ZumSteel, which era do you prefer?

scott murray · Post by **scott murray** » 1 Sep 2022 4:10 pm

I've had the pleasure of owning a couple older Zums ('78 and '80) and they both play and sound fantastic. I know Bruce refined certain aspects over the years, and developed the Hybrid model later on. but I also know some guys prefer the early models. let me know what you think and why?

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 1 Sep 2022 6:00 pm

I have two Hybrids - fabulous guitars and nothing better IMO
:-}

Doug Earnest · Post by **Doug Earnest** » 2 Sep 2022 1:32 pm

This 1967 model is a nice piece

Recently shined up, tweaked and new pickups

Barry Coker · Post by **Barry Coker** » 2 Sep 2022 4:16 pm

By the Serl.# late 1980 I fell in love the first time I played it and it still inspires me to sit down and start an old clasic or just to noodle.

Barry

scott murray · Post by **scott murray** » 2 Sep 2022 7:46 pm

Doug Earnest wrote:This 1967 model is a nice piece

wow Doug! I had no idea they went back that far. 9x3?

yours looks great too Barry.

john widgren · Post by **john widgren** » 13 Sep 2022 8:37 am

My 1984 D10 Zumsteel is by far one of the best guitars I have ever played. I love it.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 13 Sep 2022 8:47 am

I didn't care much for the earlier Zums with the comb type bellcranks.
Erv

Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 14 Sep 2022 9:21 am

Wow, I didn’t know either that Zums went that far back. What a treasure!!!!

Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 14 Sep 2022 9:37 am

I’ve owned 5 Zum steels and they were all great. One was a Hybrid and even though it sounded and played great, the color drove me nuts. Was sorta a pecan color which I didn’t like so I sold it. If it had been a solid color, would still be playing it. My favorite was a teal colored Zum with the wrap around neck style. Thinking was a late 80’s model but liked the sound better than I did the cut tail style necks. It was the comb style bell cranks so don’t know for sure the year. That’s the ones I liked best, the wrap around neck style. I know those were made several different years, maybe even much later.

Mark Robinson · Post by **Mark Robinson** » 14 Sep 2022 5:44 pm

1/15/1996

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 18 Sep 2022 2:52 pm

Henry my two Hybrids are 2008 and 2014 - both have wrap around necks :-}

Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 18 Sep 2022 2:57 pm

Paddy Long wrote:Henry my two Hybrids are 2008 and 2014 - both have wrap around necks :-}

Seems my hybrid did too. Don’t know if changers are mounted different or what but do think they sound better. I’m not familiar with when Zum made the so called cut tail version. I’ve had a couple those too but the wrap neck version sounds best to my ears. All Zum steels sound good.

Best wishes to you Paddy

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 21 Sep 2022 2:20 pm

Thanks Henry, I had an earlier 2001 Zum (my first) and that had the wrap around neck as well ... so I don't have any experience with the older configuration !
My two Hybrids are the best sounding guitars I've ever played I think... Big Red has the edge by a whisker !
Although my Franklin is wondereful as well -- just has a little different tonal nuance !!

Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 21 Sep 2022 3:02 pm

Paddy, I’m playing D-10 Magnum now. Guitar sounds great, plays really easy and really light. At my age, light means a bunch.

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ZumSteel, which era do you prefer?

ZumSteel, which era do you prefer?

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