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Author
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Topic: When did Sho-Bud go out of business?
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Eddie Malray
Member From: South Fulton, Tennessee, USA
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posted 27 September 2002 10:37 AM
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When I became ready to buy a professional grade guitar I had decided on a Sho-Bud. This was in 1980. I had a local dealer ordered it for me. He was not a steel dealer but had the Baldwin connection. At the time I did'nt know Sho-Bud had sold out and that Baldwin had moved the factory to Arkansas. I must have got one of the first ones they built there. It was the biggest piece of junk I had or have seen. I ordered a Pro II with eight and five. When i went to pick it up I opened the case and I could'nt believe what I saw. There were only three levers-two verticals an a horizantal. Figure that out. The pull rods were bad out of alignment and screws were missing. I set it up in the store and there was a long, deed scar on the end plate. I tried to play it and the pickup was so bad it must have been wound with soneone's fishing line. It would'nt sustain five frets. I would'nt accept it and the dealer agreed it was inferior. He said he coule get me an Emmons and he did. I've been happy to this day. Now to my question. When did they build the last Sho-Buds? THANKS IN ADVANCE------Eddie Malray |
BobbeSeymour
Member From: Hendersonville TN USA
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posted 27 September 2002 10:44 AM
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I think they built YOUR last one in 1980!
My last one hasn't been built yet. |
BobbeSeymour
Member From: Hendersonville TN USA
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posted 27 September 2002 10:57 AM
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Sho-Bud is owned by Fred Gretch Ent, and the Sho-Bud factory is still set up in this institution. So, I wouldn't say they even are out of business. Everytime I think they are out of business, another new guitar shows up at one of the 6 dealers they have.
The quality is superb on all of them also, (now). However, I have seen some problems during the time period you have discussed. Sho-Bud has never been as famous for quality as they are for tone , beauty, and playability.I know of many others brands that are of great quality that sound horrible. I'll take the Sno-Bud option anyday, how 'bout you Lloyd? |
Richard Sinkler
Member From: Fremont, California
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posted 27 September 2002 02:45 PM
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Didn't I see somewhere that Fender bought Gretsch? Could be wrong. But, if so, what would happen to Sho~Bud. Seeing as how Fender has abandoned the steel guitar community, it would seem logical that they would make Sho~Bud extinct.------------------
Carter D10 9p/10k
Richard Sinkler |
Jody Carver
Member From: The Knight Of Fender Tweed~ Dodger Blue Forever
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posted 27 September 2002 04:03 PM
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.[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 28 September 2002 at 05:58 PM.] |
Danny Bates
Member From: Fresno,CA. USA
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posted 27 September 2002 05:24 PM
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See this at the link below...As part of the deal, which is effective as of January 1, 2003, FMIC will be responsible for all aspects of the Gretsch stringed instrument product lines and brand names, including Gretsch guitars and basses, Synchromatic guitars, Electromatic guitars and Gretsch's line of parts and accessories. Development of future new products, including Gretsch branded amplifiers, is also a part of the deal.
http://www.harmony-central.com/News/2002/Fender-Gretsch-Guitars.html I guess Gretch is just going to keep their drum line and ??? No mention of Sho-Bud anywhere. |
chas smith
Member From: Encino, CA, USA
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posted 27 September 2002 07:13 PM
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That means that Fender will be putting out the "Bigsby re-issue" 6 string solid body. P. A. must be spinning in his grave. Yee Ha! |
Al Marcus
Member From: Cedar Springs,MI USA
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posted 27 September 2002 08:04 PM
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Hi Jody, maybe Fender will put you back in business again. Glad to see you posting..al  |
Eddie Malray
Member From: South Fulton, Tennessee, USA
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posted 27 September 2002 08:11 PM
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When I posted this article this afternoon I should hav given it a little more thought. I tried to post clarification but this computer went crazy and I went out to eat. In noway am I critizing a Sho-Bud guitar. I just got a bad one. I think Sho-Buds are the most beautiful steels ever made and nothing sounds any sweeter. In fact, I've been keeping my eyes and ears open, searching for the one I want. I'd like to have one like I ordered twenty years ago. That being a Pro II , walnut finish with five levers on the E9. I hope I did'nt offend anyone. I sure did'nt mean to. In fact, I don't play well enough to criticize anyones guitar. I haven't heard of anyone getting a new Bud lately or any talk of a new one. I just figured they were'nt being built anymore. |
Eddie Malray
Member From: South Fulton, Tennessee, USA
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posted 27 September 2002 08:31 PM
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I'm back again. I'm back. This is mostly for Bobbe Seymour. No Bob, my last Sho-Bud was'nt in 1980. Although I've kept the Emmons, I've owned three Buds along the way. Two Pro IIs an a LDG. all three looked great and sounded like a steel should. Two of them were a little noisy underneath but it seems like you can't have everything. The reason I sold them was because someone wanted them more than I did.$$$$$$$$$s
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Kenny Davis
Member From: Great State of Oklahoma
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posted 27 September 2002 10:39 PM
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Bobbe would probably be the one to know this, but doesn't Fred Gretsch still own the Sho~Bud name and allows Rayline to build them under license?[This message was edited by Kenny Davis on 27 September 2002 at 10:40 PM.] |
Tony Prior
Member From: Charlotte NC
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posted 28 September 2002 03:25 AM
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Bobbe..are you saying that there have been some new Sho-Buds built during recent years ?Do you have any info on them, what configurations, what dollar value they were selling for ? Who may own them ?
very interesting subject here..
tp
[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 28 September 2002 at 06:45 AM.] |
BobbeSeymour
Member From: Hendersonville TN USA
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posted 28 September 2002 08:27 AM
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Kenny, No, Rayline does not build Sho-Bud guitars. I 'spose they could if they wanted to though. I think Rayline only builds "Rayline" guitars.
Fred Grestch is the owner of Sho-Bud as of this writing.
Rumor has it that Fender has always wanted Sho-Bud steel guitar mfg, remember who made the last Fender steel guitars? This could be a good thing for Sho-Bud. Or a bad thing. Who will own EMCI now, Fender? I can't inagine Fender wanting to build two or three different lines of steel guitars. However I have been approached to work for this establishment, to be in charge of steel guitar production, which I have declined because of vast prior commentments.
Looks like a lot of interesting things are happening in the steel guitar community.
I can't even keep up with what's going on!
Everywhere, anywhere,----->
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BobbeSeymour
Member From: Hendersonville TN USA
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posted 28 September 2002 08:29 AM
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Yes Tony, A few Sho-Buds have been built recently. Value? Depends on condition, as always.
Bobbe |
Kevin Hatton
Member From: Amherst, N.Y.
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posted 28 September 2002 11:47 AM
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If you want to know ALWAYS consult THE DOCTOR. |
BobbeSeymour
Member From: Hendersonville TN USA
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posted 28 September 2002 05:35 PM
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And the Doctor is in! Dr. Seymour |
Kenny Davis
Member From: Great State of Oklahoma
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posted 28 September 2002 07:13 PM
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O.K., I know Fred isn't building them, so who is, and where are they located? |
Richard Sinkler
Member From: Fremont, California
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posted 29 September 2002 12:28 PM
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I wish that the Sho~Bud would re-appear. Although I owned a Super-Pro for several years and thought it was the worst guitar I have ever owned (terrible tone, pot metal parts keep breaking), I think the guitars of the Professional, Pro-I, Pro-II and Pro-III eras were great, sweet, beautiful guitars. I would love to own one. Hopefully if Sho~Bud were to come back as a major player, they will bag the pot metal crap and go back to some of their earlier designs.
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Carter D10 9p/10k
Richard Sinkler |
BobbeSeymour
Member From: Hendersonville TN USA
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posted 30 September 2002 07:08 PM
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Richard, Ralph Mooney loved his Sho-Bud Super Pro tone. I saw him on CMT this weekend, he sounded great to me. Did you think his Super Pro sounded bad? You didn't like the Sho-Bud so you got a ----,My sides hurt!!!!!!!
You want the Sho-Bud's made out of some kind of real strong , heavy material underneath? I'll agree the zinc parts are not extremly strong but I never have plowed with mine, and if you put it in a case and don't just drag it behind your car, you shouldn't have any trouble with whats there.
[This message was edited by BobbeSeymour on 30 September 2002 at 07:12 PM.] [This message was edited by BobbeSeymour on 30 September 2002 at 07:18 PM.] [This message was edited by BobbeSeymour on 30 September 2002 at 08:06 PM.] |
Kenny Davis
Member From: Great State of Oklahoma
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posted 30 September 2002 09:49 PM
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Bobbe - Who's making Sho~Bud guitars, and where are they located? |
BobbeSeymour
Member From: Hendersonville TN USA
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posted 02 October 2002 10:31 AM
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I'd say the manufacturing is in "limbo" at the moment but I believe if I ordered one it would come (be built in)from Magazine Ar. (as all have in the past several years)
Bobbe Seymour [This message was edited by BobbeSeymour on 02 October 2002 at 10:32 AM.] |
Andy Alford
Member From: Alabama
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posted 12 October 2002 06:16 AM
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Has anyone ordered a new Sho-bud in the last two years and had it delivered? |
BobbeSeymour
Member From: Hendersonville TN USA
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posted 12 October 2002 08:02 AM
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YES! |
Tony Farr
Member From: Madison, Tennessee, USA
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posted 17 October 2002 07:50 AM
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I have a SHO-BUD Pro II SP,double 10 8-5 went to the factory in DeQueen, Ark. back in 1983 and spent the day with them, they had the most of it together but needed me there in order to get the knee levers in the right place and put my set up on it. Since then the only trouble I've had with it, is the fingers wear out from so much playing, I had trouble with the rods bumping into each other, so I put very thin pieces of foam between them, now they are as quite as can be. Up til then I owned about a half dozen SHO-BUDS. Would like to have an Emmons to compare and see which one is better for me, but it's hard to beat SHO-BUD> |
Al Marcus
Member From: Cedar Springs,MI USA
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posted 17 October 2002 10:01 AM
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Bobbe-I'm with you on this one. I had a Super-Pro D10 8 and 6 and it was great. I am sorry I sold it. It was smaller and lighter than my Sho-Bud Professional D10, and it had great sounding Lawrence 705 pickups! ....al |
Reggie Duncan
Member From: Mississippi
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posted 31 October 2002 09:06 PM
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I didn't ask where it was built, but about 3 years ago I went into a store to play some steels and there was a brand new Sho-Bud D-10, 8X6, I think. It was sweet! They had $3,600 on the price tag. |
Donny Hinson
Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A.
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posted 07 March 2005 02:27 PM
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Geeze guys, I never meant to "start trouble", as Savell so delicately put it!  I was just trying to find out what went on. I didn't know it was a big secret that you're not supposed to ask questions about. It's like that "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" thing. A lot of people have attacked me for using the phrase "bought out". When you come down to it, though, what's the difference between "Sho~Bud was bought out", and "The owner of Sho~Bud sold out."? The end result is the same, it's just semantics we're quibbling over. They're history.I said the mechanics of Sho~Bud guitars were a little junky, and everyone (including Bobbe) reeled. OH!! The nerve of that no-talent nobody (Donny) from Baltimore! Bobbe even said... quote:
The Sho-Bud sound was wonderful, the parts under the guitar were great (on the '80s up)...
But, Bobbe himself said in Sept. 2002... quote:
Sho-Bud has never been as famous for quality as they are for tone , beauty, and playability.
(Search for that one fast, before it gets edited out.)
But wait...it gets better! Bobbe said... quote:
I, myself, bought the entire remainder of "Music City Manufacturing"(Sho-Bud) in December of '84
Okay, I'll buy that. But in an earlier post in this same thread, Bobbe said... quote:
Two different companies, Sho-Bud 416 Broadway (Shot's) and Music City Manufacturing, (David's manufacturing company). The "David" company was what Fred Grestch bought.
I'm still wondering which one Bobbe bought?  So, at any rate, Sho~Bud is history... Or are they??? Click this link for another chapter in the "Area 51 Sho~Bud" saga...
http://www.rlpsg.com/aboutrayline.shtml Yep! That's what it says! NEW Sho~Buds! (But where does this "Bill" guy fit in all this???) |
BobbeSeymour
Member From: Hendersonville TN USA
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posted 07 March 2005 03:24 PM
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What are you doing Donny, asking questions or making statements on this subject? A lot of facts you are getting are a little strange and fuzzy. The internet will do that. I remember some Lloyd Green facts you dug up off the internet once, Lloyd called me and couldn't figure our where all that wrong info came from. One speck of internet wrong information seems to grow and grow until everyone thinks its a fact written in blood. It's a lot more accurate to go to the source than to pick up random rumors on the internet that can't be verified. You now have a lot of new facts to learn from, to draw on, so what specificely do you not understand about the original question which was, "When did Sho-Bud go out of business"?
The answers are right here in front of you with a lot of detail. Not only "when" but also, where and why and by whom. And also, who and which Sho-Bud.
Sho-Bud is in "Limbo" now, as one poster put it, and I feel this is a good way to leave it. "Dormant" is another word that works. Yes, possibly we haven't seen the last of this brand.
Sho-Bud did great quanities of business, in a class mannor, left no one "hanging" at the end, and left with a squeeky clean reputation. Also built a steel guitar with a great legacy. It's beauty is unsurpassed and the guitar's tone is second to only one. And that could be argued by some that think it has no equal here either. If one looks back at the entire history of this company and it's products, it can truly be understood why it still has so much following and generates so much love.
The company always had money, orders and the guitars were always on the top of the country music charts, still are today. Still the first choice of several top prominant studio players. Sorry, but I just can't see where any other so called "defunked" company can make this claim. The parts availability is much better that most companies still in business today. And a thousand times better than --------------------, oh, never mind. Ha! I love this! |
BobbeSeymour
Member From: Hendersonville TN USA
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posted 07 March 2005 03:38 PM
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Donny, wonder which one I bought? David's, from David December 15th, 1984. But you may ask, I thought Fred Grestch bought that from David, he did , but he didn't take as much of it as I did, He got the name and the rights to build the production guitars, I got tons of expermental guitars, all the keyless Sho-Buds, great quanities of birds eye maple, many barrels of underneath parts, for all years of guitars. I remember getting 73 Maverick cases also, and all these parts and guitars were filling big trucks for five days, making many trips to my storage facilities. Yes, Ed Naylor was with me at every turn, helping and working his heart out. I paid him for his efforts with guitar parts. I think Fred and I both made out, I'm out of parts now, Ed is gone, and Fred went on to make new fortunes. What about Sho-Bud? A great legacy that may be back, but will at least, never be forgotten.
How long have they been out of business as the question was originally asked? Well, it's a very complicated answer, but I have shared a good part of this answer, if if even can be answered, if it's even out of business, Complicated? Yea, |
Farris Currie
Member From: Ona, Florida, USA
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posted 07 March 2005 04:06 PM
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Dammit, you guys got me so screwed up,just tell me where to send my deposit i want one.
those sho-buds are number one boys. tell me 'guys where do i order??? farris |
tbhenry
Member From: Chattanooga /USA
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posted 07 March 2005 04:15 PM
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Bobbe,I need a keyhead for a shobud. I would prefer one with the curl at the end. |
Dan Burnham
Member From: Martin, Tennessee, USA
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posted 07 March 2005 08:11 PM
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Bobbe,
I think it's time you go ahead and release the Seymour Line. Hey thanks for the pickup!
DannyB |
David Cobb
Member From: Chanute, Kansas, USA
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posted 07 March 2005 10:59 PM
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So who are these six remaining dealers? |
Tommy Alexander
Member From: Friendswood, Texas 77546
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posted 08 March 2005 04:55 AM
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WHEN DID SHO-BUD GO OUT OF BUSINESS????
When Shot Jackson fired Paul Franklin and he started building the Franklin guitar!!!!!!------------------
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tbhenry
Member From: Chattanooga /USA
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posted 09 March 2005 02:24 PM
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Hi Tommy,I think that Sho Bud is still in business! |
tbhenry
Member From: Chattanooga /USA
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posted 09 March 2005 03:27 PM
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I just got this off the Rayline website!Feb 26, 2001 According to a call we received today from Sho-Bud, orders for new steels have been temporarily halted due to a back log that Gretsch has in their drum and guitar lines. According to Ernie Gadzos, Fred Gretsch advised that while new orders for Sho-Bud guitars are being suspended, we are to inform those interested in new Sho-Bud's to be patience as orders will be accepted again in the near future. We were also informed that new parts orders will be filled within 90 days, however we currently have most parts in our own inventory. This is similar to the situation we ran into last year, when we took delivery of 4 new Sho-Buds. We are in actively involved in the increased production of Sho-Buds and as soon as we know anything further we will post the information on this site. Thank You For Your Interest in Sho-Bud and RayLine Steel Guitars. |
tbhenry
Member From: Chattanooga /USA
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posted 09 March 2005 06:48 PM
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Tony, I think that from this quote you can see that some Shobuds have been built recently!! |
Gary Preston
Member From: Columbus, Ohio, USA
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posted 14 March 2005 04:25 PM
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Just to throw my hat into this conversation ,i bought a new Sho-Bud Pro-ll Custom back in 1977 and it is still the best guitar that i have ever played bar none !!! I am still looking for a guitar that can match this one and so far no takers . I will keep this one until i can't pick it up any more . This Buds for me !!!
Yes i would love to see someone start making them the way thay use to be made . It doesn't make any sense to me why you would take one of the two best selling guitars of that day and stop making one of them !!!!!. Just my openion . Gary . P.S Thanks Bobbe for all the nice comments about the Sho-Bud . |
John Bumbarger
Member From: Houtzdale, Pennsylvania, USA
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posted 14 March 2005 06:03 PM
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I bought Sho-Bud LDG back in 76'. Played it in a band about 15 years. The band split and I ended up with other interests. I would get the Bud out once in a while and play. I decided to start playing again setting up my own little studio with midi backround music. The only problem was the guitar had taken a beating and needed some work. I looked at new guitars but couldn't justify the price and I wanted keep my guitar. I sent the guitar to Mike Cass for a makeover and it came back looking like the day I received it back in 76. It plays better than it ever did. |
Gary Preston
Member From: Columbus, Ohio, USA
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posted 15 March 2005 02:15 PM
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Sounds right to me John . Gary . |
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