MOLLUSCA - Posted - 07/28/2011:  11:26:18

IF THERE WOULD BE AN INTEREST?   TALK WITH INDIVIDUAL WHO CAN GIVE 1ST PERSON ACCOUNTING OF THIS REMARKABLE (SALSTROM/FENDER BANJO HISTORY) STORY.  1962  - 1969 ALL INCLUSIVE.

THANK YOU

DAVE MARKLE

Edited by - Bill Rogers on 07/28/2011 13:51:05

coelhoe - Posted - 07/29/2011:  06:18:19

Say what?

Jim E. - Posted - 07/29/2011:  10:03:36

Dave, I'm not the person you're hoping to hear from but I did play a new Concertone in the late '60s. Killer banjo; VERY loud and flawlessly crafted. Wish I still had it.

lightgauge - Posted - 07/29/2011:  10:10:39

I have a Concertone and always enjoy learning more about them. Tell us more.......

MOLLUSCA - Posted - 07/29/2011:  11:23:58

YES! YOU ARE THE PERSON I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM! THE EVOLUTION OF THE SALSTROM LINE OF INSTRUMENTS WAS QUITE A JOURNEY WITH MOST NOTABLE CRAFTSPEOPLE WHO CONTRIBUTED ALONG THE WAY.

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH HERE IN ORGANIZED FASHION WOULD BE TO NAME THESE PEOPLE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE WITHIN CERTAIN TIME FRAME. (1962 - 1969)

IF YOU CAN TAKE THE TIME PLEASE READ `FENDER' THE INSIDE STORY BY FORREST WHITE, IT WILL GIVE YOU A CERTAIN TIME FRAME PERSPECTIVE TO UNDERSTAND WHEN ALL THIS WAS GOING ON! (PAGE 164)

THE `CONCERTONE' WAS THE LAST TO BE ADDED TO THE LINE AND, OF COURSE IT WAS THE MOST ELABORATE AT THE TIME! THE ALLEGRO - ARTIST AND CONCERTONE. FENDER OF COURSE CARRIED ON WITH THESE SERIES NAMES.

THANK YOU

DAVE MARKLE

lightgauge - Posted - 07/29/2011:  12:06:56

Where do we read "Fender", the inside story?

Are you going to tell us more here?

FXHERE - Posted - 07/29/2011:  12:14:01

I have all three models but dont know about the company, but would like to...

MOLLUSCA - Posted - 07/29/2011:  12:28:40

`FENDER' THE INSIDE STORY BY FORREST WHITE - AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON - PUBLISHED BY MILLER FREEMAN BOOKS, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

WILL SLOWLY TRY TO ANSWER FOR MY INVOLVEMENT! HOW FORMATION OF SALSTROM BANJO CAME ABOUT UP THRU MY EMPLOYMENT WITH FENDER WORKING UNDER FORREST WHITE.

THANK YOU

DAVE MARKLE

MOLLUSCA - Posted - 07/29/2011:  14:07:49

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jim E.

Dave, I'm not the person you're hoping to hear from but I did play a new Concertone in the late '60s. Killer banjo; VERY loud and flawlessly crafted. Wish I still had it.

---

 CERTAINLY YOU ARE ONE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM!   IS IT POSSIBLE WE HAVE MET?  I DID SOME TRAVELING WHEN I WORKED FOR FENDER SO MAYBE WE HAVE CROSSED PATHS SOMEWHERE - SOMETIME?

THANK YOU

DAVE MARKLE

stanger - Posted - 07/29/2011:  16:04:07

Hi, Dave...

Please turn off your caps lock. It makes reading things much nicer if it isn't all caps. All caps is the equivalent shouting on the internet.



My first Salstrom experience came in 1969. I have forgotten the owner's name, but it was an excellent banjo. And to Fender's credit, the quality never wavered when they bought Salstrom. I have always regretted their decision to stop making them.

You may remember Scott Zimmerman- he's a member here and a semi-frequent poster.

regards,

stanger

Edited by - stanger on 07/29/2011 16:05:15

MOLLUSCA - Posted - 07/29/2011:  17:13:52

I'm so use to typing with caps on I certainly didn't mean to indicate shouting!

I left 1300 East Valencia second half 1969. I don't remember a Scott Zimmerman during my service with Fender but at that time the plant had over one thousand employees. If Scott would remember me I would certainly want to be reminded as I would not want to mis-place anyones contrabution or friendship. The items I shipped from Illinois to Fullerton were transfered in maybe (4) Allied moving vans and deposited on the floor of the new facility. I was first one to move into 1300 East Valencia.


Forrest White allowed me to go through several departments and interview interested people who might want to transfer into the new banjo operation. Olaf Keil was one of the multi-talented and was huge asset during the start-up.
The banjo necks were of course much different in construction and overall manufacture than a FENDER guitar neck. Slowly the system started coming together again with talented people and good tools.

Thank you

Dave Markle

randal morton - Posted - 07/29/2011:  18:02:53

Thanks to my friend, fgodbey for  informing me of this posting. I have playing my Salstrom Concertone since 1969. I love it! I look forward reading the book. I have heard thru the years that, Tom Morgan & Robbie Roberson had made the Salstrom Concertone in Ohio, and that Robbie had been in a fatal plane crash. The Salstrom's were sold to The Fender Co. My Salstrom Concertone has a thin( in depth) resonator that produces a beautiful, mellow tone, great for recording. My "Photo's" page here on BHO  includes pictures of the banjo. I wish I had two of them...

Jim E. - Posted - 07/29/2011:  18:13:34

"CERTAINLY YOU ARE ONE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM! IS IT POSSIBLE WE HAVE MET? I DID SOME TRAVELING WHEN I WORKED FOR FENDER SO MAYBE WE HAVE CROSSED PATHS SOMEWHERE - SOMETIME?"

Beats me, Dave. We could have met, but I have no recollection of it. I bought the banjo from a music store in, I think, Orange County, CA, about '69 or maybe '70. Not sure. Nor can I remember exactly what I payed for it, around or just under a grand I think, but having had many banjos since then, I might be mistaken about that price. The Concertone was at the time a real curiosity among the local pickers I knew, all of whom had, or aspired to have, a Gibson Mastertone. Everyone who played the Fender liked it. It had lots of bark, nice tonal balance, and serious volume. Had to sell it when I was in grad school. It is among those I'd like to have it back.

MOLLUSCA - Posted - 07/29/2011:  19:52:09

quote:

---

Originally posted by randal morton

Thanks to my friend, fgodbey for  informing me of this posting. I have playing my Salstrom Concertone since 1969. I love it! I look forward reading the book. I have heard thru the years that, Tom Morgan & Robbie Roberson had made the Salstrom Concertone in Ohio, and that Robbie had been in a fatal plane crash. The Salstrom's were sold to The Fender Co. My Salstrom Concertone has a thin( in depth) resonator that produces a beautiful, mellow tone, great for recording. My "Photo's" page here on BHO  includes pictures of the banjo. I wish I had two of them...

---

 You bring up a specific point in time of this evolution when you speak of the (thinner in depth) resonator.  My original effort when first getting started was to attempt to satisfy the players at the Red Garter in Chicago, Illinois.  I would work during the day and then drive to dontown chicago where these tenor-plectrum (bacon&day) players would try my changes!  The thinner resonator was used in conjuction with a `TUBE-A-PHONE' TYPE tone ring to give that B&D bash demanded by these players!

Enter in Ralph Robinson - and of course Marlene.  In the first place,  Ralph was most unique and talented free spirit!  He did some of my first headplate inlay work from his place in the Columbus area.  Then when he and Marlene decided to move out to the Oregon, Illinois area to help with the banjo shop he of course thought that the tenor-plectrum people were novelty!   Anyhow,  as the Artist and Concertone developed and matured the resonator was increased in depth to provide that certain projection.

Then Ralph and I went to Nashville.  When I think back on those travels i'm still amazed at how many people Ralph knew!  All this time we are building our experience level and exposure, making few changes but not dramatic!

Thank you

Dave Markle

P. S.    Bob Thomas of the Old WLS barn dance might have a Concertone with thin resonator also!

Bill Palmer - Posted - 07/29/2011:  22:44:47

I owned a set of Fender Artist Model banjos -- a 5-string, a Tenor and a Plectrum. The 5-string was one of those early models that had a very flexible neck. The other two were really solid, though.

coelhoe - Posted - 07/30/2011:  06:41:06

In 1973, I had a choice between (used) two of the (then) newer RB-250s and a Fender Artist model with an Oettinger tailpiece. The Fender was so much better in construction quality and sound. That's the one I used for ten years until I moved to a Stelling.

Such shame that Fender stopped banjo production. I think these are the most undervalued and underpriced used instruments on the market.

MOLLUSCA - Posted - 07/30/2011:  11:08:31

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bill Palmer

I owned a set of Fender Artist Model banjos -- a 5-string, a Tenor and a Plectrum. The 5-string was one of those early models that had a very flexible neck. The other two were really solid, though.

---

 On occasion an individual would request a `special'.  Perhaps that thin neck would be explained in that manner?

All our necks were carved in doubles on Salstrom carving machine (in this case (8) spindle pattern machine)  As this forum progresses I will attempt to post pictures of this and other!

Thank you

Dave Markle

MOLLUSCA - Posted - 07/30/2011:  11:37:43

quote:

---

Originally posted by coelhoe

In 1973, I had a choice between (used) two of the (then) newer RB-250s and a Fender Artist model with an Oettinger tailpiece. The Fender was so much better in construction quality and sound. That's the one I used for ten years until I moved to a Stelling.



Such shame that Fender stopped banjo production. I think these are the most undervalued and underpriced used instruments on the market.

---

 Fancy you should mention Stelling!  I started Mar Pearl in about February 1970 and over the years have done work for the majority of makers..Gibson, C.F. Martin on thru the individual.  Anyhow!  Jeff was one of my customers and still had his shop down around San Diego and I made trip to see him!  I did to much talking about the old days and Jeff just put me to work assembling Stelling during my visit.  Last time I visited Jeff and crew he had his shop on the mountain in Virginia.

The Ottinger type tailpiece was part of the original theme for the Salstrom.  To incorporate items of singular nature with the new was what we wanted to strive for and this particular component fit!  Sand cast and beautifully finished.  Also with (5) fingers!

Woodhaven Industries in Oregon, Illinois supplied all originals.  Gary Wood (owner) resides at top of his class par excellence!  Woodhaven also made our special cast tone rings and I believe still does to this day!

Thank you

Dave Markle

panheader - Posted - 08/01/2011:  12:33:14

Dave, Thanks for some of the early Salstrom history. I own a Salstrom Artist 5 string that contains a "Tuba-A-Phone" type tone ring and shallow resonator. I have often wondered about how this combination came to be produced. I regret that this banjo has no label or serial number - I assumed it was produced in '62 or '63.

Thanks,
Jeff

MOLLUSCA - Posted - 08/01/2011:  14:02:46

Jeff:

Wait with anticipation for the rest of the story!! You have one of the very first as I moved toward the 5-string players.

Perhaps we might be able to apply close date to your instrument? Perhaps you might have one for the Fender museum..or the Salstrom museum..or better yet my museum!

Thank you and post often because there are many things to tell and hear!

Thank you

Dave Markle

MOLLUSCA - Posted - 08/08/2011:  10:25:01

How did the name SALSTROM end up on the Peghead of a banjo ? Latter to be purchased by Fender Musical Instruments and transported lock-stock and barrel to California!

First! one must become familar with a man, with the name of Gus Stamm. One of the more remarkable people I have met during my journey.

Gus Stamm came to Oregon, Illinois from one of the Chicago suburbs such as St. Charles, Illinois. Gus was an elderly gentleman and the perfect `IDEA' man. Gus would take his ideas, do enough research to get started and find people to carry on! One of his well written books was `Veterinary Guide For Farmers'. Gus Stamm was not a Veterinarian! Gus came to Oregon to meet a gentleman by name of Phil Salstrom, a master, machine wood carving
business owner who he thought might manufacturer 5-string banjo necks to convert tenor-plectrum. Folk was in! The Two people formed an understanding and started to develop a 5-string replacement neck to be sold by Gus Stamm. Two strong personalities such as Phil and Gus developed differences! There was one authority at Rockwood Carvers and that was Phil! This was about 1962.

Enter in Dave Markle! I was going to Phoenix City Junior College and was home for the summer and going to work for a local plumber. I was working this boiler job at Rockwood Carvers new shop and had stayed after quitting time to clean-up the finished job. I did this because I did not want to drive all the way out there to spend a short amount of time so this is what I did! It was probably about 5:30 in the evening and in walks Mr. Salstrom and says to me..Don't you people quit at four? I said Yes but there was just small amount to do to completely finish! He turned around and walked out!

At 4:30 the next morning Phil Salstrom calls my boss and owner Chuck Ehmen and says: I just wanted to let you know I would like to hire Dave Markle and don't want any bad feelings! Well, when I went into work that morning Chuck Ehmen came up to me and said: I got this call from Phil Salstrom and he would like to give you a job! What in the world did you do to get his attention? Well I said, I was cleaning-up the job about 5:30 last evening and he walked in! Thats about it! Chuck Ehmen said to me Dave, Phil Salstrom is expanding out there and this might be an opportunity for you! He wants you to meet him in his office about 9:30 this evening and he will give you an idea want he wants to do.

11:30 P.M that evening Phil Salstrom finally shows-up. He hires me and says to be there in morning about 6:30 a.m. What follows next is journey of life time!

Thank you

Dave Markle

LouZee Picker - Posted - 08/10/2011:  04:42:02

Who ever said hard work don't get you anywhere, I'm still trying to instill these kind of work habits into mt teenage boys!
I owned a 1974 Fender Concertone Custom, for over 25 years that I bought from Curtis McPeake. I made a bad decision about 3 years ago when I was selling some of my banjos and sold that banjo to a Concertone collector. I've wished 100 times over that I'd kept it. I can't say enough good things about it. What little I know about the Salstrom line of banjos I learned from an old BNL article I read many years ago. It's cool to hear the inside story.

Brian

percyfam - Posted - 08/10/2011:  15:02:27

Brian:  I still have that Concertone Custom that I purchased from you and play it fairly regularly.  I've used it in a few workshops and always get positive comments about its sound, playabilty and appearance.  I sold one of my Concertones to a friend in Baton Rouge so I only have two now.  Gruhn had a beautiful Salstrom Concertone a few months ago and I could kick myself for not purchasing that one.  It is interesting to hear the Salstrom story.  The Salstrom Artist that I have is a unique instrument  but one of my favorites.  I agree that the old Fenders and Salstroms continue to be some of the best values on the banjo market today.

Hereford Percy 

MOLLUSCA - Posted - 08/11/2011:  12:06:53

Brian and Hereford:

Got something I would like to tell you boys! It Gets ahead of the `Rest of the Story' but thats ok!

I have the very (1st) yes thats right! The very 1st Fender, and it happens to be a Concertone plectrum that has the most unique and unusual conception birth history!. The cast of characters would be no less than Don Randall,
President, Fender Sales, Mr. Stanton of (CBS) New York and Mr. Paley also of (CBS) New York. The instrument is pristine and becomes ever-more-so (To me) with each passing day. Let see, thats (46) years X 365 days, ah yes 16,790 days. That number is staggering to me! If I didn't have the calculator in front of me I wouldn't believe that last number! Anyway, I'm in front of the screen so I'll carry on a bit!

I showed-up at Rockwood Carvers about 6:15 a.m. and of course the employees (about 65) were starting to show-up as well. The people I talked with were inquisitive and wanted to know what I had been hired to do! Of course when I said I had no idea but I was supposed to meet Mr. Salstrom at 6:30 the lead man in the sanding department laughed and replied: Phil was here at 6:00 a.m. so you probably were supposed to be here at 6:00 am also! He always goes to town for his breakfast and then comes back after he gets his mail!

The office gal arrived 8:00 a.m. and I introduced myself and asked if she was aware of any instructions for me and her reply was `Im not aware of who you are period! About that time I'm wondering if I might be there on the wrong day? Or maybe even the wrong place!

Phil Salstrom storms in the drive about 9:45! Phil was a fast driver...Phil Salstrom was go fast type person. I follow Phil up the long outside stairs to his office and he whirls around and says: Sorry to keep you waiting! did you meet everyone? Follow me downstairs and I'll give you an idea what I want to do. Now we're in the boiler room where this all started a few days past and Phil says I'll be introducing you to a man by the name of Gus Stamm. You will be working with him and I want you to lean all what he has to teach you in double time fashion! The boiler room as one might imagine has a boiler in it and also a small equipped tool room so the available additional space is rather limited. Nevertheless, this is where the next day I met a most remarkable (75) year old gentleman, Gus Stamm.

Thank you

Dave Markle

wd_run - Posted - 08/15/2011:  18:31:28

Dave,

It is a great story. I own a Salstrom Concert Tone 5 strings and would like to know rest of the history. Was the compnay in operation only for 1962-1965? How many Concert Tone 5 strings ever produced?



WR

Edited by - wd_run on 08/15/2011 18:32:33

MOLLUSCA - Posted - 08/16/2011:  10:52:27

Will slowly attempt to answer (hopefully, in somewhat order) all questions that (my) hands-on evolution of this instrument line permit! This will encompass from very start of Company thru my leaving Fender second half 1969. It will be nearly possible...to date the early instruments made in Oregon. Descriptions of the instrument will allow me to slide them into a time-line as I made certain changes during this short, but rapid period of growth. It is my intention to try and do this! The `Concertone' of course, was last in this line of Allegro, Artist, to take form to reality. The numbers, will of course not be that large, but it surely represented a whole lot of round the clock effort and leariing.

This time period is around July 1962. (mol, but close) My first encounter with Gus Stamm was (and is) most memorable as he left me with a clear understanding that he was way ahead type person in the idea catagory!

Just to regress slightly! Gus Stamm and Phil Salstrom (Rockwood Carvers) had come to prior agreement to produce banjo replacement necks. These were to be produced at Rockwood under eventual production manufacturing conditions. Rockwood Carvers at this time was highly refined manufacturer of (to mention just several) Queen Anne legs and post turnings. Kohler furniture in Naperville, Illinois being one of Rockwoods larger customers.

Gus Stamm had been selling his replacement (5-string & extra-long) neck kit thru various ads, such as Popular Mechanics and so forth. He would sell a customer thru mail order and then attempt to build it in reasonable time (and deliver it!) to keep the purchaser happy. Gus thought by assigning this to Rockwood he could move on in the `idea' business and simply handle the sales as need via his various ads. Well!

My first day at Rockwood Carvers started 6:30 a.m. in the boileroom! Gus Stamm walks through the door about 9:00 a.m. with arm load of fingerboard and neck materials in one arm and shakes my hand with introduction and says: where do you intend to work? That was my first day with Gus Stamm. Gus didn't stop talking, starting with `How to divide a scale' his way of course, thru endless conversations about his travels. Gus was a real person full of accomplishment over his (75) year existence. That day I think I slotted about (10) fingerboards (by hand) and believe me I was thinking about more expeditious way to do that job!

All was not well with the association between Gus Stamm and Phil Salstrom. As time progressed I slowly found myself being tugged between two wonderfull and capable people. This was not easy for a (21) year old just starting out with a job of interest! More to follow at a rapid pace!


Thank you

Dave Markle

MOLLUSCA - Posted - 08/16/2011:  14:03:28

The progress made working within that small confined boileroom area in the beginning had many benefits such as, you were not to far away from person you were speaking too! As time went by the neck problem manufacture slowly relieved itself as I learned pattern making, carving machine operation and most of the related mechanical toys found at Rockwood Carvers. All during this time Rockwood Carvers was busy, busy with furniture work so a lot of what I was responsible for was done in between, soas not to bother production.

Gus Stamm had written a pamphlet `How To Build Your Own Banjo' which I believe he had sold to Mechanics Illustrated sometime in the past. This pamphlet, plus his various other writings I had collected over course of time of association with Gus so I was pretty much equipped...even veterinary services! The replacement neck entity production only went so far and it certainly was not what Phil Salstrom was thinking for volume. Gus suggested building guitars to Phil and of course that didn't go over all that well! As time went on, tensions between these two remarkable people became explosive! Phil Salstrom was a very matter-of-fact and vocal person over his subject matter and Gus Stamm was much quieter, calm and collected. I mentioned in the past writing that there was one and only one final authority and that was Phil Salstrom. This came to pass one morning and I knew something was up because Gus Stamm arrived early, early! He said to me: Dave, I'm going to settle these issues with Phil once and for all! Dave knew there were tensions but, Dave didn't know the particulars!

Gus Stamm positioned himself at the bottom of the staircase leading up to Phil's office. The staircase was, as mentioned before, on the outside of the building and there he waited! Phil came storming in the drive as he usually did, hops out of his car and blows right past Gus Stamm and Gus is attempting to plead his position! Phil gets to the top of the stairs on the landing, whirls around, throws his mail to the wind! Booms something to the effect: Don't you think we have gone just about as far as we are going to go! And then, he proceeds to rip the outside light fixture from the brick wall. I, of course was witness to this and then saw Gus Stamm walk briskly to his car never to come to Rockwood again!

Now! How did the name Salstrom find its way into the banjo world? Her name was Margret!

Thank you

Dave Markle