Is it a Mirage? Nope it's a Springfield!

[bob adams]

On finishing a few alterations I was asked to rattle out a little clip on this vintage 'Scottish Pedal Steel Guitar'!

I could write more but I know some of you characters will be itching to have a go!

[Donny Johnston]

Nice one Bob, need to come up and have a go on that one, I seem to recognise it.

[aardvark]

Hi guys,
I have one of these Springfields! It's been languishing in my loft for a few years and I'm thinking of selling it as I never really learned how to play it properly. Is anyone interested in making me an offer? If not, it will go on eBay in the next couple of weeks.
I think mine is identical to the one in the video clip but I can't see a model number. Mine has 10 strings and 3 pedals and is in generally good order. I bought it secondhand from Sheehan's of Leicester some years ago. I think I paid between £200 and £250.
Let me know if you are interested.
Cheers,
John ('aardvark')

[Steve Conway]

Nice one Bob, ya make it sing!

[Russell12]

Hi all, just new to this. I have been reading a lot of comments about these guitars and would like to share this with you guys.

The Springied guitar company was set up buy Jimmy Kerr and Bill MacEwan. Bill MacEwan who passed away sadly in 2012 was my grandad. I have never had the privilege of playing or even seeing one of his guitars but from reading things online I can see the impact they have had on people.

To everyone out there who still owns one of these incredible long lasting machines, my papa hand made each and every one, and I find it very humbling to find people who have taken care of these for such along time.

If people want to know more about Bill or wish to share any experience they have had with him or have any pictures of there pedal steel guitars, I would love to hear from you.

All the best
Callum

[Willie Gamble]

Hello Callum, I just wanted to let you know that your dad was a very clever engineer and very exact in all he did, he was a lovely man to know.
I often would visit the factories both in Livingston and in Greenock.

I would go along with Donny Johnston at the start and when I got to know the lads I would often pop along to see what was new, and how they were getting on.

The last time I saw your Dad was outside a club in Bathgate where I was playing, he had borrowed my air brush for doing the paint jobs on the bodies of the guitars and he was returning it to me ( some years later ).

As I said before he was a gentleman, sadly missed.

Willie Gamble

Asleep at the steel

[Donny Johnston]

Hello Callum, The guitar that Bob is playing was built for me by your Grandad and Jimmy, at that time I was playing professionally with a band called Legend, over the Easter weekend of 1979 we played the main stage at the Wembley Country Music Festival. About a month later we played the Brunton Theatre in Musselburgh, that's where I met Jimmy and Bill, they asked me if would like to represent the company, Springfield, by playing one of there guitars. I was honoured to do so and the guitar served me well for many years, it now belongs to a friend of mine who lives in Neilston near Barrhead. In 1981 when I was in hospital in Ayrshire, your Grandad came all the way through to visit, he gave me a tiny bible which I still have. He was in the truest sense of the word a gentleman who charmed everyone who met him, a real craftsman, and one of the nicest people I have ever met. It was my privilege to have known him. Donny.

[Russell12]

Hi Willie & Donny, much appreciated for your replies that was lovely what you had to share, I was reading your lovely comments to my family, they had everyone in tears, with the lovely things you had to say about my papa.
My mum and uncle remember meeting you Donny on a few occasions years ago.

Once again thank you very much for getting back to me if you know anyone else who has any stories to tell or if you guys have any other memories you can think of is love to hear them.

Take care!

Callum

[Ken Byng]

What a great story - especially from Callum, Willie and Donnie.

Just a footnote to Donnie - I also knew Jimmy Kerr before he changed his name to James. He brought one of the first Springfields down to my place in Southampton to evaluate for the British Steel Guitarists Guild that I ran at the time. I thought that it sounded pretty decent, but there were one or two issues around tuning stability. I bet McMiser regrets getting rid of his Springfield now he can see what a bit of care and attention can do for these guitars.

[smithdj]

Hi guys i knew jimmy kerr he played in a band called Buzzard Creek in the early 80s I was a roadie...lol i have many great memories of this time Jimmy was a gentleman and i would love to get back in touch with him if anyone has any contact info.