Iconic pic for all time....

[stephen]

What about the gorgeous figure of that maple neck/headstock? A lucky fluke in those days, as Leo wasn't keen on using 'fancy' pieces of wood in case everyone expected the same. Like the way Hank kept everything neat by keeping the bridge saddles in a nice straight line! Probably wouldn't have been a problem as I don't think that he played much above the 9th fret. Correct intonation? What was that? They probably had a job just keeping in tune with each other in those days.
Nice period photo though.
Stephen.

[JimN]

I have one and I'd say it's no more or no less comfortable than other straps. It doesn't have 'Selmer' embossed on it. though!
Cheers.
Tony

I have one with "Gretsch" embossed on it...

[Stu's Dad]

I remember the straps too. Nice comfy shoulder pad with Selmer embossed on it.
Anyone know if you can get straps like that now?

The 'Fender Vintage Strap' is that type, retailing for about £20 here. I've just bought one from the States on fleabay for just over £15 including postage.

Len

[Martyn]

What about the gorgeous figure of that maple neck/headstock? A lucky fluke in those days, as Leo wasn't keen on using 'fancy' pieces of wood in case everyone expected the same.

You beat men to it! I was about to pass similar comment re the headstock - posh bit of wood, eh?

[Hank2k]

Wouldn't it be great if one day someone found what the serial numbers were or knew what happened to them. To me they are as iconic as 34346

[Martin Page]

That picture together with a pictures of The Shadows was taken by a Derby Evening Telegraph photographer. They were taken backstage at the Gaumont Derby. A friend of mine in the U.S. sent me those pics about ten years ago. He had bought them from the newspaper back in the early 1960s. I had originally posted the photos to the first Shadowmusic site. I guess they must have been saved and copied countless times since then...

Also (coincidentally) the U.S, friend's (Clive Greatorex's) uncle, Harry Greatorex was the Regal Ballroom's manager in Ripley who staged the first show on 3 May 1958 where Cliff was billed with his new stage name of Cliff Richard as opposed to Harry Webb.

Martin.

[bridev]

Yes I knew that Selmer were out of the guitar stuff now, I just liked the straps even though the pad moved a bit.But I will check out the link. Thanks guys.

Brian

[Tone]

This thread has reminded me that in all the endless discussions about the elements that go to make up 'That Sound' - guitar, amp, echo unit, string gauge etc, etc no one has mentioned another significant factor i.e. THE STRAP. When you think about it, the strap is a vital part of the communication between the player and the instrument as it transmits bodily vibes, empathy and mojo to the guitar. How much mojo and the way it does it depends, of course, on the type of strap e.g leather or cloth, wide or narrow, thick or thin, colour, embossed or not and so on.

Perhaps one of the many experts on here could research what strap Hank used on each tune and an analysis of the results could give us the answer to the question that's been haunting us for so long.

Tony

[GoldenStreet]

I thought the Selmer strap was more comfortable, with its black nylon covered padded section, as distinct from the perhaps more iconic Fender equivalent with just a thin white felt inner finish and seemingly not much else. The buckle itself, though, was a different story!

Bill