What an absolutely magnificent resource this thread is! I've been trying to get that thumb pattern cold for decades. Thanks to J.P.'s meticulously explicit instructions it has all come together over the past few days. My hands are cramped, and my fingers are sore from the new positions, but I am elated.
Years ago I owned an instruction book that dealt exclusively with the Travis style. It pictured some of the unique chords utilized by Merle. I sure wish I had that book now. Would anyone know if such a book still exists?
In the meantime, would some of you more advanced players be generous enough to post a few of the special Travis chords that you have described in this thread as "innovative", "unorthodox", and "unusual"?
Thanks a million.