The Steel Guitar Forum

I stopped in to Doug Ernest Shop This week and Had the Pleasure of playing The New ZUM / STAGE ONE Proto Type.
Bruce And Doug have Hit it out of the Park on this little Beauty. Bruce Zumsteg is an Artist . the Guitar Played flawless and very very smooth . the stops are solid and the tuning is very stable it sounded AWSOME! like i new it would and i hope they have a great success with this little beast . this thing is a head turner fellers give doug or Bruce a call and start asking about this thing . i think they are waiting for a few more parts to be made before they start Building. Call these boys and get on the List for one of the first ones . Randy Beavers is using one with Leann Womack and if Randy is playing it its gotta be good. im not an endorser or paid but anyone i just thought i would give a little review for my friend. I am a died in the wool Mullen Guy but i think one of these little baby's are in my near futre i really liked it . i didnt get any pictures so maybe Doug will Post some here ..

www.stageonesteelguitars.com

Doug is supposed to have me down for one with Day setup. I hope he reads this so he won't forget about me.
Jerry

Is Doug making some upgrades or changes to the original design ??

From what i've understood it's gonna be the " Stage Two "
w: a pro changer
which means the copedent can be modified
Can't wait to see & hear it

Crowbear, you are correct. I saw and heard the prototype but didn't play it. I want one though.
Jerry

There were hints about this months ago, so it is nice to read finally what the rumors were all about. Any details? I assume an all-pull, 3-up/3-down changer? Maybe Doug should consider making the U-12 flight version some have been asking for (biased, since I recently switched from a Stage One to a Zum U-12).

While I am set for now, it is nice to see Doug stepping out beyond the Stage One, yet still under Bruce's direction. His reputation with the Stage One speaks for itself, and he is apparently now addressing the reasons even more people did not buy them. Doug, are you giving up the electrical work? Good luck with this new guitar!

Doug

The new Stage One or Two or Elite or Plus is gonna be a great instrument! Its a shame I just bought my Stage One before Christmas!! Wish there was a trade in program!

It's getting close! Most of the parts are finished.
Thanks for the plug, Boo. You really made that guitar sound fine!!!! You left a lick on it, though, and I got it!

This model will be for those players who can not live with the standard pedal arrangement of the Stage One. It's a Zum pro changer and undercarriage in a Stage One frame, basically. 3x5 standard, 4x5 optional. Triple raise, triple lower.

The guitar Randy Beavers is using is a different execution of the same concept. The production model will not be like Randy's guitar. Randy's was custom made specifically for him by The Master Zumsteg.

I guess I'll stick with mine for now. I can't figure out the 4 levers I got!! Definitely don't need a 5th at this point!!!

Guys this guitar is going to be great ! It does offer an all pull changer and can be configured to any copedent . Doug and Bruce have addresed any suggestion brought to them about the stage one . All I can say is if you have ever seen or played a Zum Guitar that's all that needs to be said about it and add Doug Ernest quality building ethics it cannot be beat by other guitar in it's price range . Come on doug post a pic for us ..
Boo

These new changes with the pro type of changer fix the only issue I had with the Stage One. Not being able to put custom copedents on it was my only beef with it. Now it's not an issue. My drummer was interested in buying one and because we couldn't get it set up like my Carter, he didn't consider the guitar. Unfortunately, he then went to EBAY and over paid for a Maverick (without my knowledge), which he can't put my copedent on any ways.

Is the price going to go up on it now?

What is the price point on these?
Are they lightweight like the original?

Doug Earnest wrote:It's getting close! Most of the parts are finished.
Thanks for the plug, Boo. You really made that guitar sound fine!!!! You left a lick on it, though, and I got it!

This model will be for those players who can not live with the standard pedal arrangement of the Stage One. It's a Zum pro changer and undercarriage in a Stage One frame, basically. 3x5 standard, 4x5 optional. Triple raise, triple lower.

Doug, be sure to post it in New Product Announcements when you're ready. Only the manufacturer is allowed to do that. Can't wait to see the pictures!

I will definitely do that b0b, thanks. Not really ready for it yet, but soon....very soon.....

The price will be quite reasonable for the features offered. Obviously it will be a little more than the current guitar, but I hope most people will consider it a bargain. I don't believe in trying to make a whole lot of money on each guitar, a fair profit is good enough for me and that approach has worked very well so far.

It weighs about the same as the current Stage One. I will continue to produce both models.

And it's bigger than a breadbox.

Will you still be offering the current StageOne's (like Apple still selling iPhone 4 while selliing iPhone 4s)or will the StageTwo be the product going forward from it's release?
edit:
Ooops- just read the last line of your prior post. never mind.

Lets Bump to the top for ole Doug. If your looking for and entry Level Guitar and beyond LOOK!! No Further!!!! you wont find a Nicer more Customer friendly guy around with an Instrument of this quality Brought to you by a household Name Like "ZUM" & STAGE ONE" Get yours orderd today .. www.stageonesteelguitars.com

I've had my Stage One since last fall and cannot tell you enough how much I love it. I've talked to Doug about this new steel because I really wish I had just a couple more changes. I wonder if all of the parts that will be used in this new steel have been used in other established Zum models?

Bruce had to start with a fresh design for a lot of the parts because the standard ZumSteel parts could not be used due to space limitations. This is a bit of the undercarriage.

Looks like it's as solid and well built as the one I have. I'm assuming that the changer was redesigned due to size? Thanks for the picture Doug.

Doug, I convinced a student of mine to get a stage one and he loves it. I love it too. The sound is amazing. What are the specs of the Pick up in the Stage One?

Will there be a 12 string version?

Don Drummer wrote:Doug, I convinced a student of mine to get a stage one and he loves it. I love it too. The sound is amazing. What are the specs of the Pick up in the Stage One?

Don, I just placed one on order, and I am really excited by similar testimonials from other satisfied players. I never even thought to ask what was in the pickup though.

The current model Stage One has a Humbucker. I'm assuming the new model will also have one.

Fred Glave wrote:The current model Stage One has a Humbucker. I'm assuming the new model will also have one.

Thanks!

Mike, I have no plans to make a 12 string.

The standard pickup is not decided as yet. This guitar will accept most popular pickups, so there will have to be some experimentation to find out what sounds good and what does not. The TruTone definitely sounds good in the prototype.