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
Oct 13, 1963
118 Woodland Dr.
Boone, N.C.
Hello Paul:
I’m now going to answer your letter but first notice another change of address. As far as I know now I will be at this address for a while so there shouldn’t be any more delays in mail. I enjoyed reading Part V which you sent. Some of your comments were very strong but none were too extreme. I can’t really disagree with any part of it except I don’t think Days single string work on Liberty Drive is hot at all.
Let me clarify what the new pedal mechanism is capable of doing. First of all the setup that I drew was picked at random and was no ones tuning. I only meant to show that any string can be raised two intervals and also lowered two intervals. For example an E string can be raised to F or F# with one pedal and to F#, G, or G# with another pedal. Now, this same G can be lowered Eb or D etc. All of this can be achieved simultaneously. All strings are capable of 4 different pitches. Either open plus 2 up and 1 down or open plus 2 down and 1 up. Also a string being activated with any pedal can also be activated with any other pedal in the same mode. The set up is is universal and can be changed in minutes simply by changing a rod.
Buddy called today and we talked for 20 min. He has a broken foot from falling off the balcony at some Holiday Inn. He will be home for 3 more weekends and then will hit the road again. His album hasn’t been released yet buy he has a dub on it finally and isn’t too satisfied with it. He says he can do much better but I’ve never known him to really be satisfied. I’ll let you know as soon as it is released.
The talking steel guitar is achieved by replacing the speaker of your amp with a small hi fi driver and by enclosing the front of the driver having a ¼” I. I.D. plastic tube extending out from the center of the enclosure. The other end of the tube goes to your mouth and as you play just form the words with your mouth and pick that up with a mike.
Better close for now.
Yours truly,
Ron
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