James Trussart steel guitars..........

Discussion in 'The Small Company Luthiers' started by OldSchool, Jan 14, 2008.

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  1. Jan 14, 2008 #1
    OldSchool

    OldSchool Senior Member

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    Talk to me. Who here loves them and who hates them? And why please...........

    I'm particulary attracted to the rusty ones........I don't know why. They look like they are going to sound really bright and thin, but I hear they can be extremly warm.

    The steelcasters maybe some of the coolest looking guitars ever and the steel devilles also give me a woody. Why doesn't James dig strats? :messedup
     
    OldSchool, Jan 14, 2008
    OldSchool, Jan 14, 2008
    #1
  2. Jan 15, 2008 #2
    OldSchool

    OldSchool Senior Member

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    No love for the steel man?
     
    OldSchool, Jan 15, 2008
    OldSchool, Jan 15, 2008
    #2
  3. Jan 15, 2008 #3
    datguytim

    datguytim Member

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    Love 'em. They don't sound like metal guitars - surprisingly woody, but with a unique vibe that is distincively Trussart. They do NOT sound bright or thin - more like super resonant & alive. The rusty ones sound a lil' better IMHO - but it's subjective like all things. Until you play one, you have no idea . . .

    SO PLAY ONE!!!
     
    datguytim, Jan 15, 2008
    datguytim, Jan 15, 2008
    #3
    ryandfl likes this.
  4. Jan 15, 2008 #4
    OldSchool

    OldSchool Senior Member

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    Great advice! Its on the way.............:eek:

    Rusty Steel Deville/ Bareknuckle Pick Ups w/ Page wiring

    I was looking for a Steelcaster but I made such a killing on this one I had to grab it. If the Deville is as good as I think it will be , The Steelcaster is next!
     
    OldSchool, Jan 15, 2008
    OldSchool, Jan 15, 2008
    #4
  5. Jan 15, 2008 #5
    Grandnoise

    Grandnoise Member

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    I once played one a few years back straight into a Mojave head and a Mojave 2x12 it was the best setup I have ever played, which is saying a lot for a pedalhead like me.

    The guitar was a rusty metal tele with Duncan Antiquities in it
     
    Grandnoise, Jan 15, 2008
    Grandnoise, Jan 15, 2008
    #5
  6. Jan 15, 2008 #6
    matte

    matte Senior Member

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    played one (with extreme prejudice in the -) and absolutely loved it.

    i live to be wrong. it sounded, felt/played great.
     
    matte, Jan 15, 2008
    matte, Jan 15, 2008
    #6
  7. Jan 15, 2008 #7
    katuna

    katuna Silver Supporting Member

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    That's cool!
     
    katuna, Jan 15, 2008
    katuna, Jan 15, 2008
    #7
  8. Jan 15, 2008 #8
    mds

    mds Member

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    They're great....I've visited his shop (down the road from me) and they've got a great operation. The tone is definitely different. Great in its own way. One thing that surprised me is that they don't make many of the parts. The bodies and necks are all outsourced. The guys in Trussarts shop assemble them and do all the aging stuff, setup, etc.
     
    mds, Jan 15, 2008
    mds, Jan 15, 2008
    #8
  9. Jan 15, 2008 #9
    OldSchool

    OldSchool Senior Member

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    Coming from you.......That says alot! Can I ask what model?
     
    OldSchool, Jan 15, 2008
    OldSchool, Jan 15, 2008
    #9
  10. Jan 15, 2008 #10
    OldSchool

    OldSchool Senior Member

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    I did some research before I bought this one and I found it fascinating how he ages them. he actually soaks them in water for a few months up to a few years on some! Can you imagine, a guitar soaked in water!! Then he sands them and seals them on Poly. I'd like to see a video of the process. I'd love to visit the shop.
     
    OldSchool, Jan 15, 2008
    OldSchool, Jan 15, 2008
    #10
  11. Jan 15, 2008 #11
    matte

    matte Senior Member

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    my body.
    steelcaster.
     
    matte, Jan 15, 2008
    matte, Jan 15, 2008
    #11
  12. Jan 15, 2008 #12
    Sam Evans

    Sam Evans Compliance Officer Gold Supporting Member

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    I love them. Played them all and don't have a fave. I regret not getting one back in 99 when they were a lot cheaper. There was a Dragon Steel Top here in Austin that was stunning. FWIW, James is super cool to deal with, and answered every one of my emails.

    SE
    CI
     
    Sam Evans, Jan 15, 2008
    Sam Evans, Jan 15, 2008
    #12
  13. Jan 15, 2008 #13
    mojocaster.com

    mojocaster.com Member

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    I'd love to have one... doesn't matter what model, either :)
     
    mojocaster.com, Jan 15, 2008
    mojocaster.com, Jan 15, 2008
    #13
  14. Jan 15, 2008 #14
    JPERRYROCKS

    JPERRYROCKS Member

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    I was on James' website and was astounded at his product line and all the new combinations of guitars he has. He's really doing great work that has a unique metal flair on a classic themed guitar.


    From a spec point, the only thing I don't like is the skinny 1 5/8 nut and old school 7 inch radius.
     
    JPERRYROCKS, Jan 15, 2008
    JPERRYROCKS, Jan 15, 2008
    #14
  15. Jan 15, 2008 #15
    Grandnoise

    Grandnoise Member

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    That's interesting, I wonder how much the effect of the ageing has on the tone, and whether it would be possible to be able to get a discount version for us with no money.
     
    Grandnoise, Jan 15, 2008
    Grandnoise, Jan 15, 2008
    #15
  16. Jan 16, 2008 #16
    sickboy79

    sickboy79 Member

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    Couldn't agree more! I bought my first Trussart from Datguytim - a Steel Deville. I've since added two more - a Steelcaster and Steelcaster Deluxe! I can't say enough good things about Trussart guitars. Unique takes on classic tones/models. Absolutely amazing.
     
    sickboy79, Jan 16, 2008
    sickboy79, Jan 16, 2008
    #16
  17. Jan 16, 2008 #17
    soulmap

    soulmap Member

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    I was at NAMM, in '99 or so, with a mission to buy a special instrument. James had the nicest/coolest/vibey-est guitars on the floor. I got a rusty Steelcaster that is an amazing, inspiring instrument - I love it. And James was very cool to deal with.
    The problem?
    I want more!
    Steelcaster Deluxe w/ Bigsby, holey back and filtertrons maybe...
    I'd love to try one of his resonator guitars...
    An etched steeltop...
     
    soulmap, Jan 16, 2008
    soulmap, Jan 16, 2008
    #17
  18. Jan 16, 2008 #18
    paintguy

    paintguy Long Hair Hippy Freak Silver Supporting Member

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    James is one of the nicest, most down to earth guys you could ever meet.

    He also has very good taste in paint and clears...;)

    I want to get one of his guitars one day and I'm sure I will. We are practically neighbors.:dude
     
    paintguy, Jan 16, 2008
    paintguy, Jan 16, 2008
    #18
  19. Jan 16, 2008 #19
    clint

    clint Member

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    Here's one of my favorites:
    [​IMG]
     
    clint, Jan 16, 2008
    clint, Jan 16, 2008
    #19
  20. Jan 16, 2008 #20
    OldSchool

    OldSchool Senior Member

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    Got it on the way. Rusty Steel Deville with Bare Knuckles and Page wiring. If its a good as they say A seafoam green Steelcaster is next on the list. :AOK

    Whats the difference between the Steelcaster and the deluxe? Is it just the Bigsby? I could do without one of those.......
     
    OldSchool, Jan 16, 2008
    OldSchool, Jan 16, 2008
    #20
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