The Steel Guitar Forum

I currently play a beat up mid 70's Sho~Bud Pro 1 10 string. I love the tone, and it feels pretty good to me. I've only touched 3 other steels, so it's hard to judge that... Some of the pot metal parts need replacing; for example, the low B finger is grooved pretty deep, and makes a sitar buzz with the A pedal engaged.

I've often thought about getting the steel Cooped, but I'm nowhere near being able to afford the cost or being without a steel, or buying a second steel, even temporarily. I love my Bud, but I frequently dream of a few more changes (that my Bud's changer couldn't handle) and 2 more strings. If I ever found a 12 string Bud, it would likely need the Coop treatment eventually as well.

So, my mind gets to drifting, and I start imagining buying a Show Pro or Williams 12 string, the latter of which would probably cost the same or less than a Cooped Bud when factoring the cost of the guitar, the parts and installation.

I'd appreciate any advice or insight! Also, anyone have an old mid-70's pot metal finger to spare to temporarily solve my problem?

Thanks!

Marc, you have email.

Hi Marc, I have a jackson blackjack you can test out, I think they are making 12 models now. I also have a bud S12 but I can't see myself parting with it.
I'm right here in our fair city of Victoria.

Man! If I had the moolah? I'd get a Shobud 12. No question about it! Only gonna go up in value.

You could make interesting arguments either way re: the value of 12 string Buds----relative rarity increasing their value vs. relative lack of demand in a 10 string world. I can see it either way.

You never know, Marc---mine fell into my lap (I'm only just starting to get feeling back) after I had stopped actively looking for one. Chris LeDrew brought the ebay listing to my attention. I was the only bidder. It needed some help which fortunately I was able to provide (fabricated a vert. lever from scratch, among other things).
You might run into someone who would jump at the chance to trade his 12 for a 10 string Pro 1. You see folks giving up on their 12 string experiments often enough.
Sounds like you are really wanting those extra strings. Hope you can make it happen.

SHO_BUD. SONNY.

Ray Mohr wrote:Hi Marc, I have a jackson blackjack you can test out, I think they are making 12 models now. I also have a bud S12 but I can't see myself parting with it.
I'm right here in our fair city of Victoria.

Um, yes please. You have mail, Ray.

I can at this point only imagine the flaming coming to me for this,but I would suggest staying away from the old stuff that will need costly work and stay with the newer modern stuff that works properly from the get-go.The imagined and hoped for collector value is only important if you want to be a collector-seller. If you want to be a player get something that works.IMHO. Happy Trails,Mike C.

Mike, I can't believe my ears!! Go to your room!! LOL!!

Mike speaks the truth. If you like the old toys that require mechanicing, and you like to do that, go for it. I enjoy working on old 'buds. But if you do not like that, you might consider these important words: "old stuff that will need costly work". Now there's a lot of old stuff out there that is fine--it's just old. I have an old Professional rack and barrel 'bud I just traded for, and am pleasantly surprised to find it is rock solid. A little TLC and cleaning, and it's a wonderful guitar. So, it all depends, huh?

I'm not too worried about the old factor, and I don't mind working on my Bud. I've just got a few issues that I'd like to take care of...
Thanks for all the advice.