Since I wrote about The Stratosphere Twin Guitar, I’ve been getting numerous emails regarding the tuning Jimmy Bryant used on Stratosphere Boogie. So here it is along with string gauges and the note in relation to the standard six string tuning. I use flat wound strings so you might have to go a little heavier if your going to use round wounds but this should get you in the ballpark. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
Go Crazy!
Back from England and finishing up a fabrication job lasting a few more weeks.
This band is heading to England to play the 15th annual Rockabilly Rave. I was fortunate enough to play guitar with Big Sandy and The Fly Rite Trio for five years from the late 80′s to early 90′s. The band consisted of Robert Williams, aka “Big Sandy”, Wally Hersom on bass, Bobby Trimble on drums and myself. In a short period, we played full time in clubs up and down the West Coast and throughout Europe. We recorded two albums, “Fly Rite with …Big Sandy and the Fly-Rite Trio” which includes this song, and a second album, “on the GO“. In looking for photos of the band for the current Rave promotional Flyer, I came across these pictures taken over twenty years ago.
Since I rarely play live anymore, I have to ease up with the work in my shop to give my hands a rest in order to get in shape for the Rave. I have always played on a daily basis, still love to record and teach whenever I can.
Robert successfully carried on after this band with Big Sandy and his fly-rite boys, Wally has an amazing recording studio in Pasadena and plays in various bands around L.A., and Bobby, one of my favorite drummers, lives in Austin. Seems like every time I hear a recording come out of Austin that I like, Bobby’s usually playing drums on it.
We’ve been working on a new office at 7487. I am always bugging TK to use his Diacro #3 Metal Bender, so he came up with a new prototype chair. The base is chemically blackened steel, the seat and back, walnut. TK is going to play around with various finishes including a nickel plated base and other types of wood. Our good camera has been in the repair shop for 2 months so we had to resort to taking photos with the iphone! Will post photos of the new office soon.
This Kitchen and Bath renovation in Joshua Tree is in a home that sits in one of the most beautiful spots in the area. The client gutted the house and started from scratch. In the kitchen, we were able to use some of the vintage etch wood out of my grandfathers house.
I love this material and was happy the client wanted to use it. We still have limited quantities of the original etch wood and will continue to use it on various projects until we run out.
It’s great to be able to recycle a material that has held up so nicely.
The cabinet faces in the master bath are oak veneer that has been painted, and the grain filled with a contrasting cream color. I built a vanity for double sinks and a storage wall directly across from it using the same finish. Will post more photos soon.
For the last few years I’ve been waiting for the right model B engine for my roadster pickup to come along. The few I’ve gotten close to have either been beyond my budget or I’ve been way to late. So last week this one came my way and I bought it! It was taken out of a ’29 model ‘A’ pickup that was being put back to stock specifications back in 1981 and has been in storage ever since. The Model ‘B’ engine was an improved version of the model ‘A’. It’s stronger and more powerful, so it was sought after by racers and hot rodders. It first came out in 1932 and they’re getting harder to find. It came with a ’32 gearbox that will be an improvement over my model ‘A’ gearbox.
Also last month, I finally had a chance to make a 3-piece hood for my roadster. It’s made of 18 gauge steel. I formed the top over a piece of 4’’ pipe that was fastened to a sawhorse. I modified a pair of vice grips to form the bead along the back of the hood. A friend in Riverside punched the louvers for me.
I should also say RIP to the great George Shearing whom we lost last month. I listen to his early trio and quintet on an almost daily basis.
When we originally talked about our Lifetime Doormat, we shared a version that was made for a double door. This time, the client wanted a doormat custom made to fit in a recessed area to create a seamless entry. The patio is made of bricks, but this application could be used with any surrounding material. Sand and debris will fall below the mat and it can be removed for periodic cleaning underneath. They will never purchase a doormat again!
I love it when a client gives me the freedom to design and fabricate an object from a vague idea in their mind. What was needed was access to a sleeping deck on the rooftop of an amazing desert home. The architect on the project mentioned “kiva ladder”. In ancient Pueblo architecture, this meant a ladder whose poles extend well above a flat rooftop. Here’s what I came up with.
The photo is of TK’s great-grandfather at the “Holiday Inn” on his way to California in 1953. He made the trip West with his son Denny in his new 1953 Buick which we found many years later for sale at the Long Beach car swap meet. It’s a strange miracle that we now have that car! We have a busy few weeks coming up but wanted to wish everyone Happy Holiday’s and Strange Miracles to all! Check back soon for photos of current projects.
