy all, I've recently received a couple of inquiries as to when I'll be producing a S12 model.

I now have all the 12 string specific parts in stock and am ready to go.

I hope you're all having a fine summer!

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 14 Jun 2018 4:03 pm

Ross, Ross, Ross,
You gotta stop these videos before I find myself with yet another Pedal Steel Guitar that I don't really need!
Take pity on me because I don't even have a wife to restrain me anymore.

Johnie King · Post by **Johnie King** » 16 Jun 2018 5:48 am

Thanks for sharing Ross

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 16 Jun 2018 7:58 am

Great vid! Love to great Steel playing soundtrack 12+min!

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 16 Jun 2018 9:27 am

Pete Burak wrote:Great vid! Love to great Steel playing soundtrack 12+min!

Agreed. How did you learn all of those positions for Emmons' arrangement of "Danny Boy" (at 16:30)? Is it published somewhere? You really nailed it!

Chris Reesor · Post by **Chris Reesor** » 17 Jun 2018 8:04 am

Anthology of Pedal Steel Guitar by Dewitt Scott/Mel Bay for that Emmons transcription, b0b. It's a dilly.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 17 Jun 2018 8:45 am

Thanks, Chris. I didn't realize they were the same song.

memphislim · Post by **memphislim** » 17 Jun 2018 9:27 am

Pretty sure that is where I got that from Bob. You might want to move these last three post to this thread:

viewtopic.php?p=2730138#2730138

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 17 Jun 2018 3:55 pm

Like the song itself, that's easier said than done, Slim.

I'm seriously going to study that tab though.

Ross Shafer · Post by **Ross Shafer** » 12 Jul 2018 8:15 am

Introducing the Pick-Pocket...a new accessory included with all new Sierra Steel Guitars.

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 12 Jul 2018 10:49 am

Thanks Ross!

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 12 Jul 2018 11:50 am

I got one too. It's designed specifically for the new Sierra guitars. A little bracket mounts to a couple of the pre-tapped holes in the rails. The Pick-Pocket clicks onto the bracket and pulls off easily when you're packing up.

Brilliant, Ross!

Ross Shafer · Post by **Ross Shafer** » 7 Aug 2018 8:40 am

Howdy all, We've got another hot dang Makin' Chips video posted for your viewing pleasure. This time around I'm taking big chunks of aluminum and cutting everything away but the pedals that live within.

The soundtrack is courtesy of our fearless forum leader Bobby Lee. With steel work by Bobby Lee and Dave Zirbel. Muy Bueno!

https://youtu.be/kPfhLrtI8BQ

Eric Dahlhoff · Post by **Eric Dahlhoff** » 7 Aug 2018 9:08 am

Sweet background music Dave & b0b!!
And always fun watching the chips fly Ross.
Thanks

memphislim · Post by **memphislim** » 7 Aug 2018 9:08 am

Great work Ross, nice to see how these pedals are made!

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 8 Aug 2018 5:44 am

Bravo,

Ross Shafer · Post by **Ross Shafer** » 15 Aug 2018 8:30 am

Howdy all, I'll be packing up 2 or 3 new Sierra steels and bringing them up to the Portland Steel jam on Sept. 9.

There's not a lot of these around, so if you're in the great northwest and want to check out these new rigs, c'mon down to the jam!

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 15 Aug 2018 9:18 am

Ross Shafer wrote:Howdy all, I'll be packing up 2 or 3 new Sierra steels and bringing them up to the Portland Steel jam on Sept. 9.

There's not a lot of these around, so if you're in the great northwest and want to check out these new rigs, c'mon down to the jam!

Looking forward to this!

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Sierra steel guitars

You gotta stop these videos before.....

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