It looks good and at 78 lbs it FEELS GOOD!

Here's the story as I know it.

This is possibly the only 12 string Zane Beck ever built. I bought it in 1980 from a guy
in Oklahoma that had worked for Zane in Arizona several years before that. It was in pretty bad shape and had only one junky knee lever and 6 pedals. I refinished the cabinet, made the knee levers and the 7th pedal and all the parts required to hook it all up.

Basil Smith had bought the ZB company about this time and I had ordered the pedal and some other small parts from him, but before he could get them shipped, he was killed in a car accident. His widow knew nothing about the parts and it was a year or two before someone else bought what was left of the company. By that time I had made everything I needed.

I sold the guitar to a man in Corsicana, Texas around 1992, then two or three years ago, it came up on Ebay, which is when Chuck bought it. It did not have the decal on the front when I sold it, that was added by someone else later. These old guitars never die they just fade a little.

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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording

I read your post on Page 19 - this thread may need a ZIP code of its own soon - and I'm not sure whether or not this is a ZB. Most ZBs had "horns" on both the tuning keyhead and the changer mount, and only the student models had a metal front, as far as I know. Also, a four digit serial number should be stamped onto and into the bottom edge of the guitar near the output jack. A photo or two might help, you can email them to me or to the Forum and have them posted. If this isn't possible, there's always the good ol' USPS.

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1969 ZB Custom D10, BMI S10, 1981 Peavy Musician Mark III, 15 Inch Black Widow, custom enclosure

[This message was edited by Lyle Clary on 06 August 2005 at 01:05 PM.]

Well, I'd call this thread more of a "work in progress" - not unlike many of the ZBs I've seen and played. (;

Gene, your ZB 0047 is most certainly a Bakersfield guitar - Zane owned the company in the mid-60s and had a different numbering scheme then. Those guitars start with 1001 up to about 1199 (I think). Then, when the company moved to Bakersfield, the numbering system started from 0001. Sounds like a great guitar you've got. I own #0124, an S-10 3+4 original, and it's a wonderful sounding pickup and great playing guitar. Hope this info helps.

But that's not my point. Because of my voluntary departure from active status in the august Zeta Beta fraternity, I see no point in my bidding on the ZB volume pedal now up on eBay (7341872874). Twenty-four hours ago, you might have been eating my dust. But, for my ZB friends, a tip and a promise that you won't have enbay to compete with...unless the D-10 sale defies the odds and falls through.

I do look forward someday to getting perhaps an S-10 (like #0248 I had before the D-10) or SD-10 or possibly even a BMI. Meanwhile, I'll be struggling through my various beginner books and videos on a sweet blonde Sho-Bud 6139 S-10 Professional.

Auf wiederZBen but not farewell...

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Wed 8/10:

All bets are off, as the ZB sale has run onto the rocks (details in Instruments For Sale). Can somebody safety-pin my epaulets back on for the time being?

[This message was edited by Ben Elder on 10 August 2005 at 11:35 AM.]

By the way, I'm in the market for a single neck ZB, a REAL one.

Thanks,DZ

[This message was edited by Dave Zirbel on 10 August 2005 at 10:06 PM.]

I still have a green ZB D-10 #0562. I bought it from John Campbell at Webb Music back in the early to mid 70s. Can't remember exactly when, my memory from those days is foggy at best. Anyway, if anyone can date this # or send a link, I'd sure appreciate the help. I have not had any luck finding the web page with the ZB serial numbers.

It sounds like you're giving Larry a run for his money on ZB's

A note to all:

I went and saw Greg Jones this summer at Renfro Valley. What a nice guy and great player. If you get a chance go see him. Or pick up his CD!

Russ

[This message was edited by Russ Tkac on 23 August 2005 at 08:07 PM.]

You can post it for sale on the forum. I'm sure you would have no problem selling it. A picture in the add can help. Try that first.

Glad to hear that all is well in ZB Land. Russ, I think you have officially been inducted into the ZB Hall of Fame... thanks for the pictures and information. I wish my music room looked like that... wait a minute, it does. (: I especially like the reworked grillcloth on all the amps.

By the way, just judging from the other instruments and amps in the picture, this looks like one of Zane's marvelous S-11s. Longer than the S-10s and most other guitars for that matter - it just looks like it's freakin' 8 feet long...

Lyle - please let me know who the lady steeler from Freeport, Illinois is. Why? Becuase I grew up in Freeport, Illinois (home of the Pretzels! - email me if you want all the details). Wasn't playing steel way back then, but would love to know.

Keep the good information coming!
All ZBest,
Larry

[This message was edited by Larry Chung on 09 September 2005 at 09:18 AM.]

Thanks Larry...but with the steels I own and the way I play it should be the Hall of Shame!