Parkel amp

[Steve Sanders]

Looks like fellow Chetboarder and Okie Richard Hudson has acquired something called a "Parkel 25L15". I sure wish he would leave that thang alone long enough to post some pictures and tell us where he got it and bout how much one costs! If it sounds even remotely like Chet's Standel then we may not hear from dear ol' Richard till next year! Course, some of us know where he lives. I might just have to go over to his house and stay a week or so. Might even brang my smelly cousin! Trust me, Ricardo, it would be easier on ya to spill the beans rat away. Come on now, ol' buddy ol' pal, we's all itchin' ta know! Steve

[Richard Hudson]

Hi Steve. One thing about us Okies, we got good ears from listening to those hound dogs chasing after them 'coons and coyotes at night. Of course, learning how to tune everything out at night above the rat tat tat of those pump jack motors on them oil wells right outside your bedroom window helps us to weed out the unnecessary noise, such as bad amps, out of tune guitars, etc.

But anyway, you were asking about the Parkel Amp. This is one of the nicest pieces of equipment I have ever owned. It is an exact clone to the 50's style Standel 25L15. They tell me that all of those amps built back in that era may vary somewhat from amp to amp because of the tone stack. Bob Crooks would make that according to the individual players wishes. Of course, everyone knows that Chet's amp originally belonged to Jimmy Day, a very fine steel player of the day. Merle Travis played through a 25L15, as did Joe Maphis, Hank Thompson and many others. Someone told me that just before Hank Thompson passed away, that he told someone he had a whole barn full of Standel 25L15's. Of course that may be one of those myths like Robert Johnson selling his soul to the devil (hope that don't get anything started).

My amp is built as close as possible to Chet's amp, right down to the color, screw heads and everything else. The only thing that the builder was unsure of was the tone stack. Since Chet's amp is in the hall of fame and is inaccessible, there is no way to know about that part of it for sure. There are seven, and possibly eight of these amps in existence. Mine is #7 and if #8 does exist, that may be the last one, according to the builder. It is a labor of love for him and he doesn't want to risk legal problems by going commercial with the design. His workmanship is flawless to the most minute detail. I feel extremely honored that he agreed to build this amp for me. I couldn't be happier.

One of these days, if you hear that my pet chihuahua has mauled me to death or something, then, make a mad dash to Ardmore and make my son and my daughter an offer they can't refuse. Otherwise, no one will be able to pry my grubby little paws off it.

Richard

[Steve Sanders]

Thanks Richard. Maybe I will get to hear it wunna these days at some kind'a pickin' get-together. Now if you could round up one of those old Neuman or RCA ribbon mikes you would really be up town! I'm awful glad for ya. Seems like we are all chasin' "the sound". Yeah, yeah I know....it's in the hands. But having the right equipment sure helps. I mean an old Kay electric with the strings about 1 inch off the fretboard and a little-biddy solid-state amp with a 6 inch speaker just ain't gonna cut it! I remember when Chet was on "The Tonight Show" back in the '70's and Johnny asked Chet if it mattered about the quality of the guitar. Chet said yes it did matter, you ought'a get the best one you can so you can sound as good as you can. Boy, haven't we all learned a great deal from just hearing Chet talk. You know what, I believe I would be a Chet Atkins fan if he never even touched a guitar and worked down at the Seed and Grain! He was and IS a great guy. Really miss him a lot. Mighty thankful for all the nice folks here on the Chetboard.

[jay]

Hey Richard...

If this is it...very classy.

http://s225.photobucket.com/albums/dd20 ... el%202011/

[PhilHunt]

"Parkel" sounds familar....is Bill Park's brother Bud building these?

[Richard Hudson]

That is the one, Jay. I'm loving it more every day. Phil, it is Bud. He is one of the nicest guys I have ever met and his workmanship and knowledge of what he is doing couldn't be any better.