The Steel Guitar Forum

I made my seat many years ago using 2 fold-in legs made from plywood, best thing I did regarding not to use individual metal legs.It also has a removeable box inside which I keep all my spare stuff including strings, a couple of bars etc. The top of the seat I used an old bed-pillow that was placed ...

Like Richard Burton,
I've been using metal thumb picks for many years - also for my old five string.
I've mentioned in the past, our finger picks are metal, why bother with plastic for a thumb pick when the actual sound/tone can be equalised by including a metal thumbpick.

All Z.B.est.

Bob.

Like I've said many times on the forum, I've used Jag-Wire strings for quite some time, and find them to have the best sound and keep in tune the longest. I use them on my ol' 5 string as they're just great for the 2nd and 3rd strings with having Scrugg tuners fitted. I brag about them to friends to...

Hi there guys, there's quite a load of information here on polishing end plates, but for me I've used Solvol Autosol for many years. It comes in a tube and is just great for polishing all kinds of metal especially any alloy types. It looks like toothpaste and comes in a tube about the size of a tube...

Many thanks Rick for all the information.
Looking at it, it sure's not been looked after in it's life.
Possibly the previous owner had passed away leaving it stored somewhere not being looked after at all
I'm sure glad of my old Z.B.'s

All Z.B.est.

Bob.

I recently picked up a very old looking (steel & case) Magnatone twin 8 string and three legs plus three books, one of them very old. There's a mention from a friend that it's Hawaiian but was wondering what it definitely could be and possibly where it was manufactured. I don't have the means to...

I've had an SD10 Z.B. for many many years plus a D10 Z.B. which I owned a good few years too. I never tried a non pedal steel so a friend of mine sold me an 8 string "old timer" which I never ever tried. A friend of mine has a Dobro which I tried and liked, so I got one of those as well :D...

This question has come up many times before and shows quite a list of lubricant`s that all the different pickers and grinners out there are using today. For many,many years, I`ve been using 3-in-1 with silicone which I also sell to my locksmithing customers. Because of it`s availability it can be bo...

I may have mentioned before, but I`ve found the very best strings that I`ve been using are Jag-Wires. They sound just `fantastic`and the longest lasting strings that I`ve ever used. I also use them on my 5 string too with the Scruggs Tuners and they sound just great. I must say, I have no options wh...

Hi there Lee, They're Jim Dunlop 94530 -- whatever the number means, possibly the type thickness gauge. They last the longest without having to mess around with or file. The strength is kept there because of the 90% bends either side of the face where it makes contact with the strings. All Z.B.est. ...

For many years I`ve used metal thumb picks on my old Z.B`s. and five string banjo to get away from the muted plastic sounds. The metal ones corelate with the metal finger picks and sort of equalize the sounds that`s coming from the ol`steel. This has come up many times in the past and I find it eras...

Hi there folks,
I`ve been using a metal thumb pick for Steel and five string Banjo for many years, I`d never go back to plastic.
Usually they`re Dunlop.

All Z.B.est.

Bob.

Hey Richard - your letter here including your sound is absolutely brilliant - I`m so jealous!!!!!!

All Z.B.est.

Bob.

Similar topics have been up before re' metal picks. I`ve used them for many many years on my ol`Z.B. plus my ol`5 string and more recently my Dobro. This also includes a metal thumb pick too as my big thumb doesn`t want to hold on to a plastic one .......the tone for me is way better with being all ...

This looks like a fantastic deal for someone out there looking for one of the best steels ever made. The modifications made to it look very much Z.B.ish and looks like it`s extrememly well done. The price couldn`t be any better for the lucky guy who`ll be owning it very soon with a heap of luck for ...

The very best strings I`ve ever `twanged` with in my life.
I just can`t help bragging about them. I even use them on my Dobro and ol`5 string.
They also last the longest - what else can I say.

All Z.B.est.
Bob.

The very best strings I`ve ever `twanged` with in my life.
I just can`t help bragging about them. I even use them on my Dobro and ol`5 string.
They also last the longest - what else can I say.

All Z.B.est.
Bob.

Many thanks mi' old fruit, I'll definitely be giving Al a call in a few days to check out his supply.

All Z.B.est.

Bob.

Hi there folks, I've been using Jag-Wire strings for quite some time now and I'm "completely" taken over with the sound and length of time they actually last. I've even used them on my ol' 5 string with Scruggs Tuners which have lasted the longest time other than so-called Banjo strings. I...

I've used quite a few makes of finger picks over the years for Pedal Steel and 5 string Banjo and have seen the good and bad in many makes. I have always bent/shaped them to fit my big fingers - plus before I place them on my fingers, I always place the finger of each one in my mouth to "wet&qu...

Jag-Wire.................the best there are.

All Z.B.est.

Bob.

I've mentioned it many time before in the past, but I've always used a metal thumb-pick for many years for the ol' five string too.
The finger picks are metal eh??

All Z.B.est.
Bob.

Bob, It's so sickeningly sad to see your "Best Friends" go ........I know, we've had it happen many times over the years. We currently have four dogs at the moment, the male is a cross, his wife is a purebred and we have the "runt" of one of their families. Our daughter didn't th...

Just a little thing that you might want to try John...did you ever lube the mechanics at all.
I lube mine on a regular basis and the returns seem to be O.K. Just a small amount of lube is required on anything that moves, plus it will make those parts last longer.

All Z.B.est.

Bob Mainwaring.

Hey Duane..................just "FANTASTICO" it'll be around a long time.......I can tell.......soooo

All Z.B.est.

Bob Mainwaring.
Vancouver Island.