The Steel Guitar Forum

Man, I'm in great company out there. I know there are more Zummer's, come on and let it out. This is the time. Speak now or forever hold your, oh' wait wrong line. Ya'll know what I mean. Let's show our support for a great builder.

Jeff

Having only owned three steel guitars, I'm not the best authority but I'm quite fond of my Zummie S12U.

Started out with a Fender 400, after 2 years traded it for a Sho~Bud S10, pretty nice and I owned it for about 20 years. Sweet tone. Decided to get into the S12U club about 4 years ago and got the ZumSteel. A very sound instrument and the tone is great. I switched to a George L's 12-1 pickup and prefer that tone over the original single coil. The mechanicals are easy to re-configure and the pedal action is superb.

I stumbled upon a ZumSteel guitar while considering the purchase of an Emmons push pull. The guy selling the Emmons had the Zum as a loaner and I was impressed with the appearance and workmanship, but didn't get to play the guitar.

About this time this forum was getting started on the old AOL system and I started reading favorable evaluations of ZumSteels. It seemed pretty unanimous that they were among the best. Since I bought mine I've had no regrets. But having seen many new brands at the Jamboree in Dallas over the past few years, I've come to the belief that Zum is one of several great steel guitars being made these days.
Don't get hung up on a brand till you've tried several. You might find the perfect instrument with a different name on it. Some of the best guitars aren't being made anymore, e.g. Sho~Bud, BMI, EMCI, Dekley, MSA and others. These are all fine axes and there are lots of guys on this forum who can make them play like new. Also, tone is in the ears of the individual and there's a good bit of mojo about getting the right amp, guitar, FX combination. I say try as many of each as you can till you find the perfect setup. Then forget about brands and gear for awhile and focus on playing.

--JR

Having only owned three steel guitars, I'm not the best authority but I'm quite fond of my Zummie S12U.

Started out with a Fender 400, after 2 years traded it for a Sho~Bud S10, pretty nice and I owned it for about 20 years. Sweet tone. Decided to get into the S12U club about 4 years ago and got the ZumSteel. A very sound instrument and the tone is great. I switched to a George L's 12-1 pickup and prefer that tone over the original single coil. The mechanicals are easy to re-configure and the pedal action is superb.

I stumbled upon a ZumSteel guitar while considering the purchase of an Emmons push pull. The guy selling the Emmons had the Zum as a loaner and I was impressed with the appearance and workmanship, but didn't get to play the guitar.

About this time this forum was getting started on the old AOL system and I started reading favorable evaluations of ZumSteels. It seemed pretty unanimous that they were among the best. Since I bought mine I've had no regrets. But having seen many new brands at the Jamboree in Dallas over the past few years, I've come to the belief that Zum is one of several great steel guitars being made these days.
Don't get hung up on a brand till you've tried several. You might find the perfect instrument with a different name on it. Some of the best guitars aren't being made anymore, e.g. Sho~Bud, BMI, EMCI, Dekley, MSA and others. These are all fine axes and there are lots of guys on this forum who can make them play like new. Also, tone is in the ears of the individual and there's a good bit of mojo about getting the right amp, guitar, FX combination. I say try as many of each as you can till you find the perfect setup. Then forget about brands and gear for awhile and focus on playing.

--JR

Having only owned three steel guitars, I'm not the best authority but I'm quite fond of my Zummie S12U.

Started out with a Fender 400, after 2 years traded it for a Sho~Bud S10, pretty nice and I owned it for about 20 years. Sweet tone. Decided to get into the S12U club about 4 years ago and got the ZumSteel. A very sound instrument and the tone is great. I switched to a George L's 12-1 pickup and prefer that tone over the original single coil. The mechanicals are easy to re-configure and the pedal action is superb.

I stumbled upon a ZumSteel guitar while considering the purchase of an Emmons push pull. The guy selling the Emmons had the Zum as a loaner and I was impressed with the appearance and workmanship, but didn't get to play the guitar.

About this time this forum was getting started on the old AOL system and I started reading favorable evaluations of ZumSteels. It seemed pretty unanimous that they were among the best. Since I bought mine I've had no regrets. But having seen many new brands at the Jamboree in Dallas over the past few years, I've come to the belief that Zum is one of several great steel guitars being made these days.
Don't get hung up on a brand till you've tried several. You might find the perfect instrument with a different name on it. Some of the best guitars aren't being made anymore, e.g. Sho~Bud, BMI, EMCI, Dekley, MSA and others. These are all fine axes and there are lots of guys on this forum who can make them play like new. Also, tone is in the ears of the individual and there's a good bit of mojo about getting the right amp, guitar, FX combination. I say try as many of each as you can till you find the perfect setup. Then forget about brands and gear for awhile and focus on playing.

--JR

When it comes to customer service, my motto is "Under promise, over-deliver". I always appreciate it when a new guitar arrives before it was due.

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<small><img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b.gif" width="64" height="64">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (F Diatonic) Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6)

Count me in Fellers, I got a Zum U-12 Black Mica about 1990 and it plays like a dream, been recording lately in Hollywood and the Engineer (John Goodenough of J.E. Sound) agrees that this is the best sounding steel he's heard of as of lately...also using a Tubefex thru Nashville 400. Someday I'm gonna call Bruce and get me a brand new Custom U-12. Cmon in Boys the Water's fine..
Bronco Billy in Culver City

I want Zum!!!! But I have to keep telling myself....You just can't get your wants and needs mixed up.

Bob.

Well, it finally happened. Bruce called me yesterday. We had discussed a deal in Dallas and I've got my brand new Zum comming. It will hopefully be here next week. Man I can't wait. If you haven't heard the later model Zzzum's your missing out. The tone and playability and just everything about them has greatly improved. It's hard to believe he could actually improve on an almost perfect instrument, but old Bruce has done it.

Jeff

Jeff,
Congrats on your soon to be new Zum! The Zums are very nice, quality built steels.

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Steve Stallings
Bremond, Texas

By gosh John, you can say that again!! Jimmie

Hey Stevo

I traded the Zum I got from you for a new one. It's just like Bill Dearmore's guitar. I'm gonna have Bill build me a seat to match my guitar. How's my old Emmons doing?

Cccome see me soon.

Jeff

Hey Guys, I got my new D-10 W 8/5 Black Zumsteel in 1990 and it still play;s like new
Everytime i get to set down and play new ZumSteel,You know it feel and plays just like my Zum, I like that, I know i was to buy a use Zum, I know it will play just like my ZUM. Thanks Gary it will always be a ZumSteel Guitar for me.
STEELIN FOR JESUS.

I'm watching for the brown truck.. It should be here today. Can't wait. I'll try and get some pictures up when it arrives. That is, if I can get my camera working today.

Jeff

I DON'T HAVE THE WORDS TO DESCRIBE MY SATISFACTION OF THIS NEW GUITAR. I'M ALMOST IN HEAVEN.
Best guitar being built today, bar none. Just can't be beat.

Jeff

Yeah, but Jeff - How do ya' REALLY feel about it ?????


Jimmie

I too love my new old Zum!!! New to me but so old it does'nt have a serial# It also has the old long headstock and both round and square bell cranks. I needed another guitar to practice on and a friend sold me his other Zum, it was very close in dimensions to the Dekley Iv'e played for the last 15 years but when I got it home and set up with my copedant it was then that I realized how great the guitar was and still is. I play two shows a day, six days a week and it's always in tune and I'm yet to break a string! I had gone a month on the first set that I put on. The best thing about the guitar to me is the sound and the way it begs to be played plus the ability to have all the splits that only an all pull will allow.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by George Geisser on 19 April 2002 at 10:21 PM.]</p></FONT>

Hey Jimmy

When I get the words, you'll be the first to know.

HAHAHAHAH

Jeff

I don't read and write very well, (Stroke), but I agee with all words for Bruce and ZumSteels. He IS a "Master Builder". Actually, he don't sell guitars, he just finds foster homes for his children.!!

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Bobby Brocius, ZumSteel D-10, 8x8, Blue, BL910 PUs

Hey George

Where do you play in Branson? I usually go there 2-3 times a year. Let me know and I'll look you up next time. My friend Skeeter Black is going there this weekend.
He Loves his Zum as much as all of us ut together probably.

Jeff

I recently purchased my Zum from Bobbe Seymour. This was originally Bobbes own guitar. The Zum is a 1986 D-10 8 & 5. At my height (6'4") I wanted to install the correct parts to raise the guitar up a little over an inch. Bruce was getting ready to go to a steel show, but he took the time to send the over length rods and legs before he left. Great person and exemplary service. The same goes for Bobbe Seymour. Great service after the sale! What more can one say?????

EVEN MORE SATISFIED, if you can believe it. My real steel player for the band and my good friend Skeeter Black came over and played my new Zum. I was just waiting for someone with hands of gold to get on this guitar. He and everyone around ccould not believe the tone and playability of this NEW ZUMSTEEL. If I hadn't seen it I would not have believed the tone comming from that guitar.

I don't know how Bruce keeps improving his already near perfect guitars. but he has damn sure done it again..

Jeff "PLUMB SATISFIED" Coffell

I play a D10 /8 &7 Mullen and a d10 push pull 81 model Emmons. But no matter what I play ,I think Bruce is one of the finest men I know.

I would like to get a catalog or a flyer from Bruce regarding his options and prices..

HELP!!

Thanks!

Tim

Bruce Zumsteg is one of the finest people anyone could ever deal with (IMHO)~

We just finished my new U12 Keyless Super Ultra Custom Deluxe Experimental model at the Zum shop last week. I think it's going to be a keeper. No, there are no plans for a production model. Bruce wasn't satisfied with the way I buffed the pedals, but that's why he's Bruce and I'm not. He is quite a talented fellow.

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Doug Earnest
Zum2000U12,Sierra12,Sho-Bud ProII D10 PV DPC 750 ProFex 112E, Fender Cyber Twin