Fry-Pan, Jerry Byrd replica

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 28 Mar 2000 9:02 pm

The market for those instruments is about the same as what it was when they were produced. The number of people in the world who want them seems to match the number that were produced!

I think they still sell in the $800-$1000 price range (US dollars). Most people prefer the short scale because bar slants are easier.

Mark Davis · Post by **Mark Davis** » 29 Mar 2000 2:07 pm

A mint condition short scale Excel Fry Pan sold here a few weeks ago for $650 shipped. That was an excellent deal still kicking myself in the butt for not acting on it sooner.

Ric Nelson · Post by **Ric Nelson** » 30 Mar 2000 8:21 am

The last I heard, Donna Jackson had a few left that Shot hadn't sold. She was selling new "B" models (long scale) for about $1,200.

P.S. If I ever sold mine (which I have no desire to do), I'd ask at least $1,200. The shorter scales seem to go for around $1,000.
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Ric Nelson on 30 March 2000 at 08:31 AM.]</p></FONT>

mickd · Post by **mickd** » 1 Apr 2000 11:56 am

Were all the 'JB' branded fry pans
made by Excel or did they just do
a reissue (and they're still making them
too, according to their web site) ?

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 1 Apr 2000 12:43 pm

MickD,

The 500 original ones were made by Shot Jackson (of Sho-Bud fame).

Mitsuo Fuji makes a copy under the name Excel. In all due respect, the workmanship on the Excels appear to be superb.

Also, Excel makes a double neck standup Jerry Byrd model steel. It is also very fine workmanship.

God bless,

carl

mickd · Post by **mickd** » 1 Apr 2000 3:22 pm

Carl
thanks for the clarification.
I love the look of the Fry Pan instruments - I hope to play one one day !
Those double neck 8 strings on the Excel
site look great too..
MickD

J D Sauser · Post by **J D Sauser** » 1 Apr 2000 4:51 pm

Jerry Byrd is playing a D-8 Excell on his instructional video... Guess what... Sounds like Jerry Byrd!

------------------
jaydee@bellsouth.net

Marco Schouten · Post by **Marco Schouten** » 19 Apr 2000 11:05 am

How much would the original Rickenbacher fry pan cost at this moment?

Marco Schouten

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 19 Apr 2000 1:03 pm

I purchased #039 of the short neck JB series when they were first offered by Jerry in 1979. It came with a certificate stating it was a Limited Production of 300 (150 short and 150 long), to be produced...NOT 500...which would make the guitars (possibly) future collector's items. Problem was, someone forgot to tell Shot to destroy the mould after these guitars were finished production...(?). He did NOT destroy the mould at all as per his agreement with (presumedly) Jerry. Shot went on to produce virtually the identical guitars under the Shobud name. I have a Shobud 10 string frypan which was made from the 8 string JB mould. The disappointing thing about all of these frypans is what appears to be a real horse-shoe magnet, as found on all the old Rick frypans, is not a magnet at all....just plain decoration. Jerry explained to me it would be an infringement of patents were they to use actual magnets. Possibly so. Then, to skuttle any thought of these guitars ever becomming valued collectors items, Excel comes along with far superior models under the JB name. The only saving grace is the original JB, (as I own), does have a nice tonal quality.

Bill Leff · Post by **Bill Leff** » 19 Apr 2000 1:30 pm

Wow...that's good to know, George. Thanks for sharing that bit of info.

-Bill

mikey · Post by **mikey** » 19 Apr 2000 11:40 pm

I have to admit, I was surprised, I had # A008 of the orginal Sho-Bud JB's and when I was working on it the screwdriver didn't stick to the horseshoe....It WAS just decoration wrapped around a Single coil 8 string Sho-Bud pickup, sold it and bought a Pre-war Rick...serious difference,
Mike

mickd · Post by **mickd** » 20 Apr 2000 11:38 am

Is the Excel 'JB' horseshoe p/u also just decoration ?

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 20 Apr 2000 12:38 pm

Don't quote me, but I believe that the horseshoe pickup on the JB Excel Fry Pan is for decorative purposes only. Email John Tipka, he owns one and I'm sure he knows the answer.

John are you out there?

The guitars still sound good.

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 20 Apr 2000 1:14 pm

As Mike says, there is NO comparison to the Rick fry-pan. Frankly, I feel these ShoBuds are a bit over-rated. As was stated, they only resemble the fry-pan but lack otherwise. I have no complaints about the tone but it is a ShoBud through and through and could never match my genuine old Rick frypan. If Jerry's name were not on it, I doubt I would have paid the price. Strangly though, these guitars are still fetching an excellent re-sale dollar...which speaks well for them. The quality and construction is certainly good.