ZB Pedal Steel Guitars - Please help!

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 15 Mar 2005 12:47 pm

Andrew, they have similar qualities, like good sustain but my ZB doesn't sound like the Kline. I like the midrange better on the zb. It has that "open" sounding midrange. Both guitars sound great, though.

Dave

Larry Chung · Post by **Larry Chung** » 15 Mar 2005 4:43 pm

Hey Russ - I got your photos and thank you so much! Great looking ZB! But don't they all look great?

For any of you travelling through San Francisco, I'd be happy to show you "the collection" - two D-10s, an S-10 and an S-11. I'm in contact with a few players in the area who own ZBs (mostly D-10s) and there definitely seems to be a renewed interest in single neck S-10s, S-11s and S-12s. (Like you, Dave!)

I think 4 ZBs is enough for me... for now... (:

If anyone out there is interested in selling a single neck, please post here.

All ZBest as Always!
Larry

------------------
Larry Chung
'67 ZB D-10 8+4 (ser. #1077)
'69 ZB S-10 3+4 (ser. #0124)
'70 ZB D-10 8+4 (ser.# 0215)
'71 ZB Custom S-11 4+4 (ser. #0252)

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 15 Mar 2005 7:48 pm

Larry, I think 4 ZBs is too many and you need to sell me the S-11!

What do you the rest of you guys think?

Hope to see you in San Jose.

------------------
Dave Zirbel-
ZB Custom D-10 8 x 5, S-12U Kline 7 x6, Dobro Cyclops reissue, 1967 Fender Telecaster, Webb 6-14E, Fender Super Reverb, PV NV112
The Mother Truckers
The Cowlicks

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 16 Mar 2005 6:47 pm

Hello Dave,
Good luck finding a ZB S-11. They appear to be quite rare. I'm on the lookout for one myself. I even have a Speedy West Marlen for trade on one. Like you, I have a fantastic Greg Jones restoration ZB. It sounds "sweeter than wine".

By the way, I like your playing, even if it is lately on a Kline. Great sounding band too, please give them my best.
Duncan [This message was edited by Duncan Hodge on 16 March 2005 at 06:48 PM.]

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 21 Mar 2005 6:33 pm

Well, I went and did it. Saw this ZB D11/10 on ebay and no one bidding on it. Now there was only 9 minutes left. What could I do? So, I call my wife and she tells me If I want it... get it. I was the only bidder with 24 seconds left to go...but one other brave soul tried to help this ZB find a new home. But, it's coming to my house. I'll let you know when it arrives.
Russ

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 22 Mar 2005 6:38 pm

Congratulations Russ. I was watching it all week. I love those white fretboards. Let me know how it sounds when you get it. I couldn't bring myself to bid on it since I just got a beautiful ZB D-10. I didn't want to get greedy. Also, could you send me a picture of your D-10? I just like to look at 'em. I think something is wrong with me since I bought my first ZB...I mean other than the obvious things.
Duncan

Larry Chung · Post by **Larry Chung** » 22 Mar 2005 9:19 pm

You guys have a serious problem. Isn't just one ZB guitar enough for you? (:

With all these ZBs changing hands, I'm expecting lots of serial numbers and info. Yah!

In the meantime, I just got this email from Ted Solesky and wanted to share this story with you all about Zane and Buddy:

" I've met and heard a lot of fine musicians thru out the yrs. I became good friends of Zane Beck. Zane built the ZB guitars and they were built like a battleship and just as heavy. Zane was well respected by all - he was a super picker. He played more on the Curly Chalker style. He knew his music frontwards and backwards. He was one of the first steel builders to make a knee lever. He said that when 'Slowly' came out in the early 50's, it had the first pedal steel sound on that recording. His boss didn't like pedals and told him to detach the pedal he had on his guitar if he wanted to keep his pickin job. So, Zane put on knee pedals so his boss wouldn't see 'pedals'. I think it was in the late 50's, Zane move to Nashville to work for Shot Jackson (Sho-Bud). A lot of the big stars knew Zane - he was a very humble and super nice guy. I think it was Webb Pierce or Faron Young, he said, that took him into Tootsies ( a hang-out place in Nashville) to meet some players. He said Emmons was on the little dumpy stage blowing a hot instrumental like 'Back Home in Indiana', and Webb took Zane by the arm and walked up to the stage and laid his hands on the strings to stop Emmons and said, 'hey, I want you to meet this fine musician'. Zane said that he was really embarrassed - you don't interrupt a picker when he's blowing. He said Emmons got up and said, 'here, it's all yours', and walked away. Zane said Emmons never did talk to him after that. Then one nite while Zane was in Shot's shop (garage) experimenting with the stereo pickups - the neck had a pick up for the top 5 strings and another pickup for the bottom 5 strings - 2 pickups, Zane said he felt eyes and breathing on him from the back. He turned around and there was Emmons with a big Emmons grin and he asked, 'can I try that?'. Zane told him 'sure, here, it's all yours.'. Zane had 2 amps that worked each pick up separately for the stereo effect. He said Emmons was moving the amps in all different directions and was having a ball. They became good friends after that."

Now, THAT'S a good story. Word...

ZBest,
Larry

------------------
Larry Chung
'67 ZB D-10 8+4 (ser. #1077)
'69 ZB S-10 3+4 (ser. #0124)
'70 ZB D-10 8+4 (ser.# 0215)
'71 ZB Custom S-11 4+4 (ser. #0252)

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 23 Mar 2005 3:17 am

[This message was edited by Russ Tkac on 27 February 2006 at 05:00 AM.]

Brendan Mitchell · Post by **Brendan Mitchell** » 23 Mar 2005 3:42 am

To Pete Grant
My D10 has those rod connectors.I heard people talking about turnbuckles and just assumed they meant connectors.Where is the left hand thread on the changer end or the pedal end ?I can see this would make setting up your guitar a LOT easier.Are these turnbuckles available ? Would Greg Jones have any ?
I just played my guitar on a job first time since full rebuild , well nearly full , I only had 2 knee levers on but I was very pleased.I saw Ray Cullen from Queensland last week and he was telling me about his other D10 he has at home that has everything underneath remade and chromed .I'm waiting to see some pix.
Regards Brendan

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 23 Mar 2005 3:47 pm

Russ, that is one pretty piece of wood with a lot of incomprehensible mechanics that need to be adjusted perfectly underneath. I'd ask "why do you need another ZB", but I'm really in no position to take that position.
To Larry...Well, I didn't have "a serious problem" until I started reading your post. I was happy going along playing Brand X until your post convinced me that I should try a ZB. If they didn't sound so great I suppose I'd be mad at you. Thanks for getting me started down "ZB road of no return"
Duncan[This message was edited by Duncan Hodge on 23 March 2005 at 03:48 PM.]

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 23 Mar 2005 5:11 pm

Duncan,

The answer is simple...because my wife said I could! This will be my 50th birthday gift a few weeks early. See, turning 50 isn't so bad.

Russ

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 23 Mar 2005 6:38 pm

Russ, sounds like both our wives could qualify for ZB-anon.
Duncan

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 27 Mar 2005 6:16 pm

So, Larry who's D-11 is this?

Russ

Larry Chung · Post by **Larry Chung** » 27 Mar 2005 11:25 pm

Hi Russ! Where did you find that photo? (:

I wish it were mine... kidding.

That's me in San Jose checking out a ZB (D-11-10) that went to Australia. I'm going to forget the gentleman's name... He bought it here and asked me to check it out before it was shipped. Splendid wood and very clean. This guitar, like all ZBs, looked and sounded great!

ZBest,
Larry

G'Day, Pat - Great to hear from you and sorry I couldn't remember your name. And, by the way, lovely fiddle playing! All ZBest and Cheers![This message was edited by Larry Chung on 28 March 2005 at 05:38 AM.]

Pat Kelly · Post by **Pat Kelly** » 28 Mar 2005 2:46 am

This is my D-11. As Larry says he gave it the once over in San Jose before shipment to Australia for which I am ever grateful. It was purchased from George King of Illinois early last year via E-Bay. I suspect the photo was picked up from the testing forum; I used it to to test downloading photos to the forum some time ago. Serial number is 0839 D-11 8+5. I'm only playing the E9 at this stage and it is fine mechanically and sound wise. Hardly ever drifts out of tune (it was practically still in tune when I picked it up form Fed-Ex). The C-6 needs some work on the under carriage which I will get around to in the fullness of time.

May Z force B with you

Pat Kelly

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 28 Mar 2005 7:02 am

Hi Larry and Pat,

I was just ZB'ing around the Internet and came upon the photo. It interested me as I should receive my ZB D11/10 tomorrow and the serial number is #0822.

Larry, you looked so at ease sitting behind that steel I thought you might be adding one more and opening a store!

Russ

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 29 Mar 2005 10:03 pm

If anyone is interested I will be in Nashville next Tuesday for the NTSGA jam on Elm Hill Pike. I will be bringing and displaying four ZB Custom D-10's including two new ones. Greg Jones will be there with me also to answer technical questions about ZB Customs. As you know, Greg is one of the leading ZB mechanics in the world and can make a ZB play as smooth and accurately as any modern guitar. One of the guitars I am bringing is serial # 1107 originally ordered by Tom Brumley. We are not sure whether this was one of his (he was playing D-11's by 1968). The guitar is restored in Carnegie Hall black with checked inlay and I am offering it for sale as well. Its stunningly beautiful as are the others. All will have new alluminum polished adjustable knee levers repositioned for ergonomic comfort. If anyone is interested in this guitar I'll offer it here first. My 74 green will be for sale also. [This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 29 March 2005 at 10:04 PM.][This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 01 April 2005 at 01:08 PM.]

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 31 Mar 2005 6:06 pm

Hey Kevin. I just saw some pictures of your green one. All I can say is, WOW!!! That is one pretty piece of wood. Hope that you and Greg have a really successful trip and find that ZB of yours a great home. My only question is...If you can let that beautiful green ZB go, what will you be sitting behind next?
Duncan

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 31 Mar 2005 6:33 pm

Duncan, you are correct. I'm not really sure if I wanted to let the green one go. These very rare. Its in beautiful condition, vintage green fade, has no cabinet drop, its dead accurate on all pulls on the meter, and plays like a dream. It also has split cases made from Fender tweed with wheels on the body case, but I can't keep them all. I have more on the way. [This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 31 March 2005 at 06:35 PM.][This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 31 March 2005 at 06:36 PM.][This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 31 March 2005 at 07:43 PM.]

Ron Thompson · Post by **Ron Thompson** » 1 Apr 2005 8:06 am

Larry, Put me down as the new owner of ZB #1126. Enroute to my place it stopped off at B. Greg's to have him perform his "Magic" on it. Does anyone know the original owner, T.J. Seaman, or what roads my guitar has travelled down after he owned it? It doesn't matter what I find out I'll still love it. Still can't believe I own a ZB, God is good.

Ron

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 1 Apr 2005 5:54 pm

A question for Russ Tkac. I was just wondering how #0822 is sounding. I was real tempted by that one, but decided to not get greedy. One great ZB is enough...for now. Also, thanks for the picture of Larry behind that red ZB. I looked real hard at it and even spoke with George King about it. I was just too cheap. I have to say that Larry looks prettier behind it than I ever could.
Duncan[This message was edited by Duncan Hodge on 01 April 2005 at 05:56 PM.]

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 1 Apr 2005 6:58 pm

Duncan,

It has a great sound! But the steel needs setup. I may send this to Greg first. It has a "day" setup and I played that in the 70's. I may go back to it as I haven't played in a number of years. It's 2-1/2" shorter than the 1970 D-10. It also came with a Sho-Bud volume pedal so the D11/10 was a great buy! Have you given up on the S-11?

All the best,
Russ

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 2 Apr 2005 8:39 am

Here's Kevin Hatton's two pictures he sent me.

Ricky

Larry Chung · Post by **Larry Chung** » 2 Apr 2005 9:00 am

Hi Duncan:

I may look pretty behind Pat's guitar, but there's no way I could play in hiking boots. Wrong kinda boots. (:

Pat's ZB is Fire Engine Red, which is very, very beautiful. The only one I've seen where the red was that alive. Greg's got one, too, just haven't seen it in person. You can't really see the grain and swirl and figure in the wood from the photo. It's there, all right! Also, I like the inlay/trim on the side of the neck. Not all ZBs had this; it was offered as an option.

It's interesting to note that on later ZBs, the horns on the keyheads and changer mounts disappeared, which (I think) means that the guitars got a bit shorter.

Kevin's guitar (thanks, Ricky, for posting) is VERY interesting in that the keyheads/horns are at least an inch shy of the end of the guitar body. I've never seen this on any ZBs. On mine, the horns come right up to the endplate. I'm wondering, Kevin, if that means your guitar is longer than most? Or is the neck scale shorter on yours? Can you let us know the total length your ZB? I know, I know, size doesn't matter... (:

Ron, thanks for the info. Russ, face it, you're hooked. Like the rest of us.

All ZBest!
LC[This message was edited by Larry Chung on 02 April 2005 at 09:03 AM.]

Larry Behm · Post by **Larry Behm** » 2 Apr 2005 11:07 am

What is the going rate for a D10 these days? I sold one to an upstart player over 25 years ago for $750. I wounder if $500 would get it back!!! It was blue with jeweled metal surfaces everywhere.

Larry Behm