how our old instruments get re located

[STEDDIE EDDIE]

just got sent this picture from an outdoor festival i played last month, and the very sharp eyed might just make out a white Excel steel guitar in the background, which belongs to Declan O'Haire, who plays with the Jimmy Buckley Band, here in Ireland, and the guitar still sports the 'SARAH' decal, i reckon Ted must have been involved with this Excel at some stage,

[Zumbilly(Murdoch)]

You are correct Eddie,
I remember Ted having this guitar some time ago.
Billy

[Paul Brennan]

That steel has seen a few gigs! I believe Sarah is now the happy owner of a new WBS.

Earlier this year I saw my very first steel, a BMI, turning up for sale on http://www.donedeal.ie. I hear my second steel, an Emmons Lashley LeGrande SD10, is now resident in Co. Fermanagh.

[Ted Nesbitt]

In fact I bought 2 Excel SD10s from Sarah, one in 2005, and one in 2006. The Excel Guitar Co. (Fuzzy Steel Guitars) built her one for her 2005 Tour of Japan, and again in 2006. Wonderful guitars, great tone and superb craftsmanship.
Declan got the 2005 model, and I just sold the 2006 model to Dave Rowland a few months back. Dave is currently touring with Charlie Landsborough. Ken, did you buy the red Mullen RP in the UK?
I have always said, and I will say again ..... Mullen is the finest guitar built today ... build quality, finish and sound
Not everyone will agree off course ... but thats my story and Im sticking too it

[Ken Byng]

Hi Ted. Yes I bought the red Mullen recently. It has surprised me I must say - the build quality is excellent. I would put it on a par with Zum steels as far as build quality is concerned. Tonewise? It does have a very good tone, but then again so do my Emmons guitars, my Sho~Bud and surprisingly the MCI I have just bought. I am in the process of putting Lawrence 705's on my Zum which will improve its already great tone. Not many modern guitars are lacking in the tone department, and I wouldn't want to upset anyone by naming those makes that I think are not as good as others are.

My friend Charles Tilley from Texas had a D10 Excel and I was impressed with its tone when I stayed at his home. The Fuzzy guitars were not the most exciting mechanically, but sounded pretty good. I sold a couple for Eric Snowball in the 70's, and didn't think that the manufacturer would have stayed in the market place in the way that he has.

Incidentally, Sarah is given no end of guitars which is a good situation to be in. Her old white D10 EMCI is owned by a friend of mine called Maurie Newman. I am not a great lover of the Barcus Berry pickups that are on that guitar, but it plays well.

Going back to the original topic, there must be loads of us who have let great guitars slip through our grasp and wish we could get our mitts back on them.