New guitar recommendations

Kim Cravens · Post by **Kim Cravens** » 9 May 2019 7:46 pm

Hello all,

New to the forum and looking for advice on a new S10. I have been out of the loop for 20 years and am trying to get up to speed on newer technology and the current builders.

I have a 1975 ShoBud Pro III Custom D10 that sounds great and stays in tune but the mechanics are old school, with a lot of play and noise when recording.

I'm going to send it to Ricky Davis in the next couple of months for a refurb. But I think I need two steels.

Your thoughts?

Jeremy Threlfall · Post by **Jeremy Threlfall** » 9 May 2019 7:52 pm

I did the same and got a Williams (wood neck) in the end. It has that honky middy Shobuddy sound in spades. The clunky old shobud sits at home set up now. If you do send it to Ricky it will be better than new when you get it back. Can you borrow/rent one in the meantime?

Greg Thompson · Post by **Greg Thompson** » 9 May 2019 8:03 pm

Check out Zum Encores

Kim Cravens · Post by **Kim Cravens** » 9 May 2019 8:45 pm

Thanks,

I'm thinking the S10 I'm shopping for should be light enough to schlep around to a jam session but not sound like crap. I started on an aluminum/formica MSA. It played well but didn't sound that good.

I also need advice on the newer, lighter compact amps. I am to old to haul my Session 500 around anymore.

What is the current solution to the Peavey volume pedal loop that was used on the Session 500?

Greg Thompson · Post by **Greg Thompson** » 9 May 2019 9:13 pm

Roland Cube 30watt worth a look too

Rick Barnhart · Post by **Rick Barnhart** » 9 May 2019 9:21 pm

You oughta look into Justice guitars, built right here in Arizona. Fred builds excellent guitars.

Larry Baker · Post by **Larry Baker** » 10 May 2019 3:34 am

Mullen Discovery.

Mike Mantey · Post by **Mike Mantey** » 10 May 2019 7:18 am

We have been building the Mullen Discovery for many years and it is fitting in real nice. A lightweight professional guitar and delivery times that won't leave you waiting forever. https://mullenguitars.com/discovery

Doc Hall · Post by **Doc Hall** » 10 May 2019 8:36 am

I agree that Fred's guitars are worth a look. Lightweight, well-built and sound great.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 10 May 2019 9:28 am

If I'm looking for a quick and easy 'in and out' (one-off rehearsals, etc) then my Zum Encore and Roland 80xl amp are hard to beat. The Zum is a great guitar!

Paul Pearson · Post by **Paul Pearson** » 10 May 2019 10:30 am

I have been playing Mullen guitars sent 1994 it is one of the best playing guitars I have every sit down to it stays in tune well and easy to play pedal and knee leavers are like butter I am now own 3 discovery guitar I have 1 that's set up in my home church and 2 that I use one the road when we travel my back really enjoys the weight Mike at Mullen is a great person to deal with he built 2 for me exactly the way I wanted them in well pleased with them

Johnie King · Post by **Johnie King** » 10 May 2019 5:32 pm

Once youâ€™ve had a good Bud itâ€™s hard to be happy with another steel I canâ€™t imagine how well Ricky will make your Bud play!!!

David Nugent · Post by **David Nugent** » 11 May 2019 3:25 am

If you enjoy the Sho-Bud tone but would like a guitar with more modern mechanics, 'Show Pro' is the way to go. Outstanding instruments.

Alan Bidmade · Post by **Alan Bidmade** » 11 May 2019 4:33 am

Check out Ben-Rom. High quality, good price, made in Canada.
Lovely guitar.

Wayne Baker · Post by **Wayne Baker** » 12 May 2019 9:16 am

Show Pro...

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Wayne Baker · Post by **Wayne Baker** » 12 May 2019 9:18 am

Show Pro...

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 12 May 2019 4:32 pm

David Nugent wrote:If you enjoy the Sho-Bud tone but would like a guitar with more modern mechanics, 'Show Pro' is the way to go. Outstanding instruments.

ðŸ‘

Brian Hollands · Post by **Brian Hollands** » 12 May 2019 5:10 pm

Whatever you do, play an example of what you think you want before you put any money down. I have an '81 LDG. I've played several newer arguably nicer guitars that I didn't like as much. Too smooth, too light an action. If you're used to clunky, smoother and lighter may be an improvement but too smooth might not suit you.

memphislim · Post by **memphislim** » 13 May 2019 9:07 am

Sounds like you should check out the new Sierra. It's light (34 lbs in the case), 10-12 string, sounds awesome and it's the most modern, innovative guitar on the market. You could pay less for another guitar but none will have the features, sound and build quality that the Ross's Sierra has. I've owned/played or worked on all of the guitars mentioned in this thread and then some. For my money, the Sierra is the choice. I have a few Cadillacs, Fords and Lexus guitars in my collection but the Sierra is the Rolls Royce. Check out these threads to see what the fuss is all about:

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtop ... ght=sierra

I'm not one to make videos, in fact this it the only one I've ever made, but was so imppressed, I wanted to share:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PieN4MnJ7Go

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 13 May 2019 9:58 am

I see two D10's and an SD10 shown as recommendations. Keep in mind that one of Kim's preferences is lightweight...

memphislim · Post by **memphislim** » 13 May 2019 10:03 am

The Sierra I recommend is a S10, keyless.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 13 May 2019 10:34 am

An enviable guitar to say the least, Memphislim..

Jim DeTore · Post by **Jim DeTore** » 13 May 2019 3:15 pm

Mike Mantey wrote:We have been building the Mullen Discovery for many years and it is fitting in real nice. A lightweight professional guitar and delivery times that won't leave you waiting forever. https://mullenguitars.com/discovery

Mike and his team at Mullen make a easy to play and great sounding steel guitar in the discovery and provide good support, which is another important factor in caring for a complex beast like a pedal steel. My discovery is top notch, 3 pedals and 5 knee levers and it also now can include split tuning, an important option down the road as one progresses. I am still learning, but am doing paid steel gigs now and the discovery can handle everything I throw at it and it's helped my playing tremendously.

This is a non paid for endorsement ,Mike doesn't know me but has helped every time I reach out over the last few years. I'm a very happy Mullen customer and the discovery is a great but relatively light weight machine.

Good luck on your search

Kim Cravens · Post by **Kim Cravens** » 13 May 2019 7:52 pm

Thanks for all the replies.

I think you have it in a nutshell...I love the tone of the ShoBud but I want modern mechanics and light weight.

I will check out the manufacturers you've recommended. I have communicated with Fred Justice to visit his shop in the near future.

Whenever I do a web search, the brand that seems to appear a lot is the Zum Encore. The Stageonesteelguitars website has limited info but Doug has quickly responded to my inquiry. Can anyone elaborate on what makes this guitar so popular?

Have the mechanics been standardized over the last 20 years other than the use of keyless tuners?

Kim Cravens · Post by **Kim Cravens** » 13 May 2019 7:57 pm

Those Show Pros sure are pretty!

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