Sho~Bud Maverick String Gauges

[b0b]

What were Sho~Bud's recommended gauges for the Maverick?

[Jack Stoner]

I would suspect the "Sho-Bud" (Nashville as some brands call it) gauges were used by Sho-Bud.

[b0b]

There are differences in these manuals, and neither mentions the Maverick:

https://www.steelguitar.com/manuals/Sho ... nual_1.pdf

https://www.steelguitar.com/manuals/Sho ... nual_2.pdf

[Jack Stoner]

Both of those manuals appear to be early listings and the string gauges had not been firmed up.

When I got my new Franklin, late 82, Paul Franklin Sr told me to use the Sho-Bud gauges and what they found best and standardized when he worked at Sho-Bud.

[Kelcey ONeil]

Bob,
The biggest thing I'd recommend is a 0.022" wound 6th string, other than that I use a pretty standard .011"-0.038" set.

[b0b]

Would the 1st string be a .012 or .013? There were no levers working it.

I played with .022w G# for many years, but always used a .018 plain for the B. I'm not even sure why. The idea might might have come from the Maverick.

[Ron Pruter]

I worked at ShoBud in those days and I don't recall any special string gauges. I'd say standard ShoBud gauge. Probably 13-36. RP

[Kenny Davis]

If memory serves me Sho~Bud recommended this:

.012
.015
.011 or .012
.014
.017
.022W
.026W
.030W
.034W
.036W

This would have been around 1970-1972

[Kelcey ONeil]

Bob,
012 should be fine for the 1st string, although an 036 for the 10th string may help time the pull with the 5th string.

[Dana Blodgett]

.013
.015
.011
.014
.017
.020
.026w
.030w
.034w
.036w

Info from “the New Sho~Bud Pedal Steel Guitar Course dated 1969.
This is what I always used back in the days when I owned a ‘74 Maverick, and what I still use today on my Sho~Bud 6139/40 today.
Cobra Coils or George L’s worked the best for me.

[b0b]

So, the 6th string wasn't wound? I'm surprised.

[Dana Blodgett]

Unwound 6th, G#…is correct!

I bought the Maverick @ Gospel Music & Supply in Fresno, Ca. Back in the day…Charles Daniel's sold it to me and he recommended I use Sho~Bud strings too…I did for several years until I couldn’t find them anymore.
My particular guitar did not have a roller bridge which might have something to do with that.

[Donny Hinson]

With the 2 charts posted, I can't see where the differences would really matter, except for personal taste..

Normally, the "gauge question" only arises on strings 2, 3, & 6, and it's usually because of whole tone lowers on strings #2 or #6, or (in the case of the 3rd string) frequent breakage. However, the problematic whole tone change (lowering 6) isn't on those charts, nor is there any gauge change on string #2. With no changes on string #1, the only concerning area left is on string #3. I used an .010 on string #3 for years, but it just sounds thin. Then, a .011 3rd was a de-facto standard for years. But when string technology improved and the .012 would stand the tension (30-some years ago), many switched to a .012 for and even fuller sound and also (in many cases) reduced breakage.

[Kenny Davis]

I know this thread hasn't had any posts lately, but I thought I'd add what I found in my filing cabinet. I've scratched my head over the plain 6th string and can't remember ever getting a set of Sho~Bud strings in the early 70's with a .020P.

This is from "Sho~Bud presents The Nashville Set-Up, Vol. 1", copyright July, 1977 by Music City Mfg. It's for E9 3 foot pedals and 1 knee lever. All reference photos shows a burl wrapped Maverick. I guess it depends a lot on personal preference on which size and type to use on #6, and sometimes a necessity if you lower that string. Also, this is a few years after the course that Dana mentions. Things change! By the way, does anyone still have the Jeff Newman Sho~Bud course?