This letter is one of many letters written detailing the development of the pedal guitar, and the birth of the Emmons Guitar. It also includes standardization of the tuning and copedent, as well as historical commentary.
The letters were written from Ron Lashely Sr. to Mr. Paul J. Graupp, the editor for "Pushin Pedals", the pedal guitar section of Fretts magazine, which was published by Fender Sales.
Scroll down for the complete transcription of this letter. The spelling and grammar shown below is exaclty how it was written by Ron Lashley Sr.
TRANSCRIPTION
8-11-64
Hello Paul,
Nice to hear from you and thanks for the article which I’ll send to Country Song Roundup.
You have some very good ideas on amps. We are working on one solid state all the way. Right now I’m concentrating on a stereo reverb. Buddie has some real fine ideas. We are building it similar to the one used in auto’s. It takes more kicking without roaring. Pass along any ideas.
I guess you enjoyed your stay with Day. I was down at his house a few weeks ago. I’d like to take back my statement that the Marlen is as good as a Sho~Bud since I don't know what Leonard is putting out now. If you recall, I stopped working with Leonard before he built yours. Just put me down on the books as no comment.
I still can’t agree with you on amps. Although I have the Fender and Standel dealership my Standel is champ and haven’t had a minutes trouble. I’m using the Imperial Bassman.
By the way, “Country Gentleman” is out of business now but I would still like the other article because I’ll need it soon for something.
Country Music Who's Who has to be ordered from Heather Publishers, Inc., Denver, Col. $500. I can’t find the street address, I’ve looked everywhere. It is broken out at the D.J. convention and I’ll get you one then if at all possible.
We are going to exhibit at the D.J. convention this fall.
I wish I’d known you needed $70.00 worth of strings. I’ve tested all the gauges with a sonometer in the Physics lab at Elon College.
We use:
E9th C6th
10 10
13 13
10 16
13 20
18 24
22 29
29 38
34 55
40 64
We are pre-packing those two sets because they are exactly what we have selected from the sonometer and they are what Buddie uses on his E9 and C6 respectively. We are still offering custom packing just as Ernie Ball does. I’m sending you a set of each in a Squier Box.
Buddie Charleton does the work on Porter Wagoner's records.
By the way, How about writing an article on Buddie for Down Beat. I can get it published but it will take a few months. Please our boy Bobby Scott too hard. He is “great”. Haha! No, just write anything you wish.
I enjoyed reading the next two Fretts articles. No answer from Donnie West’s wife yet after she begged us to do it. Wh can wait, I guess.
Oh, presently, the stereo takes from 4 to 8 weeks but soon we hope to have delivery immediate [sic]. We also have several used Sho~Buds from $5 hundred to $800. I’ve got to run. It is 1:30 AM as usual.
Write soon,
Ron
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