Reg Diller is still here

Instruments, mechanical issues, copedents, techniques, etc.

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Reginald Diller
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Reg Diller is still here

Post by Reginald Diller »

Hello out there. this is Reg Diller and I am Still here I just turned 92 yesterday the 4th. I am now a widower of about three and a half years. I am still in fair physical shape. I sold
all my machinery several years ago. I am the maker of the HMS
brand. HMS is Home Made Steels. I am a retired tool maker, having worked for the Mack Truck Co for about 35 years. I do not play out anymore because my hearing has started to fail and hearing aids do nothing for music. I still have a beautiful
double ten that raises on the right hand end and lowers on the left end of the guitar. I hope to post a picture of it soon,.
I am still living in Waynesboro Pa and you can get in touch with me at reginalddiller96@gmail.com if you like. My best wishes to all.
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Ross Shafer
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Post by Ross Shafer »

Happy Birthday! I look forward to seeing picks of your double ender!
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Lee Baucum
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Post by Lee Baucum »

Happy Birthday! Keep telling your stories. At that age, you must have a bunch of them.

Quite a few years ago, I had a client who was born in 1892. I insisted on him telling his stories. Some people may get bored; but, not me. I love them.

This gentleman actually knew people who fought in the civil war.

~Lee
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Bud Angelotti
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Post by Bud Angelotti »

Hi Reg! Happy birthday ! Look forward to seeing that steel !
Bud
Just 'cause I look stupid, don't mean I'm not.
Bobby D. Jones
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Post by Bobby D. Jones »

Belated Happy Birthday.
I seen a steel that raises was on the changer end, And the lowers was on the key head.
The key moved too lower the string, Never got to look under the guitar, Still bugs me how the linkage lowered the string, I think it was as a Williams Guitar.
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Reginald Diller
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Thanks

Post by Reginald Diller »

Thanks to all for the birthday wishes.I am going to try to attach a couple of photos. I hope I can do it.
Image
Image
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Brad Bechtel
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Post by Brad Bechtel »

That's a very nice looking steel! Thanks for sharing.
Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
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Reginald Diller
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Thanks Brad

Post by Reginald Diller »

Hi Brad... Thanks for the nice comment. This guitar is over 10 tyears old now.As you can see it is a keyless guitar, I got interestedin the steel guitar whuile serving in the U.S. Navy in the early 1950's. I bought a little six string lap steel in
downtown Honolulu and that was the beginning of my interest in
this type of instrument, I have spent most of my life working on the improvement as I saw it. Thanks again for your comments
Best Wishes,'
Reg Diller W3VTF
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Lee Baucum
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Post by Lee Baucum »

Good looking guitar. Thanks for posting the photos. I think folks would be interested in seeing photos of the bottom of the guitar and the changers.

I see you have an old ACE seat. I'm been using mine for way over 30 years now.
Lee, from South Texas - Down On The Rio Grande

There are only two options as I see it.
Either I'm right, or there is a sinister conspiracy to conceal the fact that I'm right.


Williams Keyless S-10, BMI S-10, Evans FET-500LV, Fender Steel King, 2 Roland Cube 80XL's,
Sarno FreeLoader, Goodrich Passive Volume Pedals, Vintage ACE Pack-A-Seat
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Reginald Diller
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Thanks Lee

Post by Reginald Diller »

Thanks Lee for your comments. I figured that there would be a need to show the underside and its working. I would like to same if I were looking at it for the first time. I will try
to get some more pics onm soon of the whole thing. Thanks again for your comments.
Best wishes
Reg Diller
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Larry Jamieson
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Post by Larry Jamieson »

Happy Birthday, Reg! I enjoyed reading your post and seeing your guitar. It looks like a well built rig. You make me feel like a youngster, I'm only 74....
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Reginald Diller
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Larry

Post by Reginald Diller »

Hi LaRRY... Thanks for your coments. Dont worry, the age will catch up with you before you know it.I can remember whenever i thought that I would not make it to 65.Seems like eons ago.
I hope to get more pics especially the underside. Myb best wishes to you Larry.
Reg Diller
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Jerry Overstreet
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Post by Jerry Overstreet »

Good to read your posts concerning your age and the building of the HMS. That is a fine looking instrument you built and I bet plays just as good as it looks.

Best Birthday wishes and for good health, good pickin' and I'd like to thank you for your military service to our country as well.

Best, JO.
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Reginald Diller
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Underside of Double 10 Steel Guitar

Post by Reginald Diller »

Hey Guys... Here is the bottom view of the double ten. Just a note. the fingers are of one piece solid construction so they pull easy, and return nicely., The other thing that is kind
of a nuisance to tune the pedals from two ends instead of one.
You get use to doing that sort of thing.. Hope you enjoy the
bottom view
Best wishes
Reg Diller


Image
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Bud Angelotti
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Post by Bud Angelotti »

Now THATS a steel guitar. :)
Just 'cause I look stupid, don't mean I'm not.
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Tommy Auldridge
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Happy Birthday

Post by Tommy Auldridge »

Happy Birthday Reg. Although we've never met, we have some mutual friends. The late Ronny Eyler, and Gardner Cook always speak highly of you. I almost bought the the steel you made from Ronny just before he passed away. Someone else beat me to it. I'm 80 years old and still play every weekend. I recently played the Waynesborro American Legion. And likely will be playimg there again. This weekend I'm playing in Front Royal, Va. at the Moose Lodge. I played last Saturday at Williamspord American Legion. Gardner was there, so we talked some about steel guitar naturally. Maybe someday we'll get a chance to finally meet. Thanks, Tommy.....P.S. Thank you for your military service
Last edited by Tommy Auldridge on 8 Mar 2024 8:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
Donny Hinson
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Post by Donny Hinson »

Fine lookin' steel, Reg! And with 8+9, it sure looks like she's "loaded for bear"!

:D
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Tommy Auldridge
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I forgot to mention

Post by Tommy Auldridge »

Reg: I forgot to mention, that I have a place in River Bend Park, and it reopens April 1st. So, I'll be spending a lot of time during the summer months, near Williamsport, Md. Which is only a few miles away. I'd love the opportunity to travel to Waynesboro to meet you, and see this steel guitar. Maybe Gardner Cook would also like to come with me. Thanks, Tommy.....
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Reginald Diller
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Welcome anytime Tommy

Post by Reginald Diller »

Hi Tommy, your brother was here one time and played one of mg guitars. He was visiting the dobro place just south of me about three miles. Gardner and I have been friends for years and a mutual friend who has passed away was Quentin Peer who was a great steeler. Tommy, the state took my drivers licenses a couple of months ago because a female doctor wrote some stuff on my questionaire that my cardiologist did not agree with. Anyway you are welcome to visit anytime and be sure to bring Gardner alonhg. Call me at 717-762-4465. Just a funny... Gardmer visitied me one day and my cat got into his van and rode home woith him. He broght it back the next day.
Regards
Reg Diller
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Tommy Auldridge
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Up comming visit.

Post by Tommy Auldridge »

Reg: I will get with Gardner, we will call you before we come up. I'm looking forward to meeting you. Thanks, Tommy.....
Temple Kelley
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Post by Temple Kelley »

Hi all,
I just picked up this Reg Diller yesterday in VA. Very excited. Happy holidays
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Temple Kelley
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Post by Temple Kelley »

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Joseph Lazo
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Post by Joseph Lazo »

Temple, congrats! That was built not far from where I grew up, though I never met Reg or saw him play. Have to ask: do the pedals have a disc shape extending above the pedal itself? It sort of looks like those metal discs that go under the legs of furniture or equipment.