Sho-Bud 6138
Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn
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Sho-Bud 6138
I'm most likely buying a Sho-Bud 6138 today. Looking to check it out in a few hours. Photos look good and it's a great price, $500. Any thoughts or advice. I'm new to pedal steel, although have been playing acoustic and electric guitar for over 50 years. Plus, I build electrics. Of course, will be taking an amp along to check out the pickup, pots and volume pedal.
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(I edited this post, to remove some incorrect assertions)
Last edited by D Schubert on 28 Apr 2023 6:48 am, edited 3 times in total.
GFI Expo S-10PE, Sho-Bud 6139, Fender 2x8 Stringmaster, Supro consoles, Dobro. And more.
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I only have the one photo posted online. I'm good at mechanical assessment. I can tell if the levers move smoothly and judging wear and tear. Why not a good guitar for a beginner? Tuning problems? I've watched a few videos and the sound is something I'm looking for. The owner has been playing it professionally. Anything specific I should be looking for?
- Eric Dahlhoff
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This is some Sho~Bud model info I got from here on the Forum. I'm only listing the single neck models here.
MODEL NUMBERS FOR SHO-BUD PEDAL STEEL GUITARS
6138 Single Neck 10 strings 3 pedals
6139 Single Neck 10 strings 3 pedals, 1 knee lever
6140 Single Neck 10 strings 6 pedals, no knee lever
6148 Pro-I Single Neck 10 strings 3 pedals, 2 knee levers
6150 LDG Single Neck 10 strings 3 pedals, 4 knee levers
6152 Maverick Single Neck 10 strings 3 pedals, 1 knee lever
6160 Pro-I Single Neck 12 string 3 pedals, 4 knee levers
Is this correct? Then a 6138 is only 3 pedals and no knees. Still a lot of music that can be played, but you will hit a learning wall pretty quickly and desire some knee levers.
MODEL NUMBERS FOR SHO-BUD PEDAL STEEL GUITARS
6138 Single Neck 10 strings 3 pedals
6139 Single Neck 10 strings 3 pedals, 1 knee lever
6140 Single Neck 10 strings 6 pedals, no knee lever
6148 Pro-I Single Neck 10 strings 3 pedals, 2 knee levers
6150 LDG Single Neck 10 strings 3 pedals, 4 knee levers
6152 Maverick Single Neck 10 strings 3 pedals, 1 knee lever
6160 Pro-I Single Neck 12 string 3 pedals, 4 knee levers
Is this correct? Then a 6138 is only 3 pedals and no knees. Still a lot of music that can be played, but you will hit a learning wall pretty quickly and desire some knee levers.
"To live outside the law you must be honest." (Bob Dylan)
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I must disagree with my good pal and long-time colleague Skip... the Maverick, especially that vintage of Maverick, 1st Generation... is very upgradeable. Levers can be added to its basic pull-release changer with relatively few modifications.
That model Maverick (1st Gen) with raised neck and Gumby pegheads, is also a wonderful S-10 non-pedal console guitar with the pedals not attached. An identical guitar has been my NP console for about 10 years. I have also sold two of those guitars off the bandstand after a non-pedal show for more than $500. So I think 5 bills for that guitar is more than a good deal.
To put my money where my mouth is, I will buy that guitar for $500 right now if the OP isn't interested.
That model Maverick (1st Gen) with raised neck and Gumby pegheads, is also a wonderful S-10 non-pedal console guitar with the pedals not attached. An identical guitar has been my NP console for about 10 years. I have also sold two of those guitars off the bandstand after a non-pedal show for more than $500. So I think 5 bills for that guitar is more than a good deal.
To put my money where my mouth is, I will buy that guitar for $500 right now if the OP isn't interested.
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg?
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg?
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Congrats on a great score!. My first PSG was a first of the first gen. Mavericks. Polished endplates and non-roller nut. Bought it in a pawn shop in 1972 for $125. I added one KL (RKR, 4th string E to F?) and was actually playing gigs with it before I moved up a BMI-->Sho-Bud Pro II -->ZumSteel -->early PP Emmons ladder, where I am now. All were fine guitars but the little Maverick still has a place in my heart.
Drew Pierce
Emmons D10 Fatback, S10 bolt-on, Zum D10, Evans RE500, Hilton volume and delay pedals.
Emmons D10 Fatback, S10 bolt-on, Zum D10, Evans RE500, Hilton volume and delay pedals.
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Got it re-strung and tuned up. Stays in tune! I love the pickup. It's much more harmonically complex than my Supertone and Supro lap steels. Playing it through a Roland JC 55. I'm surprised how much the Sho Bud volume pedal colors the sound compared to my Dunlop GCB-80. It's kind adds a bit of compression and smooths out the sound. Digging into the Pedal Steel Guitar book tonight!
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That's a real beauty. Although if what I'm seeing on the strings near the pickup is the tone bar you're using, you might consider getting a proper PSG tonebar. The one in the pic looks like the type generally used for dobro, slide guitar and lap steels. A PSG bar has more mass and will enhance the tone and sustain of your new guitar. There are plenty of discussions about tone bar options on this forum. I personally like BJS, but there are lots of options out there.
Drew Pierce
Emmons D10 Fatback, S10 bolt-on, Zum D10, Evans RE500, Hilton volume and delay pedals.
Emmons D10 Fatback, S10 bolt-on, Zum D10, Evans RE500, Hilton volume and delay pedals.
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Speaking of good eye...anyone see a small lizard in that last photo?Richard Saylor wrote:Good eye!
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There are only two options as I see it.
Either I'm right, or there is a sinister conspiracy to conceal the fact that I'm right.
Williams Keyless S-10, BMI S-10, Evans FET-500LV, Fender Steel King, 2 Roland Cube 80XL's,
Sarno FreeLoader, Goodrich Passive Volume Pedals, Vintage ACE Pack-A-Seat
There are only two options as I see it.
Either I'm right, or there is a sinister conspiracy to conceal the fact that I'm right.
Williams Keyless S-10, BMI S-10, Evans FET-500LV, Fender Steel King, 2 Roland Cube 80XL's,
Sarno FreeLoader, Goodrich Passive Volume Pedals, Vintage ACE Pack-A-Seat
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Overtones
I installed GHS Americana E9th strings. Getting some nasty overtones on the four high strings, particularly the E and G#. I've tried a bit of everything, including just touching each individual string with the tip of the tone bar, with the same results. Maybe bad strings? I don't believe it's technique, I've been playing lap steel for years without this problem. The problem shows up on all of my amps, and is exacerbated by reverb. I've also tried raising and lowering the pickup to no avail.
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Overtones
Hi Richard! Do you get overtones with that Shubb type bar? Do you put a little bit of your left hand on the left side of the bar when playing? You definately have to mute the left side of the bar to eliminate most overtones. A real and round PSG tonebar with some meat touching the left side strings is needed.
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