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Author
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Topic: ZB Pedal Steel Guitars - Please help!
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Shoe
Member From: Richmond, KY USA
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posted 06 May 2003 08:49 AM
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Hello fellow ZB Enthusiasts,Greetings from the Tarheel State. During the 19 years that I lived in Arizona, I ran into Bill Sims in Phoenix and paid a vist to his ZB shop. He had built a D10 8/8? ZB Custom Steel Guitar for the late Gene O'Neal. Gene was playing for Charlie Pride in 1973. Gene and Bill had a little disagreement on how many promotional guitars one should display and the guitar ended up back in the shop in Phoenix in 1974. It was the first thing I saw when I entered the door. All flat metal was jeweled. The body is black laquer with fake mother of pearl inlay. Bill let me have it for $1200 on a pay as you can basis. I gave him $100 a month and no interest. (Great Guy).
I am still the proud owner of ZB Custom Serial #0478 D10 8/5. It is the only factory made steel guitar I have ever owned. Until recently, I played it almost every weekend. Mr. Billy Knowles, Kenansville, NC has completed a restoration on the black beauty. You can see a picture of this ZB at [URL=http://www.masga.org/zbcustom/page3.html]Billy has a few ZB's that he has restored. He is an avid ZB enthusiast. I am proud as punch of this new 1973 ZB.
Great thread, Larry.------------------
Edwin G. Shoemaker
ZB Custom D10 8/5
'75 Session 400 w/JBL Session 500 w/BW [This message was edited by Shoe on 15 May 2003 at 05:14 AM.] [This message was edited by Shoe on 16 July 2003 at 09:11 AM.] [This message was edited by Shoe on 16 July 2003 at 09:23 AM.]
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Larry Chung
Member From: San Francisco, CA, USA
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posted 06 May 2003 11:50 AM
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Thanks, Edwin, for your ZB info and stories. You and the rest of the ZB crew out there are keeping this thread and these great guitars alive and well.Please send us all some on-line photos when the guitar is done. A great big specialy HOWDY and THANKS to you all. ZBest,
lc |
Larry Chung
Member From: San Francisco, CA, USA
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posted 12 May 2003 01:57 PM
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More ZB news on the way from Merry Olde England!ZBump!
lc |
HowardR
Member From: N.Y.C.,N.Y.
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posted 12 May 2003 03:43 PM
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I think this thread needs its own forum!  I recently bought a ZB S10 3&4 from Steel Guitar Nashville. I'll provide you with the serial# when it arrives. |
Larry Chung
Member From: San Francisco, CA, USA
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posted 12 May 2003 05:19 PM
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Hi Howard:Congratulations. I saw the S-10 3+4 on Bobbe Seymour's website and it was (is) very puuuuurdy. I'll look forward to getting the lowdown and serial number on this one. Best,
larry ps - I think it's wonderful that so many people have so much good stuff to say about ZBs - like me!!! There maybe a website in the not-to-distant future with lots of pictures and info, too! |
Larry Chung
Member From: San Francisco, CA, USA
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posted 18 May 2003 08:21 AM
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ZBump!I have information on nearly 60 ZB guitars right now. Keep the good stuff coming! If you have any questions about your ZB, please let me know and I'll do whatever I can. Except sell you one mine... (; zbguitarinfo@yahoo.com or just post here! |
Randy Beavers
Member From: Lebanon,TN 37090
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posted 18 May 2003 09:12 AM
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Wow has this thread grown! I still have a '67 model, D-11-10, (11 strings on top)at my mothers house. Red and natural birdseye. I had a '66 model that I played for 20 years. It had been in a flood also. You could still see a film of mud underneath but it played fine. That guitar was all natural birdseye. Zane Beck was a big part of my life. I first met him when I was 10 years old. That's when I got the '66 model. After I was old enough to drive I would go to Zane's, 2 1/2 hours away, and spend the weekend with him and Faye. Nobody has ever done more to encourage young players than Zane. If he would have been in a location that wasn't as far out of the way as Scranton AR, his impact would have been alot larger. |
Larry Chung
Member From: San Francisco, CA, USA
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posted 22 May 2003 01:12 PM
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Thanks, Randy, for the information and the stories about Zane and Faye. I never had the pleasure of meeting either of them, but have heard Zane on a couple of amazing albums. He was a great player and a great craftsman, designer, and a great guy, too!I'm impressed at the simplicity and ingenuity of the ZB design, the elegance and beauty of the asthetic, and the TONE!!! Please keep the stories, serial numbers and memories coming! I have 60 serial numbers and info on 80 guitars so far. And, for those of you at Strawberry Music Festival this weekend, I'll have my ZB student S-10 3+1 for some pickin' under the stars in the Sierras! Let the good times roll! Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
larry ------------------
Larry Chung
ZB D-10 8+4; ZB Custom S-11 4+4; ZB Student Model 3+1 Yeeeeahhh, Bay-Bee.
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Larry Chung
Member From: San Francisco, CA, USA
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posted 29 May 2003 03:20 PM
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ZBump! |
Larry Chung
Member From: San Francisco, CA, USA
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posted 03 June 2003 10:07 AM
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Where have all the ZBs gone,
Longtime passing,
Where have all the ZBs gone,
Longtime ago,Where have all the ZBs gone,
Sitting in the closet, everyone,
When will they ever learn,
When will they ever learn. (; ZBestBump. |
Dave Van Allen
Member From: Doylestown, PA , US , Earth
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posted 03 June 2003 12:12 PM
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gee Larry... I thought I was depressed because it's rained almost every day for two months here... and now I have to contemplate all the poor lost ZB's, so far from those who could love them...sorry; I saw "Finding Nemo" this weekend... I'm kind of verklempt....[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 03 June 2003 at 12:13 PM.] |
Larry Behm
Member From: Oregon City, Oregon
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posted 03 June 2003 07:56 PM
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While in the Navy in 1972 I contacted Sonny Curtis and asked him about buying a steel and if the ZB's were the way to go, he said yes. I ordered one from a musical warehouse in Texas, it was a blue single neck. I played it for about 2 years and then got a double from a guy in Eugene Oregon.Greg Lasser from SF turned me on to them as he did many others at that time. They were everywhere on the west coast. Harley James in Portland has gone back to a single neck for some "Buck Owens" vintage sounds with his band Buckles. He sure has that sound. I don't feel any other guitar sounds like a ZB. Danny Shields (of MSA fame) helped design the pickups. He told me that if you take the bottom plate off of the pickup and float the pickup on a couple of large drops of silicone you can get rid of most of the pedal noise. I did this and it worked great. The plate on the bottom was meant to increase the magnetic power of the pickup, boy does it ever. Larry Behm
503-722-7562 |
HowardR
Member From: N.Y.C.,N.Y.
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posted 04 June 2003 08:35 AM
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Does anyone remember about two or three years ago, there was a small scale (12" in length)ZB that was on ebay? The link was posted on this forum and it was the most curious thing anybody had ever seen. No one knew anything about it. It was actually a working model. I remember the end plates were upside down. And the best was Jim Cohen's post with regard to this miniture...."Yeah, I play a little steel"... You should be in the Hall of Fame for that line alone. |
Larry Chung
Member From: San Francisco, CA, USA
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posted 11 June 2003 08:13 AM
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ZBump. |
Bob Mainwaring
Member From: Qualicum Beach Vancouver Island B.C. Canada
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posted 16 June 2003 02:59 PM
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richard burton
Member From: Britain
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posted 18 June 2003 12:05 PM
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Look on the British Steelies website (Merchandise section) to see a photo of my ZB. Try to ignore the bloke pictured sitting at it!! |
Larry Chung
Member From: San Francisco, CA, USA
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posted 24 June 2003 12:22 PM
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Hi Richard:Thanks for the link - very pretty guitar! ZBest!
larry |
Jim Ives
Member From: Los Angeles, California, USA
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posted 24 June 2003 12:28 PM
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I know that Jerry Garcia played a ZB. I have a photo of it at home, not here at work and will submit it to you. I don't know the model or serial #, but he sure could get it to souns sweet. His influence is what got me into this whole mess.------------------
Mullen D-10
Boss RV3
Evans FET 500 Sho-Bud Pro II D10
Peavey Nashvile 400
Fender Stratocaster
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Patrick Ickes
Member From: Upper Lake, CA USA
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posted 24 June 2003 10:42 PM
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Larry,
SICK, SICK, SICK, SICK.
See you at Jughandle.
Pat |
Patrick Ickes
Member From: Upper Lake, CA USA
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posted 24 June 2003 10:44 PM
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Larry,
SICK, SICK, SICK, SICK.
See you at Jughandle.
Pat
P.S. You bringing a ZB up there?
I could bring my Z UM |
Larry Chung
Member From: San Francisco, CA, USA
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posted 25 June 2003 08:54 AM
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Hey Pat!I dunno if I'll bring the ZB to Jughandle - which means I may have to have it surgically removed for the weekend... Hope you all had a great time at Grass Valley - keeping those wimps awake until long after dark... Weiser was a blast again - and "you-know-who" is a National Fiddle Champion, too! We're only coming up for one day/night, so, depending on the space in my Swedish Pastry-car, I may or may not bring the ZB... If you bring the Zum, please bring a phone book or two that I can sit on to get at those knee levers (: lc |
Danny Kuykendall
Member From: Fullerton, CA, USA
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posted 25 June 2003 10:19 AM
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Larry, I own the first Rus-ler made by Russ Russel back in 1975 in Phoenix, AZ. Russ was a ZB employee who started his own company in 75 and made his first guitar from what appears to be ZB parts. My father purchased this steel that year, and from players who have looked at the steel, they all say it's basically a ZB. Thought you may want the info. I will try to find the serial #.
Danny K |
Ad Kersten
Member From: Beek en Donk, The Netherlands
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posted 25 June 2003 03:32 PM
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I didn't know ZB guitars need that much help......... 
Ad------------------
Zumsteel S12U
Yo, Man! homepage |
Larry Chung
Member From: San Francisco, CA, USA
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posted 02 July 2003 10:58 AM
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Happy 4th of July, ZBers.I just helped a fellow Bay Area ZB-dude fix up his new (old) ZB D-10 from a Day to Emmons setup. Wow! Such ingenuity in Mr. Beck's design. It is a beautiful guitar, and the green finish has faded to light powder blue, lovely wood as usual. Never seen a blue ZB like that one... ZBest!
larry |
Dave Van Allen
Member From: Doylestown, PA , US , Earth
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posted 04 July 2003 10:37 PM
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"mmmmmm, blue"Homer ZB Simpson |
Larry Chung
Member From: San Francisco, CA, USA
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posted 11 July 2003 07:25 AM
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ZBump! |
Shoe
Member From: Richmond, KY USA
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posted 16 July 2003 09:18 AM
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Larry, The restoration of my 1973 ZB Custom is completed. Serial #0478 in now a new guitar. Check the pictures at Http://www.masga.org/zbcustom and then select the Gene O'Neal ZB.
It plays as great as it looks.
Ed------------------
Edwin G. Shoemaker
ZB Custom D10 8/5
'75 Session 400 w/JBL Session 500 w/BW |
Kevin Hatton
Member From: Amherst, N.Y.
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posted 16 July 2003 09:41 AM
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Oh my gawwwwd!!! Shoe, you've got a good one.
Superb work! Enjoy it. |
Dave Van Allen
Member From: Doylestown, PA , US , Earth
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posted 16 July 2003 10:27 AM
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Beauty, Shoe!!if she sounds .5 as good as she looks you're gonna be in hawg heab'm |
CrowBear Schmitt
Member From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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posted 17 July 2003 12:14 AM
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there'a nice brown ZB D10 on ebay right now
item # 2546079800------------------
Steel what?
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Larry Chung
Member From: San Francisco, CA, USA
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posted 17 July 2003 12:33 AM
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Just wanted to share my great experience. Went into the studio today and plugged in my ZB S-11. Wow! What a sound - even in the middle pickup position, it sounded all warm and clean and sweet. Don't even get me started on how the full-on position sounded...Tom Brumley, Rusty Young, Jerry Garcia - the sound is in there folks!!! Please keep sending your ZB info to me and also any requests for info about the guitars I have in my "database" - I'd be happy to share what I have! Best,
lc |
Larry Chung
Member From: San Francisco, CA, USA
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posted 17 July 2003 05:45 PM
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Did I mention that I love these guitars?ZBump!
lc |
Dave Van Allen
Member From: Doylestown, PA , US , Earth
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posted 17 July 2003 06:51 PM
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why, no Larry... I don't believe you have mentioned that.
wanna arm wrestle over who loves 'em more?
by the way- I just recorded with my ZB for the first time (besides home practice) last week for an LTH project... it sounded as good as it should.[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 17 July 2003 at 06:54 PM.] |
B. Greg Jones
Member From: London, KY USA
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posted 17 July 2003 06:57 PM
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I will buy a copy of the finished project Dave. I know that ole guitar sounds good!!!Greg |
Larry Chung
Member From: San Francisco, CA, USA
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posted 22 July 2003 12:37 PM
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I dunno who keeps fanning the flames of the ZBmania that keeps on appearing on this fourm... Greg? Dave? Kevin? Nah...Could it be that they're just great guitars?
Yup. Congrats to the recent ZB players. Slowly, slowly, these beautiful guitars are re-emerging... Thanks, everyone, for keeping the sound alive!
lc |
B. Greg Jones
Member From: London, KY USA
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posted 22 July 2003 04:37 PM
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Larry,I just bought A ZB D-10 that has been coverted to a SD-10. Ser# 0134. The pot codes date to 1969. Yes guys, it is the one from e-bay. It will eventually go through a complete refurb. I may have to send it to DVA for a road test when it's done!!!! Got a nice S-11 just about ready to ship out. Has some pretty wild changes on it, added a pedal and a knee lever for a total of 6-floors and 5-knees. I'll send you the info when it's done. Later Y'all, Greg |
Bob Mainwaring
Member From: Qualicum Beach Vancouver Island B.C. Canada
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posted 22 July 2003 04:56 PM
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Hey - Great news Greg, Hope it pans out as you'd like it.
Sure looks like a nice one.
What was it converted to?
Did the last owner keep all the original hardware?
I'm still chasing a local one that I heard of a while ago but sadly it's been stripped.....I'll let you know if the guy wants to part with it........not for you silly - but for me!
The guy that was thinking about removing all the original hardware for a conversion in a recent thread can contact me via e-mail if he wants to throw it all away!!!
I'm just doing a little work on my D10 as the 10-32TPI axles that the "L" brackets swing from have worn considerably enough to warrant replacement........talk about obtaining screws with enough "shank" to die down a thread is like trying to buy from the man in the moon around this neck-of-the-woods.
Strange that where the screw fits into the aluminum strip a little hump seems to always appear on many Z.Bs. I've seen in the past, a possible remedy is to "tap" on top of the 10-32 screw 90 degrees to dis-allow movement happening there.Bob Mainwaring. Z.Bs. and many other weird things. ------------------
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CrowBear Schmitt
Member From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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posted 23 July 2003 01:24 AM
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the ZB D10 i mentioned above sold for 850 $ |
Scott Hiestand
Member From: Ellington, CT
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posted 23 July 2003 02:30 AM
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That one on Ebay had 2 knees, one on LNL and one on RNR. Was that a "factory" set-up does anyone know? |
Kevin Hatton
Member From: Amherst, N.Y.
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posted 23 July 2003 09:38 AM
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Crowbear, unfortunately thats all they are worth. They usually have only two old style knees on them. I have found that ZB's are usually in pitifully poor mechanical condition when you find them and need the knee levers replaced with new ones and a compete going through in the setup to equalize and balance. Alot of work. |
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