The Steel Guitar Forum

I love almost everything about my Encore. I bought it originally to serve as a 'rehearsal guitar' in an effort to save weight when I had a busy schedule and when constant set-ups and tear-downs were just too trying with a heavy D-10. Now, though, it's become a favourite guitar of mine for its playability and tone. (Perhaps I'm a closet Zum-lover and didn't know it!!!)

I spoke to Doug about those awfully fiddly little wing-nuts and he obliged me with some nicer ones (with a large rubber grommet that is easier to hold on to) and it's far less frustrating to set the steel up. I really do wish, though, that it had 'sliders' like most pro steels do - like Steve, I'd be willing to pay for an upgrade like that.

To James Taylor...what did it cost to have it shipped to you.did you have to pay import tax? you can pm if you like

John, believe Ted has one for sale just now.

thanks Malcolm, there's nothing on the forum in the UK but I have emailed him...

Malcolm, it's a Stage one he has for sale,also it's a bit pricy for what they cost new plus a far as I know the stage one is limited to what you can change on the setup.
what I want to know What is the difference between the Encore and the Stage one.

John, Total too the door including tax was £1390, and I have little to add as to what has already been said: it is better than I expected with a beautiful tone-TT pickups added at no extra cost. You would be better asking the pros who understand steel guitars about their performance better than I do;it looks, sounds,works like a top pro guitar to me. I personally do not think you could wrong with one. I did look at numerous used pro steels on the internet and there are many good deals around, but I had to consider wear and tear as well as spare parts if needed and so for me this was without doubt the best deal around. However ask some of the good players around like Malcolm and Roger and see what they think. YOURS AYE JAMES TAYLOR

oops sorry John thought it was Encore.Believe copedant can be changed a lot easier than Stage One, perhaps encore owners can better explain.Got to say think that they are probably great guitars for price in US, but the carriage and tax would make me look for a good used pro model over here.Best option for buying Encore.would be get one in States and have it brought over if you know anyone coming back to UK, as they are paying in dollars what we are paying in pounds.

That's OK Malcolm, 1900 dollars here for a second hand stage one steel is a bit over the top.they cost 1050 dollas new in the US.yes there are import and other taxes but not 850 dollars.

Malcolm, Thank you for all your help and I will look into it as soon as this festive season alowes me too. YOURS AYE JAMES TAYLOR

Doug called and said the wood grain 4x5 Zum Encore and volume pedal will ship tomorrow. The cheque is in the post as they say across the pond.

Why not just buy a brand new Stage One, or Encore from Doug? There's not really a significant price advantage by buying a used one unless you're looking at an older one with just 3 knees.

Fred Glave wrote:Why not just buy a brand new Stage One, or Encore from Doug? There's not really a significant price advantage by buying a used one unless you're looking at an older one with just 3 knees.

Pure speculation, but I'd imagine the reason is to avoid the long wait.

Lyle, I do hope you enjoy your Encore as much as I do. It is the best thing I've done for a long time and it creates a great deal of enjoyment too. Everyone seems to love this little,light magic box. Every best wish and merry, music,making -- SLANGE-- SCOTLAND -- from the backwoods
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James, I truly love the Encore already and I know I will love it even more when I take it to my first gig and lift 41 pounds into the boot of my car (trunk to you Yanks} as 65 pounds for my D10 Zum. Some day I hope to visit the UK.

Lyle, I am glad you love your ENCORE ,I'M discovering beautiful new sounds each day. It has been a great investment and companion too me. You will love the UK as there is so much US UK connection and especially in Scotland where the Scots in those early days made a strong impression on the USA.General Hugh Mercer ,who Died fighting for the American cause at Princetown was a native of my home town and the melody used for Amazing Grace is very old Scottish Hymn tune . EVERY BEST WISH JAMES TAYLOR

James,I though Amazing Grace was written by John Newton when he lived in Olney not far from where I live in Northants
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazing_Grace

John, you are right he did write the words and there were several melodies used along with Newton's lovely hymn; but the tune used today is of Scottish origon.The construction of the melody has been analised by several leading professors of music and it is Scottish. It comes across as a an old pipe-bagpipe- tune , but the director of music at the Scottish National Library believes it to be a very old Scottish hymn tune; I am researching this at the moment.She also told me that Waltzing Matilda is also an old Scottish melody. Thanks for your interest John,but this world is full of surprises. JAMES TAYLOR

Thanks James,I used to play Waltzing Matilda every night when I played steel for Frank Infield.
The timing on Amazing Grace is 4/4 but the Scottish version is 3/4....

John,Did you play steel with Frank Ifield,well,well that was a few years back. A very good friend of mine, David Greenwood, did a tour with him playing lead guitar;he went by the name of Dave Barry in those days-we all called him greenie.Well you will have some very good pedal steel stories to tell someday and perhaps your ENCORE will too. Thanks a lot for your information and I do appreciate it and keep in touch .EVERY BEST WISH JAMES TAYLOR

James, I bought a stage one as it has everything I need on it.
I was with Frank from 1978 until the 90's. I can't remember anyone of that name with Frank, he used Barbary Coast from that time until he finished singing because he lost his voice due to a bug.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rek-D9k ... ata_player

John, Thank you for your responce. David was working much earlier. He started out in the 1950's and certainly by the 1980's ,he only did ocassional work in the music industry because of family. From then on he had a job much nearer home until he retired over ten years ago. Thanks again and every best wish YOURS AYE JAMES TAYLOR

A member of Barbary Coast rang me many years ago to ask if I was interested in joining them with their touring with Frank Ifield. I had to politely decline the offer as I was very busy at the time with my own band and session work. I did rate Frank Ifield as an entertainer, and he used to have the old ladies in the audience swooning when he came on stage.

Ken, The old ladies in your time were young girls in my time and that was when I remember Frank Ifield - in the early 1960's. In those days I thought he was very good but I did not know he was still going into the 1980's. However , it is nice to hear from two top professional steel players like you Ken and John. I guess my Encore will spit back at me some day and scream " Why did I not land in the hands of competant steel player, instead of a rheumatically infested cripple" I love this magnificent piece of machinery that has been a gift to my moral-- THANK YOU DOUG and all of you who have been so helpful and entertaining . BLESS YOU ALLL JAMES TAYLOR

James
I remember very well I Remember You from 1962/3 time. I used to play country music festivals in the UK in the 1970's & 80's, when my band would often be on the same bill as Frank Ifield. Believe me, the ladies were late middle age mostly, (that is being kind ).

It's a shame that you don't live nearer to me as I would be really happy to show you a few things on your new pride and joy.

Ken,You are so kind but everyone in this wonderful form is .Thank goodness for people like yourself that are so helpful .I could fill pages of kind people from the USA to UK and I can't forget Malcolm from Scotland.He is always on hand like yourself. Then of course B0B who set everything going. I would have been in a " QUANDRUM " --mess if this FORUM was not in place. Again, all you fine people who guided me towards this HEAVENLY instrument and its magic sounds. I wish I had been taught this in the 50's or 60's. I can't forget Doug for crafting such a nice steel guitar.I do know there are quite a lot of good lightweight steels out there,but this Encore was in my estimation, after gathering all the evidence in print and from you all that contibuted to my request for advice, the best choice for ME.EVERY BEST WISH AND THANKS AGAIN KEN.JAMES TAYLOR