Brendan Croker / Ralph Bown Stella 12 String - Guitar Story & Review (Story #16)

A beautiful hand built Stella style 12 String guitar by the master Ralph Bown as used by Brendan Croker.
One of the ultimate blues 12 string style guitars in the world.
Update:
Upon visiting Ralph a few weeks after filming this he corrected a few parts of the story…
It was actually built for John Joyce. Three were made at the time.
They drew around one of Paul Brett’s old Stella’s to get the shape correct.
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Thanks for looking!

[@goldiefish72]

Only found out last night Brendan died. A lovely man, who loved music. Met him in 1990 in Devon, I was looking at guitars in a music shop, he was there too, I assumed at first he worked there (still don't know why he was there). We got talking, and he asked me about my influences, I explained I used to play lots of Dire straits & Mark Knopfler stuff until I got my hands burnt in a work accident just before that meeting. He pointed to the speakers in the music shop and said "You'd love that then",(his northern accent stuck out in the Devon seaside port town of Teignmouth) as the Notting Hillbillies played. I bought the TAPE (it was 1990) there and then. It was only when I got back to the ship I was then working on that I realised who he was when I saw his face on the inlay card. That album got me through a very dark time in my life, thanks to him. Was back in Devon with the wife a few years back, but we couldn't find the music shop. Told her the story. I bought a Nice Yamaha Pacifica for my 50th birthday recently and have started to learn to play all over again.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Wow! Fabulous story! Brendan was awesome!!!

[@peterrandall9523]

Lovely guitar, lovely people and fascinating stories

[@TheWashboardResonators]

🎼🎯🎼

[@Castleshaw]

Great story Martyn and a fine tribute to Brendan Croker and Ralph Bown.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Two mighty decent chaps.

[@magicelliotth]

RIP Brendan Croker

[@TheWashboardResonators]

🖤

[@nigelwilliams3311]

Thank you Martin. That was quite a moving story. It is never easy losing friends. Brendan was only a year older than me, and I know how frustrating it can be when your memory and your fingers don't work the way that they used to. Incidentally, one of your videos about buying resonators alerted me to Michael Messer, and I bought a Michael Messer Blues 14 this year, so thank you for the recommendation.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Glad you got one! They’re great. It is sad but what a great life. To have been able to live good from music. What a guy! 🎯

[@BobPerrone]

Thank you, here in the States it's difficult to get to know about our British brothers who are an important influence in music, especially luthiers.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

So many great builders all over the world. Ralph is highly regarded here!

[@stanby2712]

A very moving and from the heart video; thank you

[@TheWashboardResonators]

🙃

[@SoulOhm]

Sorry to hear about Brendan, Really enjoyed hearing the history. I`m very new to Resonators, I come from a Cigar Box Guitar background, not your standard guitar, I`ve got 2 CBG resonators and now want to progress to the big boys lol So I`m learning as much as I can before I commit to buying my 1st reso. Glad I found your channel and look forward to see you guys Live, I`m a Donny lad so don't live to far from Leeds. Again Thanks ever so much for the videos, Mark

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Sure we’ll see you around!! My other band Leeds City Stompers are doing Huddersfield gigs this weekend and we’re always about do sure we’ll see you around!!

[@nationalduo4945]

Nice…well done Martyn 🇨🇦

[@TheWashboardResonators]

🎼🎯🎼

[@guybross1200]

Thanks for the story, great job. Keep on picking, Guy B. Ruskin FL. U.S.A.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Thanks!!

[@chrismartin7370]

Great video by the way !

[@TheWashboardResonators]

🎼🎯🎼

[@cjbuk74]

Great video.. and what a fantastic guitar !

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Incredible guitar!!

[@simonalexander5520]

Lovely video and even though Brendan is no longer around the 12 string is and is still making music

[@TheWashboardResonators]

It sure is!

[@gregryland1387]

Great Vid and facts, really enjoyed the back story, thanks for sharing and caring.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Thanks!! 🎯

[@tonywalker6210]

A great guitar, a great person and a great story. I suggested to Lewis that he, Dave Broad, Sam Barrett, Gary Stewart, Rich Huxley - you should be included - does what Gary Stewart does with Graceland and Rumours and do a Missing Presumed Having a Goodtime gig, which I think could and should be something that resonates nationally - no puns intended. Me, lots of other Brendon fans in Leeds and beyond, along with the Brudy awaits.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

That’s a nice idea. Sela bar do good ones like Dylan etc.

[@lyndamcardle4123]

I loved Brendan's "The Great Indoors" with The Muscle Shoals "Swampers".....

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Incredible stuff!! 🎯

[@thomaswilleborts6771]

High Martyn, At first my condolences for Brenda n. He's 12-stringer sounds amazing in that tune. Is it in Eb? Enjoy your time playing this one and the memories of you with him are celebrated. Much love, T❤

[@TheWashboardResonators]

B standard. Way low. Lovely guy Brendan. The tiny bit I knew him was special!!

[@silkythecomedian1135]

Aww, there's Adam playing with Brendan... Sadly missed.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

No Brendan on that pic he turned up keyed but it’s the only one I had from a grove session. Was sad to see Adam. Much missed.

[@chrismartin7370]

Looking at the neck on that it's very very similar to the Beltona 12 string. I believe they did work together on some guitars early on in the Beltona story?

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Steve Evans and Ralph are good buddies. Early BELTONA had colabs with Steve Phillips, Ralph and Alan Timmons who Mark Makin talks about in the podcast we did with him!

[@chrismartin7370]

@@TheWashboardResonators The 12 string is going (along with me) to Robbin Hoods Bay in March for a once over .

[@buckfuhtt2083]

Hey man just happened to see your video about your favorite slide. It just so happens that about an hour ago I finally completed and played what going to be my official design of these very special high carbon steel, hand smithed then rehardened just like a knife blade. Then tempered so they won't shatter if you drop one. I was s actually just checkin to see one last time, if anyone waz makin them out of this material. Technically I'm making a steel guitar slides out of a musical instrument instrument. Cant what because most homes had a few. Anyways I take 2 piese of this metal and roll the inside piece small and tight and the next not as tight. It make a sort of resonator. Wish me luck, i may go out and màke dozeñs of dollars!!!

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Sounds like a great process. Would love to hear how they go!

[@buckfuhtt2083]

@@TheWashboardResonators I guess I'll maké my first KZbin video just have to get thém a little bit prettier àn liké I said, I can't say what I'm making them out of because even though its a big pain in the az, every house has at least one or two if them and you can easily buy them. It sounds bitchin though just have to get set up for brazing then because my wire feed welder is just making holes and it's already enough work doin all the wet sand polish on them.

[@berndf7437]

So sad Brendan passed away 🥲

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Truly is. At his height he was a truly great singer and fun to hang with!!

[@berndf7437]

@@TheWashboardResonators 3 chord Lovesongs ❤️❤️🥲

[@frogblues]

So...is it for sale?

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Could be!