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BigRaw · April 25th, 2007, 10:25 PM

Hello all! I just got through reading American Axe which is now my new bible (aside from The Bible, of course) Some things bother me, I don't know if my understanding is off or what. Maybe someone out there can help.

Why wasn't Roy looked at more carefully or seriously after his suicide attempt in 1980? It seems like it was just kinda blown off, like "well, we hope this won't happen again?" kind of thing?
Has anyone ever owned or played his Fritz Bro. guitar? Are these still available anywhere?
Danny Gatton was great, no doubt about that. But to me, Roy Buchanan was it. How come he never had a signature Tele with Fender?
What is the common feeling on his suicide? Do YOU think it was a suicide?

Maybe with the help from some kind hearted and equally knowledgeable folk out there in TDPRI land I can begin to get some sleep...
Thanks to all.

Telehackster · April 26th, 2007, 12:45 AM

American Axe is a good read, and Roy Buchanan's life ended all too soon. Whether it was suicide or manslaughter, I'm in no position to offer a guess. If those closest to him can't seem to agree on this, I'm not presumptuous enough to weigh in. It's a topic that's been hashed around here before, and you could probably do a search and turn up at least one thread on the subject. Sorry: I don'y intend to sound dismissive. I'm a big fan of Roy's music, and it's nice to hear from others interested in Roy as well.

Regarding the Fritz Bros. guitar, I'd like to see and play one some day. Here's a link:

http://www.fritzbrothersguitars.com/guitars.htm

Welcome to the forum!

Twang Tone · April 26th, 2007, 04:33 AM

Hey, BigRaw! Welcome aboard.

I just finished that book, too. Previously, I knew nothing about Roy - I had a coupla CD's of his but I never knew the background. It's an interesting insight into the man's life, and a well recommended book.

Thanks,

Telemarkman · April 26th, 2007, 06:22 AM

American Axe is a fascinating book, but I think Roy's life as a journeyman is so much more interesting than his tragic death. The last time this was discussed on this board, someone got so riled up about it that the Webmaster had to remove the thread.
Don't lose any sleep over this......

But I guess it's OK to discuss why Roy never was offered a Signature model by Fender.
By the time of Roy's death, Fender still hadn't started to make Signature models - the first one was the James Burton Telecaster, officially announced in January 1990. Then came the Albert Collins Telecaster and the Danny Gatton Telecaster (mid-1990).
My guess is that if Roy had been alive at this time and hadn't already been forwarded the "Blues Master" by Fritz Brothers, he would've been the next in line for a Signature Telecaster.

Except for the finish, I'll have to say that the '52RI is a very good substitute for a Roy Sig Tele though. Even the wiring is the same as on his '53 Tele "Nancy". (Most people update the wiring to "modern" - post '67 - though).

BigRaw · April 26th, 2007, 08:05 PM

Thank you guys for replying, nice to hear from others especially since the music of Roy Buchanan has effected me in such a way. Tragic, yes. I suppose the music lives on, right?
Anyone else? Feel free to jump in.
Thanks again.
BigRaw

Soldano ROS · April 27th, 2007, 02:14 AM

I posted a message from Roy's son a while back and the thread got hostile. I just thought that his son's insight might show a family members perspective, but it got ugly and the thread was pulled. Roy was a very unique individual whose talent changed alot of guitarists playing. The book is a great read for sure.

April 25th, 2007, 10:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
BigRaw NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Houston, TX Age: 36 Posts: 4	American Axe.... Hello all! I just got through reading American Axe which is now my new bible (aside from The Bible, of course) Some things bother me, I don't know if my understanding is off or what. Maybe someone out there can help. Why wasn't Roy looked at more carefully or seriously after his suicide attempt in 1980? It seems like it was just kinda blown off, like "well, we hope this won't happen again?" kind of thing? Has anyone ever owned or played his Fritz Bro. guitar? Are these still available anywhere? Danny Gatton was great, no doubt about that. But to me, Roy Buchanan was it. How come he never had a signature Tele with Fender? What is the common feeling on his suicide? Do YOU think it was a suicide? Maybe with the help from some kind hearted and equally knowledgeable folk out there in TDPRI land I can begin to get some sleep... Thanks to all. __________________ Whatever you didn't want done, I didn't do it.

April 26th, 2007, 04:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
Twang Tone Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: UK Age: 37 Posts: 1,042	Hey, BigRaw! Welcome aboard. I just finished that book, too. Previously, I knew nothing about Roy - I had a coupla CD's of his but I never knew the background. It's an interesting insight into the man's life, and a well recommended book. Thanks, __________________ TT Ridicule is nothing to be scared of!

April 26th, 2007, 08:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
BigRaw NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Houston, TX Age: 36 Posts: 4	American Axe... Thank you guys for replying, nice to hear from others especially since the music of Roy Buchanan has effected me in such a way. Tragic, yes. I suppose the music lives on, right? Anyone else? Feel free to jump in. Thanks again. BigRaw __________________ Whatever you didn't want done, I didn't do it.

April 26th, 2007, 12:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
Telehackster Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Age: 43 Posts: 1,163	American Axe is a good read, and Roy Buchanan's life ended all too soon. Whether it was suicide or manslaughter, I'm in no position to offer a guess. If those closest to him can't seem to agree on this, I'm not presumptuous enough to weigh in. It's a topic that's been hashed around here before, and you could probably do a search and turn up at least one thread on the subject. Sorry: I don'y intend to sound dismissive. I'm a big fan of Roy's music, and it's nice to hear from others interested in Roy as well. Regarding the Fritz Bros. guitar, I'd like to see and play one some day. Here's a link: http://www.fritzbrothersguitars.com/guitars.htm Welcome to the forum!

April 26th, 2007, 06:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
Telemarkman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Norway Age: 62 Posts: 6,201	American Axe is a fascinating book, but I think Roy's life as a journeyman is so much more interesting than his tragic death. The last time this was discussed on this board, someone got so riled up about it that the Webmaster had to remove the thread. Don't lose any sleep over this...... But I guess it's OK to discuss why Roy never was offered a Signature model by Fender. By the time of Roy's death, Fender still hadn't started to make Signature models - the first one was the James Burton Telecaster, officially announced in January 1990. Then came the Albert Collins Telecaster and the Danny Gatton Telecaster (mid-1990). My guess is that if Roy had been alive at this time and hadn't already been forwarded the "Blues Master" by Fritz Brothers, he would've been the next in line for a Signature Telecaster. Except for the finish, I'll have to say that the '52RI is a very good substitute for a Roy Sig Tele though. Even the wiring is the same as on his '53 Tele "Nancy". (Most people update the wiring to "modern" - post '67 - though).

April 27th, 2007, 02:14 AM	#6 (permalink)
Soldano ROS TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa Age: 49 Posts: 96	I posted a message from Roy's son a while back and the thread got hostile. I just thought that his son's insight might show a family members perspective, but it got ugly and the thread was pulled. Roy was a very unique individual whose talent changed alot of guitarists playing. The book is a great read for sure.

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