ZB Pedal Steel Guitars - Please help!

Instruments, mechanical issues, copedents, techniques, etc.

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Brendan Mitchell
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Post by Brendan Mitchell »

Looks like a real one to me but I'd like to see underneath . The add says it was changed to the Emmons system . If that means the pedal set up ok but if the mechanics have been changed well then thats something else . Does anyone have any idea on the "SUPER SUSTAIN" sticker or whatever ? I always linked supersustain with MSA.
Brendan
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Dave Zirbel
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Post by Dave Zirbel »

I took it as the ZB undercarraige was replaced with Emmons parts. Look at the changer. It's not ZB. The pick up is a George'l. They want $2500 for it.
Jim Hussey
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Post by Jim Hussey »

Greetings

I still have a green ZB D-10 #0562. I bought it from John Campbell at Webb Music back in the early to mid 70s. Can't remember exactly when, my memory from those days is foggy at best. Anyway, if anyone can date this # or send a link, I'd sure appreciate the help. I have not had any luck finding the web page with the ZB serial numbers.

Thanks
Jim
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Russ Tkac
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Post by Russ Tkac »

To the top!
Image
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Dave Zirbel
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Post by Dave Zirbel »

Nice photo, Russ! Pretty soon I'll be getting my second 1969 ZB D-10 and I'll be able to take a similar picture, but my Fender ain't purty like yours! Image

Dave Z
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Russ Tkac
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Post by Russ Tkac »

Dave,

It sounds like you're giving Larry a run for his money on ZB's Image

A note to all:

I went and saw Greg Jones this summer at Renfro Valley. What a nice guy and great player. If you get a chance go see him. Or pick up his CD!

Russ

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Russ Tkac on 23 August 2005 at 08:07 PM.]</p></FONT>
Lyle Clary
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Post by Lyle Clary »

Help me out. Why no bids on the '69 D11? If I could afford it I would get it.

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1969 ZB Custom D10, BMI S10, 1981 Peavy Musician Mark III, 15 Inch Black Widow, custom enclosure
Bob Carlucci
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Post by Bob Carlucci »

Lyle..The finish is compromised,the mechanics are a mystery to most steel players and to ALL non players,and the Guitar is very heavy.;; I would bet if it was totally restored and was in very nice condition ,or if it was a simpler single cabinet S 10,folks would be bidding... Old ZB guitars don't bring the money old Buds and Emmons do.
Also the guy called it a Zane Beck guitar... some people may not even realize its a ZB..bob
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Webb Kline
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Post by Webb Kline »

That's a lot nicer looking than mine was when I started with it and it polished up to near-new condition. I think it would be a bargain if you could get it for that kind of money.
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Russ Tkac
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Post by Russ Tkac »

ZB D-11 $1435.00!! Who is the lucky winner?

Image^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
John Rutledge
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Post by John Rutledge »

Maybe some one can help me? I'm thinking about selling my steel do you have to go to ebay to do that or can you do it any where.
My steel is identical to the one that Russ Tkac is showing earlyer, but mine has white pickups. I do have a lot of extra parts and in my extra parts are two black pickups from the late 60's. My steel is a d-10 9 floor and 3 knees. I have a up knee lever witch I didn't put on. I also have a lot of changer parts. John
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Russ Tkac
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Post by Russ Tkac »

John,

You can post it for sale on the forum. I'm sure you would have no problem selling it. A picture in the add can help. Try that first.

Russ
John Rutledge
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Post by John Rutledge »

thinks Russ
You have already posted a pitcher for me it is exactly like the middle steel in your pitcher. Same inlay and color the only differance is my steel has white pickups, but I do have a set of black ones for it, brand-new from 1969 or 70 not shure. the person that emailed me thinks but I will let all my parts go with the steel. I made a steel in about 69 or 70 for Norm Hamlet. He lived here in town but was on the road wtih Merle Haggard most of the time.He had a extra pedal on the E 9th neck that I liked so I put it on mine. All the aluminum needs to be buffed.I didn't play it very much so most of the moving parts has little or no wear.I probable have a complete set of changers maybe more I realy don't know. All the extra parts I have will go with the steel. The reason I'm going to sell my steel is I have Arthritis. I don't have an ankle on my left leg so I can't push the pedals down any more,so maybe someone can put it to good use. Its late I'll be back on another time
John
Lyle Clary
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Post by Lyle Clary »

Larry, Met a guy from Jackson, Michigan who has a d10 with serial number 0006. He will be happy to send you the info on it. I will get you two together. PS by the way I cropped a picture of my ZB logo and wore it on my cap at Scotty's St Louis show and got more than one comment. Most of them remarked about the fine tone ZB's have. Also things like "I wish I had never got rid of my ZB". Also a lady steeler from Freeport Illinois.

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1969 ZB Custom D10, BMI S10, 1981 Peavy Musician Mark III, 15 Inch Black Widow, custom enclosure
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Russ Tkac
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Post by Russ Tkac »

Eagles recording studio 1973. What kind of steel guitar do you see? Image

Image
Kevin Hatton
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Post by Kevin Hatton »

Single neck early seventies ZB. Tone baby, tone!
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Larry Chung
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Post by Larry Chung »

Hello ZBers:

Glad to hear that all is well in ZB Land. Russ, I think you have officially been inducted into the ZB Hall of Fame... thanks for the pictures and information. I wish my music room looked like that... wait a minute, it does. (: I especially like the reworked grillcloth on all the amps.

By the way, just judging from the other instruments and amps in the picture, this looks like one of Zane's marvelous S-11s. Longer than the S-10s and most other guitars for that matter - it just looks like it's freakin' 8 feet long...

Lyle - please let me know who the lady steeler from Freeport, Illinois is. Why? Becuase I grew up in Freeport, Illinois (home of the Pretzels! - email me if you want all the details). Wasn't playing steel way back then, but would love to know.

Keep the good information coming!
All ZBest,
Larry<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Larry Chung on 09 September 2005 at 09:18 AM.]</p></FONT>
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Russ Tkac
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Post by Russ Tkac »

"Russ, I think you have officially been inducted into the ZB Hall of Fame..."

Thanks Larry...but with the steels I own and the way I play it should be the Hall of Shame! Image

Russ
Kevin Hatton
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Post by Kevin Hatton »

Just a note. ZB changer caps are not always interchangeable. Depending on whether the guitar is a long throw or a short throw the caps can very in depth by 1/16th of an inch.
Also, I just bought serial number 560. Blond long throw. D-10, 8+4. It plays great and sounds typicallt ZB fantastic.
Andrew Buhler
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Post by Andrew Buhler »

So, Kevin. Can you elaborate more on the difference betewen long and short throw ZBs? Are the short throws the later year, short bodied guitars? Thanks.
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Duncan Hodge
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Post by Duncan Hodge »

Andrew,
The throw on your ZB is just right. I should know, I'm the idiot, who sold it to the guy who sold it to you, in the first place. Don't do anything like tryng to make it throw lefty, unless you are making a political statement. If that is the case, go right ahead.
Duncan
Kevin Hatton
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Post by Kevin Hatton »

Yes Andrew, that is correct. I like both. Both can be made to play smoothly and accrately with the right adjustments. The long throws can adjusted near the same as the short throws with the two holes to attach the pedal rod to so that you could actually shorten up the throw very close to the short throw. <font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 12 September 2005 at 07:31 PM.]</p></FONT>
Kevin Hatton
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Post by Kevin Hatton »

By the way, the reason that bought serial number 560 is that it sounds incredible. I was hust playing a Sho-Bud Pro-111 for two months, but I needed to get back to that ZB tone.
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Larry Behm
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Post by Larry Behm »

Kevin, long throw vs short throw, is that in conjunction with the guitars with the "horns" vs no horns on the peg head and tail piece?

Larry Behm
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