Any recommendations for a Shobud "overhaul" expert

Instruments, mechanical issues, copedents, techniques, etc.

Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn

Post Reply
Kristen Bruno
Posts: 369
Joined: 9 Aug 2007 10:58 am
Location: Orlando, Florida, USA

Any recommendations for a Shobud "overhaul" expert

Post by Kristen Bruno »

I bought a D-10 Shobud Superpro a few years back, and haven't been using it as it has been packed away. So currently I am playing a gfi student s-10 tuned to e9 (nice sounding guitar), a fender 400 tuned to d-9 (like e-9 but no broken strings—fantastic fender tone as all you fender people know), and assorted lap steels tuned to c-6. Since I am trying to get familiar with both E-9 and C6 tunings, I am again thinking about getting the mechanical parts of the Superpro overhauled to be like new as was suggested years ago in the post below . (I also thought about a nice universal but thats a long way off financially and then theres the learning curve)

Although the bud is very heavy and I really can't take it anywhere, it does have a MAGIC tone and awesum green color. I figure getting it overhauled would be a good investment, and if I ever decided to sell or trade, I would know exactly what I have to offer. Years ago I talked to John Coop about doing it but didn't really have the money to get it done. I know he isn't around anymore so I was wondering who has a good reputation on Shobuds these days. Maybe some guestimates on price ranges also.

Here is the old post with pictures and comments.

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... 2f2fb4c668

Thanks
K
"Technology has given us the ability to repeat all the mistakes we have learned from history, but much faster, deadlier and with much greater accuracy" - KAB
Curtis Alford
Posts: 262
Joined: 30 Mar 2006 1:01 am
Location: BastropTexas, USA 78602

Sho-Bud

Post by Curtis Alford »

Ricky Davis, he's a forum member.
User avatar
Jim Cooley
Posts: 1754
Joined: 23 Apr 2010 9:12 am
Location: The 'Ville, Texas, USA

Post by Jim Cooley »

Another recommendation for Sho-Bro Ricky Davis. I took my LDG to him and am extremely satisfied with his work and price.
User avatar
Richard Sinkler
Posts: 17067
Joined: 15 Aug 1998 12:01 am
Location: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Post by Richard Sinkler »

OOPS. I had written a long message on how to do some of the work yourself. Then I just looked at the pictures again. I noticed that the finger where the spring is missing is actually broken. It needs to be replaced. Definitely find someone that can do the work.
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, NV400, NV112 . Playing for 53 years and still counting.
Larry Baker
Posts: 3296
Joined: 2 May 2008 3:15 pm
Location: Columbia, Mo. U.S.A.

Post by Larry Baker »

James Morehead, in Oklahoma, also a forum member.
Mullen G2 SD10 3 & 5 The Eagle
NV112 amp===Earnie Ball V.P.
Ian Stynes
Posts: 141
Joined: 7 May 2012 12:27 pm
Location: New York, USA

Post by Ian Stynes »

James Morehead is super knowledgable about Sho~buds and is a great guy.
-Ian
Ed Kelly
Posts: 237
Joined: 30 Dec 2002 1:01 am
Location: Queensbury, New York, USA

Overhaul

Post by Ed Kelly »

TOMMY CASS, BOSTON MASS A FORUM MEMBER, AND THE VERY BEST!
User avatar
Dan Beller-McKenna
Posts: 2979
Joined: 3 Apr 2005 1:01 am
Location: Durham, New Hampshire, USA
Contact:

Post by Dan Beller-McKenna »

All of the above.
User avatar
Richard Sinkler
Posts: 17067
Joined: 15 Aug 1998 12:01 am
Location: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Post by Richard Sinkler »

No matter who you use, try to get a firm completion date. A friend of mine sent his Sho~Bud Professional out to have some knee levers added and everything gone through and set up, and it has been several months (longer that some new guitar delivery times), with some un-met delivery dates. I'm not going to mention who the rebuilder is, as I really don't want to bad mouth him. I'm just saying to be careful.
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, NV400, NV112 . Playing for 53 years and still counting.
User avatar
Lane Gray
Posts: 13551
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Topeka, KS

Post by Lane Gray »

At least one of the rebuilders mentioned has some injury issues and a serious backlog. If I didn't have this pesky day job, I'd take up PSG rebuilding because I find it fun. But making parts is beyond me.
Either a completion date or a "geez, I'm backed up, have patience."
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
User avatar
Jack Stoner
Posts: 22087
Joined: 3 Dec 1999 1:01 am
Location: Kansas City, MO

Post by Jack Stoner »

There is a guy in Tallahassee (much closer than the others mentioned) that is an expert steel mechanic. I've seen several that he has overhauled, including a Sho-Bud and an Emmons PP, and they look new. I just forgot his name.

I'll see if I can get his name and post it.
GFI Ultra Keyless S-10 with pad (Black of course) TB202 amp, Hilton VP, Steelers Choice sidekick seat, SIT Strings (all for sale as package)
Cakewalk by Bandlab and Studio One V4.6 pro DAWs, MOTU Ultralite MK5 recording interface unit
Skip Edwards
Posts: 3009
Joined: 1 Dec 1998 1:01 am
Location: LA,CA

Post by Skip Edwards »

It's Albert Johnson. He did my p/p before I got it, and it plays like a dream.
Tony Williamson
Posts: 351
Joined: 28 Nov 2011 7:31 pm
Location: North Carolina, USA

Post by Tony Williamson »

all i can say is im glad my shobud is a hybrid, or i still wouldnt have one to play. i ordered knee levers in jan 2012, and they arent here yet, i was basically told to quit inquiring or i would be sent a box of used parts. beware who you send it to. try your best to do it yourself, because you will be able to live with the results a lot easier and it will be at home with you. be careful.
stelling banjos . shobud ldg and superpro/ martin hd28v weber mandolin, session 400, danelectro delay, korg d3200, bose L1 x2
User avatar
John Billings
Posts: 9344
Joined: 11 Jul 2002 12:01 am
Location: Ohio, USA

Post by John Billings »

"I also thought about a nice universal but thats a long way off financially and then theres the learning curve"

Learning curve is about a day, if you have the time to woodshed.
User avatar
James Morehead
Posts: 6944
Joined: 19 May 2003 12:01 am
Location: Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.

Post by James Morehead »

Another vote for Ricky. Ricky is my mentor and taught me much of what I know about refurbing Shobuds. The late John Coop, also taught me much.

Ricky is taking on most of the refurb work coming to me at this time, until I get caught up on a serious backlog, that Lane mentioned. Thankyou to those who have mentioned me and have faith in me. The folks on my backlog, thankyou for your continued patience through tough, trying times, we are closing in on getting everybody wrapped up and done soon. My apologies again, for delay, it is never our intention to hurt anyone.

Kristen, your beautiful guitar will be in the best hands with Ricky.
"Good judgement comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgement"~old cowboy proverb.
shobud@windstream.net
User avatar
Ricky Davis
Posts: 10964
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Bertram, Texas USA
Contact:

Post by Ricky Davis »

Thanks James and ya'll for the vote of confidence over here in "my camp"..ha..
Hopefully one day "ALL SHO~BUDS" will be refurbed and good to go..
Ricky
Ricky Davis
Email Ricky: sshawaiian2362@gmail.com
User avatar
Douglas Schuch
Posts: 1390
Joined: 10 Jun 2011 9:33 am
Location: Valencia, Philippines

Post by Douglas Schuch »

Ricky,

About the the time you finish the last Sho-Bud on the planet that needs a refurb, the first one will be due again. Lets hope you live long enough to do it, and I live long enough to see the pics here on the forum!
Pedal steel, lap steel, resonator, blues harp - why suck at just one instrument when you can do so on many?
Tim Woodall
Posts: 31
Joined: 10 Feb 2008 9:05 pm
Location: North Carolina, USA
Contact:

Post by Tim Woodall »

I'd certainly suggest Ricky Davis. Did a great job on mine a couple of years ago. Knows what he is doing and very patient when dealing with my questions...:)
Tim Woodall
www.grasscats.com
Sho-Bud 6139 Ricky Davis overhauled with Coop parts
User avatar
Ricky Davis
Posts: 10964
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Bertram, Texas USA
Contact:

Post by Ricky Davis »

Ricky,

About the the time you finish the last Sho-Bud on the planet that needs a refurb, the first one will be due again. Lets hope you live long enough to do it, and I live long enough to see the pics here on the forum!
Good point Douglas..ha..
Thanks Tim and ya'll for the kind supportive words. Although every single person mentioned here doing refurbs are absolutely brilliant; finding one of us with the TIME, is the hard part..ha.
ricky
Ricky Davis
Email Ricky: sshawaiian2362@gmail.com
User avatar
Jeff Garden
Posts: 3645
Joined: 21 Aug 2003 12:01 am
Location: Center Sandwich, New Hampshire, USA

Post by Jeff Garden »

Another vote for Ricky D... Also Kristen I see you're in Orlando. There's a fellow by the name of Leon Roberts in Tallahassee who did some beautiful ShoBud restoration work for Doug Jernigan a while ago. I haven't heard from him in awhile or seen any posts lately. Last I knew he was retired from the actual machining/restoration end of things but if he's still around I'm sure he'd be happy to give you some advice. Try a search by author on the Forum and maybe there's still a valid e-mail/phone on a post.
User avatar
John Billings
Posts: 9344
Joined: 11 Jul 2002 12:01 am
Location: Ohio, USA

Post by John Billings »

A pic of Ricky's fine work. Guitar came to me as a 3 and 1. How many now?

Image
User avatar
Richard Sinkler
Posts: 17067
Joined: 15 Aug 1998 12:01 am
Location: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Post by Richard Sinkler »

A pic of Ricky's fine work. Guitar came to me as a 3 and 1. How many now?
3 and 1 too many? :lol: :lol:

Very pretty. :whoa:
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, NV400, NV112 . Playing for 53 years and still counting.
Post Reply