The Steel Guitar Forum

Hi folks, I finally got the donation ZB finished up. This is the guitar donated to the Forum last fall by Curt Jarvis. It was painted red, and there was much speculation at the time about what was underneath the paint. As you can see from the photos, It came out pretty nice. I don't currently have a correct CZB decal, but I'll get one on the guitar later, with my next order. It appears that the guitar was belt sanded at one time, and the mahogany zig-zag inlay was partially sanded through on the front apron, so the guitar was just painted red. The damaged inlay was about two inched long, so I was able to remove enough of the old inlay from underneath the endplates to repair the damage. Also, there were many changer parts that needed to be replaced, and I wound up fabricating the lower return levers in the changer, and added new return springs. The guitar plays great, has a very woody sound, and stays in tune very well. I only have three knees on it now, but I'll be adding some more in the near future. It was a great project. Thanks to Curt Jarvis for the donation and b0b for having such a great Forum. Bob















Here are a few before pictures;

Great job Bob!

Russ

Very nice Curt and Bob. Makes you want to strip some paint
see what lies hidden underneath.

Thanks Russ and Chuck, I was a happy camper the first time I was able to take this guitar on stage. It has that Scranton sound in spades, and it sure was in need of attention, so it's a good feeling to bring it back. The body was shortened a couple of inches, but the pedal bar wasn't, so I refit the endplates and cut down the pedal bar to put things back in alignment. The E9 changer was pretty messed up, and I made a few cross rods and changer finger lowers, etc. to get it right. I had a few extra parts laying around and that helped out a lot. Hey Chuck, next post I'm going to put up photos of your old ZB 12 string Universal (1060), I finally got it all balanced out, and I can see now why folks say there's no such thing as a ZB uni...

Hi Bob, I have a knee lever like the one shown on you beautifully restored ZB. Nothing but the lever. It came off of a "69" D-10 I bought from Larry Petree in Bakersfield. I removed it because it was not connected to anything, it just hung there. If your interested in it send me an email thru the Forum.

I would love to see it Bob. The most beautiful wood is in
that axe.

Hey Russ. Do you mind if I leave your guitar on my avatar
at least for a little while?

That's fine Chuck. It was your steel when that picture was taken.

what was the 'donation' deal with this steel?
who got the money from it and who owns it now?

Bob gave the donation to the SGF and received the steel in red and with a little magic, time and talent turned it into the nice steel you see.

Hey Chuck, The ZB here in the photos #1062 is only two numbers away from your 12 string #1060. Chances are they were on the work bench in Zane's shop at the same time. Nice wood in those days. I'll get pix ot the two of them side by side. BH

Here you go Chuck, your 12 string ZB and a younger brother. The red one is #1060 and the natural one is #1062. Apparently the 12 string was built for a ZB employee when he worked in Scranton with Zane. I have his name around here somewhere.
It's now a 6 pedal 3 knee uni (pedals a,b,c,5,6, and 7).

Bob it looks like new in the pics. Great Job.

Al

Thanks Al, I have had a few ZBs, and have been refurbishing ZB guitars for quite a while. This one really has the tone and sustain ZBs are known for in spades.

What a fantastic job!!!
You turned it into the best looking ZB i've ever seen!

Bob, nice guitar, great job of refurbishing it! It was treat to meet you the other evening at the Pour House. I look forward to hearing more of your playing here on the Central Coast. Will

Thanks Ulf and Will, it was a fun project. Will, I got your phone message, and I'll be in touch soon. What did you think of the tone of this ZB at the Pour House Opry? I was playing thru a Nashville 400.

Bob, it sounded great...what I could hear of it. It was pretty much a country orchestra last Thursday, lots of strings and lots of amps. I think you should "toe down" that volume pedal more!

WOW ! Those legs are by far the highest over normal height I have ever seen ?

Yes Will, there was basically two of every instrument that night, so I was kicking back a little. 29" from the floor to the E9 strings Willis, is that over normal height wise?

The old 12 string looks great. thanks for the pics. You've done a bang up job on both steels.