The Steel Guitar Forum

I have an old ZB S 4and2 built in Phoenix. underneath by the changer the following is stamped in the metal, R.A.L. SER 11 This steel is in fair condition. It has the Emmons set up. The knee kicks need to be hooked up and general set up. It was originally a 6 on the floor. I would like you guys and gals to kick this around and give your input. THANKS BOB

The decals and what I can discern of the pedals make it look like it's Scranton era (1966-8) or early-Bakersfield (1969-71?) using Scranton parts. The serial number doesn't fit regular production sequences and probably indicates a one-off or custom instrument, adding to the ambiguity of age. B. Greg Jones may know this guitar personally (is there a ZB he doesn't know personally?).

This is a very interesting guitar, methinks. Greg Jones, where are you?

What's so special? Well, the CZB decal says "Phoenix, AZ" not Scranton or Bakersfield, don't know if I've ever seen a Phoenix CZB sticker, thought that the Bakersfield guitars were the last to use the CZB before the company went to the round cornered rectangular ZB Custom logo, then moved to Phoenix. The neck is curved like a Scranton-built (not straight like later ones), pedals and pedal connectors are the Scranton-style (diagonal pattern pedals, O-connectors), and the serial number is not the typical series of numbers. Tuners are also pretty different (not Klusons) and there appears to be a toggle switch behind the changer. Could this mean there's no pickup switch (or tone selector switch and knobs) on the side of the neck?

Very interesting. Question - was Zane possibly in Phoenix before Scranton, could this be a custom ordered prototype or early ZB???

FYI - Bob sent me a photo or two, I'll see if I can post them.

Greg is in Norway right now, I am sure he will check in when he gets back stateside. Maybe he will see this but kind of busy right now.

Thank you all for the response and interest you have in this ZB. Keep it coming. BOB

Tuners appear to be Grover Sta-Tites, as used on things like an early Sho-Bud Maverick, small body -18 series Martin acoustics and others. They could easily be of the same period as the ZB.

Those Grover tuners look like G-98s. They were not just used on cheaper Martins. They were also on D-28s and 45s for a long time. In the vintage acoustic guitar world, you know you're looking at something special when you see a set of these.

I had a solid black D10 with a Phoenix CZB sticker.
Greg said he had them left over and used them on some
Scranton guitars.

FYI:In issue#4 of Steel Guitarist magazine (availible from this forum)there's an interview w/ Tom Brumley in which Tom says:"When I quit Buck Owens I decided I wanted to go into the guitar building business.Zane Beck was building his ZB guitars down in Phoenix..." He goes on to say that he & Bill Sims purchased the Co. By the time the deal was done Zane had moved the Co. back to Scranton. Tom says:" So,when Bill & I bought it,we trucked everything from Scranton to Bakersfield."

Re: R.A.L. SER# 11 that was stamped in metal underneath this ZB, May have been a special order for the late Rick Lightour. I need a case for this steel. If anyone has an extra one, Pls. let me know. Thanks BOB

I make them if you are interested. www.hattoncases.net