Larry Bell with Show Pro and Fox Vintage tube steel amp

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 2 Mar 2010 8:29 am

http://www.larrybell.org/mp3/FoxShowProIJDTW.mp3

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 4 Mar 2010 4:32 am

Larry is a playing a U12 Show Pro on this clip. Check out the low end on the guitar! Makes me want a Show Pro soon!!!

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 4 Mar 2010 4:10 pm

That is really a significant difference between the Emmons clip and this one !! I like what I can only best describe as the transparency of the combination. If the shoe fits, wear it !!

Regards, Paul

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 4 Mar 2010 5:22 pm

You hit the nail on the head, Paul
I've never owned two guitars that were so different and each is wonderful and unique. It's kinda like going between a Tele and a big box Gibson hollowbody. Sometimes you feel like a nut . . . sometimes you don't.

The unifying factor and inescapable truth is that all three of my guitars sound better than they ever have through the 5F8B. It is a magical amp. Thanks, Ken.

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 5 Mar 2010 4:44 pm

The thought occurred to me, Larry...do you still recall (As I do...) those songs Grand Pa would play when he was still with us ?? Like wiping out that window frame and asking: What's fer supper, Grand Maw ??

Regards, Paul

Roger Shackelton · Post by **Roger Shackelton** » 14 Mar 2010 5:20 pm

This is the "SHOWPRO" PSG + the new "FOX" amp.
The sound is is very up front "IN YER FACE".

Roger

Bernie Gonyea · Post by **Bernie Gonyea** » 15 Mar 2010 5:37 pm

Ken : Thanks for bringing to light your friend Larry Bell for all we forumites to enjoy his talents on that fine Shopro Steel guitar.. Larry, an excellent job , indeed, on that great number; I, too , especially enjoyed your low notes;; really superb playing Send us some more of your fabulous playing ability..Thanks..Bernie

Alan Miller · Post by **Alan Miller** » 19 Mar 2010 9:28 am

Wow that is a fantastic sound and the string separation is colossal .
Listening to that first time through I was thinking "some of it sounds dangerously close to how Buddy sounds"..... does anyone else hear that ?

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 19 Mar 2010 10:23 am

I played my LeGrande 111 through Larry's new amp earlier this week and I couldn't believe the tone I was hearing - tone I'd never thought my steel, as fine a guitar as it is, was capable of delivering!

In consequence I ordered one of Ken's amps the very same day; I hope it's arriving here tomorrow...

I used to think all those 'boutique price tags' on an amplifier were for mugs - boy, was I wrong!!! This is worth every penny!

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 24 Mar 2010 5:59 pm

We had a great showing with the amp at Show Pro guitar yesterday. Lots of pizza, picking and fun! Randy Beavers, Wayne Dahl, Russ Hicks, Doug Jernigan and others showed up. Had a great day. We tested the new amp and SICA speakers in N-400 amps as well.

Larry Bell, what can I say! Tone to bone and master of the steel guitar. I hope he will share some cuts for us soon. My thanks to Larry and all who have bought the new all tube amp.

We plan a 212 model that will be tested in Nashville by another prominent player soon. I hope to do it as soon as the last two amps of run #001 are sold.

Brian Powell · Post by **Brian Powell** » 24 Mar 2010 6:52 pm

thanks ken. peggy and i had a great time it was nice to meet all the great players there brian

Nic du Toit · Post by **Nic du Toit** » 25 Mar 2010 9:42 am

At least now I know what a wet cardboard box with strings sounds like.

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 25 Mar 2010 10:11 am

So glad you enjoyed it, Nic.

Nic du Toit · Post by **Nic du Toit** » 25 Mar 2010 10:34 am

Hi Larry,
My comments in no way refer to your playing....I really do enjoy your playing........ always a pleasure to listen to.
However, the same cannot be said about the cardboard box you had to play on....or is the lack of sustain, and tone, that's meant to be the strong selling point?
I somehow fail to get the point of what the clip is meant to convey..... compared to what? Oh. I know...A cardboard box.....

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 26 Mar 2010 6:36 am

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, Nic, but that's like saying a Gibson Super 400 sounds like crap because it doesn't sustain as well as a Les Paul or sound like a Telecaster.

Many people like the sound of a woody guitar -- folks like Jimmy Day, Lloyd Green, and many others. My personal opinion is that it's just DIFFERENT.

I like having guitars with different personalities. The Show Pro is a wonderful sounding guitar, so we definitely disagree on that point. It gets as many compliments on gigs as my push-pull. No, it DOES NOT sound like an Emmons, but I already have one of those.

I think your remarks were uncalled for.

Nic du Toit · Post by **Nic du Toit** » 26 Mar 2010 7:15 am

Hi Larry,

I agree with your sentiments, and understand the logic...... And you are correct in saying that your personal feeling is that it is different...... on that I also agree..

My personal feeling is that I do like a little more sustain....But, that is my opinion only.
I can understand that one may get a bit apprehensive when getting a comment you did not expect, but I'm sure we can agree to disagree without you leaving me out of your will.

Regards,
Nic

Bill Miller · Post by **Bill Miller** » 26 Mar 2010 10:25 am

now I know what a wet cardboard box with strings sounds like.

Whoa Nic, that's a bit strong don't you think? Are you saying that luminaries such as Lloyd Green, Tommy White, Mike Johnson etc., are playing cardboard boxes? You might want to take a listen to the Show Pro CD. Like all of the wooden neck steels they may not be the ultimate in sustain but they're a lovely, sweet sounding axe in my opinion. Fair is fair.

Don Brown, Sr. · Post by **Don Brown, Sr.** » 26 Mar 2010 5:33 pm

Hi Larry,

It would be good, to hear you play through another amp, first, (since it's the amp you're demonstrating) so the two sounds can be compared.

I think Nic was simply espressing what he heard, and expressing his opinion, as that's what posts are all about. Especially when it comes to sounds, tones, steels and the like in general.

My take on it, is there was definitely no reverb, or if there was, it was not showing up on my end either. But I felt that the Sho-Pro steels were a fairly popular steel. But I too am hearing a definite lack of sustain.

You played the song well, but I too, don't like the sound, nor the lack of sustain from this end. Now I'm not saying it may sound totally different in person, but, we can only compare it to how other systems sound, coming through to each of us out here in cyberland.

Again your playing was well done, but what I'm hearing doesn't sound like something that excites me. I don't think it has anything to do with wooden necks. My GES, has sustain to the bone, and she's Birdseye Maple through and through.

Could you possibly play your Emmons through that same amp, so we all might be able to get a better picture, and do that same tune. Then folks have something to really compare to. If the Emmons doesn't sound any better, then it would possible be the amp that's just dropping off? But something sure doesn't sound right to me either. However, it's not in your playing. Your playing is fine.

I sincerely mean nothing against anyone, but something isn't right with that combo???? It does really sound dead, and that's probably what Nic was referring to. And I know Ken is a great tech. But something is definitely not right between the two. Steel or amp?

Again, this is nothing personal so please don't take it that way. If you're happy with the sound that's all that matters. I'm only saying what I'm hearing on this end.

Best regards
Don

Mike Bagwell · Post by **Mike Bagwell** » 26 Mar 2010 8:47 pm

Very nice playing Larry, I enjoyed your arrangement and spot on technique.

I have a original 59 Fender hi power twin. I've recorded several examples with in the non pedal section of the Forum. I use it mostly for the non pedal stuff, Stringmasters, Clinesmith ect. When I use it on E9 country pedal steel my amp sounds pretty much like Larry's MP3. It's a unique sound that is quite different than the typical steel guitar amp. I suspect these type amps, although Ken's maybe different than mine, like lighter wound pick ups. The non pedal guitars I use mine for are wound around 3k(clinesmith) to 7k(stringmaster).
I liked the fact that Larry didn't over use reverb and delay it gives us a truer sense of the amps character, plus I'm real tired of everyone sounding like their playing in a high school gym.

Mike

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 27 Mar 2010 5:05 am

Push pull (little reverb used)
Larry Bell:

http://foxvintageamps.com/linked/foxemmons1.mp3

Derby Steel (again little reverb used)

Tommy Butler:

http://foxvintageamps.com/linked/fox%20vintage%20ii.mp3

Franklin · Post by **Franklin** » 27 Mar 2010 6:03 am

Nic and Don,

With the three clips, what I hear is a difference in the age of strings... Larry played beautifully!!!!

Ken,

Sorry I couldn't make it by Jeff's.....It was nice to see you at the Station Inn. In all of the examples how old are the strings?

PS, Tommy also played beautifully.

Paul

bob drawbaugh · Post by **bob drawbaugh** » 27 Mar 2010 6:44 am

Cardboard box? I love to hear Larry play. Nic, you proved my point I have made many times. Larry could make a cardboard box sound good.

Larry to quote a line from a song, " I love it, I love it I need some more of it."

I like to hear Brent Mason play his Telie, but I also like to hear him break out the Jazz Box. it has less sustane a different tone. It looks different, But I still like it. nic lots of sustain can't cover up lack of skill on any insturment. I'm Just say'n...

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 27 Mar 2010 11:37 am

You guys are just too kind. Thanks for the nice comments.

Look, all I did was stick an SM57 in front of the amp and play one pass with a hastily prepared BiaB track with as little verb and dly as possible to highlight the amp. I had not intended for this to be a shootout among guitar brands (and certainly not a referendum on my playing), just a further example of how wonderfully Ken's amp reproduces the natural tone of my guitars. IT REALLY DOES.

As usual, Paul was right on. The strings were several weeks old with a dozen gigs and a couple of sessions on 'em, but as others pointed out, it is a darker, woodier sounding instrument to begin with. I don't expect it to sustain like my push-pull, and it doesn't, but it does have a rich low mid that the Emmons doesn't. It will also do that nice 'Mooney on a Sho-Bud' thing like few other guitars I have played. It is truly a beautiful guitar with mechanics that rival any ever built, thanks to Jeff Surratt and the legacy of Duane Marrs.

Again, I apologize to Ken for this having turned into a guitar discussion. Let's get back on topic: the finest steel guitar amp to come along in the history of the instrument, IMHO. How often can you say that you know exactly who soldered every connection with no PC boards to shortcut the mfg process? I can. (it was either Ken or Ruth, under Ken's tutelage). I believe that more and more folks will get as excited as I have over this amp. How can you go wrong starting with a '59 Bassman and more than doubling the power? At 45# to boot.

bob drawbaugh · Post by **bob drawbaugh** » 27 Mar 2010 1:30 pm

Oh, your were playing through one of Ken's new amps. Well that changes everything. Now I have to go back and edit my post geezzz.

No, it's a nice tone and I still like it, and Ken is a great guy to boot.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 27 Mar 2010 1:36 pm

Bob...

I'd have thought that the thread's title was clear enough...

The Steel Guitar Forum

Larry Bell with Show Pro and Fox Vintage tube steel amp

Larry Bell with Show Pro and Fox Vintage tube steel amp

Larry Bell " The Great Steel Player "

amp

different steels