Pete Drakes Talking Guitar

John Knight · Post by **John Knight** » 4 Feb 2002 6:04 pm

What is the name of the effects unit that he used as well as BE to get that effect?

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D 10 Thomas with 8&6
Nashville 400 and Profex II
Asleep at the Steel

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 4 Feb 2002 6:12 pm

Not sure what Pete used, but I once used a University horn driver that I hooked a tube up to and put in my mouth. I then could talk and have the effect of a talking steel guitar. Was a good novelty item for club work.

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Carter D10 9p/10k
Richard Sinkler

Michael Holland · Post by **Michael Holland** » 4 Feb 2002 7:46 pm

It's called a TALK BOX. The idea is you put a tube in your mouth and pipe in an amplified signal, then 'talk' into a mic.

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 5 Feb 2002 1:03 am

I've still got one,that I built in '66,& it still works.

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Kenny Forbess · Post by **Kenny Forbess** » 5 Feb 2002 7:48 am

I have on called "Golden Throat", built by Electro Harmonics,

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kenny
66 Emmons 8&7
D-10 Derby 9&8

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 5 Feb 2002 7:48 am

Look through a Musicians Friend catalog, you can still buy them.

Erv

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 5 Feb 2002 9:05 am

Check out a Digitech "Talker",made by IVL. It doesn't require a "hose",& the sound comes through your amp. They retail for about,$235.00,but you might be able to find one cheaper than that since,(I believe) they've been discontinued. Check w/ American Musical Supply,Musician's Friend,Sam Ash,etc. to see if they still carry them. I got one,& love it.

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mm vita brevis
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gary darr · Post by **gary darr** » 5 Feb 2002 9:20 am

If you want to experiment you can build one from enexpensive items usually laying around.I built mine from one side of a stereo headphone,I then duct taped a kitchen funnel to it (make sure the wife doesnt catch you stealing if frome the kitchen drawer)then slip a piece of clear tubing on to the funnel,solder a jack to the leads on the head phone and presto you have your talk box. Do bear in mind that the head phone speaker is very low watt so you should use a small practice type amp to drive the box(I had used a 15 watt gorrila amp to drive mine)Anyway there is is for what it's worth have fun......

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sho-bud,session 500,american standard strat,shecter tele,peavy classic 50

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 5 Feb 2002 2:54 pm

A lot of them were made with just a speaker, a coffee can, and a piece of 1/2" tygon tubing!

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 5 Feb 2002 3:29 pm

Alvino Rey started that in 1940, called it his "singing guitar".
He used it in his theme song " Nighty Night".
I think one of the King Sisters used to stand backstage out of sight with the tube, doing the talking.....al

[This message was edited by Al Marcus on 05 February 2002 at 03:32 PM.]

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 5 Feb 2002 3:42 pm

I seem to remember someone recording "I'm Sorry", using that same effect.

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Lee, from South Texas

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 5 Feb 2002 10:06 pm

Pete Drake,from the '64 album,"Talking Steel Guitar". Smash Records # SRS 67060

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<pre> ~ ~
©¿© ars longa,
mm vita brevis
-=sr€=-</pre>

John Floyd · Post by **John Floyd** » 6 Feb 2002 3:52 am

If you are going to build one, the best way is to use some type of horn driver as a speaker and by all means use some sort of filter to filter out the low frequencies or other wise it will rattle the teeth right out of your mouth. Been there, Done that

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John

Robert Rogers · Post by **Robert Rogers** » 6 Feb 2002 11:23 pm

Kenny,
Would you like to sell it?Let me know.
Robert

Roger Miller · Post by **Roger Miller** » 15 Feb 2002 3:03 pm

. If done right, you can sound like Ethyl Mermen also.I wish er couldddd spell.