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Author
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Topic: Buy a Williams or a Zum
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Rodney Leach
Member From: Stuarts Draft Va. 24477 USA
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posted 30 March 2004 03:22 PM
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I am thinking of ordering a new SD-10 and
would like some feedback on how you guys
would compare these 2 guitars.I have never
owned a Zum or Williams and have heard nothing but good about both.All feedback
would be appreciated.I currently play a Mullen and have nothing but good to say
about it.I just want to try something else.[This message was edited by Rodney Leach on 30 March 2004 at 03:37 PM.] |
Bob Hoffnar
Member From: Brooklyn, NY
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posted 30 March 2004 03:30 PM
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You are not going to hear anything but good about both of those steels. Top level instruments.Bob |
John Hawkins
Member From: Onalaska, Tx. on Lake Livingston
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posted 30 March 2004 05:01 PM
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Bob , You are correct ! I have read that Williams is a fine guitar .However ; I can also Guarentee that the Zum is one of the finest steels built by one of the best builders that has ever built steel guitars . Bruce Zumsteg is a great builder and HE answers the phone when you call for info. or help . ( I'm sure you get a live voice when you call the Williams' builders too ,although ,I have never called this company ). I have played ZUM/S since 1980 and have nothing but praise for them .I could not ask for better engineering , quality construction, tone , and "after-the-purchase
help if needed, than owning a Zum . Rodney, I hope you will enjoy the brand you will eventually select .I just put in my 2 cents worth . John
[This message was edited by John Hawkins on 30 March 2004 at 05:04 PM.] |
Roger Crawford
Member From: Locust Grove, GA USA
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posted 30 March 2004 06:42 PM
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Rodney,
Zum.
Roger |
Pete Burak
Member From: Portland, OR USA
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posted 30 March 2004 06:48 PM
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If you're ordering new, the delivery time is probably the tie breaker.
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Rodney Leach
Member From: Stuarts Draft Va. 24477 USA
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posted 30 March 2004 08:29 PM
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Thanks for the comments so far.I have talked to both Bill and Bruce and found both to be
very helpful.The biggest difference is the ability to get a lacquer Williams at the same price as a mica and only having to wait
about 3 months.The mica Zum is about the same price but I have to wait over a year to
get one.as I said earlier I have not owned
either guitar.can someone tell me some of the
biggest differences in these 2 guitars as far as tone,mechanics,playability,cabinet drop,etc. and again thanks for your comments. |
Olli Haavisto
Member From: Jarvenpaa,Finland
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posted 31 March 2004 12:41 AM
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Hi,
I have both a Williams (2002) and a Zum(2000) with almost identical setups and I can take either one to a gig or a session and be real happy.Which ever happens to have newer strings or already packed...
I fly with the Williams because it`s somewhat lighter and smaller.
I do have a couple of preferences:
For a straight country gig I may prefer the Williams and if I`m called to provide big beds and atmosphere the Zum might fare a little better. But in these cases too, both guitars do an excellent job.
I would have a hard time choosing which one to let go,if had to.
Try to get to play both and see which one feels best to you.------------------
Olli Haavisto
Polar steeler
Finland
[This message was edited by Olli Haavisto on 31 March 2004 at 12:42 AM.]
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Bob Hoffnar
Member From: Brooklyn, NY
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posted 31 March 2004 06:18 AM
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From playing both the sound differences( in my absolutely subjective and somewhat worthless opinion) are the Zum sounds more modern and a bit thick in the upper mids while the Williams sounds more open and woody.The Zum might have a slight edge mechanically and the Williams might have the edge in weight and those beautiful laquer finishes. Bob |
J D Sauser
Member From: Traveling, currently in Switzerland, soon to be either back in the States or on the Eastern part of Hispaniola Island
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posted 31 March 2004 02:27 PM
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I prefer the mechanics of a Zum over the Williams.... J-D. |
Rodney Leach
Member From: Stuarts Draft Va. 24477 USA
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posted 31 March 2004 02:47 PM
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Any of you Steelers out there have any pictures of Williams and Zum guitars that you could e-mail me or post here on the forum? |
Erv Niehaus
Member From: Litchfield, MN, USA
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posted 31 March 2004 02:53 PM
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Rodney,
I'm going to have Bill build me a really custom double neck with an extended 12 string E9th tuning on the top neck and a 10 string C6th neck on the bottom. He said: "no problem". If you pull up William's site, they have all kinds of pictures on it. Just click on "sights & sounds" www.williamsguitarcompany.com Erv[This message was edited by Erv Niehaus on 31 March 2004 at 02:55 PM.] |
Gerald Menke
Member From: Brooklyn, NY, USA
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posted 01 April 2004 07:38 AM
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My first steel was a Zum, my second a Williams, my third a Williams. I recently played a Zumsteel owned by Dave Van Allen, and it was indeed a great instrument in all respects. The Williams pedal steel is extremely well crafted, sounds great all over the neck, stays in tune, produces chimes that sound like they're jumping out of the speakers, and is lightweight. I ordered my second one in mid-December and took delivery end of January. A lead time of 18 months seems a bit extreme, I can't think of any other business with a lead time like that. I think you can get a 2004 Rolls Royce Phantom faster. But I have heard all but unanimous admiration for Bruce's new steel. Maybe the thing to do is to place the order and buy another brand to play until fall 2005. |
Dustin Rigsby
Member From: Columbus, Ohio
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posted 01 April 2004 08:15 AM
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I have never played a zum,but,every once in a while my teacher Gary Preston lets me play his Williams. I really like the pedal feel and action. Also,the changer design is awesome,as it puts less stress on the strings,because it is not a wrap-around style.just my two cents. ------------------
D.S. Rigsby
Carter Starter and various six string toys |
Jimmie Misenheimer
Member From: Bloomington, Indiana - U. S. A.
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posted 01 April 2004 07:17 PM
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Both truly GREAT instruments! You mentioned lacquer as opposed to formica. The last lacquer steel that I owned was a beautiful blue Emmons - for about ten or twelve months. I was playing all of the time, and after about a year the lacquer job looked like I had drug (is that a word) it through Viet Nam with me. Five guitars since then, but no more lacquers... Jimmie |
Al Marcus
Member From: Cedar Springs,MI USA
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posted 02 April 2004 09:12 PM
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Williams offers keyless and lightweight if you are interested in that.I never had a Zum......al  ------------------
My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/ |
KENNY KRUPNICK
Member From: Grove City,Ohio
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posted 03 April 2004 01:11 AM
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I own a Zum,and I would highly recommend either one. Both great guitars. |
HowardR
Member From: N.Y.C.,N.Y.
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posted 03 April 2004 04:13 AM
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Why not go to the St. Louis show and try them both?or Order both. Since you'll have an 18 month lead time for the Zum (if this is factual) it will give you time to squirrel money away to pay for it. You can then make a decision as to which is the keeper. Since they both retain high re sale value, you'll be in good shape. In essence, you'll be fishing from both sides of the boat.[This message was edited by HowardR on 03 April 2004 at 06:59 AM.] |
Craig A Davidson
Member From: Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin USA
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posted 03 April 2004 06:29 AM
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Having played both kinds, if I was to pick I would go for the Williams. Bill Rudoph builds a great guitar. I really like his system for stringing the guitar. The string doesn't bend over the changer for that extra stress. Bill's pedals play like butter also. |
Leon Eneboe
Member From: Sisseton, South Dakota, USA
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posted 04 April 2004 06:12 PM
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I too own a Williams, and I would like to point out that in addition to the fact that it really plays great, it looks great too. Bill Rudolph puts a lot of attention to how his guitars are going to look, and I think everyone enjoys playing a guitar that looks sharp. Leon |
Randy Carson
Member From: Cedar Park, Texas, USA
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posted 06 April 2004 11:02 PM
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Both are great builders and both build great guitars. I have owned both new. I have never seen an undercarraige that can match a Williams period. The only thing about a Williams is you have to break it in to get it playing fantastic, where bruce's guitar plays great from the start. Ive been known to be a very hard picker to please among the builders but the Williams has got it all in my books, its extremely underated. But Bill doesnt make all the shows like Bruce does to keep the wait out there. My first Williams was a Laquer and my second will be a formica just because Bill says that his best sounding guitar. And I agree with an ealier comment that the Williams has a more country sound and just breaths right back at you, and the sustain is incredible. To tell the truth I was disappointed in my Zum but it just may have been one of those guitars that didnt quit measure up, because I've heard other Zums that sounded alot better. There both great guitars but if I buy another guitar between the two new or used it will be a Williams hands down, I love it more and more each day and thats the first steel I can say that about.
My two cents if its worth that.
Randy Carson |
Jim Bob Sedgwick
Member From: Clinton, Missouri USA
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posted 09 April 2004 08:59 PM
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I have played Williams since 1986. I had a mica finish on my first one. Sounded OK to me, but I prefer Lacquer. The one I have now was made in 1990. There is not one crack in the finish. Is there a Gibson standard guitar out there that can make that claim? As was mentioned above, Hands down the Williams lacquered guitars are as close to perfect as a man can make. JMOPS: Just a little tip guys, Once you are above the 12th fret, raise your hand off the strings behind the bar and sustain will open up about 30 percent. "This applies to any make of steel."[This message was edited by Jim Bob Sedgwick on 09 April 2004 at 09:00 PM.] |
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