The Steel Guitar Forum

Just an idea of how many parts are in a steel guitar. Everything cleaned and ready to go back together. Am waiting on flocking to arrive and as soon as that is done, will start to re-assemble. Pedal board, rods and those parts aren’t pictured, didn’t have room to lay it all out. This guitar is very well built. This is about the 3rd or 4th year that Bruce started building Zum Steels. I know he made a lot of improvements down the line but this guitar is well built right down to last screw. Can’t wait to see how it sounds.

😀

Putting on changer springs and adding a vertical and it will be ready to start putting on rods. Can’t wait to play this guitar, think it’s going to sound awesome. Had to wait on flocking, think it got lost shipping but finally got here and got it done.

Henry, Mickey Adams suggested to me when revamping an undercarriage that he sometimes likes to do one string at a time, vs the bottom up routine I've been using and I thought is the norm. Any thoughts on that?

That way you just deal with building up one string's changes to various levers and pedals, without other rods getting in the way. Makes sense to me!

John, seems like the long way around to me but maybe I don’t understand the method. This particular Zum being a 79 model, had the type Bell cranks that have the screw that go in sideways. Was just easier on this guitar to start installing rods and Bell cranks at changer end and work your way to keyhead end. Makes it a lot easier to install bell cranks on this model. Really tough to get to if there is a cross bar in front of another.
What I will do next on this guitar is put on strings and tune everything to open pitch. Then I will turn over and install the rods and sorta set the pulls by sight. I’ve done so many that the correct pedal travel and having the rods in correct holes on bell cranks will be pretty close. Then I’ll turn it over and tune with nylon tuners. I will probably have to turn over again and change a few things like pedal travel or slots in cranks but usually very few but that’s just common.
Mickey is an expert I know so I may find out more about his method.
Thanks for your input John.

Henry also rejeweled the necks on this baby 😊... great job, and it looks awesome 👍

Fretboards will go in the mail on Tuesday Henry. It looks nice so far.

I rod guitars up one cross shaft at a time starting at the changer end but I'm working on simple setups. There are pros and cons to all methods.

Thanks Doug, that’s the way I rod them, just makes it easier for me.

slowly coming together 😊...

this guitar was at the end of its life when I got it, now after Henry is done with his magic, it is where it's supposed to be, at the top with the best...I can't eve remember what all was done, from new pickups, and fret boards to new front apron mica etc... Henry would know better... thank you to my dear friend Henry Matthews for another gem saved...it is ready now to be back on any stage or studio... thanks bud...

Yes, new fret boards, new front mica, new flocking, new pickups and a really good cleaning.it was yellow underneath. The necks and all came off, in fact, everything came off. Changer was cleaned and all parts cleaned. Been playing it couple hours and really sounds great with the new 705’s. C6th neck is awesome to say the least. Plays really easy. Damir wasn’t in a hurry so I just worked on when I could. I’ve reworked two other guitars also during this time. A Mullen that really didn’t need a lot and a BMI that was delivered to me in a box, lol. Only thing I lack on Zum is the little clamps for the pickup wire underneath and haven’t found any yet. Anyone know where I can find those?

Henry Matthews wrote:Only thing I lack on ZUM is the little clamps for the pickup wire underneath and haven’t found any yet. Anyone know where I can find those?

maybe they are still somewhere at the "church" lol

Henry, I think you can get those a Lowe’s or Home Depot there with the regular house wiring stuff.

Great job, Henry.

Great job, Henry.

Great Job as always Henry. Everything looks as it should. In fact it looks like a Brand New Guitar. But that's what you wanted. It is a job well done. J.R. Rose

Henry's the man. I love to see these tired old guitars brought back to life.

I played this guitar at an Opry Show Sat night an it’s tone was absolutely awesome. Our sound guy said best sounding guitar I’ve played there and I’ve played many push pulls and a couple Legrands and a JBL and one Mullen there. He said this one walked all over them all. Notes were clear bell tone with great string separation. Sending it back home Tuesday and hate to send it back, lol, but don’t belong to me so I must.☹️

I just had a feeling when I got that guitar, that it has a potential of being a great steel, that’s why I decided to ask you to work on it, and you sure did a great job, and I’m very happy and glad we did that, it was worth it 👍

Another great example of your work Henry, Bravo

It looked really nice Henry and I bet Damir can't wait for it to get home so he can play it again guys very nice.