ZB Pedal Steel Guitars - Please help!
Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn
- John Roche
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- Location: England
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- Location: Wentworthville, New South Wales, Australia
Russ,
Yes, I still have the D-11. It is going to have to be neglected for a while as I have to get used to the different setup on the d10 which has the e changes on the right knee. I'm also having a little initial trouble with picking having got used to the extra string. I'm sure it will all work out.
Pat
Yes, I still have the D-11. It is going to have to be neglected for a while as I have to get used to the different setup on the d10 which has the e changes on the right knee. I'm also having a little initial trouble with picking having got used to the extra string. I'm sure it will all work out.
Pat
- Peer Desmense
- Posts: 109
- Joined: 30 Jul 2007 6:01 am
- Location: Netherlands
ZB custom I used to own
Hi Folks,
Just became a member to this forum today and I would like to take this opportunity to show you the very typical ZB custom I used to own in the late seventies.
When in the Netherlands the pedalsteelstorie began, there were some players that owned a ZB and to me these were certainly the most beautiful steel guitars in the market at that time.
I than owned a Framus (German made, heavy to play but very heavy duty too) as many Dutch players did, but these things were ugly and you didn't want to be seen with them, so naturally I decided to have myself a ZB.
I ordered one through Jan Visser (Builder of Devis pedalsteel) and I hoped te get the ZB as I knew them then.
Three months later it arrived and when I opened the case I wasn't sure how to react.
The ZB was built very different from the ones I knew: it was much more compact, didn't have the fishtails, but more important: the undercarriage was unreco
gnizable; very un ZB like: the whole system had been changed but it certainly was a big improvement over the normal ZB configuration. (I regret to not have any pictures of the underside, but I am in the proces of seeking contact with todays owner Tom Ensink, perhaps we can get pictures of it through him...
According to Jan Visser the company now was owned by Tom Brumley and he was supposed to have built the instrument.
(Later on I sold this ZB (which I now regret of course) to another Dutch player who took it to America at one time and had the good luck to be able to show it to Tom Brumley at a steelguitar meeting. Tom denied having built the instrument so this leaves me puzzled but who knows: perhaps one of you good people know who put his signature under this particular one.
Anyway, here are some pictures of this beauty. the ugly thing behind it is me.
Greetings from Peer Desmense
Just became a member to this forum today and I would like to take this opportunity to show you the very typical ZB custom I used to own in the late seventies.
When in the Netherlands the pedalsteelstorie began, there were some players that owned a ZB and to me these were certainly the most beautiful steel guitars in the market at that time.
I than owned a Framus (German made, heavy to play but very heavy duty too) as many Dutch players did, but these things were ugly and you didn't want to be seen with them, so naturally I decided to have myself a ZB.
I ordered one through Jan Visser (Builder of Devis pedalsteel) and I hoped te get the ZB as I knew them then.
Three months later it arrived and when I opened the case I wasn't sure how to react.
The ZB was built very different from the ones I knew: it was much more compact, didn't have the fishtails, but more important: the undercarriage was unreco
gnizable; very un ZB like: the whole system had been changed but it certainly was a big improvement over the normal ZB configuration. (I regret to not have any pictures of the underside, but I am in the proces of seeking contact with todays owner Tom Ensink, perhaps we can get pictures of it through him...
According to Jan Visser the company now was owned by Tom Brumley and he was supposed to have built the instrument.
(Later on I sold this ZB (which I now regret of course) to another Dutch player who took it to America at one time and had the good luck to be able to show it to Tom Brumley at a steelguitar meeting. Tom denied having built the instrument so this leaves me puzzled but who knows: perhaps one of you good people know who put his signature under this particular one.
Anyway, here are some pictures of this beauty. the ugly thing behind it is me.
Greetings from Peer Desmense
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Peer,
Welcome to the forum and the ZB family!!! If you remember when you got the guitar, that may help identify the builder. Tom Brumley sold the company in 1985 and it is possible you could have a Basil Smith built ZB. I noticed that the keyhead is open at the end and that was typical of Basil's work. I dont know if they ever did that when Tom owned the company or not.
Greg
Welcome to the forum and the ZB family!!! If you remember when you got the guitar, that may help identify the builder. Tom Brumley sold the company in 1985 and it is possible you could have a Basil Smith built ZB. I noticed that the keyhead is open at the end and that was typical of Basil's work. I dont know if they ever did that when Tom owned the company or not.
Greg
- Peer Desmense
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- Joined: 30 Jul 2007 6:01 am
- Location: Netherlands
Hi Greg,
Thanks for your kind welcoming words!
I do not remember the exact date of purchase but it must have been around 1977/78. The Dutch importer (Jan Visser) was as surprised as I was to see such a different instrument when it arrived, so it must have had something to do with new ownership after Zane's period I guess. I'm afraid you're wrong about the open keyhead end. The picture is not clear enough for this to see, but I know it was closed and very compact. Changing the two longest strings was a very hard job to do because of this, I remember.
Anyway, once I got over the surprise of receiving such a different ZB (I was very disappointed about the missing fishtails e.g.) I really got to love this ZB. Several years later however (The band I was playing in had an empty agenda) I lost interest in steeling and sold the ZB. I regret this stupidity uptill this very day.
Thanks for your kind welcoming words!
I do not remember the exact date of purchase but it must have been around 1977/78. The Dutch importer (Jan Visser) was as surprised as I was to see such a different instrument when it arrived, so it must have had something to do with new ownership after Zane's period I guess. I'm afraid you're wrong about the open keyhead end. The picture is not clear enough for this to see, but I know it was closed and very compact. Changing the two longest strings was a very hard job to do because of this, I remember.
Anyway, once I got over the surprise of receiving such a different ZB (I was very disappointed about the missing fishtails e.g.) I really got to love this ZB. Several years later however (The band I was playing in had an empty agenda) I lost interest in steeling and sold the ZB. I regret this stupidity uptill this very day.
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My Bad, It must be a reflection in the end of the keyhead. In 77/78' Tom Brumley still had ownership of the ZB Company. This guitar would have been Texas built and also one of the 1st cut down ZB's they made. Knocking off the fishtales and some extra wood lightened them up a bit. Love the inlay work in that guitar!!!
Greg
Greg
- Peer Desmense
- Posts: 109
- Joined: 30 Jul 2007 6:01 am
- Location: Netherlands
Same steel?
Did you notice by the way the sililarity between that zb I used to own (scroll to above) and the one you see in this picture?
Peer
Peer
- Peer Desmense
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Photo
What would be the chance of each one of us that own ZBs to post a photo of each. We could see all the different colors and other things that may be different. Zane and Tom were constantly upgrading and making changes in the guitars. If we had the ZB refinished, we could describe the color before and after.
Just wondering
Billy
Just wondering
Billy
- Stu Schulman
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- Location: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
Peer,Ethan Riley who used to play with Glen Campbell had one of those.I visited Tom Brumley when he owned the company in Austin in the late 70's,I needed a decal for an old ZB,He had a guitar that looked exactly like the one that you had.Ethan's guitar had a very modern changer system,I always wanted one one of those...just couldn't get the money together.
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952.
ZB pictures
Good idea Billy!
#0822
I purchased this from Gail Bowie from Texas in March of 2005. It was her late fathers. This link has his obituary and my call for information about him. Day setup with 9P and 4K.
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... gail+bowie
#0822
I purchased this from Gail Bowie from Texas in March of 2005. It was her late fathers. This link has his obituary and my call for information about him. Day setup with 9P and 4K.
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... gail+bowie
Last edited by Russ Tkac on 17 Aug 2007 1:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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ZB
Russ
Please also give the serial number and history of the guitar. I bet the history of some ZBs would be interesting.
Thanks
Billy
Also please send me instructions as to how to post a photo
Please also give the serial number and history of the guitar. I bet the history of some ZBs would be interesting.
Thanks
Billy
Also please send me instructions as to how to post a photo
- Dave Van Allen
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Please check out my ZB Gallery and contribute a photo
There's a good head start (some with serial numbers ) at this link for My ZB Gallery!
Clicking on any of the pix in the gallery will show you a larger version of the same image...
Like this one! SN# 0458
Clicking on any of the pix in the gallery will show you a larger version of the same image...
Like this one! SN# 0458
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ZB
This is 1058. Restored by Billy Knowles. It was solid black with no inlay. Dick Miller, Nashville, refinished it for me and put the inlay in.
Last edited by Billy Knowles on 22 Aug 2007 5:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
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ZB Register
This ZB now is owned by Duncan Hodge. Serial number 0098.
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ZB Register
This is stained black and Natural. Serial number: 0330. Also notice the 1/2 tone tuner. Don't know who ownes it presently.
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Joining the gang
Incoming. Greg Jones is currently doing some work under the hood. Thanks Chuck and Greg!
Nice ZB S12
Way to go Steve! That is a very special ZB. Greg will make it play real nice.
Russ
Russ
- Duncan Hodge
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- Location: DeLand, FL USA
Thanks for posting the picture of your old red ZB Billy. I've never seen it without its pad. Man that is one beautiful piece of maple on top. All your work is great. That particular ZB SD-10 is the best sounding instrument that I have ever played. I was wondering if you had pictures of the orange one you redid. I saw it up for sale a while ago, but couldn't afford it at the time. An orange ZB is a real rarity. In any event, thanks for restoring all of those great ZBs.
To Steve H. it has been a looooooong 3 1/2 years since Chuck bought that ZB U-12 from Atomic Music in MD. With all the love and attention, not to mention weeping and gnashing of teeth, it sould sound terriffic.
Duncan
To Steve H. it has been a looooooong 3 1/2 years since Chuck bought that ZB U-12 from Atomic Music in MD. With all the love and attention, not to mention weeping and gnashing of teeth, it sould sound terriffic.
Duncan
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Steve
What is the serial number
Thanks
Billy
What is the serial number
Thanks
Billy
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ZB 12 Serial #
On the question Mr. Jones?
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