The Steel Guitar Forum

I recently bought a Sho-Bud Pro III, and it's set up way too high for me. Shortening the legs is no problem, but the pedal pull rods need to have 2-3 inches taken off them. Is it better to cut off the bottom end and re-thread, or to take it off the top. If I take it off the top, what's the trick to putting the bend back in the rod (where it fits the bellcrank). Ideas, opinions?? Thanks!

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Rick McDuffie
Debbie Elam Band/Tarheel Jazz Q-tet
www.tarheelmusic.com

If you have the facilities, and the ability, make new rods. That way, if you come to sell it in future, it will still be original.

I would think cutting off the bottom and re-thread would be a easy proceedure...cause all you would need is the re-thread socket and just twist it on and it will cut the threads and your good to go.
Are these already standard length rods and you need them shorter?? or are thay long rods and you need standard?? cause the standard length ones are optainable.
Good luck and have fun.
Ricky<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Ricky Davis on 19 December 2002 at 01:16 PM.]</p></FONT>

The threads should be 10-32.

The rods on my Pro I are about 26" long, while the rods on the "new" Pro III are about 28" long. I'm 5'11", but my knees won't even graze the bottom end of the knee levers. This steel was obviously built for Ray Benson!

The bottom of the guitar is 29" from the floor on the back side.

So... I guess the next logical question is: Who has a good deal on standard length rods? Or is there anyone who would swap me standard length for this XXL size I've got? I need 8. I don't have any real need to keep these longs ones.

Stick an ad over on the Buy & Sell for a
trade. There's bound to be somebody looking
to raise their Sho~Bud that'll swap with you.

I have a Pro ll that I would like longer rods. Might do legs as well. call 504 866 4054 or e-mail. Good Luck, Steve

Thanks for the input, guys! I'm going to try and swap these long rods for some standard-length ones. Any other words of wisdom out there?

rick,
i have an 82 super pro that i would be more than happy to swap rods on. i am out of town for christmas and wont be able to give you a measurement until friday. i am 6'4" and for the year that i played that sho bud i had my volume pedal way out to the side just so i could get under the thing. if this works out i will be thrilled to get that steel out again. let me know if you are still looking and i will contact you when i get home.
thanks
david b

Before you go cutting you might check the thread size. On a lot of Sho Buds they used a "raised and rolled thread" versus the "cut" thread. A little something I picked up from Mr. Sho Bud himself (Duane Marrs) when I lived in Nashville in the 80's and 90's. Good luck, WC

It appears that Dave and I are swapping pedal rods. Thanks for the input, and I'll let you know how it goes!

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Rick McDuffie
Debbie Elam Band/Tarheel Jazz Q-tet
www.tarheelmusic.com