RIP Mr.Dusan Papic (Promat guitars)

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 14 Jan 2017 3:48 pm

just received this sad news from his son Slobodan, Mr.Papic passed away today at the hospital after being admitted for pneumonia...at this point I don't know if Slobodan will continue with Promat or not... true pedal steel guitar enthusiast and luthier Mr. Papic made 26 guitars all together, all done by hand, he refused to use any computers or CNC machines, each of his guitars was done by hand, one at the time, with love and passion...

life long love affair with steel guitars

every guitar was hand made, with highest quality parts available

me and my friend

his pride and joy

RIP my dear friend...

John Brock · Post by **John Brock** » 14 Jan 2017 4:13 pm

My sincere condolences.I know times have been trying lately..God Bless

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 14 Jan 2017 6:15 pm

So very sorry, Damir. For you and the SG world, which has lost another visionary.

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 14 Jan 2017 6:47 pm

thank you my friends, I lost a dear friend, and steel guitar community lost a wonderful builder, and steel guitar enthusiasts...Dusan didn't speak English, but this forum was a huge part of his life, and he would have family and friends translate forum discussions for him...Dave Diehl and Henry Matthews were among some of his dearest forum friends...
but he respected views, and opinions of all of you...Dusan is now talking push pull with Ron Sr. and Bobbe, and finally has a chance to meet Big E, his hero, and his idol...

Bill Ladd · Post by **Bill Ladd** » 14 Jan 2017 7:39 pm

So sorry for your loss Damir.

Jan Mulder · Post by **Jan Mulder** » 15 Jan 2017 2:16 am

My sincere condolences !

Jan Mulder, proud Promat owner

DG Whitley · Post by **DG Whitley** » 15 Jan 2017 5:15 am

My sincere condolences on the loss of your friend Damir. I had hoped to get a Promat one day as I had given up hope on getting an Emmons. I agree with Mark, the PSG world has lost a true visionary.

Marco Schouten · Post by **Marco Schouten** » 15 Jan 2017 6:46 am

Damir, so sorry you lost another great friend

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 15 Jan 2017 7:11 am

thank you my friends, Dusan had a small surgery, unfortunately, while in hospital, after the surgery,he become sick with pneumonia, and at his age, and system already weaken by the surgery, he just didn't have enough strength to fight pneumonia...he was 82 years old...

Rick Barnhart · Post by **Rick Barnhart** » 15 Jan 2017 7:17 am

I'm very sorry to hear this, Damir. Your admiration and respect for Mr. Papic was evident in every word you ever spoke about him. I pray for comfort and peace for you, his family and friends.

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 15 Jan 2017 7:17 am

Our condolences and thoughts are with you.

Dennis Wireman · Post by **Dennis Wireman** » 15 Jan 2017 7:36 am

RIP Dusan another great person of the steel world left us . He was a great builder and I had several of his promats wished i kept one. condolences to all the family

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 15 Jan 2017 12:49 pm

Sorry to hear this, Damir as I know he was your friend. Talk about "old school", making steels by hand. That was a true labor of love. Condolences to his family and other friends. Stevet

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 15 Jan 2017 1:47 pm

I'm so sorry my friend. My thoughts are with you his family.

Dave Diehl · Post by **Dave Diehl** » 15 Jan 2017 2:43 pm

This is surely a hugh shocker. I have been talking with Mr Papic recently quite a bit on some parts and had no idea he was ill. But this explains why I had not heard from him for the past couple weeks. Mr. Papic was a fine man who would not do anything unless it was absolutely done correctly. He had become a close friend to me and taught me a lot in discussing steel guitar problems and solutions. I will surely miss him. Rest in peace my dear friend.

John Brabant · Post by **John Brabant** » 15 Jan 2017 5:05 pm

Very sad news and very sorry to hear Damir and Dave. Let's hope his son Slobodon continues on his legacy. My condolences to the Papic family. Thank you Damir for posting the notice together with the photos of your friend and gifted artist crafting his beautiful Promat pedal steel guitars.

Lynn Stafford · Post by **Lynn Stafford** » 15 Jan 2017 7:27 pm

Very sad news... Please send my sincere condolences to his friends and family. I once owned a beautiful Promat D-10 steel and got to know Mr. Papic fairly well; initially while buying parts and later exchanging Holiday greetings with each other over the past several years. I'm sure he will be missed by many people in our community.

Lee Warren · Post by **Lee Warren** » 15 Jan 2017 7:32 pm

Sad news, indeed, Damir.
I'm very sorry you lost such a dear friend.
My condolences to you and his family.

Dan Robinson · Post by **Dan Robinson** » 15 Jan 2017 9:26 pm

This is very sad news. Damir, it must be hard on you personally. I am sorry that you lost your friend.

What he was doing showed amazing dedication to something all of us hold dear. I hope the 26 ProMats get played and appreciated for a long time.

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 16 Jan 2017 12:01 am

Thank you Damir for letting the community know about this.
So sorry for his family and friends.
I guess there is now nobody making the PP guitars any more.
He was such an artist as a machinist and that last guitar that you showed is so very beautiful.

Bob Watson · Post by **Bob Watson** » 16 Jan 2017 2:16 am

Damir, I'm sorry to hear about the passing of your friend. It was so cool that Mr. Papic built P/P's. May he RIP.

Tomi Graso · Post by **Tomi Graso** » 16 Jan 2017 2:51 am

Hi Damir, I am really shocked to hear of Mr Dusan Papic passing. Dusan's son Slobodan sent me a message. My sincere condolences to Papic family ! May God bless him and his work forever !

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 16 Jan 2017 10:01 am

I have never heard Dusan say a one bad word about any steel guitar builder or any brand, he just tremendously enjoyed pedal steel guitars, and everything about them... this forum and all of you were his world, and I know that for sure... Lynn, I have to tell you, Dusan told me many times in the past, that every Promat should go to you for the service or repairs ... he had a huge confidence in you and your work... last thing he was very excited about was Henry Matthews recording some songs on my Promat ... he loved his playing so much, that he wanted him to demo some other Promat guitars as well, but we never had a chance to do that...

https://youtu.be/Kwmb0EZnBL4

Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 16 Jan 2017 2:43 pm

Sorry to hear Damir, I know he meant a lot to you. He was a fine gentleman and built a great guitar, he will be missed by us all.

Danny Bates · Post by **Danny Bates** » 17 Jan 2017 12:12 am

Sad news. Another great steel guitar craftsman is gone. RIP

The Steel Guitar Forum

RIP Mr.Dusan Papic (Promat guitars)

RIP Mr.Dusan Papic (Promat guitars)

Mr Papic

Dusan

Sorry for the loss of Mr. Papic.

RIP Mr. Papic

Such sad news