David Lindley and Dumble

 

One of my found memories in the 80's, was David showing up at a Hotel Dad and I always stayed at in Bueno Park CA, in his white BMW, to take the hand-off of the new Proform body Melobar.
David pulls out this kind of ratty looking amp, plugs in and the look on my face made David laugh.
I'm on my knees in front of it asking "is this the Running on Empty amp" David said "sure is".
I was only 19 but even at that age I was overwhelmed at the sound.
I asked what it was and he just winked at me.
Well now of course with the internet and all we know it was  a Dumble
Fantasitc news from 2025 NAMM is that Dumble is going to continue

Just like Gold Foil Pickups and everything we use and copy it really still comes down to the player and the combination of everything involved.


                  NAMM youtube link in the box below

The younger generation just doesn't know how good they've got it now...

Players took years just trying to figure out how someone was getting that sound and how to integrate it into their situation.
This new box is a must I feel if you are serious about Steel/Slide

2024 Melobar Prototypes finally done

 Some of you have been following these prototype instruments over the last couple years...here they are, finally done. Be sure and hit the full screen so you can actually see the wood, fun stuff 😉

Lindley's Genious video mentioned for the Gold with Rosewood Cap

BTW the necks used on the prototypes were oddballs and rejects that couldn't be used on stock Melobars - I'm still saving the last good necks for players.

3/2024 Update on Melobar Availability

Video explains what is happening on the last Melobars

David Lindley -Very Sad...we lost a wonderful person!

 

So sad we lost David, this is the day the Smith family met him and he was always gracious and wonderful. Only person Dad would build whatever he wanted :)

Every time I met him he always went out of his way to talk to me even clear back at age 16, let me into his home, took time to talk guitar builds, so many great memories, going to miss you David!   

Fun Melobar Article in Vintage Guitar Magazine

 

Great article on the Mosrite Melobar model in the February issue of Vintage Guitar.
Click Here https://www.vintageguitar.com/40225/the-story-of-melobar/

Always wanting to make sure the history is correct I do want to point out that Jimmy Page had not called us back in the 80's for "playing tips" but because he wanted an effects box that Brian Jones had used with his Mosrite Melobar on a movie track for a unique sound; we talk about it in Fun Melobar Facts. 

The caption between the Mosrite and Rosac are backwards, the Rosac model is on the right. What is pictured here is a Mosrite Melobar.

The little town we built them in during the 80's was Weiser...not Weister, and Melobar moved to the Sweet Idaho Shop in 1991 after Dad had died. Otherwise it was a very good recount of Melobar's Roots.

the Author Willie Moseley emailed me that; When I interviewed Jorma Kaukonen, he was appreciative of the opportunity to discuss his experience with Melobar, telling me "Thanks for the trip down memory lane."

We all thank you for that trip down memory lane Willie!!

Rusty Young the first Melobar man

 

Special tribute to Rusty Young, the first Steel'er to put Melobar on stage and break the Rock barrier with it in his great book. 

He nick named his Melobar the Bear and really did some wild stage moves with it, I think he still is miles ahead of what the world doesn't realize Steel can do in cross over country rock.

Thank you Rusty, RIP

Rolling Stones Melobar

The Rolling Stones got 2 of the new Professional Melobar models in 1981, this is a CD of recordings in that time period, check out track 6