Need info. on Sho-Bud "The Professional"

Eddie Malray · Post by **Eddie Malray** » 7 Oct 2002 3:10 pm

Greetings Everyone: I am looking at a Sho-Bud "The Profesional" model. Can someone tell me about these guitars? for instance, what were it's weaknesses or problems. I know nothing about them but it sure is a beauty looking at the pictures. I'm not ignorant about Sho-Buds ---- just this model. Your replies will be appreciated. EDDIE MALRAY

Rex Thomas · Post by **Rex Thomas** » 7 Oct 2002 4:02 pm

"The Professional" was my 1st D-10 bought new I believe in '72. I've only owned 2 Sho-Buds so my take will be limited compared to the other pros who have had, do have many, buy & sell them, etc. This one is considered to be one of if not the best sounding Sho-Buds, and although my ears weren't as experienced back then, it did sound good, but I HATED those "unlimited" pull brackets with the 10 holes for raise, 10 for lower. (I was calling it a "birdcage" changer, but it wasn't the changer, it was those danged, Baldwin leftover pull brackets. It reminded me of one of those '50's cash registers, & to me the pedal action was comparable. Oh sure, it was unlimited raises & lowers depending on your leg strength, & I took full advantage of it as it is VERY easy to make setup changes, & I used to have those little brass barrells all over the place. I came close to having it updated to a Pro 2, but got rid of it. Sadly, it was a BEAUTIFUL guitar; natural top, medium blue necks & apron, & it had a knot in the center of the back just below the C6 neck which made for a very attractive ID mark. Would like to locate that old Sho-Bud someday.
Anyway, that's my take, Eddie. Gorgeous guitar, klunker to play.[This message was edited by Rex Thomas on 07 October 2002 at 05:03 PM.][This message was edited by Rex Thomas on 07 October 2002 at 05:04 PM.][This message was edited by Rex Thomas on 07 October 2002 at 05:09 PM.]

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 7 Oct 2002 4:40 pm

Eddie-
I had 3 Sho-Bud "Professionals" , Two D10s's and one S10.

They all had a great tone and sound. I had a Brown D10 and a Red D10. That red one I took to Nashville for a week at Jeff Newmans College in 1977.

Not only was it a beautiful cabinet and great sound, but the pedals and knee levers were very easy to play, and it stayed in tune. I played a lot of jobs with that.

I liked the Barrell tuners and it was easy to change a setup with no real limitations.

The one thing that did me in, I just couldn't haul it around anymore without worrying about breaking my back. It's just too bad.................al

[This message was edited by Al Marcus on 07 October 2002 at 05:41 PM.]

Bob Simmons · Post by **Bob Simmons** » 7 Oct 2002 7:27 pm

The only weakness of this guitar is the weight and those stupid tuning collars. Thank Shot's son for that.

Kenny Foy · Post by **Kenny Foy** » 7 Oct 2002 8:26 pm

Was the professional prior to the pro 1 11 111's or what sequence did they come out and what made them heavier? Thanks---Kenny

Tim Rowley · Post by **Tim Rowley** » 7 Oct 2002 8:52 pm

Kenny,

Yes, the Professional does pre-date the I, II, III series. What makes them heavy? Big cabinet, thick maple wood, and lotsa steel in the undercarriage. Built like a big old Cadillac. Got one here with a 705 Lawrence pickup on the E9th. It has this HUGE Sho-Bud tone, but it's way too heavy for me to lug around!

Tim R.

Rex Thomas · Post by **Rex Thomas** » 7 Oct 2002 9:00 pm

Here U go: http://www.planet.eon.net/~gsimmons/shobud/models.html

Jay Ganz · Post by **Jay Ganz** » 8 Oct 2002 7:24 am

<img src=http://home.hvc.rr.com/jsganz/Sho~Bud.jpg>[This message was edited by Jay Ganz on 09 October 2002 at 09:37 AM.]

Marco Schouten · Post by **Marco Schouten** » 8 Oct 2002 8:39 am

Jay, sometimes you can be so cruel...

------------------
Steelin' Greetings
Marco Schouten
Sho-Bud Pro III Custom; Sho-Bud LLG

chas smith · Post by **chas smith** » 8 Oct 2002 10:09 am

Add a few mods:

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 8 Oct 2002 11:16 am

Jay-How do you get those beautiful pictures on the Forum??????.....al

Kenny Foy · Post by **Kenny Foy** » 8 Oct 2002 7:38 pm

That is some beautiful guitars. Mr. Smith I noticed your guitar had a medal or plastic SHO-BUD name tag where as Mr Ganz's steel had the decal like my D12. Did they used to come with this emblem? What years are they and when did they stop usin the name tag like Yours Mr Smith. From readin on this forum they are both 1975 or before. Thanks for the beautiful pictures.

chas smith · Post by **chas smith** » 8 Oct 2002 9:30 pm

Kenny, when I got the guitar, it was a basket case, and the top was split into two pieces. It was also not my favorite shade of brown and completely caked with nicotine, so I refinished it. The name plate is the same casting that came on Sho-Bud Pack Seats. The only things on this guitar that haven't been modified are the keyhead, the body, the left hand end plate, the fingers and the legs.[This message was edited by chas smith on 08 October 2002 at 10:33 PM.]