Thank you, Billy Knowles!
Posted: 9 Sep 2007 11:36 am
When I started playing pedal steel about 4 years ago, my first guitar was a ZB S10 (#0248) that had been mechanically overhauled by Billy. My friend, Dave Zirbel, sold it to me for $900. I knew it was a good guitar and I knew that it sounded great.
After a year or so, I could play it well enough to fool the general public. I decided that I should learn to play a C6 tuning. I bought a double neck Sho Bud and then I bought a Kline universal. Somewhere, in all the confusion, I had to sell the ZB.
The Kline was a great guitar but it didn't take me long to realize that my old ZB was something special. So began my epic journey.
2 Sho Buds, 1 Emmons (rebuilt twice!), a Kline, another ZB, and a Williams(keeping that one!). Somewhere between $8,000 and $11,000 of pedal steel passed through my wallet.
Last winter I bought a really beat S10 from Ben Elder (who was a former owner of my first guitar). I sent it to Billy Knowles and and two months later recieved my 2nd Billy Knowles ZB. 4x5. Plays tight. Stays in tune very well. So far, all indications are that it will be a suitable replacement for my first guitar.
When I sit down at it, I feel comfortable. When I play it, it sounds great.
I'm very pleased. Billy is a great guy to deal with and he does great work. Lots of innovative solutions and improvements on the original design.
Thank you, Billy!
After a year or so, I could play it well enough to fool the general public. I decided that I should learn to play a C6 tuning. I bought a double neck Sho Bud and then I bought a Kline universal. Somewhere, in all the confusion, I had to sell the ZB.
The Kline was a great guitar but it didn't take me long to realize that my old ZB was something special. So began my epic journey.
2 Sho Buds, 1 Emmons (rebuilt twice!), a Kline, another ZB, and a Williams(keeping that one!). Somewhere between $8,000 and $11,000 of pedal steel passed through my wallet.
Last winter I bought a really beat S10 from Ben Elder (who was a former owner of my first guitar). I sent it to Billy Knowles and and two months later recieved my 2nd Billy Knowles ZB. 4x5. Plays tight. Stays in tune very well. So far, all indications are that it will be a suitable replacement for my first guitar.
When I sit down at it, I feel comfortable. When I play it, it sounds great.
I'm very pleased. Billy is a great guy to deal with and he does great work. Lots of innovative solutions and improvements on the original design.
Thank you, Billy!
