The Steel Guitar Forum

I've been playing steel for about 30 years now, with artists like Tommy Cash, Bob Everhart, Narvel Felts, Kinky Friedman, David Frizzell, Jack Greene, George Hamilton IV, Stonewall Jackson, Norma Jean, Rose Maddox, Charlie Mc Coy, Patsy Montana, Billie Jo Spears... when they were in Austria (Europe) and never had any problems, but now I'm in a bit of a panic as my old ShoBud Pro III is no longer reliable. I've had it for almost 30 years, and I got used to the fact that the legs fall out when I lift it up (as the threads are worn away), and that I can use only 5 of my 7 knee levers (I had to use the other two as spare part sources), also the tuning of the pedals is more or less of a problem (doesn't stay in tune for long), but the last two gigs I played were definitely the worst ever - the higher b-string kept breaking and somehow blocked the whole mechanism - with the new strings my A pedal didn't work at all (stuck) and all others were out of tune, so I couldn't play any more and had to leave the stage. How embarrassing.
I desperately need good advice:
Should I get my steel restored (who's the best?) or get a new one that is similar?
I had a Super Pro (but the knee levers kept breaking off), an MSA (but the strings are too close together for me - with my ShoBud Pro III they're farther apart and I'm used to that), and an Emmons (didn't really like the sound), but there's nothing like the ShoBud.
What's more expensive these days? Have it restored or get a new one that's similar (same string distance, similar sound, 6-7 knee levers, two 10 string necks)?
As I won't get to the States for at least another two years I can't even try out any steels, so I have to rely on your advice.
Please help.
Thanks
Carl Kaye

Get another guitar. There is a lot of good ones out there in very good to new condtion.

Just be careful and good luck.....al

And sell me that old Sho-Bud!

No way I'm gonna sell that baby!
But what I actually wanted to know was if any of you have an idea who can do some really good restauration, and if it would cost more/as much/or less than a new one.
My problem at the moment is that my budget is a bit low (what else is new in the music business).
Carl

Do it yourself! All of the stuff you mentioned sounds like nothing more than lack of routine maintainance.This is the type of instrument that you have to periodically go through and tighten up your whole guitar,replace your nylon tuner nuts every decade or so and stuff like that.Loose leg inserts are very common but are easily drilled and pinned back in place.I don't know about your knee levers but if parts are lost or actually broken(quite possible on a Sho-Bud)they are easily obtained from Bobbe Seymor and elsewhere.BTW,a small piece of foam rubber wedged beneath the string pins will keep the broken string ends from jamming up the changer on a Sho-Bud. -MJ-

I hate to disagree with Mike, but there are probably many old worn-out or broken pieces on the Sho-Bud that cannot be repaired. If you can make metal parts then you can do it yourself; otherwise I would not try. On my 1976 Sho-Buds, there were many unrepairable things:
fingers (worn down for that sitar sound)
rod pullers aka bell cranks (worn away)
the brass gizmos that hold a set screw that tightens on the pull rods (worn away so there is nothing left to attach to the rod puller)
knee levers (broken and fixed too many times)
brackets (worn away so the holes are too big and nothing fits tight)

etc etc

I don't know who to recommend to repair or restore your Sho-Bud, and I don't know anybody who can do it with less than a 3.5 year wait.

So, Carl, while you look for a someone to restore it, and while you wait for the work to be done, you will need another steel guitar. And while you look for that other steel guitar, remember that it is possible to make music on a steel guitar without using the pedals.

Duanne Marrs. He worked 14 years at Sho-Bud and is the one (and Jeff Suratt)who works on Lloyd Green's guitar as well as Dan Dugmore's and many other famous Sho-Bud players. Duanne can retrofit old Sho-Buds with modern mechanics while preserving the changer (where alot of the Sho-Bud sound is produced). They are amazing when they come out of his shop. Ask him about his body refinishes. (615) 868-5344. Madison TN.

Have it restored.
I'm sure Duane Marrs turns it into new.

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Steelin' Greetings
Marco Schouten
Sho-Bud Pro III Custom

"Have it restored."

As mentioned above the lead time on restoration could be a while. In the meantime get yourself either a Zum or a Fessenden. I think Fessenden has the shortest lead time (a month or two) and Zum (last time I heard) was 6 mos. I have a Zum S12 and couldn't be happier.

But remember this; Although the above guitars sound great there is nothing out there, that I know of, that will have your Sho-Bud sound. Something to consider.

Good Luck

Michael - thanks for the advice with the foam rubber!Guess I have to experiment with different materials, cause when I tried something softer, it actually got caught BETWEEN the changers.
But I really couldn't do all the repairs myself.
Earnest - what you write sounds just like my steel! Particularly the holes that are so big (up to TWICE the original size!!!) that nothing fits tightly any more. Even my floor pedals are so thin from wear I'm afraid they'll break sooner or later.
3,5 years wait sounds rather depressing!
And yeah, you're right, I could have played on without pedals, even switched to the C6 neck, but my mind was so fixated on trying to get the E9 back to working.....
Kevin/Marco - thanks for the name, I'll ask Duane Marrs for a time estimate.
Carl

Carl,
Here are some names of some other competent repair guys:

Billy Cooper
Mike Cass
Bobbe Seymore

There are a bunch of other guys that would do a great job also.

Bob

If you choose to restore your steel, whether you do it yourself or have it done for you, here is a resource with contact information which you might find valuable:

<CENTER><FONT SIZE=-2>http://www.steelguitarinfo.com/restoration/restorationindex.html</FONT></CENTER>

<FONT SIZE=-1>
hope that helps!

Ann Fabian
Carter Steel Guitars
www.SteelGuitar.com

</FONT>

You can also try Jan Visser in Holland. He will do an excellent job!
email:
trudy.visser@hccnet.nl
JJ

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my web-site
my bands CODand TSC

Thanks for the names (and the website with the phone numbers and emails, Ann!!)
I'll try and see what they tell me.
Carl<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Carl Kaye on 03 July 2002 at 11:32 AM.]</p></FONT>

I feel we do the greatest Sho-Bud restorations anywhere, and we are the fastest, (one month.) We use the original people that built the guitars in the first place, Our prices are the lowest also. All parts are factory original.
We have many happy customers to our credit.
www.steelguitar.net

I hate to be All Steel Guitar, All the Time but if you can afford it, why don't you buy a new steel AND have you Pro III restored to its former glory? I guess that's the kind of option most of us would love to have.

Bob M.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Bob Metzger on 03 July 2002 at 01:23 PM.]</p></FONT>

I forgot about Bobbe Seymour's. A1 top shelf restorations using original parts. Refinishing also. Absolutely have it restored. It is a treasure. (615)-822-5555.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 03 July 2002 at 02:36 PM.]</p></FONT>

Just wanted to let you know how things turned out:
I`ve just bought a single 14 Sierra (universal tuning - I've always wanted to try that out!), and as soon as I've got used to playing it, I'll send my ShoBud to Bobbe Seymour for restoration. He sent me a real nice email offering his services, and I'm very grateful.
Thank you all for your help!
Carl Kaye

I'm glad you will keep your Sho-Bud.

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Steelin' Greetings
Marco Schouten
Sho-Bud Pro III Custom