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
June 5, 1964
Hello Paul:
Sorry to be answering so late because I always enjoy a letter from you. It seems I’ve a couple letters here on you [sic].
Let me try to answer your questions first. You mentioned Tom Brumley with Buck Owens. He has been by here twice and is very interested in our guitar. He is an extremely nice guy and is going to push our strings for us as soon as we are set up.
I’m trying to recall, did you ask about Sonny Curtis once? Sonny plays with George Jones and has an “Emmons Stereo” on order. He is also a very nice guy.
As for the way our foot volume is wired, it is as follows.
(see scanned image)
Thanks for sending the letter from Randall Pub. Co.
I spent 3 days with Buddy in Virginia last weekend and boy is he playing hotter than ever. They played the Shriners “Rodeo” right outside of D.C. in Fairfax, Va.
Friday night after the rodeo we went over to the Cross Roads club where Donnie West plays each week-end. He is an old friend of Buddies and one more steel guitar man. Buddy sat in with them from 11 ‘til 2. They closed at 2 and when the crowd cleared out they jammed until daylight. Donnie isn’t in Buddies’ class but he certainly pushes Chalker. I told Donnie’s wife that I had a friend who might be interested in doing an article on him or at least giving him a mention in an article in Fretts. She was quite happy and agreed to assist. If you are interested just send me a questionnaire for information and I’ll get it filled out by her and also get a tape of his work. I’ll say one thing, there isn’t a steel man in Nashville who won’t go out of his way to hear Don West. You might compile the article and if an [sic] when the occasion arises to use it it will be available.
How is the amp coming along [sic]. Keep me posted. I asked Buddie about the “Emmons Stereo” decal for your amp and he said that one good deed deserves another in return so which do you wish, Black lettering or silver lettering [sic]. I can assure you that this is the only decal that we have let out and probably the last. Personally I’m more than glad for you to have it.
I hate to ask but would you consider doing another article on Buddie for the “Country Gentleman” magazine. It is a Canadian publication. If so I’ll send you a copy of the magazine and you can use your own judgment as to the content. By the way Buddie was well pleased with the last article. He was showing it to everyone up in Virginia. We plan to submit it this month after we have made some pictures to send with it. Well it’s late now and I’m still waiting on my copy of Fretts. I’ll close for bed.
I was over at Leonards this past week and he showed my [sic} a double neck which he has started for you.
Write soon,
Yours truly,
Ron
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