Thank you, Billy Knowles!
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Thank you, Billy Knowles!
When I started playing pedal steel about 4 years ago, my first guitar was a ZB S10 (#0248) that had been mechanically overhauled by Billy. My friend, Dave Zirbel, sold it to me for $900. I knew it was a good guitar and I knew that it sounded great.
After a year or so, I could play it well enough to fool the general public. I decided that I should learn to play a C6 tuning. I bought a double neck Sho Bud and then I bought a Kline universal. Somewhere, in all the confusion, I had to sell the ZB.
The Kline was a great guitar but it didn't take me long to realize that my old ZB was something special. So began my epic journey.
2 Sho Buds, 1 Emmons (rebuilt twice!), a Kline, another ZB, and a Williams(keeping that one!). Somewhere between $8,000 and $11,000 of pedal steel passed through my wallet.
Last winter I bought a really beat S10 from Ben Elder (who was a former owner of my first guitar). I sent it to Billy Knowles and and two months later recieved my 2nd Billy Knowles ZB. 4x5. Plays tight. Stays in tune very well. So far, all indications are that it will be a suitable replacement for my first guitar.
When I sit down at it, I feel comfortable. When I play it, it sounds great.
I'm very pleased. Billy is a great guy to deal with and he does great work. Lots of innovative solutions and improvements on the original design.
Thank you, Billy!
After a year or so, I could play it well enough to fool the general public. I decided that I should learn to play a C6 tuning. I bought a double neck Sho Bud and then I bought a Kline universal. Somewhere, in all the confusion, I had to sell the ZB.
The Kline was a great guitar but it didn't take me long to realize that my old ZB was something special. So began my epic journey.
2 Sho Buds, 1 Emmons (rebuilt twice!), a Kline, another ZB, and a Williams(keeping that one!). Somewhere between $8,000 and $11,000 of pedal steel passed through my wallet.
Last winter I bought a really beat S10 from Ben Elder (who was a former owner of my first guitar). I sent it to Billy Knowles and and two months later recieved my 2nd Billy Knowles ZB. 4x5. Plays tight. Stays in tune very well. So far, all indications are that it will be a suitable replacement for my first guitar.
When I sit down at it, I feel comfortable. When I play it, it sounds great.
I'm very pleased. Billy is a great guy to deal with and he does great work. Lots of innovative solutions and improvements on the original design.
Thank you, Billy!
Last edited by Henry Nagle on 10 Sep 2007 6:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Billy Knowles
Billy is a master craftsmen on ZB guitars and a real southern gentlemen. Absolutely none finer.
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Thanks, Kevin.
I should mention that Billy offered me a very reasonable price on a refinish. I decided against it because I'm not wealthy and I really don't mind worn finishes.
He also had the endplates and such polished. It wasn't part of our original agreement, but he really wanted it right. No extra charge.
I should mention that Billy offered me a very reasonable price on a refinish. I decided against it because I'm not wealthy and I really don't mind worn finishes.
He also had the endplates and such polished. It wasn't part of our original agreement, but he really wanted it right. No extra charge.
- Paul Frank Bloomfield
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Billy Knowles
I got to agree with everything said about Billy, I first had dealings with him when I lived in the UK,
My ZB had an Emmons pickup on the E9th neck (not by
me !!)and wanted to put a ZB back on. I tried to get
one in the Uk without any success so contacted Billy
who sent me one over to match the year of manufacture.
I have had many dealings with him since and had the
plesure of meeting him and his wife when they visited
London,a truly great guy who deserves recognition.
Frank Bloomfield. Corfu
My ZB had an Emmons pickup on the E9th neck (not by
me !!)and wanted to put a ZB back on. I tried to get
one in the Uk without any success so contacted Billy
who sent me one over to match the year of manufacture.
I have had many dealings with him since and had the
plesure of meeting him and his wife when they visited
London,a truly great guy who deserves recognition.
Frank Bloomfield. Corfu
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Thank you
Thank you all so very much. We are all brothers of the road, but ZB pickers are a closer band of brothers.
Thanks
Billy
Thanks
Billy
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Billy Knowles
Billy is a wonderful guy and great craftsman on the ZB guitar.I have visited his shop and observed his work and it just amazed me at the skill he has and he really loves his work.
While there on one occasion i had the pleasure of sitting behind Tom Brumbly's steel that Billy was working on at the time.
Hope to see you again soon Billy.
Jimmie Brown
While there on one occasion i had the pleasure of sitting behind Tom Brumbly's steel that Billy was working on at the time.
Hope to see you again soon Billy.
Jimmie Brown
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