Sierra Steel Guitars

[Doug Earnest]

Ross, you haven't been in the steel guitar business all that long but you have left a very big mark! Congratulations on a job well done. I would like to wish you a long and happy retirement.

[Ross Shafer]

Wow, thanks so much Doug, your comment means a lot to me. Honestly, I wish I'd had the wherewithal to dive in much earlier.

Even though I've held a fascination for pedal steel ever since seeing Poco play at my high school...making them never came onto my radar until I started messing with the mechanics on my MSA when I first started (trying) to learn how to play. I've since given up on the playing part, dang things are easier to design and build!

thank you again!

[David Wright]

Sad news fosure, had a talk with Ross the other day and understand Ross's reasons for retirement..it was somewhat of a suprise Ed will close up the shop... My Dad created Sierra in 1960... and Wright Custom in 1947. making Wright/Sierra the oldest guitar company out there... Ross did a GREAT job on creating the New Sierra... ..

[John McClung]

This is a big loss to the pedal steel guitar community, but I completely understand your revamping priorities, Ross. Enjoy your "retirement"; I know you'll be busier than ever doing things for your own enjoyment/amusement!

[Don R Brown]

I don't suppose there is a line of craftsmen waiting to take the company over. Any chance of finding even one?

[Bill Fisher]

He had someone, awhile back. Wonder what happened to him?

Bill

[Ross Shafer]

The plan was originally to pass the building on to an incredibly talented young man, Seven. Plans change.

The good news is that Seven now shares my shop and lives here on the farm in a little apartment we have. He's proceeding at full speed into a career of 6 string guitar building.

[Ian Worley]

I somehow missed your retirement announcement Ross. I wish you the very best for a long and productive retirement, taking your time, and just making the things you want to make, for yourself. You are an extremely talented guy and I know that as long as you're breathin', that creative juice will never cease to flow in your veins! I'd still love to pay a visit to your shop sometime if the invite still stands. You can put me to work to help avoid any possible delays in your retirement!

[Ross Shafer]

Thanks so much Ian, of course the invite still stands, would love to have a visit from you! your offer to help is awesome, thank you! Might just take you up on it!

[Jim Pitman]

Congrats Ross. Thanks for advancing the steel guitar tech so well as you have, and thanks for your input on my peg winder design.
I'm facing the same career/retirement choices but without your rigorous schedule so far now I'm continuing to go to work 40hrs a week.
For me the question is, can I afford retirement. My simultaneous musician and electrical engineer careers have bifurcated my effort to the point that I've never become fully invested in one or the other and now it shows itself financially. So.io..io..it's off to work I go.

[Cody Johnson]

Will the Sierra site remain?

[Ross Shafer]

Will the Sierra site remain?

From Sierra's owner Ed Littlefield: The Sierra website will be deactivated when Sierra closes. Content such as lessons and "My Steel Guitar Life" interviews will be redirected to an accessible website location.

[Cody Johnson]

Ross, Thank you for the quick response. Glad to see that the interviews and lessons will still be available elsewhere. Enjoy your retirement!

[Ross Shafer]

Merry Christmas to all from Sierra Steel Guitars....8 more months to go before retirement and Sierra's closing.

As always, I'm so thankful for the brave souls who've ordered guitars from me. Your faith in my work is a wonderful gift and your continuing enjoyment of the steels I've built for you is one of the most satisfying achievements of my life.

Thank you all and again a huge thanks to Ed Littlefield for his belief in me and this amazing opportunity!

Above all, I want to thank my my dear friend Bobby Lee, without his gift of this forum to all of us, I absolutely would never have gone down this very deep rabbit hole!

I love you and miss you everyday Bobby! RIP

[Ross Shafer]

Couple Christmas guitars got out in time! Thanks for your orders Tim and John

Jon Jaffe


Tim Marcus' son Jacob rippin' it up!


Enjoy your guitars!

[Daniel Russell]

Congratulations Ross! I missed your initial announcement, but better late than never. Your contributions and approach to steel guitar design are inspiring, and I look forward to seeing what you create now that it's shifting from profession to recreation.

[Ross Shafer]

The end is near!

I've posted many pics here over the years, even on the updated system, but for the life of me I cannot get these suckers to post right side up. I'll be posting pics as these beauties roll our over the next few weeks, hopefully I can figure the picture posting out again by then.

IMG_0968.jpg

IMG_0969.jpg

.

[Bill McCloskey]

Here you go:

[Michael Hill]

That one up front looks like a 14 string.

[Ross Shafer]

Good eye Michael, there's actually two ultra fancy 14 bangers in this last batch!

[HowardR]

Hi Ross.........did/do you know Alex Glasser?......a guitar repair tech from years ago......

[Ross Shafer]

hi Howard, yes I do. He did some very nice inlay for Sierra on a couple of special Sierra Session guitars, that were built while I was developnig the modern Sierra. Nice guy and talented craftsperson! Tell him hello for me please!

[HowardR]

Will do!........he has done a lot of work on my various steel guitars (non-pedal) and is pretty amazing......

[Bill McCloskey]

Alex Glasser is the best guitar tech around and between me and Howard, probably one of the best lap steel tech in the world at this point.

[Ross Shafer]

The Sierra Steel Guitars you tube channel has changed to the Ross Shafer_Six-Nine Design you tube channel. You can see approx. 30 videos that my wife and I made showing various aspects of pedal steel guitar building and design.

Here's a link: https://www.youtube.com/@sixninedesign

Happy Labor Day!