The Steel Guitar Forum

Hi all,

This guitar looks like a beaut....but should there be that amount of spacing between the 4th and 5th pedals? Seems odd to me....

Also, anyone have opinions on the Super Pro? I have done a search on the old forums and found some comments...but not very many. Perhaps some of the newer members have some comments to share? Or even the older members who missed the chance to comment last time 'round!

Thanks for any reponses in advance...

Joe

I may be biased since my first steel was a Super Pro, but I think it's a really good guitar. I still use mine now & then. And, yeah, that spacing between pedals 4 & 5 is abnormal, but fixable. Incidentally, the posting is incorrect; it's probably a late 70's or early 80's model.

These are decent guitars and they're relatively compact and light weight. The worst thing about them is the extensive use of pot metal, especially in the changer fingers. I have #2 that I bought in '79, I've done a lot of mods to it and I still use it today.

That's a real pretty guitar. My brother has a Sho~Bud the same colour but it's faded a bit now. I hope this doesn't sound too dumb, but what is pot metal?.......Thanks, Carson

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">quote:</font><HR><SMALL>Metal Identification: A Guide to Cast Antique Metalware

Please respect your collectibles, and use only non-destructive methods of identification.

1. Does a magnet stick?

Yes: Iron. A magnet has a place in every collector's tool kit.
No: Go to 2.

2. What color is the bare metal? If plated or patinated, look on the bottom, or at worn spots. Please do not scratch the metal.

Gray: Zinc.
Yellow, golden: Brass or Bronze, go to 3.
If color can not be determined: go to 3.

3. Tap the piece lightly with a pencil, and listen carefully. For best results, tap a sculpture on the end of an arm. For a plaque, hold by a
corner, and tap the opposite corner.

Thud: Zinc
Faint dull ringing: Brass
Clear ringing tone: Bronze

Metal Facts & Fiction:

Zinc: Also known as pot metal, spelter, white metal, and even "french bronze". Soft, does not take detail well. Brittle, not malleable; breaks if bent. Easy to cast.
Cast zinc pieces are usually hollow. Weighs 4.16 ounces per cubic inch.</SMALL><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Note that when you tap it, it goes thud.

<SMALL>Note that when you tap it, it goes thud.</SMALL>

chas baby mama dude, you are putting it down and I am picking up on IT!!!!

BTW, your buddy Greg came and visited at the gig the other night, incidentally. very nice guy.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

re: the Sho Bud on eBay.

The pedal spacing looks like it's been dicked with.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

I played a Super~Pro for the first 25 years and loved it. Only problem was the pot metal knee lever brackets would break periodically and I had to have them replaced with something that goes "ding" instead of "thud" But the parts are (or at least were) readily available and not too costly. It's just a pain if one breaks on a gig... If you get it, I'd suggest a pre-emptive strike: replace them all.

Only reason I sold it, really, is that I became more attracted to the brighter tone of an aluminum-necked guitar, while most Super~Pros have wooden necks.

By the way, Doug Jernigan played one of these for many, many years. Not too shabby.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jim Cohen on 29 January 2003 at 06:47 AM.]</p></FONT>

Great information....thanks all!

So the next question....which Sho-Bud models besides the Super Pro also used pot metal? Or was the Super Pro the only one?

Gotta love this forum

Joe

All of them from the late 70's on. Rumor has it that Bobbe has replacement fingers made from aluminum. I initially replaced mine with aluminum, 6061 T-6, around 1980 at the same time I replaced the keyhead with a couple of Kline keyless. It made a very noticable difference. Currently I have brass fingers on E9 and aluminum on C6. It's a good idea to have a milling machine in the garage if you own an older steel guitar.

Herb, yo hodaddy, Greg's a good guy and a talent.

Chas, care to comment on the impact on sound of the brass fingers vs. the aluminum ones?

Jack, to be perfectly honest, I don't hear the difference, if there is any, but I get bragging rights. Also the necks are solid tooling plate which create interesting tunings when the temperature changes.

I made a Home video about 10 years ago, with my Super-Pro and I liked the guitar pretty well. I had it for 2 or 3 years. I never broke anything on it.Course I wasn't playing out anymore, so it didn't get much wear...al