The Lashley Chronicles - Letter 24

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.

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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.

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TRANSCRIPTION

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9-28-64 

Monday Morning 1 AM

Hello Paul:

Sorry to be so late answering your letter but I’ve got a bad habit of putting my friends off until last.  Kick me.  

Business is really booming and we hope to have nation wide [sic] distribution on our strings soon.  We have a complete line now.  Spanish, Flat, Wound, etc.  

Last week I worked from 7 til midnight and am still behind.  We have sold 34 guitars in Canada alone now.  Around 150 in the U.S.  We have only made 7 deliveries.  You can see what the future holds.  We are moving into a new building this coming week and will have a sales room up front where we will stock everything in the String instrument industry.  (All Brands)

I have employed several new workers, all skilled machinist [sic], etc.  And we are mass producing the guitar in as [sic] much as possible.  The leg length is still custom.

We are getting ready for the convection in Nov. and will probably encounter a gross amount of sales there.

I’m very happy that you have decided for an “Emmons Stereo”.  I’ll be glad to hook you tuning  up and adjust it properly.  This we usually do.

Glad you like the strings.  We have gone a long ways to get what the steel men need.

I’ve got to hit the rack.  I hadn’t forgotten to answer because I had intended to answer each night but I’m beat when midnight comes.  I’ve must [sic} become more efficient and get some more help but a secretary is no help in answering personal mail.

See you later,

Ron