The Steel Guitar Forum

Mike, the location of the raise stop bar is very critical on this design, in order to obtain acceptable action on both the raises and lowers. The guitars that used this concept (Z-B, ShoBud, Klein) located the stop bar on center-line with the raise, but they were basically a single raise system. You...

Turbo was a good friend, although we never got to meet in person. He would call me every year on my birthday, and we would have long conversations about whatever was happening in our own part of the world (he was from Norway). He had hoped to make a trip to the USA so we could meet, but unfortunatel...

Tony, your tone on that old Marlen is 'killer'!

Dennis, email sent.

Bruce, the serial # on some of the early guitars were not stamped in the end plate, and were not in a consistent location. If you look over the underside thoroughly you should find it. Paddy, your last guitar was #1164, not 1154. The last guitar built was # 1187. Here is the final list. https://bb.s...

Does anyone repair these units (2112)? The display went blank on mine and I'm stuck on one preset. It's the best reverb and delay I've ever heard. PM or email me if you know of anyone.

Danny, I built maybe a couple dozen of those guitars in the late 70's, offering it as an economy model. That was before I developed the 'Stage One' to fill that market niche. It had the all pull changer and at least 3 KL, so it was more than what was being offered as the beginner models of the time....

Do NOT buy these counterfeit products!

This unauthorized site has appeared on the Forum recently. Do NOT buy these counterfeit products!

We also have to give credit to the Osbornes for using steel guitar on many for their recordings, which was out of the norm for Bluegrass performers. Usually it was Hal Rugg, but there's one album with Buddy Emmons all over it.

Mike is truly one of the masters of our instrument, and certainly doesn't get the credit he deserves. He made a smart move when he relocated from Gnashville to Phoenix, and for many years has had as much work as he wants. We have been friends since 1977, when he took a chance on an unknown steel gui...

Jerry, PM sent.

I have been made aware of a site that is selling products with the Zumsteel Logo. These products are NOT authorized. Do NOT buy these illegitimate items !

I have been made aware of a site that is selling products with the Zumsteel Logo. These products are NOT authorized. Do Not buy these illegitimate items !

I played many a gig for this crowd back in the 60's and 70's

Here are a couple more. The first one is Jim Baker, who played a few spots on the Opry. He wasn't well known, but Larry Sasser told me that Jim played the solo on Mel Tillis' "Heart Over Mind". https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/userpix2203/20065_Jim_Bakerps_1.jpg This one is unknown, but as ...

That must be Grady Martin with the Bigsby 6-string ??

Weldon, Hal and Sonny, during the great years of the Opry. https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/userpix2203/20065_Weldon_Hal_Sonny_2_2.jpg A few others from the 'golden years'. There was never a shortage of steel guitars during those times. I'm thankful that I got to witness it numerous times. https://bb...

I used a Print On Demand company for the original book. I'm currently checking with them on the details of offering it direct to the buyer, and also as an Ebook. However, from what I understand on their web site, the cost of printing each hard copy individually will make it rather pricey for the cus...

Thanks for the kind words guys! About a year ago, I sold out of the last supply that I had, and by that time, the number of requests for books had diminished considerably, and I couldn't justify purchasing the required order quantity. I recently checked with the supplier, and their costs have gone u...

Stu was one of the nicest guys you would ever want to meet. He had a great personality and sense of humor. I always enjoyed visiting with him at the various steel shows.

This is one of the fine quality guitars built by Jay Thompson and Jerry Mandorca.

Barry, are you sure that is 1/2" and not 9/16"?

Stan was a great singer. I saw him perform several times at Scotty's early shows, before the larger S.G. Conventions. This picture taken in 1971, with Curly and his trio: Buck Evans on bass and 'little'Jimmy Stewart on drums. https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/userpix2203/20065_Chalker_Trio_wStan_Hitch...

It has purposely been set up that way in order to speed up the pull on the long throw required for the F# to G# change.