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Author
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Topic: zum steel good grief
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Sidney Ralph Penton
Member From: Moberly, Missouri, USA
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posted 15 February 2005 09:23 PM
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what is zum steel made of when one goes up for sale it last just a few hours people grab em up like they are gold or something. well if you ever heard a zum steel you would know why they are the ONLY psg that goes that fast on the forum. i find it hard to believe that these fantastic psg's go so fast. they are faster than a corvette. but the sound it is so sweet expecially when you play that good ole gospel music it is so sweet it makes the devil get on his knees. i love the way my zum sounds and i see that there are a lot of others that think a lot of this psg. i only put these coments up like good grief or What was you thinking. to get peoples attention so they can give their comments about zum steels. i enjoy reading the things people has to say about the finest psg made today. keep picking thanks doc ------------------
zum SD10 peavy vegas 400 peavy session 400
if its not a zum steel it isn't real |
Dave Van Allen
Member From: Doylestown, PA , US , Earth
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posted 16 February 2005 06:55 AM
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quote:
i love the way my zum sounds
and they look good too!  |
Bob Carlucci
Member From: Candor, New York, USA
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posted 16 February 2005 09:02 AM
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There are lots of other steels that sound every bit as good ,no doubt..different,but just as sweet in the hands of a skilled player.
My opinion is the relative scarcity of Zum guitars.. I notice the same thing when a Zum,Franklin,Fulawka,Derby,or any of a dozen other brands is posted for sale.. GONE in an instant at any price,where sometimes a Bud,Emmons,Carter,MSA etc,is not sold as quickly.. PLENTY of Buds,MSA's,Carter and even PP Emmons guitars around..thousands of these were made.. they are not low production units as far as pedal steel guitars are concerned. A used ZUM can be quite hard to find if you are looking for one... a used Carter is NOT... thats my take on it.. I DO NOT think its a "better/worse" thing bob[This message was edited by Bob Carlucci on 16 February 2005 at 09:02 AM.] |
David Doggett
Member From: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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posted 16 February 2005 09:23 AM
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It may seem strange as a Zum player for me to say it is not the sound. I've also owned a Fessy, Carter, and Emmons p/p. And I've played other people's ShoBuds, MSAs, GFIs, and a few more. With the right pickup for you, they all can sound good. I snapped up a used Zum because of the great engineering and mechanics, and the great looks. I knew the sound would be good, but so is the sound on the others. But I was not happy with the mechanics on some of the others, and little things like the lack of gauged nut rollers. And with the two-tone designs, Zums are about as good-looking as a formica guitar can get. I have also heard great things about Anapegs, Excells Fulawkas, Franklins and a few others. But you never see those on the used market. |
Ben Slaughter
Member From: Madera, California
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posted 16 February 2005 09:44 AM
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Supply and demand. |
Larry Bell
Member From: Englewood, Florida
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posted 16 February 2005 10:38 AM
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It's interesting to note that, in the history of the Steel Guitar Forum there has only been ONE ANAPEG for sale. In that same period there were 63 ZumSteel, 69 Mullen, and 20 Fessenden guitars for sale. Many of those guitars sold in a few days' time as well.I too have a long history with ZumSteel, although I no longer play one. Bruce built me a wonderful guitar in 1980 that was my partner in thousands of gigs and recording dates. I sold that guitar in 2001 and have been very happy playing Emmons push-pull and Fessenden guitars. What I look for in a guitar company is someone who knows who I am and listens to what I have to say and responds to my needs, even though I'm not John Hughey or Herby Wallace. That's how Bruce treated me and Jerry Fessenden does the same, to this day. Yes, there are MANY wonderful brands and steel guitar craftsmen. ZumSteel and Bruce Zumsteg are definitely on that list, in my opinion. ------------------
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps |
Ron Sodos
Member From: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
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posted 16 February 2005 10:53 AM
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I bought a Zum last year after playing Sho Buds for 25+ years. Well my Zum has so much soul in it it amazes me everytime I play it. Its the sound and the mechanics and the looks and all the other stuff it has. But most of all it has the soul of one of the best people born to this world. Bruce is one of the true spritual people I have known. Thats what the Zumsteels have..... |
Jim Ives
Member From: Los Angeles, California, USA
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posted 16 February 2005 02:17 PM
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I am one of those Zum snatchers mentioned here. A few weeks ago I saw one listed at Duane's Music and I grabbed it immediately. Prior to that I played a Mullen, and prior to that a ShoBud Pro II. The Mullen's action was like stepping on warm butter, and I was concerned that the Zum may not be as smooth. Happy to report I was wrong. The Zum, with stock pickups also has a bighter sound than the Mullen (with George L's), and I am considering changing to True Tones. The Zum is just a great axe, which I will outgrow in 25 years.
-Jim------------------
Mullen D-10 -or- Zum D-10
Lexicon MPX 100
Fulltone Full-Drive II
Evans FET 500 -or-
Peavey Nashville 1000
Vox wah-wah pedal
My dog Toby sittin' on the floor listening
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CrowBear Schmitt
Member From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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posted 16 February 2005 03:49 PM
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my first real psg was a ShoBud Professional D10 8/4
a little over a year ago, i got lucky & got a Zum D10 9/8 off ebay
i've been so happy w: it that i went out & ordered a new one
i'm not surprised to see how quick a Zum can get a new home
more good homes than Zums ?
betcha' there aren't any just layin' away under a bed or in a closet not bein' picked on.  |
Bruce Meyer
Member From: Naperville, IL & Thompson's Station, TN
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posted 16 February 2005 08:37 PM
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Started playing a ShoBud. Sold it, bought my first Zum. Bought an Emmons for a 2nd guitar. Sold it, bought a second Zum. It's the Lexus of steel guitars. |
Leland Ogle
Member From: Baxter Springs, Kansas, USA
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posted 17 February 2005 05:00 AM
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If you've never dealt with Bruce one on one or owned one of his guitars you just don't understand. I would sell all my guns and motorcycles before I'd sell one of my Zumsteels.
Lee |
Steve Stallings
Member From: Bremond, Tx, pop 876, Home of the fighting Bremond Tigers
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posted 17 February 2005 08:40 AM
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I owned a Zum D10 for a few weeks about two years ago. I thought it was a very nice guitar but it never really "clicked" for me. I traded it straight up for a D10 Emmons. Again, the Zums are really nice. I guess it is just different strokes....------------------
God Bless,
Steve Stallings
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Sidney Ralph Penton
Member From: Moberly, Missouri, USA
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posted 18 February 2005 04:58 PM
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well i started out on a carter starter wow what a mistake. i wished i would have boutght a zum for my very first steel. it is so nice just about all i have to do is sit there and smile. for the ones that got rid of the zum you have my sympithy. i got some new tabs and these gospel songs sound great on the zum. i think it sounds a lot better than my carter U12 sounded. but i also am concedering putting a tt on my zum to make it just a little better. thanks fellas. doc.
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zum SD10 peavy vegas 400 peavy session 400
if its not a zum steel it isn't real |
Farris Currie
Member From: Ona, Florida, USA
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posted 18 February 2005 05:48 PM
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Zum steel #one in my book,i had a universal 12 built in 1984,fine guitar,i just couldn't get the hang of a 12string.i tryed for 20yrs. plus,its hard to teach a old dog new tricks.and when you call bruce he is there for you!! number one guitar and #one man.wish i could afford and had the time to get a double 10 from him. farris |
Donny Hinson
Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A.
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posted 18 February 2005 06:56 PM
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I'm with Bob Carlucci on this one! |
richard burton
Member From: Britain
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posted 19 February 2005 12:40 AM
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Sidney,
With respect,
You made a statement about your ownership of a Carter Starter being a mistake. Then there was no follow up as to why you thought it was a mistake.
This is doing Carter a disservice, as your statement may well be valid, but equally it may be invalid.
If it is an invalid evaluation of a starter pedal steel guitar, some people just starting out may be depriving themselves of a very good (in my opinion) product if they read your comments and heed them.
R B |
Sidney Ralph Penton
Member From: Moberly, Missouri, USA
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posted 19 February 2005 10:12 AM
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richard what i was refering to was i should have went right to a pro model instead of a starter model. i like carters but i will not buy one because i have had too many problems with this company before. but that is just my opinion. and i have heardothers speak ill of carter. carter always has a defencive but not saying who is right or who is wrong i know who and what was right when it came to me. i feel that there are certian people working for carter that is ruining the company because of service etc. but they are a good psg. but nothing like a zum!!!!!!!!!!doc ------------------
zum SD10 peavy vegas 400 peavy session 400
if its not a zum steel it isn't real |
John Daugherty
Member From: Rolla, Missouri, USA
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posted 19 February 2005 11:26 AM
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Sidney, I think as you progress on the steel guitar and develop your skills, you will not be so dependent on equipment. You won't worry about little differences because you will have control over the guitar rather than the guitar controlling you.
THEN, you may think that there are a lot of good guitars out there and a lot of good people selling them.
Of course you will never know until you try some of those other brands. |
Larry Bell
Member From: Englewood, Florida
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posted 19 February 2005 12:14 PM
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Comparing a $700 student model guitar to a $2500+ professional guitar is just simply not a reasonable comparison. We all have our brands we prefer and the folks we prefer to deal with, but that doesn't make all other brands bad guitars. THERE IS NO BEST BRAND OF ANYTHING. THERE IS NO BEST STEEL PLAYER or AMP or VOLUME PEDAL. It is simply personal opinion. You are not the only one who likes the brand you play better than others. We have a lot of beginners on the Forum. It is doing a potential student a disservice to lead them to believe that they must wait a year or more for Bruce to build them a guitar when they can pick up another brand -- yeah, maybe a Carter Starter -- in a week's time.------------------
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps [This message was edited by Larry Bell on 19 February 2005 at 12:18 PM.]
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Donny Hinson
Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A.
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posted 19 February 2005 12:39 PM
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Larry, you make an awful lot of sense. I don't mean to offend anybody, but this constant refrain of "my guitar is (sounds) better than yours" is very tiring and unprofessional. Indeed, the only "pros" that make these kind of statements are the ones who are selling guitars. The rest, well, they just play whatever they like, and they like a lot of different brands, and they all sound pretty good to me. It ain't what you play, but how you play it. If a particular brand of guitar makes you feel good, good! More power to 'ya. But please understand, to the rest of us, you don't sound any different, or any better. Sorry 'bout that. Really, I am. |
Sidney Ralph Penton
Member From: Moberly, Missouri, USA
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posted 20 February 2005 05:48 AM
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boy oh boy you people got things way out of size here. you just didn't understand what i was saying. unless i am buying the psg for someone i don't say what to get or that you have to get this one or that one. i was not saying anything about like get a zum right from the start. i said i wished i would have went to a pro model from the start. why well a few of the reasons is that the legs on a student model is not adjustable. and when you sit at a student model you just don't feel comfortable. if you don't sit well your not going to play well either. i spent $700 on a starter when for double the money i could have got a great pro model of which i would have enjoyed more and would have started playing better right from the get go. i agree with what someone said about there is not the best of anything but only personal preference. i started this topic for fun to get a few laughs to maybe get a few pic of peoples psg's to have a good time and with eveyone bitching about this and that i am sarry i said any thing at all. some poeple need to lighten up a little smile a little and have a little fun in life. if you cant smile you got serious problems. doc------------------
zum SD10 peavy vegas 400 peavy session 400
if its not a zum steel it isn't real |
Sidney Ralph Penton
Member From: Moberly, Missouri, USA
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posted 20 February 2005 05:58 AM
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leland what kind of bike do you have. i also am a rider. i got a kawvolski. 84 model 3 wheeler. front is a kawasaki and the back is a volkswagon. 1600 dp 2bbl 4 streight pips with a 4 speed. its on my yahoo profile doc_holliday_1890 i also belong to BTW gateway chapter but will be starting up a chapter here in moberly this spring. i have been working on it this winter putting all the bells and whistles on it an making it look cool. i got air horns on it now but i am looking for a train whistle to put on it. ride em easy doc ------------------
zum SD10 peavy vegas 400 peavy session 400
if its not a zum steel it isn't real |
James Quackenbush
Member From: Pomona, New York, USA
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posted 21 February 2005 08:42 AM
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I've bought and sold a number of various steel's over the last 2 years and still own a few ....I don't think that it is as much of a "supply and demand " situation as it is the man behind Zum guitars, and the product itself....Think about it ....Why would someone wait almost 2 years to have a pedal steel made for them if the quality was not there ? .... Why wouldn't they just buy another brand , and have it in a matter of a few months ?... I would venture to say that probably 95% of the people who own or have owned a Zum, only sold them to because their NEW Zum arrived !!... I am not saying that Zum is the only steel made that is a well made steel , and that it's the only game in town..
I am only saying that the cost, and the time to build it , is WELL worth it !!.....Once you own one, you will understand what I am saying completely ....Jim |
Chubby Howard
Member From: Franklin, Ohio, USA
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posted 28 February 2005 05:50 PM
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If you love zum look at mine for sale on the forum |
Bobby Boggs
Member From: Pendleton SC
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posted 28 February 2005 09:36 PM
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No one loved my Zum.This was a really nice guitar with the late type changer.8 & 8.It stayed on buy & sale for about 4 months.After 5 months I finally sold it to a friend for $2500 and drove 100 miles round trip to deliver it.Here's a link to the thread.
http://steelguitarforum.com/Archives/Archive-000004/HTML/20040705-3-019777.html
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Daniel J. Cormier
Member From: Lake Charles, LA, USA
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posted 01 March 2005 04:01 PM
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JCH Guitars sell just as fast.------------------
Daniel J. Cormier
PedalMaster Lacquer D-10 Sessions 400 Limited ,ProFex II
http://www.cajunsteelguitar.com email at djcormier@cox-internet.com 
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Bobby Lee
Sysop From: Cloverdale, North California, USA
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posted 01 March 2005 04:17 PM
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Bobby Boggs, I think that most people aren't willing to mail a postal money order for $2900 (same as cash) to someone they don't know who doesn't seem to have a stable email address. When you combine those two factors, it's hard to sell anything. Even a Zum.
I'm glad you finally got your email problem fixed. |
Lyle Bradford
Member From: Gilbert WV USA
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posted 01 March 2005 05:59 PM
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I am sure your Zum is great. But I would not trade the legs out from under my Legrand 3 for a Zum. Just don't like their tone. It is like BC said. Any guitar today sounds good. I have not seen many bad ones of any brand. I just love an Emmons! |
Bobby Boggs
Member From: Pendleton SC
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posted 01 March 2005 08:56 PM
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b0b you could have a point.However I had over a dozen willing to mail $2200 to a guy with a very bad ISP.AS for my E-mail address being unstable I've changed it once since 98.I have never used a throw away account like Yahoo Etc. Guitars are hot now.Any PSG.An example, A 93 model Emmons or Zum will bring more money now than they would in 1999 and about $400 more than they would this time last year. Even old MSA'a are starting to get on the money and Sho~Buds have gone hog wild.In the late 90's you could buy D-10 Sho~Buds in great conditon for a $1000.Many for $700.Look what they bring now.The internet has been very very good for steel guitar prices unless you're wanting to buy one. |
Lawrence Lupkin
Member From: Brooklyn, New York, USA
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posted 02 March 2005 11:36 AM
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I think Bobby's problem was that his thread included a picture of HowardR with no pants on.  |
Bobby Lee
Sysop From: Cloverdale, North California, USA
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posted 02 March 2005 12:20 PM
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Yeah, that sorta made me want to look away. |
Wayne Morgan
Member From: Rutledge, TN, USA
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posted 02 March 2005 02:44 PM
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Not everyone that buys a steel will learn to play, it takes a lot of time and effort, and a little talent, so, I guess thats why they make starters and professional models. Not every one that wants to learn can afford a $5000.00 steel,,,John Hughey could make a Starter sound much better than I could make a Zum sound.
Just hate to see somebody put another brand down to make their brand look better, and this might have not been the intent, but people do it with a lot of things.
I might even think my wife was better than your wife, but I wouldn,t say it, then you would know, I knew your wife a little too well.
Its very important to be satisfied with your brand of steel, but it doesn't make it the very best in the world. all steels and players are unique creations !
Wayne |
Calvin Walley
Member From: colorado city colorado, USA
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posted 12 March 2005 02:40 PM
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i just gotta put in my 2 cents,
i have had a carter starter with the 3-4 set up and now have a Zum student model with the same 3-4 set up here is what i found...the pedal spacing is better on the Zum at least to me the kneee levers work and feel better , on the carter the leggs were dull alumiumm on the Zum they are chrome not that this has anything to do with the playing i just like it better . also this is just my opinion but the Zum just looks to be better built and sounds better. just so that you will know i paid within $100.00 the same for the guitars. i will forever be a fan of Zum |
JW Day
Member From: Elizabethtown, Kentucky, USA
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posted 15 March 2005 07:36 AM
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HOOR-RAH FOR YOU WAYNE; I PLAY AN EMMONS II,I HAVE A FRIEND THAT PLAYS A ZUM,AND ANOTHER THAT PLAYS A DERBY.AND YOU KNOW i LIKE THAM ALL.LIKE YOU SAY WE ARE ALL NOT ALIKE.SURE WOULD BE A DULL WORLD IF WE WERE.I HAVE PLAYED ON ABOUT ALL OF THE BRAND NAMES.MOST ALL OF THEM ARE WONDERFUL SOUNDING INSTRUMENTS. |
Jim Ives
Member From: Los Angeles, California, USA
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posted 15 March 2005 09:48 AM
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Now that I've had my new (used) Zum for a while, I can compare it to my Mullen. The action on each of them is identical and smooth (like steeping on soft butter). The tone on the Zum is brighter with stock pups than the Mullen with PF-1s, but I like the sound of both. Most guitars made today seem to be really good solid instruments with good action, tone etc. So I think the current "rage" is just that; who knows, in a year or two the MSA Millenium may be the current rage. Buy what you like, like what you buy.
-Jim ------------------
Mullen D-10 -or- Zum D-10
Lexicon MPX 100
Fulltone Full-Drive II
Evans FET 500 -or-
Peavey Nashville 1000
Vox wah-wah pedal
My dog Toby sittin' on the floor listening
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