Small Tribute to Rick Aiello - The Steel Guitar Forum

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Small Tribute to Rick Aiello

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Author	Topic: Small Tribute to Rick Aiello
Mike Neer Member From: NJ	posted 09 April 2004 10:55 AM profile send email edit Now I know many of you are aware of the staggering genius of Rick, but the fact is the guy's one of the best people that I've had the pleasure to cross paths with, even though we've never met. Rick has gone out on a limb for me a few times, and is somewhat responsible for me possessing 2 very cherished instruments--my Rick B6 and my Fry Pan. The work he did on the Fry Pan's mags alone has made me indebted to him, and won't be forgotten. Ladies and gentlemen, keep your eyes on this boy--there's a revolution in progress. Note: This is not an advertisement.
Rick Aiello Member From: Berryville, VA USA	posted 09 April 2004 12:09 PM profile send email edit I thought I was gettin' to see your "new Pan" ... ------------------ www.horseshoemagnets.com
Mike Neer Member From: NJ	posted 09 April 2004 12:20 PM profile send email edit Been too busy to shoot any pics, but they're-a-comin' soon.
Terry Farmer Member From: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA	posted 09 April 2004 01:42 PM profile send email edit I'll second that emotion! (Martha and the Vandellas?) Rick's a stand up guy. He went way beyond the call of duty helping me out with my 8-string Cryo Horseshoe and it is the coolest looking, sounding pickup I've ever come across. Rick is with out a doubt one of the jewels of the Forum! Thanks.
Mike D Member From: Phx, Az	posted 09 April 2004 04:48 PM profile send email edit Just don't call him the 'family jewels' of the forum! ------------------ Half-assed bottleneck and lap slide player. Full-assed Builder of resonator instruments.
Jack Anderson Member From: Scarborough, ME	posted 09 April 2004 05:23 PM profile send email edit I beg to differ: I don't think this is appropriate at all. I think it should be a BIG tribute! [This message was edited by Jack Anderson on 11 April 2004 at 07:37 AM.]
Brandin Member From: Newport Beach CA. USA	posted 09 April 2004 07:38 PM profile send email edit I agree. A great father, and musician. We're lucky to have him here on this forum. GB
Mike Neer Member From: NJ	posted 09 April 2004 09:05 PM profile send email edit Still have a bit of work to do on her, but I couldn't wait to get her fired up. Not such a basket case after all! [This message was edited by Mike Neer on 09 April 2004 at 09:06 PM.]
Mike Neer Member From: NJ	posted 09 April 2004 09:07 PM profile send email edit And another shot:
Mike Neer Member From: NJ	posted 09 April 2004 09:10 PM profile send email edit One more. Still has a bit of gold lacquer left on it. Rick thought the magnets were probably sprayed with gold, too. Most of the mess on the mags was gunk, but there was rust as well, and Rick dealt with it accordingly.
Rick Aiello Member From: Berryville, VA USA	posted 10 April 2004 04:51 AM profile send email edit They definitely sprayed the mags too ... you could see were the bobbin was sittin' inside ... outlined. That residue came off with lacquer thinner ... but the stuff on the tops was too nasty. Needed a more "Tim the Toolman" approach ... Once off, the rust reared its ugly head ... Taken it down made me feel like a surgeon "debriding gangrenous tissue" ... Been hangin' around them MDs too long. And Mike, I just ordered larger plating tanks ... so till they arrive ... take it easy with that Sol Hoopii "finger pick percussion" ... Anyway, all of y'all are too kind ... My wife saw this post and was touched ... I said ... "can I go see the Moonlighters in NYC now ?" ... she replied "Don't push it, Rick" ... I never should have showed her that photo of Miss Bliss in red fishnets ... PS: This thread inspired me to update/add/reorganize some of my Stuff for Steel Students ... ------------------ www.horseshoemagnets.com
David L. Donald Member From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand	posted 10 April 2004 06:14 AM profile send email edit And just so it's clear.. The Cat can PLAY too. When I vis8ited Rick before Scotty's last year and got the museum tour, he played some fine steel for me. I wish I could play hawaiian with both halves of my butt as well he could with only one half as stated above... Rick, if Scotty's ISGC is doing the Hawaiian Room again this year, you gotta be there with charts in hand! [This message was edited by David L. Donald on 10 April 2004 at 06:15 AM.]
Gerald Ross Member From: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA	posted 10 April 2004 06:52 AM profile send email edit The Hawaiian Steel Room at Scotty's is happening again this year! More details to follow. ------------------ Gerald Ross 'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar' Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Andy Volk Member From: Boston, MA	posted 10 April 2004 07:36 AM profile send email edit Rick, you're the Edison, Einstein, Marconi, and Mr. Goodwrench of the lap steel guitar! Thanks for all you've taught me and make sure to turn off all portable electronic devices and H-shoes once the crew has secured the cabin. [This message was edited by Andy Volk on 10 April 2004 at 08:22 PM.]
Rick Aiello Member From: Berryville, VA USA	posted 10 April 2004 08:50 AM profile send email edit Andy ... no, no, no ... I'm more the "Tim the Toolman" of steel guitar ... arrgh, arrgh, arrgh David, my wife says I have no gluteus ... "just say no to crack" has a special meaning around here. I believe that was MikeD's "forum signature" ... butt (pun intended) it does describe my playin' abilities accurately ... minus the bottleneck Gary B., that Spongebob toy with you playin' has "mysteriously" lost its ability to play ... I love your "Spongebob Rag" but 7642 times a day, every day since last summer ... To make up for it I bought Ellie a Nintendo Game Cube and the "Battle for Bikini Bottom" game. Everyone said the system is too advanced for a 3 yr old ... but she smashes tikis much better than a 45 yr old nerd !!! [This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 10 April 2004 at 09:06 AM.]
Harry Williams Member From: Duncan, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada	posted 10 April 2004 10:11 AM profile send email edit Ok you guys. I've NEVER even seen a Rik Frypan. I play a Supro. But I'm intrigued. When I see a picture of one (like above), I'm asking myself what the body is made of. It LOOKS like the whole thing is CAST-IRON - perhaps because they often have a metallic looking finish, but it can't be. What are they made of? Is the neck integral with the body? Briefly, why is this instrument held in such high esteem? When were they manufactured? Thanks, HW ------------------
HowardR Member From: N.Y.C.,N.Y.	posted 10 April 2004 02:24 PM profile send email edit quote: I wish I could play hawaiian with both halves of my butt I've heard that you're a "seat of the pants" player... David plays a D10 Sho-Butt. Tonight's a happening night in NYC. Originally I was going to be away for the weekend, but I was too lazy to pack. The Moonlighter's are playing (Mike Neer), The South Brooklyn Blues Band (Lawrence Lupkin on steel), and the Jack Grace Band (Drew Glackin on lap steel). I'm going to catch the first half of Lawrence's set, the last half of The Moonlighters, and then over to Brooklyn to catch the last set of Jack Grace. This is my version of the triathelon... [This message was edited by HowardR on 10 April 2004 at 11:16 PM.] [This message was edited by HowardR on 11 April 2004 at 07:21 AM.]
Rick Aiello Member From: Berryville, VA USA	posted 11 April 2004 09:34 AM profile send email edit quote: What are they made of? Is the neck integral with the body? Briefly, why is this instrument held in such high esteem? When were they manufactured? They are cast aluminum ... To quote Bill Creller : quote: I had a spectograph ran on a 1935 frypan I restored for Bobby Ingano, and the closest they could come to the alloy was 320 aluminum. which of course is a modern alloy. So, it's hard to say what the original casting alloy was. The neck (most are hollow) and body are "one piece" ... Why such high esteem ... first solid body electric guitar, beautiful tone, looks (in my opinion), signature sound of many Hawaiian masters ... a long list of reasons ... Seems 1932 was the first year they were commercially available ... although I read George Beauchamp sold some experimental ones in 1931 ??? Here is a great article ... Frying Pan Man, all this talk makes me really want an A25 ... bad !!!! [This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 11 April 2004 at 09:54 AM.]
Mark van Allen Member From: loganville, Ga. USA	posted 11 April 2004 11:30 AM profile send email edit My Old Dual Pro is sure sounding sweeter after Rick's generous "re-mag" offer... what a guy! ------------------ Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com
David L. Donald Member From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand	posted 14 April 2004 10:35 AM profile send email edit quote: David, my wife says I have no gluteus ... "just say no to crack" has a special meaning around here. LOL As long as she doesn't say you ARE a gluteus! I suggest a prescription : Ryhtmic Butt Tucks. Keep time by clenching you cheeks in the seat rather than tapping your foot. Pretty soon Madam le Docteur will will have a new appreciation for your steeling time.