April 6, 2008 - Our friend Deke Dickerson has acquired perhaps the finest example of the vintage boutique Standel amplifier on the planet. Hand built by Bob Crooks in 1954 for Don Snow, a steel guitar enthusiatst who just "had to have one" after playing through his teachers Standel.. Number 32 had been in his loving possession all these years. One of the very few that was still owned by the original purchaser. Trimmed out just like Joe Maphis' in green Naugahyde. Offered on eBay at the beginning of April, Deke had to overcome several rabid bidders and came out victorious with a record final bid of $12,776.00.
            Holy smokes!

Don Snow with his Standel AmplifierStandel Amplifier #32 made for Don Snlow in 1948 now in the possesion of Deke Dickerson

March 2008 - 400 S. Long Beach Blvd., Compton, CA. - Who could tell these days that the beloved home of West Coasts Country/Western, and Rockabilly royalty once held this land where their castle stood strong. Yes friends, this is where, long ago stood the old Town Hall where Town Hall Party once ruled supreme.

Town Hall party location 400 s. Long Beach Blvd. Compton, CA  Photo submitted by Buddy Dughi - If you copy this please give credit


January 19, 2008 - The Town Hall - TNM's new single neck makes debut at the Deke Dickerson Guitar Geek Festival.

The Town Hall guitar at Deke Dickerson Geek Festival 5
Town Hall Guitar Pictures
Buddy Dughi checks out the new Town Hall during set-up. It was impossible to get any pictures during the event. This was the largest turn out to date. The place was packed.

Headlining - The Collins Kids with their first Southern California appearance for over a decade really brought the enthusiasts out. Larry and Lorrie saluted Rose Lee Maphis and the other Town Hall Party attendees. Brian Lonbeck, another old friend of Rose Lee also paid tribute to her as well. Deke had invited as many of the original Town Hall Party cast as could be found. Rose Lee Maphis, Marilyn Tuttle, Betty Anderson the wife of the late Les 'Carrot Top' Anderson and Bobby Charles. TNM was delighted to have them at our booth for the evening.

Rose Maphis Buddy and Suzy Dughi Geek Fest 5
Marilyn Tuttle, Suzy Dughi, Rose Lee Maphis and Buddy Dughi. Marilyn and Rose Lee, original performers on Town Hall Party were special guests at the Geek Fest.

Rose Lee Maphis sign autograph for Deke Dickerson
Rose Lee Maphis autographs vintage Town Hall Party album for Deke Dickerson (seated) talking with Betty Anderson.


I was also fortunate to get a photo with Rose Lee. This was the first time I was able to show her my tribute "Maphis" guitar She is such a lovely lady. It was actually Rose that asked to get a picture of myself and the guitar. . . now how cool is that!

January 17, 2008 - Lloyd Mills receives his Maphis 009 right after arriving from the UK at our hotel for NAMM week.
Lloyd Mills 009 PICTURES

Next night Lloyd gave it a work out sitting in with Buddy and Suzy Dughi at the Juke Joint in Anaheim. Lloyd's dad Alan, joined the stage for a couple of numbers off his CD that brought the house to attention. Alan also surprised me with an order for The Town Hall. Thank you kindly guys.


Alan Mills sings at the Juke JointLloyd, Alan, Buddy

All Aboard - Jan. 19, 2008
Deke Dickerson Guitar Geek Festival #5. The premiere guitar enthusiast event of the year will again be at the Jolly Roger Hotel adjacent to the NAMM Show at the Anaheim Convention Center January 19, 2008 It's a must do event.

TNM Guitars will be proudly debuting Hope to see you all there.

Click on the poster for a bigger view.


Nov. 2007 - Billy D. Light in dramatic shot with his Maphis sn008 and red, event wrist band. Where was this taken?

Oct 2007 - Buddy Dughi (sn004) captures the look and
feel of the Town Hall Party days with full era dress and a
beautiful TNM Custom. What could be cooler! I want to see
you and Suzy live!

August 2007 - Bryan Browne, 13 year old guitar whizz from Australia has commisioned The Maphis #10 to be built.
  
Thank you kindly. Go to Bryan's MySpace page.


August 2007 - Brian Lonbeck - guitar picker extrordinaire and Joe Maphis master gets his custom TNM necks installed. Brian used to have a Mosrite doubleneck with his name when he was the lead guitar for the Barbara Mandrel Show. That guitar was stolen some 30+ years ago. Hope this brings back fond memories. See the progress pictures


June 2007 - Billy D. Light recieves his mighty TNM. Billy's got the extra pickup like Deke Dickerson's. Thank you kindly Billy. I hope you enjoy it. Check out the finished pix.

The day has finally arrived. The TNM is here!

Here's Billy's reaction - right out of the box!


May 2007 - Ken Sutherland sent us this cool picture of himself with his TNM - Maphis at his side and sitting with his new Rains Pedal Steel guitar custom made and painted to match the Mighty TNM. Pretty cool! Thanks Ken.




January 2007 - Anaheim, CA - The 4th Annual Deke Dickerson Guitar Geek Festival kicked serious butt again. Smooth Texas Swing, smokin rockabilly to ragged edged metal, get-down blues and the Bakersfield barn-burner Brian Lonbeck. The big finale with members of the most legendary Surf bands in history - quite a night. Thank you Deke for inviting TNM to be there again.


Photo by Lloyd Mills

TNM alumni Frank Plesek and Buddy Dughi on either side of surprise attendee, Billy D. Light with his soon to be finished mighty TNM.

Lloyd Mills (center), latest TNM customer, made the trek from the UK to see hero's Thom Bresh and Brian Lonbeck.


"Pipeline" is the anthem of choice for the grand finale. All able bodied surfers with a guitar were called to the stage to participate.


December 2006 - Ken Sutherland receives his Maphis #007 in time for Christmas. Thanks Ken. Hope you enjoy it. Send us a picture of yourself with your new mistress when you get a chance. More Pictures

Below, Brian Lonbeck gives Ken's new TNM the final test before shipping to Staten Island, New York.


September 6, 2006 - The Maphis - SN009 has been commissioned. Lloyd Mills from Great Britain has ask me to build him a Joe Maphis Mosrite replica with all the trappings including a violin tailpiece and dice dots in the name. I'll be very happy to accommodate this request. It will look something like this: - Thanks Lloyd.

August 2006 - Brian Lonbeck, Maphis picker extraordinare, on recent visit, took SN005 of Jim Katz for a ride that blew us all away. More on Brian shortly.


July 28, 2006 - Frank Plesek with the Mighty TNM on stage at the Gilroy Garlic Festival.

June 30, 2006 - Frank Plesek -SN006 - Meets his new
TNM for the first time. The look on Frank's face says it all.
Frank and his wife Nancy drove in from Hollister, CA to
pickup Frank's new Maphis. Thank you kindly.


Our friend Deke Dickerson was there for the presentation as well and Frank's grandson who gets a closer look at the Mighty TNM in action.  Frank will be intoducing his new TNM to the public at the Gilroy, CA Garlic Festval - July 28 to 30 with his 50's/60's rock band, the Corvairs.   More pictures


June 2006 - Billy D. Light has commisioned -THE MAPHIS -SN008 to be built. Billy hales from Brooklawn, NJ. Check out Billy's site. We'll begin construction shortly. Thanks Billy.


June 16, 2006 - Jim Katz - SN005 - See's his brand new
Maphis for the first time. More Pictures


Feburary 1, 2006 - Our friend Buddy Dughi in action with the
mighty TNM at The Doll Hut in Anaheim, CA


January 9, 2006 - THE MAPHIS - SN 007 has been ordered. Ken Sutherland from Staten Island, NY has asked
me to build a Joe Maphis Special replica for him. I'll be purchasing the curly maple billets at the NAMM show this week  It will look something like this.  Thanks Ken.


Get set! The 3rd annual Deke's Guitar Geek
Festival is coming.


Deke and Michael (Angelo) Batio at 2004 NAMM

For more information go to: Guitar Geek 3