My Desert Rose

I've been playing the Desert Rose S-8 for about a month now, and I've pretty much finalized the D6/G copedent. I love it! I can go from E9th country styles to C6th swing styles just by moving my foot to the right.

   LKL LKV LKR  P1  P2  P3  P4  P5  RKL RKR
F#         +G       +G
D  +D# +E                   +E      -C#
B                           +C#         +C
A               +B      -G#
F#         -F       +G
D  +D# +E                       +D#
B                                       +C
G               +A      -E      -F# 

P1 and P2 work like E9th A&B transposed down a step from E to D. The vertical LKV is sort of like the E9th C pedal. LKL is like the E9th F lever.

LKR, P3, P4, P5 and RKL are all standard C6th changes transposed up a step from C to D. LKL is like the C to C# lever, and RKR is like the A to Bb lever.

Here's a western swing tune of mine from a Burnside Scramblers rehearsal: Sagebrush Shuffle

Mr. Music Birthday Bash

My friend Mr. Music threw a birthday party for himself and everyone else who turns 60 this year. I got to play with 3 different bands: The Country All-Stars, Shannon Rider, and Band'O'Geezers. Here's a picture of the All-Stars, taken by Scott Shewbridge:


Brad Cox captured the birthday cake ceremony on video:



I got to see a lot of old friends. It was a great party!

A tweak from experience

I've been fooling with the 8-string copedent on the back neck of my Williams. I discovered that the B to A lower doesn't sound at all like at A to B raise, and the raise is that "country sound". Here's the update:

   LKL LKV LKR  P1  P2  P3  P4  P5  RKL RKR
F#                                  +G  +G
D  +D# -C#          +E      +E
B          +C               +C#
A               +B      -G#
F#                                  -F  +G
D  +D#              +E          +D#
B          +C   -A
G                       -E      -F# 

Chuck's still building the guitar. It's been 4 months since I ordered it.

My new bumper sticker

©2009 Bob Lee

Desert Rose

Chuck Back is building me an 8 string Desert Rose steel guitar. It's taking longer than expected because so many of the parts are custom made as opposed to a ten string and it's 116 degrees in Arizona so he can only work mostly at night but his noisy machinery disturbs his neighbors and also the paint doesn't dry right in this heat.

Chuck's going to Albuquerque this weekend and he'll send me a picture of the cabinet when he gets back.

What it is.

8 Strings - A Really Great Idea!

I think this might be a Really Great Idea. 8 strings with the range of a standard guitar, and most of the capabilities of a E9/C6 double-ten.

   LKL LKV LKR  P1  P2  P3  P4  P5  RKL RKR
F#                                  +G  +G
D  +D# -C#          +E      +E
B          +C   -A          +C#
A                       -G#
F#                                  -F  +G
D  +D#              +E          +D#
B          +C   -A
G                       -E      -F#