RWoodVa's Photobucket Memphis and Tupelo 2008 album media

Sun's Wurlitzer Bubble Top

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 21:38:21 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

Sun's Wurlitzer Bubble Top - VisitwithJohn2008049.jpg

This one, of course was loaded with Sun platters.

Sun Records Shop

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 21:38:08 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

Sun Records Shop - VisitwithJohn2008048.jpg

Sun Records Shop

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 21:37:58 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

Sun Records Shop - VisitwithJohn2008047.jpg

Johnny Cash

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 21:37:47 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

Johnny Cash - VisitwithJohn2008046.jpg

Carl Perkins

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 21:37:36 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

Carl Perkins - VisitwithJohn2008045.jpg

His version of Honey Don't was playing as we walked up to the studio

The King Onstage

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 21:37:20 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

The King Onstage - VisitwithJohn2008044.jpg

Would have been more appropriate to show him recording at Sun. "Train, train............ rollin' down the track"

Roy Orbison

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 21:37:06 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

Roy Orbison - VisitwithJohn2008043.jpg

Million Dollar Quartet

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 21:36:51 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

Million Dollar Quartet - VisitwithJohn2008042.jpg

Jerry Lee, Carl, Johnny and Elvis

Sun Records

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 21:36:41 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

Sun Records - VisitwithJohn2008041.jpg

Sign says it all

Sun Studio

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 21:36:30 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

Sun Studio - VisitwithJohn2008040.jpg

Still going strong; name acts still book it and record there.

Sun Studios

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 21:36:20 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

Sun Studios - VisitwithJohn2008039.jpg

706 Union Ave. in Memphis, aka "Sam Phillips Avenue". If there is an epicenter of Rock and Roll, this is it.

On the steps

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 21:36:11 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

On the steps - VisitwithJohn2008037.jpg

John and Dick on Elvis's porch steps. "Let's get real gone for a change....."

1938 Plymouth

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 21:36:01 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

1938 Plymouth - VisitwithJohn2008036.jpg

This car did not belong to the Presleys. It is of roughly the same vintage as Elvis, however

Tupelo, MS, Elvis Birthplace

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 21:35:51 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

Tupelo, MS, Elvis Birthplace - VisitwithJohn2008032.jpg

Young Elvis, 11 or 12, with house in background

Tupelo, MS, Elvis Birthplace

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 21:35:40 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

Tupelo, MS, Elvis Birthplace - VisitwithJohn2008029.jpg

It looks to be a two-room shack

Tupelo, MS, Elvis Birthplace

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 21:35:24 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

Tupelo, MS, Elvis Birthplace - VisitwithJohn2008026.jpg

This is the house that Vernon Presley built and in which Elvis was born in 1935.

ES 335 Sunburst

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 20:45:28 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

ES 335 Sunburst - VisitwithJohn2008025.jpg

Semi hollowbody just got it's tailpiece studs installed. "ES" stands for Electric Spanish and "335" was the original list price, in dollars, in the late 50's.

ES 335 Sunburst

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 20:45:12 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

ES 335 Sunburst - VisitwithJohn2008024.jpg

ES 335 Cherry

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 20:44:58 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

ES 335 Cherry - VisitwithJohn2008023.jpg

Having finished getting sprayed, this one is having the lacquer and stain removed from the side binding. This is done on each guitar and the job is one of the most difficult to master. Gabba Hey.

ES 335 Cherry

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 20:44:43 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

ES 335 Cherry - VisitwithJohn2008022.jpg

Looking for imperfections. There are no "seconds" at the Memphis factory. Mistakes get destroyed (sometimes by being given to an artist to smash on stage). (Really.)

ES 335s in the spray booth

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 20:44:29 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

ES 335s in the spray booth - VisitwithJohn2008020.jpg

Each one, including the sunbursts, is sprayed by hand.

ES 335 Cherry

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 20:44:19 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

ES 335 Cherry - VisitwithJohn2008019.jpg

Preparing to send to the electronics bench to become an electric.

ES 335

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 20:44:04 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

ES 335 - VisitwithJohn2008018.jpg

This guitar is getting its fingerboard attached.

ES 335s

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 20:43:50 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

ES 335s - VisitwithJohn2008016.jpg

Multiple guitars drying after headstock/nameplate attachment

ES 335

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 20:43:36 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

ES 335 - VisitwithJohn2008015.jpg

Gluing the neck joint. It's only one clamp, but it is a biggun.

ES 335s

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 20:43:23 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

ES 335s - VisitwithJohn2008013.jpg

Bindings are glued in and held in place to dry by these linen wraps

VisitwithJohn2008012.jpg

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 20:43:09 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

VisitwithJohn2008012.jpg

Each guitar is put into a machine that puts the neck under tension and examines the fretboard for irregularities. The operator can then make the needed adjustments to ensure a straight, playable neck

ES 335s

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 20:42:56 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

ES 335s - VisitwithJohn2008011.jpg

Laminated tops and backs are CNC cut, steam-arched and then glued to pre-bent, matched sides

ES 175

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 20:42:42 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

ES 175 - VisitwithJohn2008010.jpg

Each guitar shape has a custom form/clamp that's used to attach the upper half to the lower. This one, an ES175, features a Florentine single cutaway.

Semihollowbody blank

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 20:42:34 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

Semihollowbody blank - VisitwithJohn2008009.jpg

Our tour guide, showing a sample laminated maple top

JB and Alvin Lee

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 20:42:25 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

JB and Alvin Lee - VisitwithJohn2008008.jpg

Signature Series Alvin Lee "Big Red" as played at Woodstock. And JB, of course

Hound Dog Dobro

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 20:42:16 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

Hound Dog Dobro - VisitwithJohn2008007.jpg

Playing "Who's That Coming?"

Gibson Hound Dog Dobro

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 20:42:03 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

Gibson Hound Dog Dobro - VisitwithJohn2008006.jpg

With a square neck, they won't no other way to play it.

John on John

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 20:41:49 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

John on John - VisitwithJohn2008004.jpg

John Beeler playing the John Lennon model Les Paul, similar to what he used at the 1972 New York City show. Lennon, that is. This guitar weighs a ton.

Lucille

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 20:41:36 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

Lucille - VisitwithJohn2008002.jpg

I had to back myelf up to the opposing wall, just to get all of this guitar in the shot

Gibson Shop, Memphis

RWoodVa — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 20:41:22 MDT

RWoodVa posted a photo

Gibson Shop, Memphis - VisitwithJohn2008001.jpg

Between the shop and the giant Lucille is the factory entrance. JB is trying to sneak in by walking backwards.