ZB Pedal Steel Guitars - Please help!

Instruments, mechanical issues, copedents, techniques, etc.

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Barry Gaskell
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Location: Cheshire, UK

Post by Barry Gaskell »

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Hi guys
Here's the picture, sorry it's a rather vague black and white one. I used to just sit and look at these some days. Is that weird ?.
Cheers
Barry
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richard burton
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Post by richard burton »

Barry,
Was it 0650 ?

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Barry Gaskell
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Location: Cheshire, UK

Post by Barry Gaskell »

Hi Richard
unfortunately I don't have the number, but I've looked closely at some other pictures I have, and although they are black and white, I'm sure, going by the wood grain on the front and the inlay patterns, that your guitar is the same one. The knee levers had, I think, a white facing on them and it really had a gorgeous sound.I traded it with John Brady from York for a Sho-Bud pro III custom twin ten.Although the mechanics and action of the Sho-bud were a lot easier, I still thought the ZB sounded better, particularly as I was, and am, a fan of Tom Brumley.
Cherrs
Barry
Kevin Hatton
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Post by Kevin Hatton »

Now ther's a coincidence.
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Paul Frank Bloomfield
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ZB Strings

Post by Paul Frank Bloomfield »

Hallo John
Just saw your querie on what strings to use on your
ZB, I found this in my scrap-book,an original ZB
string packet with the string gauges on the back.
All the best
Frank (Corfu)
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Dave Zirbel
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Post by Dave Zirbel »

Saw this today on Craigslist in the Bay Area:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/msg/343152412.html
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Russ Tkac
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Post by Russ Tkac »

Dave,

That looks like the one Tom Bradshaw restored that is on his web page. Very nice. :)

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Russ
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Russ Tkac
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I like my ZB !

Post by Russ Tkac »

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I like my ZB ... and now you know that too! :D
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Duncan Hodge
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Post by Duncan Hodge »

Last time I emailed the gentleman who owned it a couple of years ago, and I assume still owns it, that ZB on craigslist had the Day setup.
Hey Russ, pretty ZB, but I guess that you already knew that.
Duncan
Pat Kelly
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Post by Pat Kelly »

As I understand it , the " Day" set up has the A raise on the "C" pedal. This guitar definitley has the the A pedal attached to the 5 and 10. Check pictures at http://benzianlist.com/ZBcustom.html
Pat Kelly
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Post by Pat Kelly »

Hey Russ,

It sure is pretty but you shouldn't keep leavin' it out in the weather or you'll be polishing all your life.!!! :)
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Russ Tkac
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Post by Russ Tkac »

A blue tarp keeps it dry in the rain! :shock:
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Duncan Hodge
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Post by Duncan Hodge »

Hey Russ, after looking at your SGF avatar I was just wondering... How did you manage to get Gram Parson's old Nudie suit in your closet?
And to Pat K., first of all, how are you doing? Second of all, I remember emailing Steve B. and Tom Bradshaw about that ZB and am pretty sure that they told me it was the Day setup. I actually asked Tom Bradshaw how much it would cost to change the setup to the Emmons setup. Then again, as I get older I get more and more convinced that I am certain about things that I am absolutely wrong about. Another thing that I am absolutely certain about is that reaching 50 years old and losing 50lbs equals not liking to lift a ZB D-10. Anyway, at the time I didn't play the Day setup, but now I do, at least on my "F" steel. So, there is no reason for me not to buy Steve's ZB, but, at the present time, I am currently 100% satisfied with the steels I have. The ZB still sounds best, but the "F" one is a close second. The only problem is that now I need another electric guitar, a new mandolin, a better amp, recording equipment..."the road goes on forever and the party never ends".
Duncan
Alex McCollough
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Post by Alex McCollough »

this is my "new" greg jones refurbish...
he as you can see, he did an amazing job and has been great to deal with.
it was originally a super-bright, jimmy day blue, but has faded to the purple/grey/brown that it is now.
greg's work is top-notch!
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Kevin Hatton
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Post by Kevin Hatton »

Alex, I just commented to Al Perkins on that guitar. Any guitar that Greg does is done right. It doesn't leave his shop until its correct. You are very fortunate to have that guitar. What serial number is it? I'll bet it sounds great. Its a collectors piece.
Bill Hatcher
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Post by Bill Hatcher »

Alex.

The guitar looks great. I hope it turned out to be everything you wanted. Thanks for treating it so good.
Alex McCollough
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Post by Alex McCollough »

Hey Kevin,
It's 0078 and sounds incredible...just like a ZB. It feels like sitting at a great big table and is built like a tank.
Thanks Bill...I'm glad that I could take care of it!
Kevin Hatton
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Post by Kevin Hatton »

Alex, you will notice as you settle into playing that guitar that if you sit behind most of the modern guitars they will seem to feel and sound like toy steel guitars in comparison. That is a big body ZB Custom tone monster. The metal is in fantastic condition. If you need split cases let me know.
Ben Elder
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Doubleneckerganger?

Post by Ben Elder »

Alex:

Yours is 0078? MINE (this one) is 0078:

http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum9/HTML/003731.html

...Tom Anderson's pics from his for-sale posting late '06-early '07. I'll check the undercarriage when I get home, but 0078 seems to be right there in Tom's pics.

(Dr. Chung to the archival arbitration lounge...)
Alex McCollough
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Post by Alex McCollough »

Sorry...
Mine actually says 00781.
the 781 is actually smaller than the 00, so I'm not sure what the deal is on it. Anyone know what's up?
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Bill Hatcher
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Post by Bill Hatcher »

I would not doubt if at the factory they struck two guitars with the same serial number and then added the extra 1 on the guitar that Alex owns to set it apart from the other. Just a reasonable guess.
Alex McCollough
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Post by Alex McCollough »

works for me
Ben Elder
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Post by Ben Elder »

I was thinking the same thing also--guitars have the same basic specs: blue finish, white pickups and fretboards, diagonal pattern on pedals, suggesting same approximate age.

(John Rutledge, are you out there?)
Kevin Hatton
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Post by Kevin Hatton »

That 781 serial number doesn't make any sense for its vintage. The 78 does (69/70). I agree that maybe there was two of them.
smike
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sources for zb fretboards?

Post by smike »

gang -

who's got replacement zb fretboards?

i'm looking for a blonde/yellow universal.

thanks,
bruce
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