ZB Pedal Steel Guitars - Please help!

Brendan Mitchell · Post by **Brendan Mitchell** » 3 Jun 2004 12:28 pm

I want to strip my guitar and refinish the body and polish the end plates etc.The mechanics scare me a bit as I'm not sure if I can put it back together and set it up properly.I have done quite a bit of work on my P/P with no problems but this thing scares me.I have had it for a couple of months now and love playing it but would like to have it shiny.Is there any manuals or such that I can use as a guide? Another case of ZBGBZ?
Regards Brendan

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 3 Jun 2004 2:30 pm

I'm with Brenden. If anyone has a ZB manual online I'd love to see it. They are a bit scary to work on. By the way Larry, I just got back from my honeymoon in Belize and couldnt find anybody there who had any information on ZB's.
Duncan

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 3 Jun 2004 4:23 pm

Call Greg Jones on restorations. 606-862-1031.

Phillip Morgan · Post by **Phillip Morgan** » 3 Jun 2004 9:10 pm

Welcome home Bud!Greg is the man to talk to about a ZB.Be it a old or new.He knows them inside and out.I haven't Found a manual in the 19 years I've owned mine.They are pretty tender to work on.Becareful and Good luck!
Phillip

Allan Todd · Post by **Allan Todd** » 11 Jun 2004 8:59 am

Hi Brendan, i am probably stating the obvious but be sure to take close up pics of every part of the guitar before starting,I have nearly finished a complete refurb on my S10 custom (blue) and enjoyed doing it but I must admit a manual would have been invaluble, maybe all us ZB owners could contribute our knowledge and get one started? if you need more info on the probs I had drop me a email.
regards Allan.

Larry Chung · Post by **Larry Chung** » 14 Jun 2004 11:35 am

ZBump. Check out the 12-string ZB post in the For Sale section. Does anyone have picture proof of a 12-string ZB or double neck ZB with more than 11-strings on one or both of the necks?

Chuck McGill · Post by **Chuck McGill** » 14 Jun 2004 4:51 pm

Larry I have the pics from Atomic Music and
It should be packed and on it's way to Jackson, Tn tomorrow. This 12str Uni is a gorgeous two tone 7&6. I have no way to post
pics but I can email them to you. I just sold
my Zum and was missing it when I read the post about the ZB.

Andrew Buhler · Post by **Andrew Buhler** » 14 Jun 2004 6:13 pm

I'll post here given there is no longer a need to post in the Buy and Sell section. I am glad I could be of help, Chuck.

My heart just dropped when I first saw this guitar; it was beautiful--I was wondering what it would like (and sound) like once it had some TLC. I am happy it is now in the hands of a forumite. Send me some pics once you have it all buffed up.

Chuck McGill · Post by **Chuck McGill** » 14 Jun 2004 6:28 pm

Thanks again Andrew. I will send you detail
pics and let you know how it sounds.

Brendan Mitchell · Post by **Brendan Mitchell** » 14 Jun 2004 10:08 pm

Also worth a look is a post in "STEEL PLAYERS"
"Who is this old boy-Photo"Looking forward to seeing the 12 string.
Regards Brendan

Mitch Daniels · Post by **Mitch Daniels** » 15 Jun 2004 4:19 pm

#1029 was a S-12 5&4 purchased by me through the company store. Birdseye maple with a rosewood fretboard. It was stolen from my home in Austin,TX in 1981 along with my Les Paul, Music Man Bass,Precision Bass,Fender Twin,and a bunch of other stuff.

#1092 was my brother's steel, that I traded for a Dobro just a few years ago here on the forum before ZB's became so popular again.

#020 (BMI) Don Buzard's D-13 is probably around Phoenix somewhere.

There you have it

Larry Chung · Post by **Larry Chung** » 16 Jun 2004 6:03 am

Thanks, Mitch!!!
All ZBest to ya - keep Z Information Coming-

lc

Ad Kersten · Post by **Ad Kersten** » 16 Jun 2004 1:10 pm

Larry wrote:

I certainly don't want to clutter the Forum

Well Larry, after 10 pages of replies you certainly did

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Zumsteel S12U

Yo, Man! homepage

Larry Chung · Post by **Larry Chung** » 24 Jun 2004 7:35 am

Just in case you're wondering what all the ZB talk is all about... ZBump!

Way to go with the pictures site, Dave.

lc

Ben Elder · Post by **Ben Elder** » 2 Jul 2004 3:51 pm

Larry:

Perhaps a new entry for your archives? (Follow the links to this guy's gallery.) I also posted this to the thread asking about availability of ZB D-10s...even though this is a D-11.
http://www.guitarnotes.com/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=12;t=000353;p=

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'69 alZBatross D-10/Weisskonutsens/Reasonhaters/
Perennial Sisyphean Beginner
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Smilies Always Disabled For Your Protection

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 9 Jul 2004 6:33 am

I spent some time tweaking my ZB s-10 last week. I felt that the a and b pedals were a bit to stiff and quick. So I moved the equalizers over one hole to give a longer travel. That and some general balancing (equalizing) and now the thing is better feeling than it ever has been. What a great guitar!

Brad Sarno

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 9 Jul 2004 11:09 am

Yet another link to the "Z-Files" ZB Custom Picture Gallery!

Many of you have contributed, but please feel free to send me pics of your ZB at the email address in my signature.

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"I've got the "ZB Jeebies™" !"

1998 Zumsteel U12 "Loafer" 8&6 :: 1973 ZB Custom D-10 8&5 :: Vintage Fender 'Tube' Amplification

www.dvanet.net :: zbcustom73@dvanet.net :: www.lasttrainhome.com
:: My Tribute to the Hot Club of America in Hi-Fi

[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 09 July 2004 at 12:10 PM.]

Billy Murdoch · Post by **Billy Murdoch** » 10 Jul 2004 6:28 am

Hello Larry,
I bought a ZBCustom D10 two days ago.The E9 is set Jimmy Day which is the same as my Emmons single.
The back neck is standard (I think)
At this stage I know little of the C6 tuning and am busy trying to learn something.
The serial number is 0506, perhaps you will be able to date it for me.
I am pretty sure this instrument has changed hands twice in the last nine months.

Best regards Billy

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 15 Jul 2004 4:14 pm

Hello Billy,
Did you buy your ZB from Doug?
Duncan

PS...Sorry guys, but I just bought a Marlen too. Can I still be a member of the club???[This message was edited by Duncan Hodge on 16 July 2004 at 05:50 PM.]

Bill Llewellyn · Post by **Bill Llewellyn** » 16 Jul 2004 6:47 pm

Almost to 400 replies. Holy smoke.....

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Bill, steelin' since '99 | Steel page | My music | Steelers' birthdays | Over 50?

Bob Hamilton · Post by **Bob Hamilton** » 26 Jul 2004 5:30 pm

OK Guys, I just got back from Phoenix this afternoon with a D-10 ZB Custom, serial no. 0108 from purchased from Mitch Daniels (catch that # Dave Zirbel?) and all I can say is WOW. I had a couple of hours in the motel room with this thing and I am a believer. (no Monkees puns please) With waaay dead strings and no amp, this guitar sounds like you're hearing the wood when you pick it. I can hardly wait to get the E-9 hooked up and operational (it's a partial basket case). White fretboards, white pickups, blue aprons and natural birdseye tops (just like Brad's), machine swirled endplates, etc, etc, 9 floors and 8 knees. I'll post pictures when I've had time to rest. About a '69 I guess. Man what a guitar. Bob

Larry Chung · Post by **Larry Chung** » 26 Jul 2004 7:33 pm

Hi Bob and ZBers:

I saw the post for the ZB in the Buy and Sell section and thought better of asking for a serial number... but ya came through anyway.

Thanks so much for the serial number, Bob. Your ZB is most likely a 1968 or early 1969 made in Phoenix, I think. Greg Jones, this sound about right? That's what my info tells me and it sounds like a wonderful guitar.

It's a pleasure to hear that you're enjoying your steel so much already! (:

One more word ... TESTIFY!

All ZBest,
Larry

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Larry Chung
ZB D-10 8+4
ZB Custom S-11 4+4 Dekley S-10 3+4

B. Greg Jones · Post by **B. Greg Jones** » 27 Jul 2004 12:05 am

Your pretty close Larry, I would say it is a 69' built in Bakersfield, with Ser #0108. BUT, I also guess that it was sent back to ZB for added knees and swirled endplates after they moved back to Phoenix. If there are two rows of open holes between the fine tuners at the endplate, it was built in Bakersfield. This one is 8 numbers older than Dave Zirbel's D-10.

Greg

Bob Hamilton · Post by **Bob Hamilton** » 27 Jul 2004 4:52 am

There's just one row, Greg, and the guitar had a plaque on the front stating that the guitar was made in Phoenix. I removed the plaque for the original owner's son to keep. Endplates, pedalbar, and tuning heads are machine swirled.
Whatever the year, it's quite a guitar. Bob

Larry Behm · Post by **Larry Behm** » 30 Jul 2004 3:44 am

I was told that the colors were from food coloring. Has anyone used something else when refinishing the old ZeeeBs?

The two early guitars I had both faded over time.

Larry Behm