ZB Pedal Steel Guitars - Please help!

John Roche · Post by **John Roche** » 8 May 2007 8:47 am

Can anyone find the lost number, This is off my ZB D10, it was like this when bought back in 1980.I would love to have the correct number..

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 8 May 2007 12:15 pm

It looks like 685.

John Roche · Post by **John Roche** » 8 May 2007 12:40 pm

Thanks Kevin,I thought it was 0185 , how many steels did ZB make starting with zero?

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 8 May 2007 1:26 pm

I don't know exactly. I owned 632 and 648.

Larry Chung · Post by **Larry Chung** » 8 May 2007 2:11 pm

Hi John:

Congrats on the ZB. I'd repeat what Kevin says, could be a "6" or a "1" or perhaps a "4" given the spacing and the little bump that appears on the back of the "1"-shape.

A good way of checking would be the other cosmetic details on the guitar. A 01xx number more than likely has the two extra rows of holes on the changer endplate (for a total of 5 rows, I think?), and the pickup(s) (if original) will have three rows of exposed magnets, although only the ones in the middle of the pickup will be adjustable via a row of Phillips (or hex/Allen for earlier) screws.

Other cosmetic features you might check for - the pattern on the pedal - a diamond pattern is early, a diagonal line is transition (01XX), and a square waffle pattern would be later (02xx and higher).

Just based on the ZBs/Serial numbers I've seen or (gulp) own...

Hope that's helpful. BTW - I don't think the company ever used "Japan"-made jacks, so I would suspect at least a little bit has been switched on your guitar. (:

Enjoy! ZBest to all of you in ZB Land. Oz?

LC

Bill McKenna - don't be a stranger. I'm just up the road from you in San Francisco and would be happy to help you set up your ZB. I own Scranton #1077 and it would be great to have them both out and singing. I'm out of town but returning this weekend.

Glenn Austin · Post by **Glenn Austin** » 8 May 2007 3:56 pm

I would have to agree with Kevin. I have 1045 and the tops of the 1 and 4 don't look your missing number. I'd say it's a 6

Pat Kelly · Post by **Pat Kelly** » 9 May 2007 10:38 am

John, different players have their individual preferences but a good place to start is the STRINGS link at the top of the forum's web page. Bob has a wide selection of strings available here on the forum. Pretty good on delivery as well.

Pat

John Roche · Post by **John Roche** » 10 May 2007 12:07 pm

Some photos to help find the number,The E9th pedals are not the same as C6th. One pickup has holes and the other has not , strange..

John Roche · Post by **John Roche** » 10 May 2007 12:10 pm

one more

John Roche · Post by **John Roche** » 10 May 2007 12:18 pm

The Jack socket was changed by me, it snapped just before going out live on UK TV ,had to rip the wires from the lead and solder them to the guitar wiring, just made it , great vibrato that day LOL

Dana Erlandson · Post by **Dana Erlandson** » 15 May 2007 9:29 pm

Hey to all you ZB fans!! I am the newest member of the fold. After 25 years with my Fender 400 I thought I might branch out to a double neck. I'm now the proud owner of a 1968 ZB.. #1132 So new in fact that it is in transit with expected delivery on Friday the 18th. Needless to say I'm like an expectant father...I don't have any cigars to pass out but I do have some pictures from the ebay auction. Anyway, I'll let you know more when it arrives, however I'd be happy to hear from anyone who has any insight about this instrument. Was the inlay on the front a later addition or available at the time of its purchase??

click here

Dana Erlandson · Post by **Dana Erlandson** » 15 May 2007 9:36 pm

Hmmm Maybe this link works better??

click here

Pat Kelly · Post by **Pat Kelly** » 16 May 2007 12:19 am

Dana,

my sincere congratulations on winning this instrument. I was an under bidder when it was originally listed. The seller didn't respond to my mail to negotiate before he relisted. I think y0u have a good deal. good luck with that zb . the pics looked magnificent.

PK

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 20 May 2007 5:28 pm

Hey Folks,
I received a whole bunch of pictures from Pete Grant a while ago. One of them has Pete playing Jerry Garcia's old ZB. I believe that it is #0009. Here is a picture of the pedal steel that started so many of us down this savage and twisted path. I look at it and see the instrument that channeled TYC, Dire Wolf and, as far as I know, the New Riders first album. This instrument has produced so many songs that have been a part of the soundtrack of my life. I just thought I'd share, even if I am a little bit emotional about the whole thing.
Aw, shoot, the photo that Pete sent me is huge and I can't seem to figure out how to resize it. If you want the picture, email me and I'll send it. And to Pete, I hope that you don't mind me spreading the good news.
As an aside, BMI seems to be up and running and producing some fantastic instruments.
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=109534
Duncan

Alex McCollough · Post by **Alex McCollough** » 20 May 2007 7:03 pm

here's duncan's photo...cool guitar!

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 20 May 2007 7:08 pm

Thanks Alex,
That's the one. Nothing special about the guitar, it's just another steel. But the notes that came out of that piece of wood and incomprehensible mechanics give me a smile to this day.
Duncan

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 21 May 2007 10:14 am

who is the guy with his boot on the chair??

Bill McKenna · Post by **Bill McKenna** » 21 May 2007 11:01 am

What are some color combos that came on early ZBs.

I'm about ready to strip down my 68 ZB D10 and prep it for Refinish. Its had a hard life and most of the finish has already come off. If it was only an old Tele .

What are some of the color options that ZB did pre 69. Mine was brown with natural tops but Brown Stained necks. Not a super pretty combo. Most of the stain has faded out anyway so I thought I'd bleach out the rest, and start with a clean slate.

Did ZB do any brown or red burst finishes in this era?

Thanks
Bill

Joe A. Camacho · Post by **Joe A. Camacho** » 21 May 2007 11:10 am

What is the differnce between the ZB pickups? I just notice that the pickups on my '68 have 3 holes and the '69 has one hole. Also has anyone tried one in a different guitar, say a Sho-Bud?

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 21 May 2007 5:48 pm

Hello Bill,
I have an 1969 Bakersfield ZB that was refinished in a really pretty red burst finish. I'll add send a couple of pictures in case they can give you some ideas. Mine has the prettiest birdseye maple on the top and they left it alone. The story in the picture is that the gentleman who refinished my ZB may, and I only say may because he was working for Zane Beck at the time applying finish to the guitars at the time that mine was made, he may have been the man who originally applied the finish in the first place. I got this info from Billy Knowles, the man who restored my ZB.
As an aside, I don't know if you have taken off one of the neck and seen what color is underneath. Greg Jones told me that underneath the neck is not exposed to sunlight and the colors don't fade.

Enjoy your ZB, they do sound the best, but are a real bear to work on.

Duncan

Bill McKenna · Post by **Bill McKenna** » 21 May 2007 8:33 pm

Thanks Duncan,
Nice looking color Combo. I love burst type finishes.
I wonder if ZB was doing any bursts in 68. I have only seen a couple Scranton Steels other than mine. Seems like they are all solid stain on the front, Red, Blue, Brown. etc.

Maybe it would be better to ask the question. Does changing the color on a ZB really effect the value?
I was thinking a nice cherry burst to yellow like Les Pauls or brown burt to yellow like 50s strats would look good.

Thanks
Bill

Billy Knowles · Post by **Billy Knowles** » 22 May 2007 4:47 pm

Duncan
The guitar was refinished by Allan Douglas who worked for Bill Simms in Pheonix and for Tom Brumley in Texas. He is a master with the paint gun and a ZB. I don't know if he ever worked for Zane but probably knew him. Allan lives in New Mexico and is one of the nicest people you will even meet not to mention the fact that he is an expert on the ZB guitar and its history.
Billy Knowles

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 22 May 2007 5:31 pm

Thanks for the history Billy. I guess I got it wrong. Strange, I could swear that I heard it that way. Maybe one of the former, or later owners told it to me, or maybe I'm hust getting more addled as I get older. Anyway, your old ZB went through a few hands before I was lucky enough to be able to buy it back. Now, the guy who sold it to me is making noises like he would like it back. That is one special ZB that you put together. My hat is off to you Mr. Knowles.
Duncan

Ben Elder · Post by **Ben Elder** » 28 May 2007 1:43 am

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll? sofocus=bs& sbrftog=1& catref=C12& from=R10& sojs=0& satitle=zb& sacat=619%26catref%3DC6&bs=Search& sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200& fpos=91214&ftrt=1&ftrv=1& saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=2%26fsoo%3D2& coaction=compare&copagenum=1& coentrypage=search& fgtp=

Barry Gaskell · Post by **Barry Gaskell** » 28 May 2007 1:39 pm

Hi Guys
My ZB was bought secondhand from Eric Snowballs shop in Maidstone, England in 1972. A twin 10 8+2. A super rich green, natural top and green necks. Serial number 0328. I think it ended up out in Indonesia somewhere. In 1986 I bought secondhand, a single 11 in a gorgeous red, with a red padded rear neck and all the deluxe features, m.o.p., inlaid necks, white fretboard and pick-ups, full length front leg adjusters. Alas I don't have the number.
I have a black and white picture which includes both guitars and an MSA universal,supersustain 12.
I wish I still had the red ZB.
I'll try and file the picture.
Barry

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