ZB Pedal Steel Guitars - Please help!

Larry Chung · Post by **Larry Chung** » 10 Nov 2005 7:13 pm

Hey Duncan:

Congratulations on getting your SD-10 back. When you sold it, I thought to myself, "What is he thinking?"

You look very content sitting behind the guitar. Same expression on my face when I sit behind mine... (:

The ZB that Fred has for sale has definitely been altered - changer, mechanics, pickup. It's been modified, to be sure. But the wood sure is pretty!

Kevin - awesome news about the fretboards. I agree 100% about the intonation and spacing, too. Zane was well ahead of his time with design and aesthetics, too, and I wouldn't be one bit surprised if he had the jump on parallax (sp?), too.

All ZBest,
Larry[This message was edited by Larry Chung on 11 November 2005 at 08:40 AM.]

Andrew Buhler · Post by **Andrew Buhler** » 11 Nov 2005 6:56 am

It belongs with you down in Florida, Duncan.

ray qualls · Post by **ray qualls** » 11 Nov 2005 8:20 am

Apology accepted. Tomorrows a new day.
------------------
Ray Qualls
President(KSGA) www.rayqualls.com

[This message was edited by ray qualls on 11 November 2005 at 09:09 AM.]

Larry Chung · Post by **Larry Chung** » 11 Nov 2005 8:50 am

Dear Ray and Fred and Forumites:

I owe you all an apology. I made a mistake by calling your ZB anything else than a modifed ZB, and for that I am sorry.

This thread has been an amazing union of ZB owners and admirers from all walks of life, about all things ZB, and in whatever condition. So shame on me, and thank you for calling me on it.

It was unfair and impolite of me to make any statements that would be taken for a "slam" - and especially, Fred, if it affects your business. I do believe, and hope you do, too, that people (especially consumers) have the right to know what they're getting, and I always endeavor to provide and disclose any information that I can that will help. Clearly, though, my characterization beyond this description was not helpful and not called for.

I have edited my post above, and again offer my deepest apology.

To my Forum friends, I would also say let this be a lesson to me and to all of us, that not everyone takes a person's sense of humor on a given day the same way, and it's probably best left off this fine Forum.

All ZBest,
Larry

Thank you, Ray, that means alot. I'm still learning and hope to keep learning... thank you for helping me learn a little bit more about myself.[This message was edited by Larry Chung on 11 November 2005 at 09:20 AM.]

Fred Justice · Post by **Fred Justice** » 11 Nov 2005 11:17 am

Thank you Larry, now we can go forward

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Fred Justice,
Fred's Music www.fredjusticemusic.com
Rains Steel Guitars

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 11 Nov 2005 1:43 pm

I too apologize if my question hurt Fred, or his business, in any way. I have not had much experience with Scranton ZBs and was just wondering if their original underside looked like the one in the picture.
I have had some dealings with Mr. Justice recently and found him to be a very helpful man and judging by his website, believes in selling a pedal steel at a fair price.
Again, NO harm was intended by my question. In fact, I was going to buy that Carter SD-10 from Fred, but someone beat me to the button.
Duncan[This message was edited by Duncan Hodge on 11 November 2005 at 01:54 PM.]

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 11 Nov 2005 8:31 pm

The facts are the facts. This is an OPEN discussion of ZB steel guitars. If the guitar doesn't have original mechanics in it, thats a fact!

ray qualls · Post by **ray qualls** » 11 Nov 2005 10:31 pm

Kevin, I thought this was resolved but apparently not. The steel is mine and I figure its worth more than what you think.
Facts are facts: You've put a new fret board on yours so its not original any more. So I guess yours is not worth very much either. I know that fretboards are not mechanics but they are still a part of the steel, so I guess you've butchered yours too. I really try to get along with people, but some people just don't want to get along. Larry, I appreciate all the ZB posts and I'm sorry that some people just won't let it be. Facts are facts!

------------------
Ray Qualls
President(KSGA) www.rayqualls.com

jess dodson · Post by **jess dodson** » 13 Nov 2005 2:53 am

Duncan when are you going to give me a chance to get my guitar back......

richard burton · Post by **richard burton** » 13 Nov 2005 3:38 am

Oo...er

It might not win any prizes for being in mint condition, but these reversible mods sure make it nice'n'easy to play!!

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 13 Nov 2005 6:25 am

Well, Jess. Depending on how old you are, you might outlive me and we could work something out in my will. I can't figure out why I ever let it go in the first place, other than, as the English say, I had a "momentary lapse of reason". I was in some kind of pedal steel experimenting frenzy. That appears to have died down and I figured out the sound, and string spacing that I like and both just happen to be on the ZB. Providence has been kind enough to allow me to correct the stupid mistake I made in selling it, and Andrew Buhler was kind enough to remember my offer to buy it back. If I ever decide to sell it, Jess, and you want to buy it, I'll give you a holler.
Also, Kevin, could you send me an email with prices on the fretboards? Some white ones might look great on my blue D-10. Thanks.
Duncan[This message was edited by Duncan Hodge on 13 November 2005 at 06:50 AM.]

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 13 Nov 2005 11:04 am

Ray, if you think putting new exact replacement fret boards on a steel is butchery your wrong. You obviously have an axe to grind here because your trying to unload a guitar thats been severely modified. Its no longer a ZB.
Thats what this forum exists for, to give people information so that they can make an informed choice. You're not going to silence anybody on here so don't try.
Duncan' I'll send you information the fret boards.[This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 13 November 2005 at 11:07 AM.]

ray qualls · Post by **ray qualls** » 13 Nov 2005 4:41 pm

Kevin, I'm not trying unload my guitar on anyone, especially you. Your opinion doesn't mean squat to me. The guitar is a ZB with modifications on it. But its still a ZB. It plays good and the mechanics works good. So why don't you go back in your hidey hole and mind your own business, wherever you are from. Case closed!
Larry, I won't post anymore on your thread no matter what hideyhole says! Ray Qualls[This message was edited by ray qualls on 13 November 2005 at 04:46 PM.]

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 13 Nov 2005 6:50 pm

Ray, I'll mind what business I choose. Got it? Don't get on the forum if you can't accept people's opinions. Your position here is obvious to everyone. I'll be playing the Buffalo Music Awards this Thursday. Thats where I'm from pal. I'll be playing my ZB D-10. Its a real one.[This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 13 November 2005 at 07:31 PM.]

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 13 Nov 2005 7:16 pm

Well, I believe that I received the answer to my question regarding the mechanics of the ZB in question. Since I have received my answer, I hope that we can move on in the spirit of this truly amazing post that has brought me so much information about the beautiful instrument whose tone first made me want to play the steel guitar. I have seen numerous steels for sale right here on the Forum that made me want to go running into the night screaming gibberish to the unholy forces that would allow such an abomination to exist. The picture would be followed by testimony from someone who said that it was the most beautiful souding instrument ever created. I hope that Ray's ZB is able to find that person who will love and treasure it and most of all make beautiful music with it.
Duncan

ray qualls · Post by **ray qualls** » 13 Nov 2005 7:40 pm

Hey Pal, what part of Arkansas is Buffalo in? I'd like to go to the awards show and listen to you play your D-10 ZB.

Duncan, thanks for your post and your ZB is very nice looking. You sound like a gentleman. Good luck! Ray Qualls

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 13 Nov 2005 9:33 pm

Beam me up Scotty.

Michael Boyer · Post by **Michael Boyer** » 15 Nov 2005 12:17 pm

Hi Larry, I,m new to the forum.I to play a ZB Custum,#0660 and its been a good one, Iv,e had it from 1988 till now. I think its a nightmare to work on, but the sound makes up for it! Its blue birdseye 8+4 white fretboards, which I need to replace! The ends have a swirl design. Thanks for this thread,its very helpful.Michael Boyer

Pat Kelly · Post by **Pat Kelly** » 15 Nov 2005 3:39 pm

Welcome Michael. kevin Hatton who's post immediately before yours has fret boards. Send him a mail.

PK

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 15 Nov 2005 4:30 pm

Greetings Michael. Kevin does indeed have the fretboards. I just ordered two for my ZB D-10. Oh by the way Kevin, since I haven't told you yet, the check's in the mail for two of your white, mathematically corrected fretboards. Ive really been wanting some white ones on that beautiful blue body.
Duncan[This message was edited by Duncan Hodge on 15 November 2005 at 06:32 PM.]

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 16 Nov 2005 8:04 am

So are all the fretboards on all ZBs ever built incorrect?

DZ

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 16 Nov 2005 2:59 pm

Mathmaticlly they are not a correct 24 inch scale. I only discovered this when a dobro builder friend of mine laid out a 24 inch scale to me and it was different from what ZB had on their fret boards. ZB fret boards are mathmaticly sharp below the tenth fret and just a tinge flat above the nineteenth. You'll also notice that the 20th fret on a ZB is 1/16th wider than the 19th. I think this was to acomodate the symbol on the 20th fret. Still, I prefer the original fret boards above mathmaticly correct ones because by being sharp below the tenth fret you can see the fret positions much better when you are correctly intonated. If someone can prove me wrong on this I'd be happy, but this is what I've observed. The ones that I sell are exact original replacements.

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 18 Nov 2005 9:38 am

Hello fellow ZB enthusiasts. I have received my old red, sunburst ZB SD-10, serial #0098 yesterday. Thank you Andrew, I owe you one, big time. You took excellent care of it. It sounds even better than I remember. Here are a couple of pictures of my ZB "family". I feel like I'm in "ZB heaven". With the new addition I believe that I have "the last one I'll ever need".
Duncan

[This message was edited by Duncan Hodge on 18 November 2005 at 09:41 AM.]

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 18 Nov 2005 9:42 am

Here's the other one. For some reason it didn't show up in the last post.
Duncan

Andrew Buhler · Post by **Andrew Buhler** » 18 Nov 2005 10:03 am

What a sight. I am glad we could make it happen, Duncan. I particularly love the sight of two ZBs against that Florda jungle background--makes me miss home and the ZB.