The Steel Guitar Forum

I thought maybe some of you might be interested in checking out the Professional that I just got back. The original rack and barrel mechanism has been replaced with Duane's triple-raise, triple-lower system. The guitar plays smoothly and positively and stays in tune quite well. The knee levers have been well-positioned, particularly the staggered LKL, and the tilt on all levers is fully adjustable. The majority of the mechanical work was done by Jeff Surratt, who has been under Duane's tutelage for some time now. The body was refinished by A. J. Nelson, who did the body work for Sho Bud for years. The pickups are Jerry Wallace rewinds and they are great. See thread: http://www.steelguitarforum.com/Forum3/HTML/016242.html

As I have a soft spot in my heart (or is it head?) for that classic Sho Bud look and tone, I dreamed of having one that would play well, stay in tune, and handle my copedant. I have only had the guitar for a few days but at this point I would say that my dream has been realized. While it could be argued that it is a sacrilege to modify a classic old guitar such as this, in my view if it makes it more serviceable to the player and gives it a new life, then it is a good thing. I would say that if anyone is contemplating having something like this done, call Duane and Jeff to discuss your options. They are fine, honest folks who are dedicated to the restoration and preservation of these great old guitars. http://www.ImageHosting.com/images/Tommy/Picture0010WEB.jpg http://www.ImageHosting.com/images/Tommy/Picture0008WEB.jpg http://www.ImageHosting.com/images/Tommy/Picture0006WEB.jpg http://www.ImageHosting.com/images/Tommy/Picture0013WEB.jpg http://www.ImageHosting.com/images/Tommy/Picture0011WEB.jpg http://www.ImageHosting.com/images/Tommy/Picture0012WEB.jpg <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Tommy Detamore on 10 March 2003 at 12:55 PM.]</p></FONT><FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Tommy Detamore on 10 March 2003 at 12:56 PM.]</p></FONT><FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Tommy Detamore on 10 March 2003 at 01:00 PM.]</p></FONT><FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Tommy Detamore on 10 March 2003 at 01:03 PM.]</p></FONT>

The guitar is a beauty for sure, no doubt. Sure the mechanics look very precise and well made. I just can´t help but wonder about two things:
Don´t you think it´s a disadvantage that the lower return springs are fixed and not adjustable? I have one with the double raise/double lower which also has them like that and had to replace them last year after they lost most of their tension and believe me, that is not something I enjoy very much.
Also, why does Duane always have to put those ugly straight knee levers on? Sure it should be possible for him to find a way to retain the curved ones which look so much better...
I don´t know. I´d rather preserve the orignal rack-and-barrell and try to get the most out of it. But, each to his own.
BTW Tommy, I really enjoyed your playing on Doug Sahm´s last album.

Regards, Joe H.

Mighty sweet. I can't comment on the change of mechanism yet, but looks tight. I agree the old levers are much nicer.

That's a bit of alright.

Wow; I'm impressed.
Good going Tommy and Good going Duane and Jeff.....mighty fine job there...and can't wait to hear it.
Ricky

Beautiful Guitar Tommy! I hope to get to come check it out in person soon!

Scott

Tommy,

It sure turned out great. I stopped in to see Duane and Jeff last week and Jeff was telling me how great it sounded. It was already in the case so I didn't get to see it, but did see a picture Duane had of it. Jeff, Duane and AJ do some fine work!

Tony

Tommy, it's a beaut! I wanted to re-do my old 'Bud but gave up and got the Zum.

How well do those round cross axles work out? That, to me, was always a strike against Sho~Buds, the fact that there could be slop in the bell cranks where they ride on the axles. Didn't they go to a hex shaped axle near the end of the run? I may be confusing them with another brand.

But you can't fault the sound or look of this brand. Maybe the best ever and now such a classic. Hell, the first one was a classic and they only got better. It's wonderful to see them made to play as well as they deserve to be.

If you ever stumble across an S12U 'Bud that's for sale, give me a shout. I nearly bought one a few years ago, why I balked, I'll never know. It was the same color as yours on a single body, eight pedals I believe. What tone! What style!
--JR

Is that walnut? Whatever it is it's beautiful.--Kenny Ray

Congratulations Tommy. My Professional was also done by Jeff and Duanne. These guitars are monster. They are deadly accurate, beautiful to look at, and drip with tone. Jeff Surratt is becoming a master steel guitar restorer/ mechanic under Duanne's direction. I watched this particular guitar from the time it arrived in Nashville all through its steps up until it was shipped to Texas. Its a killer guitar. Duanne and Jeff are Nashville's Sho-Bud guru's. Enjoy this one Tommy. If its like mine it'll talk to you when your playing it.

I suppose it would be better to have adjustable return springs. However, I have been playing Zumsteels almost exclusively for twenty years and never had to adjust a spring. The springs on the Sho Bud are very accessible and it would be a simple matter to clip a coil or two off to get more tension.
I would perhaps agree from an asthetic standpoint that the teardrop knee levers are more desirable, but to be honest they never felt comfortable to me, always poking me in the wrong place. According to Duane, Lloyd Green and others had the same experience. Lloyd's LDG was built by Duane using straight knee levers with wooden inserts stained green to match the guitar.
In this day of square or at least keyed crosshafts, I suppose round ones seem a bit archaic. Time will tell on this one, but there has been no "slippage" thus far.
BTW, Kenny, it is curly and bird's eye maple with a sort of burgundy-brown stain. Thanks!