Need feedback on new wood body guitars

Barry Sless · Post by **Barry Sless** » 16 Apr 2004 2:18 pm

I'm looking to get a new steel. I've played a late 70's Shobud S-12 for 27 years and like the warmth and looks of a wood body guitar. I'm not at all familiar with the brands on the market and would love to get some feedback on any of your experiences with them. Any suggestions on a good new guitar that would have the qualities I'm seeking would be most appreciated. I'm still deciding between a S-12 or a universal 12.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 16 Apr 2004 2:32 pm

Welcome to the Forum, Barry.

Williams guitars now have optional wood necks. I saw them in St. Louis last year. Beautiful wood with inlay.

My Williams has a tone that reminds me of a Sho-Bud. www.williamsguitarcompany.com

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/Hotb0b.gif" width="96 height="96">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9),
Sierra Laptop 8 (E6add9), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 16 Apr 2004 2:59 pm

Welcome aboard, Barry! (Barry played many years right here in the Baltimore area with a rockin' band called "Cowboy Jazz".)

Barry, be sure you check out Fulawka steels. Their beautiful wood guitars sound a lot like them old 'Buds (to me anyway).

Jerry Clardy · Post by **Jerry Clardy** » 16 Apr 2004 3:20 pm

Chuck Back at Desert Rose Guitars is building a really knocked out guitar with wood like the old ZBs. Take a look at the Desert Rose threads in this forum. Here's a link to one of them with a picture about half page down. Chuck's contact info is on the thread as well. http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum5/HTML/007382.html

His guitar has triple raise and triple lower capabilities. Later this year he plans to introduce quad raise and lower. His pro design has room for a lot of pedals and he will custom build for a reasonable cost.

Lots of pride and know-how in this man's work.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 16 Apr 2004 4:06 pm

I am a Bud player, and I felt totally at home on a Fulawka I tried at ISGC.
It really said Sho-Bud to me, but underneith it is totally modern machanically. Very well done. Ed knows his stuff.

I haven't played a lot of wood steels, but one was a killer restored Emmons PP, the Professional of Crowbear's, and another S-10 PP,
but this much I can tell you.
A Fulawka was like a precise Pro-II, I felt right at home.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 16 April 2004 at 05:07 PM.]

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 16 Apr 2004 5:50 pm

Hey Barry- welcome aboard!!

Lacquer Fulawka and Williams and Fessenden I've seen also a fine thing to look at

Carter has some very pretty all wood guitars... check out their website for their Custom Shoppe and Limited Edition Timeless Timber axes...

there are lots of options if you've got the $$ and patience

Barry Sless · Post by **Barry Sless** » 16 Apr 2004 5:59 pm

Thanks for the warm welcome and the feedback. David, the Fulawka sounds like it might be what I'm looking for. Has anybody else on the Forum played one? Do you like the way your Williams plays b0b?

Barry Sless · Post by **Barry Sless** » 16 Apr 2004 6:03 pm

Hey Dave V.A., I think we met years ago when I used to live in Baltimore. Thanks for the suggestions. Have you played or heard any of the guitars you mentioned?

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 16 Apr 2004 8:17 pm

Another idea would be to take an old sho bud and have Duane Marrs do a rebuild.
Franklin also builds a wood body 12string that would be a little piece of heaven. And then there is Anapeg.

Bob

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 17 Apr 2004 6:46 am

Hi Barry,
Glad to see you on the Forum!
Hey, I've seen you play several times over the years... I think the first time I saw you was on a Kingfish tour at The Stanhope House in N.J. in the late 80's.
More recently with David Nelson and The Flying Other Bros here in Portland OR.
Uhh... I was the guy yelling "Wheeeeelll!!!"

Forum member Len Amaral has recently listed a Fulawka S12U on the Buy&Sell forum that looks sweet: http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum3/HTML/020475.html

I have an S10 that looks like the little brother to your S12 'Bud, that is currently at Duane Marrs shop being converted from a 3x2 E9 to a 7x5 S10 Universal.
I'm told it will be ready soon!

If you want your Sho-Bud restored, here's the link: http://www.duanemarrs.com/index.html

The Williams looks like a killer steel to me.
I especially like the compact look of the Keyless S12U on a single-wide body in the last picture of this link: http://www.williamsguitarcompany.com/Sights%20and%20Sounds.htm?Sights+%2B+So unds=Sights+%26+Sounds

Hey, if you're in Portland and want to check out some steels, I have a Sierra S12U, an Emmons push-pull S12U, and the Sho-Bud S10U will be here shortly.
Just drop me an email.
You could sign my Cowboy Jazz alblum!

Pete B.

[This message was edited by Pete Burak on 17 April 2004 at 07:59 AM.]

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 17 Apr 2004 2:28 pm

Hi Barry. Welcome to the Forum. We met at the Powerhouse Brewery last month at the Loren Rowan/DNB show.

Mullen offers an all wood guitar.

The one in the picture sounded great through a Fender amp. It had PF-1 pu's in it.

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Dave Zirbel-
Sho-Bud Super Pro, 8 x 5, ZB Custom D-10 8 x 5, Webb 6-14E, Fender Vibrasonic Custom,
The Mother Truckers

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 17 Apr 2004 4:04 pm

I didn't get a chance to try the Mullen at St Louis, but the Mullen folks are real nice, and I heard some rave reviews from people there. For looks, playing feel and mechanics.

If there's one in England next month I surely will get on it if possible.

Ricky Davis got his new Fulawka D-10 there and he's said he is VERY happy with it.
I heard him play it there with Red Kilby and it has tone to the bone.
I was real happy listening fo sho.

Oh yeah I met your fan Pete Burak there too, and had a fine time jawin with him too.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 17 April 2004 at 05:07 PM.]

JB Arnold · Post by **JB Arnold** » 18 Apr 2004 12:12 pm

Barry

I have both a Fulawka and a Fessy. Love them both, but the Fulawka really sounds like a sho-bud on steroids. It's got wood necks, the fessy has metal. If you're looking for the update to the classic sho-bud sound, Fulawka is the answer.

JB

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Fulawka D-10 9&5
Fessenden D-10 8&8
"All in all, looking back, I'd have to say the best advice anyone ever gave me was 'Hands Up, Don't Move!"
www.johnbarnold.com/pedalsteel
www.buddycage.net

http://www.nrpsmusic.com/index.html

[This message was edited by JB Arnold on 19 April 2004 at 12:30 AM.]

Gary Preston · Post by **Gary Preston** » 22 Apr 2004 6:41 pm

Barry , I have a ''Willy''that is about a year old now and i must say that the more i play it ,it seems that the better it sounds ! It is a Maple body . I also have a Sho-Bud Pro-ll that i had made for me back in 1977 and it still sounds good also . The Willy has a clean clear sound that i really like . Check them out , You may like them . Regards,,,Gary .

Barry Sless · Post by **Barry Sless** » 22 Apr 2004 8:49 pm

Thanks Gary. I'm going to be in your area tomorrow (4/23) playing at Canal Street Tavern in Dayton. Come on out. Thank you all for your feedback, it's all been very helpful.

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 23 Apr 2004 8:11 pm

Talk about Sunburst! I would like you to see my MSA XL Uinversal, 8/5.. But I don't know how to put it on here. But will be glad to send a picture Email. Beautiful guitar just like new in every way....al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 25 Apr 2004 8:40 am

Hey Barry, I was introduced to your wonderful playing (with the Chazz Cats) when I was with Blueground Undergrass out at High Sierra. Folks, this guys is a monster! I played a wood-ncek Mullen for years- fine guitar, closer to Sho Bud tone than say, Emmons. There seems to be a consensus that Fulawka might provide what you're looking for. Or check with Duane Marrs for what he's rrebuilt lately... great to see you here, I sure hope to hear you pick again soon!

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Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com

chuck lemasters · Post by **chuck lemasters** » 9 May 2004 2:40 pm

Hi Barry,

While visiting my daughter in Baltimore over the weekend, I spent an evening with one of your biggest fans, nephew Ryan. He turned me on to the Lorin Rowan CD. Wow, nice stuff. Guys, if you want to hear some tasty pedal guitar in a non traditional context, pick this one up. Acoustic guitar, cello, and steel. Very nice.

chuck

Duane Marrs · Post by **Duane Marrs** » 9 May 2004 3:03 pm

Barry, In the upcoming future we will be introducing our new guitar. It is what we consider a cross between the Sho-Bud Super Pro and the standard all-pull guitars out there, such as the Emmons type etc. We felt if we got somewhere between the large body and Super Pro we might have a more desirable guitar, since the backboard on the was so thin. The proto-type has an all wood body with matching wood necks and a 24 1/4" scale. It has the rope inlay and is finished in a natural sunburst finish. It has a slotted tail-plate for easy removal of the finger, should it become necessary for repair. Triple/raise and lower system. We will be installing TrueTone pickups. Hopefully, hardware will be ready this week to finish a lot of the assembly. Will post when photo's are on our site. Thanks, Jeff & Duane

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 9 May 2004 6:22 pm

I've seen this guitar. Get ready folks, Marrs guitars is coming back out with a killer lacquer body guitar.

Nick Reed · Post by **Nick Reed** » 9 May 2004 6:27 pm

Talk about a SHARPIE! Check out the is 12 string Russler AL used to play. . .

Sonny Priddy · Post by **Sonny Priddy** » 9 May 2004 6:32 pm

Fessenden Steel Guitars Are Great And He Makes A Great Looking Wood Guitar Also. SONNY.

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Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 9 May 2004 9:28 pm

Hey Nick, that's my old guitar! It was beautiful , more so in person even and had a great tone. Played great and had my E6-E9-E13 tuning on it, it had it all. 10 pedals and 7 knee levers. But.....the only reason I sold it was because it was getting too heavy for for me to haul around...I was just geting into that age , close to 60. It was really built too. That one I should have kept.....Oh well, that's life....al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

Tore Blestrud · Post by **Tore Blestrud** » 9 May 2004 9:31 pm

I play both ShoBud and Fessenden, love the laquer sunburst Fessy, see it here: http://www.geocities.com/tblestrud/mygear.html [This message was edited by Tore Blestrud on 09 May 2004 at 10:33 PM.]

LARRY COLE · Post by **LARRY COLE** » 9 May 2004 9:44 pm

I have a 2000 Williams 12 string universal keyless and love it. I went from a Sho-Bud S-10 to the Willy and never looked back. Williams will give you lacqual or mica for the same price. Most other builders charge $600 to $800 for the lacquar finish. Williams also offers keyed or keyless for the same price. The Williams 400 series changer is a peace of cake to change strings. Williams keyless system is the best that I have seen too. It has about two inches of travel.

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Playing For JESUS,LC. WILLIAMS U12,SHO-BUD PRO1,CARVIN TL60,GIBSON LES PAUL CUSTOM,YAMAHA L-10A ACOUSTIC,ROLAND JW-50 KEYBOARD,G&L AND BC RICH BASS'S