Bet you've never seen/heard of one of these...

[JeffM]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271144335212

Never seen a steel with double course strings (like a mandolin or a 12 string).

This one belonged to Speedy west and is being sold by his grandson.

I know Jimmy Bryant had a Stratosphere double neck guitar (6 and 12 string) and that the pairs of the 12 string were tuned in harmony (thirds or fourths rather than octaves or unison).

I wonder if this was tuned the same way.

[Jim Pritchard]

Surprise ......I have heard this steel on one of Speedy's old LP recordings, which I have (somewhere in storage). The steel dates from around 1945/6, not sure of the tuning's. pre his tripple 8 on this CD cover. A unique sound & style of the times. Jim

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Last edited by Jim Pritchard on Sat Jan 26, 2013 3:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[JeffM]

Surprise ......I have heard this steel on one of Speedy's old LP recordings, which I have (somewhere in storage). The steel dates from around 1945/6, not sure of the tuning's. pre his twin 8 on this CD cover. A unique sound & style of the times. Jim

That cover shows his Bigsby triple neck, doesn't it?

I'd certainly be interested to hear a recording of this strange beast.

[Jim Pritchard]

You right Jeff, it's his triple 8 Bigsby. just had to magnify it up, Eye sight not too good at my age
PM me you address and i'll send you a copy. Jim

[JeffM]

Thanks for the offer but I already have that album. The tune "Stratosphere Boogie" doesn't feature the Stratosphere steel guitar though.

It is named after Jimmy Bryant's double-neck Stratosphere guitar with the 12 string neck tuned in harmony pairs. Great piece of music.

I'm after a recording of Speedy (or anyone, I'm not fussy) playing the stratosphere steel.

Here's Stratosphere Boogie if anyone hasn't heard it.

[telboy]

Blimey, i have enough trouble with 6 strings...not my cuppa tea, looks homemade...