ZB Pedal Steel Guitars - Please help!

Lyle Clary · Post by **Lyle Clary** » 3 May 2005 11:10 am

I am thinking of adding a new knee lever to my 1969 ZB Custom Serial 0154. It will be LKR, but here is the problem. There is no hole for the crossrod in the front part of the cabinet. Any ideas. I am a do it your selfer. Also a hobby Blacksmith whose motto is, "If it does not fit then you must aquit." No that is not right, "If it does not fit, get a bigger hammer."

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Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 3 May 2005 11:57 am

Century Springs in California. 800-237-5225. Ask for a length of #E16. It is an exact replacement except you have to cut it to length from the three foot piece and then bend the last coil.

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 3 May 2005 3:55 pm

I'm ready Chuck, but why don't we do it here in DeLand? Since you're choosing an inept partner we should at least perform the task where the fishing's better, namely my backyard.
Duncan

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 8 May 2005 5:56 pm

BUMP^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 8 May 2005 6:25 pm

oh RUSS... that's purty

My ZB's getting jealous of me looking at your ZB Porn pix...

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 8 May 2005 7:34 pm

Now that's what I'm talking about.

Larry Chung · Post by **Larry Chung** » 8 May 2005 9:00 pm

Hey Russ:

That is one beautiful steel guitar. It actually looks almost exactly like one of my D-10s, same era, same faded blue to gray finish, border inlay, pedals, etc. If yours sounds even half as good as mine, then you're a happy man... (:

And excellent photos, too - why to lacquer guitars just look so darned pretty?

All ZBest!
Larry

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 9 May 2005 4:08 am

If you look through the deck (top left corner of picture one) you can see my neighbor's vintage 1970 Triumph motorcycle. Two 1970 vintage instruments in one picture!

Russ

Ben Elder · Post by **Ben Elder** » 15 May 2005 8:24 pm

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 17 May 2005 6:52 am

Need Help. I've successfully moved my right 2 levers to a better and more ergonomic position, but now I need some hardware made. I need 3 standard pullrod/turnbuckle assemblies made with the right angle/lock-pin at one end and the motorcycle spoke at the other. I'll get the details together. Just checking to see who's set up to whip these babies out.

Anyone???

Thanks,
Brad

Steven Welborn · Post by **Steven Welborn** » 17 May 2005 2:08 pm

[This message was edited by Steven Welborn on 17 May 2005 at 03:11 PM.][This message was edited by Steven Welborn on 17 May 2005 at 03:15 PM.][This message was edited by Steven Welborn on 22 May 2005 at 11:23 AM.]

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 18 May 2005 12:55 pm

Anyone making pullrod/turnbuckles?

Brad

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 18 May 2005 4:46 pm

Steve,
I'm sorry to be the one to inform you of this, but your ZB is broken beyond repair and possibly dangerous to national security (although I am not at liberty, nor required under The Patriot Act, to explain to you exactly why). The only solution is to immediately securely box up your ZB, case included, and send it to Duncan Hodge in DeLand, Florida. Again, I am sorry.
Duncan Hodge in DeLand, Florida

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 18 May 2005 5:14 pm

Yea Steve. Sad but true. Duncan is the only federally licenced toxic ZB Custom disposal/incineration service in the continental US. It's the only proper thing to do.

Brad Sarno

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 18 May 2005 5:59 pm

Or, if you buy a second one you too can be considered a dumping zone. Duncan is more of a recycler.

Russ

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 18 May 2005 7:01 pm

Russ, I have to warn you, in all fairness, that I only recycle in order to neutralize a threat to national security. You, sir, are treading into waters that are better left untreaded. As we both know, ZB’s have been a well-kept secret for many a year, for good reason I might add. I “recycled” one that eventually ended up in the hands of someone in Arlington, VA and have lived to regret it.
D.C., the man who we know really runs everything in this country, has empowered me to issue a “cease and desist” order directed toward you, for whatever you are doing, or for whatever you are thinking of doing for that matter. In the spirit of orderliness in this great nation of ours, I call on you and all others to immediately comply and send all “defective” ZBs to the aforementioned person. Remember, our nation depends on this...
Duncan from DeLand Florida
[This message was edited by Duncan Hodge on 18 May 2005 at 08:03 PM.]

Steven Welborn · Post by **Steven Welborn** » 19 May 2005 5:53 pm

I just completely dissassembled the S10 for cleaning and refinnishing. What fun to work on a ZB. Its nice to get a detailed look at the changer and things. Very cool design.
I love how tha cab comes apart.
Somebody decided to bolt a slab of wood to the inside deck for an armrest creating an ugly hole wich I'll need to drill out (3/8")and plug with birdseye and attempt some cosmetic magic. Why do people do these things?
I think send it off to someone like G.Jones for a final set up so I can see how its really spoz to be done.
If a ZB really can play and feel like a well set up P/P than there could be another desparate addict out on the streets looking for a D10 fix.
So, what the prefered changer lubricant?
For a small job like this I would think finish the cab with laq. arisol cans should work fine.
And gee....how many ZB's are out there where they forgot to stamp a serial #. No pots either(there plugged)The previous owner was told be the previous owner to him that it came from Oklahoma. Did ZB's come out of there?[This message was edited by Steven Welborn on 19 May 2005 at 06:59 PM.][This message was edited by Steven Welborn on 19 May 2005 at 07:03 PM.]

Steven Welborn · Post by **Steven Welborn** » 19 May 2005 6:07 pm

oops[This message was edited by Steven Welborn on 22 May 2005 at 11:25 AM.]

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 19 May 2005 7:52 pm

I believe that the preferred lubricant, as per Greg Jones, is "mystery 3 & 1" oil. If not, email Greg and get the right stuff.
Duncan

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 19 May 2005 9:46 pm

I believe the first ZBs came from Arkansas, like around 1964 to 1968 or 1969, and then moved to Bakersfield when Tom Brumley took over. They eventually wound up in Phoenix, AZ.

DZ

Andrew Buhler · Post by **Andrew Buhler** » 20 May 2005 5:02 am

Thanks for illustrating the positive effects of recycling, Duncan!

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 20 May 2005 9:23 am

Enjoy^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 20 May 2005 12:34 pm

Think nothing of it Andrew. If I had to kick myself over selling that ZB I'm glad it went to you. And Russ, those pic illustrate exactly the type of ZB that should be recycled through DeLand.
Duncan

Chuck McGill · Post by **Chuck McGill** » 22 May 2005 2:58 pm

Am I reading the tone pot of my D10 right at
1 Meg? Sorry. I know this changes the subject
but I have a ZB need.[This message was edited by Chuck McGill on 22 May 2005 at 04:01 PM.]

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 22 May 2005 5:10 pm

Well I just got my ZB working again. I had to move the right knees over to the right another 4" or so. The far right knee shaft is under the changer so I had to make a linkage that went from there back to the left to activate another shaft that had a rod connection to the changer. Works great. I also wax potted the pickup to reduce microphony. I didn't eliminate it, but it's greatly reduced. If you ever take those pickups apart, take GOOD notes and keep the magnets and their polarities well marked. I can imagine that it would have been a real PITA if I hadn't been systematic in taking that pickup apart.

So now my ZB has the right knees in just the right spot so I can sit at the guitar comfortably and be centered correctly. It used to have me sitting way left which just felt wrong. I've also got Tom Brumley's '59 Bassman here for servicing (his classic steel amp) so I couldn't resist checking out the ZB/Brumley Amp combo. What a sound!!! Now if only I could play the darn thing...

Brad