The Steel Guitar Forum

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

Ricky Davis, he's a forum member.

Another recommendation for Sho-Bro Ricky Davis. I took my LDG to him and am extremely satisfied with his work and price.

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.

James Morehead, in Oklahoma, also a forum member.

James Morehead is super knowledgable about Sho~buds and is a great guy.
-Ian

TOMMY CASS, BOSTON MASS A FORUM MEMBER, AND THE VERY BEST!

All of the above.

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.

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."

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.

It's Albert Johnson. He did my p/p before I got it, and it plays like a dream.

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.

"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.

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.

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,

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!

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...

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

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.

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

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

3 and 1 too many?

Very pretty.