Derby History

[Johnie King]

Bumped

[Don R Brown]

I like my Derby!

Johnny, looking at your seat, you must play rock music!

[William Johnson]

I own a Derby DB+ Pad, E9 10 String Single Neck, Green w/ Black Shading on outer edges & White Pearloid Binding. After purchasing it, I discovered this Derby was custom built by Charlie Stepp for a client that wanted to gift it to Mr. Lloyd Green. So I drove from SE Georgia to Derby (in Lexington, Kentucky) with my Green Derby in hand (~2005) to get it get looked over and repair if needed. I also asked if he recognized this steel? Charlie verified the story about this Derby steel. He added that Mr. Green did not accept the gift and never played it. Charlie confirmed directly to me, it was custom built for a Derby client who was planning to give to Mr. Green as a gift, but never reached reached Mr. Green's hands as he only played So Bud DB+ Pad E9 10 String (as most know).

Did Charlie build his DB+Pad E9 10 String Single Neck models with a Double Neck body and aluminum frame with a empty space (2nd neck) where the Changer is typically tuned? The opening has an aluminum plate covering the space. The Green Derby also has an Off/On switch near the changer end.

I'm wondering if Charlie used a DB with space for two changers, but only installed the E9 neck and added a plate to cover the opening or did he always build his DB single necks this way? That would mean he didn't have stock two types of Double Body steel parts!

Anyways . . . What do y'all think?

Billy

How do I Insert Images from my computer?

[Jerry Overstreet]

No, that guitar is probably converted from a Double Neck. There has been a lot of that happening unfortunately. I'm pretty sure I remember the Lloyd guitar and I certainly don't recall a cutout on the endplate, but there's always the chance that I'm wrong. I'm quite sure I knew the gentleman who had it and wanted to gift it to Lloyd. I think he has since passed away. I won't say definitely that he didn't have the guitar coverted from a D10 but I'd be surprised it that is the case.

Considering that Lloyd did have a Sho-Bud converted from a D10, it's certainly possible that they attempted to emulate that.

That guitar was a dark green Imron sprayed finish with MOP inserts. I remember seeing it and the same gentleman at Charlie's shop.

If you want to send a couple photos to my email, I'll post them for you.

Charlie's SD10 end plates did not have a cutout on the rear pad side. It's possible that his very first year a couple could have been made that way but I've never heard of one. The only person I know of that could definitely say is Jerry Van Hoose who was with him just about from the start. Everybody else has passed on.

I've been around him and his guitars from about 1990 on. Post the serial number and we can tell you about the year it was built which will give me a better idea.

Also Billy, I couldn't find a rodding chart that you asked me about. I did find a couple pages describing the split feature and a few other odds and ends about the guitars but no chart.

If you want what I have, I can send them to your email or by snail mail. Just let me know.

[Joseph Carlson]

Here is the info I have on how to rod a Derby

Derby Rodding Chart and Info 1.pdf

Derby Rodding Chart and Info 2.pdf

Derby Rodding Chart and Info 3.pdf

Derby Rodding Chart and Info 4.pdf

Derby Fine Tuning Setup Page 1.pdf

Derby Fine Tuning Setup Page 2.pdf

[Maurice Daulton]

I've had 3 Derbys. I bought 2 before he died (Used) SD 10's. And Margit had 2 new D10's left in the shop. I worked out a deal with her and she sold me 1 of the last 2. I wound up with 2 many and sold the New D10 to a guy in Nashville. I would say he still has it. Been about 2011. I still play a little.My health is about gone. I now have 3 Mullen G2,My Sho Bud I bought in 1973 and the Derby which I bought from Charlie in would do to them.,23 yrs ago. Its my favorite. And yes Charlie told me he worked in Nashville for Emmons and when he was building the Derby he would go to Buddy and Buddy would tell him if he liked (whatever) Charlie was doing to them. I do not know how much Charlie did in his shop,but he had a lot of parts machined at a different place and then he put them together. My Friend (Audie McQueary)RIP played at Charlies funeral on one of Charlies Derbys.He was a good guy but he had a mind of his own.

[Jerry Overstreet]

I can appreciate your post Maurice, but that is incorrect about Charlie working for Emmons. Far as I know, he never lived in Nashville, but right here on Dixie Highway in Shively in Louisville Ky, before moving his shop to Brooks, KY. His shop was never in Lexington, so perhaps that's just a mistake on your part.

Yes, he was a dealer for Emmons and serviced Emmons guitars here in Louisville for several years.

He loved his Emmons push pull guitar and kept it all through the years he built Derby guitars. He might have been the biggest Emmons push pull and Buddy Emmons fan ever. He respected, sought and revered all the input he received from Buddy and was especially proud of the recordings Buddy did with the Derby and playing it on stage at the ISGC and did indeed make a few trips to Nashville to see Buddy concerning his use of and input concerning Derby steels but he never worked for the Emmons company as an employee.

If there are any doubts, read his daughter Jaynette's post earlier in this thread.

[Ricky Davis]

You know its a GREAT STEEL when Terry Crisp plays one on this HUGE SOLO at a Reba Show...
His long solo starts 1:17
https://youtu.be/IxuVoLt1yHs?si=-7tRp7251QQAaMMk
Gotta Love that Terry Crisp Perfection.
Ricky

[Jerry Van Hoose]

In the beginning, during the early 90’s, Derby Steel endplates were sand cast and all were configured for D-10’s meaning, there were 2 cutouts for the changer. The same configuration applied to the cabinets as they were all built with cutouts for E9th & C6th pickups. During this time, a few customers requested SD-10 guitars therefore, the endplates as well as the cabinets that were meant to be utilized for D-10’s were used resulting in a few SD-10 guitars with two cutouts. The rear padded armrest covered the C-6th pickup cutout perfectly. Around early 1995, we ended sand casting altogether in exchange for CNC milling that included the necks, key heads as well as the endplates. Most importantly, now we also had appropriate SD-10 endplates with only the front E-9th changer opening, same applied to the SD-10 cabinets as well. Shortly afterward, a neck selector switch, actually an on & off switch on the SD-10’s was eliminated entirely. I hope this has answered a few questions regarding the history of Derby Steels. I surely miss Charlie Stepp, Carl Boyd and “Ironman” Bob Calloway. I must include a very special “thank you” to Jerry Overstreet for causing me to search my old memories and relive those special moments. Thank you, Jerry O. and may God Bless.

[Jerry Overstreet]

There you go. Straight from maybe the only survivor knowledgeable about Derby history from the beginning years onward.

So I defer to Jerry V. that some of the very early SD10s were built from D10 cabinets. I'm still unsure of the green Lloyd guitar that is the subject of this topic, so I will accept that it was possibly built the same also and my memory may be in error.

Thank you Jerry Van Hoose for your input here. I too miss Charlie, Margit, Bob, Carl and everybody whom I had the privilege of hanging out with around the Derby shops.

Also, thanks to Joseph Carlson for posting all the technical data.

[Kenny Davis]

Anyone know about Derby serial numbers?
What I have seen online doesn't help much. The one I'm inquiring about reads 101161. Also has 2.1.99 to the left. Dots between the numbers are placed like dash marks.

[Jerry Overstreet]

Never seen any numbers like that on a Derby. Where are these numbers located?

Derby serial numbers ran consecutively in simple numbers up to somewhere in the 500s...just the 2 or 3 numbers preceeded by 00. No dates, codes or any other markings.

Jerry V. stated the early build guitar endplates up to around 95 were from sand castings so I suppose it's possible they might have occured from that. I've seen markings similar to that stamped in cast endplates on other brand guitars.

[Kenny Davis]

Headstock end -

[Jerry Overstreet]

No idea. Sorry. That looks like it might be a date. I've no clue about the other 6 numbers.

I'm stumped because I've never seen numbers like that on a Derby, but obviously I haven't seen every one of them.

Edit: It just occured to me that Billy Cooper was a dealer for Derby back in the day so he might have put dates and other markings on the ones that he sold.
It would just be a guess, but that's probably the answer. Perhaps he stamped that date in there. The other 6 numbers?

[Kenny Davis]

Perhaps, but I would think altering a serial number would be a an odd thing to do. It is a SD10 with a SD endplate and the decal only says Derby. It has non-original 4th floor pedal hardware, but without a pedal or rod. Also, there's a rocker switch that looks like it was never wired. i guess comparing with other Derby guitars might give an answer. I understand it was in Oklahoma in 2023 by way of Arkansas, then to Branson, then back to Oklahoma. I acquired it for a friend a few weeks ago. It plays and sounds great.

[Jerry Overstreet]

That's the only explanation I can come up with. I'm guessing as I never had any dealings with Billy, but factory Derby numbers weren't stamped like that. As an example, mine had 0072 and my buddy's was 0027. No other numbers. I've seen many others around the region and I observed many by setting up and knocking them down at the ISGC display room. Those all with the same numbering system.

The numbers in your example don't appear to have been changed, but rather added on to.
I'm just guessing that Charlie may have had a deal with Billy to leave off the 2 zeroes and leave only the 3 build numbers.

As in everything, other possibilities exist. Could just be a one off or a changed out end plate, but it's unusual for a Derby guitar.

Derby guitars had a rocker switch on the rear panel as a neck selector for D10s and an unnecessary on/off switch on the early SDs just to plug the hole. Later SD cabinets did not have such a hole.

Maybe contact Jerry Van Hoose as he was there through all the Derby years.

[Joseph Carlson]

From this post: viewtopic.php?t=310127

Derby Serial Numbers... Believed to be 500+ steels built

0001.....D10..........................Plastic Derby Hat emblem
0006.....D10.....91.................Derby Hat emblem
0020.....D10.....90s................Name plate type emblem
0027.....D10..........................Name Plate type emblem
0041.....SD10........................Derby Hat emblem
0047
0056.....D10.....96/97
0063.....D10.........................Old Crown emblem
0070.....D10.....Early 90s.......Old Crown emblem
0072.....D10.....Early 90s.......Derby Hat/Cane
0085.....D10
0102................93/4
0103.....D10.........................Old Crown emblem
0134.....SD10.......................Big D emblem
0136.....SD10.......................Big D emblem
0144.................Early 90s
0145.....SD10....99Feb
0149.....SD10....1992
0151.....D10........................Big D emblem
0153.....SD10....92
0170.....SD12....Mid 90s
0182.....D10........................Big D emblem
0190.....SD10....Late 90s
0212.....................
0228.....SD10....90s
0230.....SD10......................Big D emblem
0247.....SD10....99..............Big D emblem
0271.....SD10......................Big D emblem
0272.....SD10....2000...........Big D emblem
0274.....SD10......................Big D emblem
0317.....SD10......................Modified Pedal Board emblem
0362.....SD10....2005
0368.....D10
0371.................2000s
0380.....D10........................Big D emblem
0401.....D10......2006Dec
0418.....SD10
0421.....D10......2006Dec
0422.....D10......2006/7
0428.....SD10....2007...........Big D emblem
0431.....SD10....2007
0434.....SD10....2007
0443.....SD10......................Big D emblem
0445.....SD10......................Big D emblem

[Jerry Overstreet]

Yeah, that's the list Dick Sexton compiled several years ago and I assume the one Kenny referenced. You can see the numbering system there.

The numbers on Kenny's post are different, thus his inquiry and why I wrote what I did. I'm just guessing as to the reason why.

[Kenny Davis]

Thanks for the input Jerry -

After a period of years and different owners there's no telling what might transpire with these things! It's nice knowing the history if at all possible, as I am asking for it's new owner. With the exception of the added floor pedal hardware, it appears to be fairly non-modified to me.

Screenshot_20260116-234245.Audigo.png

[Jerry Overstreet]

Well, the decal is not original or has been trimmed, but the guitar itself appears to be genuine Derby as much of it as I can see.

It has the earlier changer axle boss, so 90s era is about right.

You're right, it's been a lot of years. Still, it appears to be a nice guitar and long as it plays and sounds good, that's all that matters. Perhaps the number mystery will be solved in the future.