The Steel Guitar Forum

Your right Tony maybe he’s still in Jail.

I’d trade a MIM Tele for it if I still had one!

As it turned out, the previous pictures of this steel didn't show the current condition. It's really unfortunate that it was stored somewhere where it picked up moisture and would have to be completely disabled, derusted and put back together. Though over built I can't help but appreciate the skill, desire and workmanship that some builder/ player had to see this to fruition. I posted these additional pics bc I thought you all might enjoy as well.

That might be a great guitar for someone to restore, to put in a Museum, but it doesn't look like any kind of a player to me...

I think it has a great future-----as a boat anchor!
Erv

Maybe Lee Roy Prine of Ft. Smith, Ark. He made a few early day guitars called Pedalmaster, Long before RoyThomas with the Pedalmaster. I know that Lee Roy used some ZB fretborads. He had a sign shop and he may have made a bunch of them for Zane. And BeeJay Guitars were around at that time, made by Ben Jack. A lot of pickers of that time hung out at Ben Jack's Guitar Store. A great place to be in those days. J.R.

If it were mine I"d break into somebody's garage and leave it.

It's the kind of crazy thing I'd trade for just to fool around with.

It's not a brand name instrument. It is a guitar built from spare parts, common hardware store parts and either a home or friendly local machine shop. You'll never find out the story behind it.

There will be no manual and it's the kind of guitar that should only be purchased by someone familiar with the operation of pedal steels. A "Newbie" will have a devil of a time trying to simply tune the changes!

If you don't know what you are doing, DO NOT trade for it. It's not a good guitar to learn on and its capabilities may be nowhere near those of a "normal" guitar. But you might be doing someone a favor who is local to the owner by letting them know the contact details.

knee levers made out of pedals - ingenious!

Charlie, J R and Jim I appreciate your input. Even the anchor comment has merit!
I passed on this steel and you guys have pretty much echoed my sentiments. I think that if he had given it to me I'd still have trouble coming out on top but it would be worth the effort to save

re: pedal as knee lever.

Tom Brumley & ZB.


Photo courtesy of Dave Van Allen

I agree with Erv, throw them in the clink
Looks like an Ace hardware special

Come on folks, cables and pulleys were evolutionary so I wouldn't belittle it by calling it a hardware store guitar.

I ended up passing as I have way too many projects ahead of it. Ended up with a D12 Wright instead.