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PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2022 3:28 pm 
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I am a great admirer of Roger Rossmeisl's designs and building techniques from early in the 70' - first at Rickenbacker and then at Fender. His work drew from European inspiration and training, and looked nothing like most American designs of the same era. I loved the look of his German Carve on Rick solidbodies and semi-hollows, and on Fender's LTD and Montego archtops. He worked twice at Gibson, once early in his career and then ending his career before he moved back to Europe, dying at age 52. His father left a large body of work with flattops, archtops, and solidbody guitars in Europe marketed with the Roger brand. I was lucky enough to work on one in the early 80's.

To my knowledge, no book has ever been written about Rossmeisl's life and career, but a documentary film on his life was made in France back in 2020, and was streamed but not ever released in other forms. It was titled Who the F is Roger Rossmeisl?, featuring several rock stars and a few builders with comments on his instruments.

Has anyone here ever seen this film?

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These users thanked the author Chris Pile for the post: Hesh (Wed May 18, 2022 5:03 am)
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PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2022 5:43 pm 
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I'd sure like to see it! I've always admired his designs as well.

Dave



These users thanked the author ballbanjos for the post: Chris Pile (Tue May 17, 2022 6:05 pm)
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PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2022 10:41 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Yeah me too. I've not heard of the gentleman but I'd love to see the film too.


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PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2022 2:09 pm 
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I've worked on a number of Wenzel's archtops under the "Roger" brand as I knew a collector of German jazzboxes with several in his collection. While I'm not aware of the current value, at one time they could be acquired for a modest amount considering the quality of their build and materials (under $1000).
Attached is a small essay on the "Roger" instruments, Wenzel and his family.
My understanding is that the new Rickenbacker book has a small section dedicated to Roger.

Semie Moseley refined his skills under Roger's tutelage.

Doc

http://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/628543f6120b8/roger.pdf



These users thanked the author Ol'burns for the post: Chris Pile (Wed May 18, 2022 2:55 pm)
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PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2022 3:04 pm 
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Yes, the new book from the Kelly brothers - Rickenbacker Guitars: Out of the Frying Pan into the Fireglo has a single chapter devoted to Roger, and as each model is discussed, so too is Roger's involvement. The book mentions Semie Mosley, and a couple others who worked under Roger at Rickenbacker. His work at Gibson and Fender is mentioned, also - which I thought was nice since the book wasn't really about him. Many people don't know about Roger's work at Fender which brought us the Coronado series, the thinline Telecaster, and the solid rosewood Tele made for George Harrison. Roger should really be more well known in my opinion. His influence in the electric guitar world should be remembered.

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Last edited by Chris Pile on Wed May 18, 2022 6:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.


These users thanked the author Chris Pile for the post: Ol'burns (Wed May 18, 2022 3:54 pm)
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PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2022 4:38 pm 
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I could not resist buying a guitar with my name on it on several places! It's a nice and heavy piece of work, too bad I'm not that interested in archtop guitars though. But it looks nice :roll:

According to the PDF, it's from the 1930-1946 period. The tailpiece is different to the ones showed in the PDF.

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PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2022 6:15 pm 
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What the heck are you talking about?

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PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2022 6:28 pm 
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Koa
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Chris Pile wrote:
What the heck are you talking about?


Chris Pile wrote:
I am a great admirer of Roger Rossmeisl's designs...


Ol'burns wrote:
I've worked on a number of Wenzel's archtops under the "Roger" brand


RogerHaggstrom wrote:
I could not resist buying a guitar with my name on it on several places! .


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PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2022 10:30 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Roger that...


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PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2022 10:44 pm 
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Roger, Roger. What’s our vector, Victor?


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PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2022 12:55 am 
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Well. I have a nice and heavy Roger Rossmeisl archtop hanging on the wall. My name "Roger" is on the headstock as a nice pearl inlay, on the tuners and on the tailpiece. I don't like archtops. But I bought it because it has my name on it. What's not to understand?

Not particularly interesting, but a bit of fun. And I do remember Roger Rossmeisl.

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PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2022 3:03 am 
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Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
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RogerHaggstrom wrote:
Well. I have a nice and heavy Roger Rossmeisl archtop hanging on the wall. My name "Roger" is on the headstock as a nice pearl inlay, on the tuners and on the tailpiece. I don't like archtops. But I bought it because it has my name on it. What's not to understand?

Not particularly interesting, but a bit of fun. And I do remember Roger Rossmeisl.


Hey Roger - wanted to welcome you to NATO! :)

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PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2022 8:47 am 
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Quote:
But I bought it because it has my name on it.


Now you need a Hagstrom to keep it company.

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These users thanked the author Chris Pile for the post (total 2): jfmckenna (Thu May 19, 2022 1:54 pm) • RogerHaggstrom (Thu May 19, 2022 12:15 pm)
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