The Steel Guitar Forum

Trying real hard to decide between Fessenden and Zum guitars

Take a SD10 as an example, and I currently have a early 70's Emmons S10.(just need a second guitar to share with my daughter)

Are the mechanics similar?(Between Zum and Fess)
If looking at used is there a preferred date range for quality?
Do all wood/lacquer bodies sound as well as Formica covered?
Pedal Spacing adequate?(in your opinions)
Do you have to add manufacturer options to bring out the best in the guitar or are they great right out of the box

I have a few more questions, but I'll start researching and see if I can't answer those on my own. I know these are vaque and subjective, but I just wanted to talk to owners. Send me an email if you have issues with either brand.

I'll be at the Dallas show and maybe I can answer these after sitting behind them, but I'm in the buying mood today and it's hard to wait when you have money burning a hole in your dang pocket

Thank you gentlemen

Well, Bill, I can't speak for the Zum, I've never owned one. But, I've had a Fessy, and I can tell you they are fine guitars with very good tone and playability. I think you'd be very happy with one. And maintenance on them is simple.

Of course, there are lots of other brands that fit that description, too...but you didn't ask about them so I won't start that discussion.

I;ve Owned Zum & Fesedan I;ll Take The Zum. Thats Just For Me. SONNY.

Well, I can't tell you about the Fessy, as I've never owned one. But I do own three Zums, if that tells you anything!!! They play and sound great, and are virtually trouble free. Bruce is an absolute perfectionist, and his guitars show it. I like knowing that I can call his shop and the man that built my guitar answers the phone. This isn't to say that the Fessy isn't a great guitar as well, I just know what fits me. Out of the box, adjust the knees and pedals to your liking, and play the thing! Check out the cover of our new CD to see what I used to record it with. http://filmoreshouseband.tripod.com
Regards,
Roger

Well Bill, I also can not speak for Fessy. I have only had Zums .
I have a 1979 s12 extended E9 & 2002 S 12 extended E9 w/pad and I love both of them.
I will also say if I am not mistaken , Bruce made a few student models at one time which I am sure is not what you are looking for. As far as I know all the rest of Bruce's steels are custom made per buyers specs. Bruce is a super fellow and is always helpful.Last time I talked to Bruce his order to delivery time is about 18 Months. That alone should tell you something.

No experience with Zums, but I love the Fessy I got in December. Great tone, playability, intonation, looks, etc.

If it is a consideration for you, I am under the impression that there is a long wait for a new Zum (just from what I've read on the Forum). My Fessy had to wait a while for the lacquer-finish body from Mark Giles (who is loaded with orders from many makers these days), but I think Jerry's turn around time is pretty quick, especially if you are ordering a mica guitar. Once he got the body for mine the guitar was ready in a week of two.

Dan

Well, I can't say anything about a Fessy, never played one. I bought a brand new Zum in 2003. It was shipped to me in New York from Bruce's shop. I opened it up, set it up, and it was perfectly in tune, ready to play. Maintenance? I guess I have oiled it a few times, probably played over a hundred gigs with it and it is trouble free! Looks great, plays great, sounds good. You cannot go wrong with a Zum... Larry J.

well i am a newbee at this only been playing for a couple years unlike the oldtimers been playing for 40+ years. well when i start telling about my zum steel i say they are not good. THEY ARE GREAT!! mine is about 3-4 years old and the sustain is great along with the tone. the pedals are fine with me it seems as though they are spaced properly. i have a big foot and i have no problems with it at all. if its for your daugher she shold not have any problems with the pedals unless her foot is somewhat larger than a 12 DD if it is bigger than that she got a big clodd hopper. these zums stay in tune great i usually play by my self and i always get the people i am playing for to request me to play more songs. if at all possable i will never own nothing but a zum steel. and the man that builds them well he is a great guy. he takes time with you shows you how it sounds right there in his shop lets you pick a little and chews some fat with ya. we need more poeple out there like bruce. well thats my oppinion of a zum and if you watch on here of the zums that go up for sale they go with in one day but most of the time its just a matter of a couple hours before its sold. not one of the other psg's sell that fast so that has to say something about the great zum steel. doc

I had both so to answer your questions in order of appearence: Sorta, no, yes, yes, no. The Fessy is a good quality professional grade guitar and they sound great. The Zum is probably a notch or two higher in quality and they also sound great, both play well. My guess is an older well used Zum would be a little more solid and trouble free than a comparable Fessy. BOTH the builders are first rate people and would provide good support no matter who you are and how old your guitar is. So I don't think you could loose with either.

I too have owned both, indeed simultaneously. They are both wonderful guitars. For some unknowable reason, I felt that the Fessy just responded better to my intentions. Maybe it was a reflection of the two individual guitars I happened to own, rather than any real difference between the brands, e.g., maybe just the way these two guitars happened to be adjusted. This is definitely a matter of personal taste and chemistry and most assuredly YMMV!

Bill, I haven't owned EITHER brand, but since I started teaching steel lessons I've had a chance to play and study almost all brands, including Zumsteel and Fessenden.

Both are very good, and if one suits you best, that's the one for you. Sometimes fit and feel is a big factor, and that's highly subjective.

My feeling is that Zumsteel and Mullen are the two best-playing, best-engineered steels out there. And every Zum I've played or heard knocks my sox off for tone.

i've had 2 Zums & now have 1
i consider Zum to be one of the best steels available
very reliable, in tune & precise
easy to work on if you know yer psg mechanics

i helped a buddy here get a Fessy & he loves his

get one of each, if you can't decide on 1 Billy

I really appreciate the responses and emails from everybody.
It's a win/win situation for sure.

Thanks

Look at some of the top players. Some of the greatest play ZUMSTEELS. That speaks for itself. If they are good enough for E, John Hughey,Dean Holman etc. the list goes on and on.

IMHO Zum is by far the best steel guitar built today. And I might add, there are many great guitars being built. I have 2 Zums and have owned others. I'm not a pro but I know what I hear and feel.


That about ZUMS IT UP,

JC

Well, I do have some questions about the Zumsteel,

1.)What's the deal with the "Hybrid Changer" vs. the standard?
2.) For a standard S10 E9, are temperment compensators required?
3.) Feel stops, is that a split tuning thing?
4.) 18 Months to delivery, anyone got a time machine?

Bill, the best thing you can do is go to the Dallas show and try them. As some of the threads about tone and feel have shown, everybody has a different opinion. They are both fine guitars. I happen to have a Fessenden with a Truetone pickup in it. It has exactly the tone "I" like and to me tone is the #1 priority. Some other threads have discussed inherent properties of the guitar, I believe the construction of the guitar and materials to be of utmost importance in the sound and feel of the instrument. Which is better? Let your ears, hands, and feet answer that.

AMEN

See you in Dallas.

JC

1) If you are looking at used I doubt you will find any hybrid guitars available, that is a pretty new option and Bruce hasn't made that many, mine has it, sounds great--tuning process a little more complex--do a search for more details
2)I don't use them but it depends on how you like to tune, if you tune the beats out completely you may want to use them? This would be true on any guitar.
3)Two different animals, feel stops help you get the half tone interval on a whole tone change, ususally found on the second string lower and a split allows you to tune the interval you get when use both a raise and a lower at the same time on the same string.
4)It is what it is, that's why getting a used one is a good idea, I'd bet with a little looking you can find one that's been well cared for--we steel players should consider ourselves lucky--I also play mandolin and you can't even get on the waiting list for the top builders these days and they sell them at prices that make even the most expensive steels seem like a bargin.