| Author |
Topic: Zum update ? |
Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
|
Posted 22 Mar 2004 11:04 am |
|
Any more news or reviews about Bruce's new changer ?
Bob |
|
|
|
Jeff Agnew
From:
Dallas, TX
|
Posted 23 Mar 2004 5:03 am
|
|
I questioned Bruce extensively during the Dallas show. There have been, or will be soon, three prototypes so far.
Randy Beavers has #1, which he played at the show. It tunes like a push/pull. I looked at the end plate but didn't get close enough to study the changer itself. I'll tell you flat out it was my favorite sounding guitar of the weekend, and I decided that before finding out it was a new design. Keep in mind that Randy is a monster player and would sound great on any guitar. Even so, this guitar had a wider dynamic range to my ear than any other on stage. This was apparent during the four-way jam (subbing for Hal Rugg) with Russ Hicks, Jack Matthews, Tommy Dodd, and Randy. All but Russ were playing a Zum. Bruce looked quite tickled during this set 
Albert Talley has prototype #2 which, according to Bruce, doesn't tune like a push/pull. Albert played the show but I missed his performance and can't comment on the sound.
Tommy Dodd will be getting prototype #3 soon. Its design will once again be different from the preceding models.
Bruce wouldn't go into great detail describing the differences between them, other than the tuning method. In summary, he doesn't know which design he'll use, doesn't know when it might be in production (or even if it will go in production), and has no idea how much it will cost. Although it will definitely cost more.
One other thing: if you're considering ordering a Zum, the wait just went up. According to Tommy, Bruce took enough orders during the show to extend his backlog beyond one year. It's close to 18 months now.
I'm relating these observations as best I remember them, but they occurred during the middle of the show and it's possible I may have misheard something. For more definitive information, I'd call Bruce. |
|
|
|
Al Marcus
From:
Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)
|
Posted 23 Mar 2004 10:15 pm
|
|
Too bad about that 18month wait. That is another post and a whole story in itself...al 
------------------
My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/
|
|
|
|
bob drawbaugh
From:
scottsboro, al. usa
|
Posted 24 Mar 2004 5:42 am
|
|
| My wife does not know a Zum from A bum. Good tone from bad. But she told me Randy sounded better to her than any player at the Dallas show. Could it be the new changer, or is it just the fact that Randy is a super player? |
|
|
|
C Dixon
From:
Duluth, GA USA
|
Posted 24 Mar 2004 6:19 am
|
|
Bob,
Didn't you know that, "all the sound is in the hands"?
carl |
|
|
|
Scott Moon
From:
Canyon Lake, TX
|
Posted 27 Mar 2004 9:38 am
|
|
Actually Rick Price took delivery of # 3 at the Dallas Show. I roomed with him and got to hear him and Randy Beavers play side by side in the room. Two awsome sounding guitars IMHO. It tunes like a push pull but it is an all pull guitar. The keyhead has the old style tuners also.
Scott |
|
|
|
Mike Kowalik
From:
San Antonio,Texas
|
Posted 27 Mar 2004 10:16 am
|
|
| I've seen and heard Rick's guitar and it is truly something to behold....fantastic sound and look...a true work of art in all areas!! |
|
|
|
Nick Reed
From:
Russellville, KY USA
|
Posted 27 Mar 2004 11:05 pm
|
|
| Got my new Zum ordered before the Dallas Show, It's gonna be at least a year for me! How long are Zum of you waiting? Nick |
|
|
|
Billy Woo
From:
Los Angeles, CA, USA
|
Posted 29 Mar 2004 1:15 pm
|
|
Hi Nick
I ordered my Zum U-12 from Bruce early last December, still waiting for color patterns and split apron themes??
"All good things to those who wait"... |
|
|
|
Nick Reed
From:
Russellville, KY USA
|
Posted 31 Mar 2004 4:33 pm
|
|
Billy,
I haven't quite decided on a color selection yet. I'm leaning toward a (red and speckled black) on the front apron. I want a split V front. Bruce has built one for Robbie Turner with these colors and I like the way it looks.
You can go to a Lowe's store in your area, check out the Formica or WilsonArt samples they have in stock then start getting you're ideas together. Bruce said when he gets to mine, I could just tell him which color samples I like best, then go from there.
Nick |
|
|
|
steve takacs
From:
beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)
|
Posted 31 Mar 2004 7:24 pm
|
|
| Billy, John Maynard Keynes, one of the most famous economists of the 20th century had this to say on the short vs. long run: "In the long run we're all dead." The zum will be worth the wait. steve [This message was edited by steve takacs on 31 March 2004 at 07:28 PM.] |
|
|
|
Billy Woo
From:
Los Angeles, CA, USA
|
Posted 1 Apr 2004 10:53 am
|
|
Hey there Steve, how r things in Beijing these days? I liked that place last year even tho it was hotter than heck..In Shanghai they had that Chinese style non pedal guitar with all the strings for about $800.00 buck US, always wondered about the tuning on them..Yeah Im waiting for that Zum and hope I get it 'fore Xmas..
|
|
|
|
Randy Beavers
From:
Lebanon,TN 37090
|
Posted 1 Apr 2004 4:02 pm
|
|
First off, a sincere thank you about the comments on my tone. That means more to me than you could know. I've felt for a long time that if I liked the tone I was getting, I could enjoy the night under most adverse conditions. And the opposite is also true, if I wasn't happy with my tone that night, I wouldn't be satisfied, no matter how well I might play mechanically.
This guitar has got to be experienced to be believed. How do you describe the horsepower of a 427 Corvette? Nothing will work until you feel yourself being pushed back in those bucket seats. Am I biased here? Yup!!! But playing this guitar, hearing and feeling what is coming out of it is something I've never experienced. I would think it is the same feeling a concert pianist gets when they sit at a 9' grand.
I know the waiting period is getting lengthy. But this guitar is something new, and very special. Be patient, I think it is worth the wait. |
|
|
|
Gary Lee Gimble
From:
Fredericksburg, VA.
|
|
|
|
James Quackenbush
From:
Pomona, New York, USA
|
Posted 2 Apr 2004 4:52 am
|
|
Randy,
I too have had to pleasure of listenning to you play....I didn't make Dallas, but heard you at the 30th Convention ...You sounded GREAT there !!....I can only totally agree with you with your description of a "427" ...
I was AMAZED when I got my Zum, and first started to play it !!...There was such a feeling of POWER as you call it ...The vibrations going thru that steel, and the hand/brain feeling of that instant feeling that I was playing a pedal steel with a very different feel to it ...It was effortless to play , but you could just FEEL that you had a real steel under your hands !!...I have other steels that I love , but the Zum really has more power and body than any of them ..I don't know if it's the end plates, the mechanic's , or what perhaps the combination of the parts to make the whole, but it's not like any other steel I've played ...As you say, it's got "427" POWER ...Jim[This message was edited by James Quackenbush on 02 April 2004 at 04:53 AM.] |
|
|
|
Jeff Agnew
From:
Dallas, TX
|
Posted 2 Apr 2004 5:26 am
|
|
Randy,
At the risk of repeating myself, I'll say again: your guitar had (to my ears) the best sound I heard all weekend. I don't make that statement lightly, considering there was 'adequate' sound also produced by a few other folks, including that tall guy with the brown guitar. Name escapes me at the moment.
| Quote: |
| I would think it is the same feeling a concert pianist gets when they sit at a 9' grand. |
Well said, and I believe it's why so many of us chase the elusive ToneMonster thing. When the instrument connects with you in a physical and mental way, it almost plays itself. Like there's a direct path between the music you hear in your head and what comes out of the amp. Your playing certainly reflected the joy you must have been feeling.
Not all of your sound was in the guitar but its qualities surely inspired you to play on another level.
Gary Lee -- Obviously you learned nothing in boot camp. When confronted by an inordinate wait, a real sailor tacks and finds another course to port. Hence, it was an expensive weekend for me |
|
|
|
