The Steel Guitar Forum

Has anyone got one of these? I don't think many of these were made. The type I'm thinking of is the 'step-up' design rather than a SD 12. Perhaps Greg Jones might have some info on these and which era they may be from.
Any photos would be great, as I can't seem to find any. I'm particularly interested in any universals that were 7+4.
Also, did all ZB guitars have a serial no stamped on them?
Thanks for any info, Dave.

David, I'm not a ZB expert, but I don't think they were produced during the era when universal tunings became popular. I suspect the best you can do is find a D-12 or D-11, have the back neck removed and use all the pedals for your uni tuning. I don't know if the ZB changer is truly up to the task of the uni tuning, either.

Other knowledgeable experts may opine differently. I'd suggest getting a Kline Uni-12 instead. Similar twangy tone, but with much improved undercarriage and changer. Or BMI, some shared lineage with ZB on those.

The ZB changer should support a Uni. I had 3 changes on the 4th string of My C6 that I had. There are 2 of the "keyhole" slots in the fingers. Each slot will hold 2 rods if you can bend them to get in there. I had 2 in one slot and one in the other slot.

I think the Kline has 2 hooks that the rods attach to. I had those same three raises that I had with my ZB.

The Kline is by far, much easier to work on.

Didn't Zane Beck play a 12 string?

I had two at one time, a '68 and then another from the Brumley era that was rebuilt by Tom Bradshaw with MSA undercarriage. I think they are both in Northern CA somewhere.....

Below are photos of the '68.

Thanks Dave. That's exactly what I was looking for. It is to confirm that some were made. I've found one here in the UK that is missing a few pedals and has been PAINTED! I plan to restore it to how it should be. I think it must have been imported by Eric Snowball. I'm guessing it is a Brumley era guitar. It's also missing 2 knee levers, but the remaining 2 are the cast type and the pedals are the square sort of dog tooth pattern. I'm not sure it has a serial no or not. I'm picking it up on Monday, so I shall find out more then.
Dave, do you have any pics of your Brumley era one?
Thanks for the replies, Dave.

This link will take you to photos of the Bradshaw Zb restoration/modification:
https://www.songwriter.com/bradshaw/res ... versal.php

Thanks Dave. White pickup model too. The fret marker is missing on mine. I'm going to have to put feelers out for parts here. Also, the legs aren't original on mine, that's going to be difficult, and expensive n doubt. The main ting is that it hasn't been too butchered about, and I can make the missing cross straps and pedal cranks. Quite alot of rods and turnbuckles missing though.
These must be pretty rare, am I right? How many others have you come across?
dave.

Those are the only two I know of...well three now that I know you have one!

Here's a photo underneath.

Here you can see the legs have been replaced, and what I think is an Ormston fret marker, which was a UK steel. Why was is PAINTED!

Greg Jones has fretboards I believe. ZBmul65@aol.com

Looks like possibly the pickup and legs are also not original. The legs don't seem to have the clutch for adjusting the height and I don't see the tap switch for the pickup....ZB pickups were made with a triple tap and a tele selected switch on the neck. Everything thing else seems to be ZB but you're missing someundercarraige parts....you knew that! Good luck with your project!
Dave

I have the ZB-12 that Dave Z used to own.
I love how it sounds & also that it weighs way less than my other ZB's.
Interestingly, pedal #1 is pretty far to the right compared to other ZB's I've seen.
I'd be happy to send you pics of the underside if you need any. Enjoy the project!

Thanks Eric. Any underside photos would be great. It will be interesting for me to check out the neck to see if it has either been replaced or filled where the control plate should be. Also, if the pickup has wires for different coil taps. if the pickup has been replaced, that's going to be hard to find the correct one as I think the string spacing may be different.
Of course, this could have been extended E9 tuning for all I know.
Dave.

Yes Richard, Zane played a 12 string. I have set right in front of him and watched him play one just like pictured. And David, Greg Jones may have some parts but also Micheal Yahl at Pedal Steel Guitar Parts should have some stuff. www.psgparts.com J.R. Rose

Your pickup looks ok Dave, It may have been rewound by Dave Wiggins?? The neck has been replaced as you should have the triple coil switching bar on there! I've emailed you on levers and fretboard and your rods should be with you tomorrow!

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Eric, you can send any photos to dave.pedal@outlook.com thanks

David,
I sent you a couple pics. Let me know if you'd like anything specific.
I have found that the longer cross bars (the flat pieces) on the single neck ZBs allow for easier pedal pushing.
Good luck with your project!