Don Helms

Liam Sullins · Post by **Liam Sullins** » 2 Dec 2020 12:10 pm

David Rattray · Post by **David Rattray** » 2 Dec 2020 2:35 pm

Don Helms a legendary steel player....to me one of the best....

...I only can dream about where and how he squeezed the sounds out of that old Gibson...this one is mine a 48 same as his...best man...David...

Greg Forsyth · Post by **Greg Forsyth** » 16 Dec 2020 12:37 pm

Suprisingly Don is playing a Sho~Bud in the video instead of his trusty Gibson console.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 16 Dec 2020 1:57 pm

Sho~Bud built some non/pedal guitars.
Jerry Byrd played a non/pedal Sho~Bud.
Erv

David Rattray · Post by **David Rattray** » 18 Dec 2020 7:10 am

Erv this is one I once had built by Al Brisco when he sometimes helped and worked with Ed...foolishly very foolishly sold it ...spent a lot of time tracking it down and finally found it the lady who last had it ...she had Ed put pedals under it completely changing it over and she wanted the price of a Franklin for it...so the story ended sad as sad could be this steel sounded as good as any I have ever heard...looking back is so futile and remorseful...eyes misting throat constricting I still miss it terribly ...David...

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 18 Dec 2020 7:47 am

David,
I know how you feel.
When I bought my 1st Sho~Bud pedal steel, I sold my T-8 Fender Stringmaster.
I really missed that guitar but there was a happy ending.
Several years went bye and the fellow who bought it passed away and I was afforded the opportunity to buy it back. By that time it had seen its better days so I completely disassembled it, refinished it and returned it to its former glory.

Erv

PS: I bought a used Fulawka through Al Brisco, wonderful instrument!

David Rattray · Post by **David Rattray** » 18 Dec 2020 7:51 am

A few pics Erv...

David Rattray · Post by **David Rattray** » 18 Dec 2020 7:52 am

these pictures are from the man I bought this from...best...Yes Knew you had one of Ed:s guitars...miss old Eddy...one of a kind...

-...

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 18 Dec 2020 8:03 am

David,
After I bought the guitar from Al, I wanted to add some things to it; another foot pedal, a couple more knee levers and etc.
I had quite a time convincing Ed that I was capable of doing the work myself. He thought I should return the guitar to him to have the work done.
But we finally worked out the details and he sent me the parts.
What a guy!

Erv

David Rattray · Post by **David Rattray** » 18 Dec 2020 8:17 am

Erv ...we could wander the continents deserts mountains high sail all the seas and I know there was only one like him to be found...often think of conversations with Ed I had in the past ..a treasure to our world and steel guitar he was and is to me a legend ...he loved mixing up different spices from around the world...and none were any spicier than Ed himself ...

-..

Tony Oresteen · Post by **Tony Oresteen** » 20 Apr 2022 1:14 pm

I assume that the Sho-Bud that Don is playing is the one that Shot built for him in 1959. It looks like a Double 8. Would it be a Permanent model? I wonder how he tuned it?

The Steel Guitar Forum

Don Helms - Cold Cold Heart

Don Helms - Cold Cold Heart

Fulawka

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Only One like him...