The Steel Guitar Forum

I just got my Super Pro back from Leon last month. Folks, Leon Roberts really knows his stuff and I just had to share this with you. I bought this guitar new from Bobbe in ’85. It’s always been a good guitar, but it just never seemed to play as well as my ’76 LDG. Over the years I experienced nearly all the problems associated with the newer Sho~Buds. Not any more! Thanks to Leon, this guitar now stays in tune, plays as smooth as silk, quiet as a church mouse, and “tone” that keeps me smiling for days after I’ve played it. I can hardly believe it’s the same guitar.


Leon made all the undercarriage parts, added 14-hole pullers, etc. He rebuilt the changers using the proper aluminum and removed all the pot metal. He even handmade the tear drop knee levers. I asked him to make a few other changes in the setup too. He replaced the original black and white fret boards with the colored ones which also sparked up the appearance. The lacquer finish is kept original. When I open up the case now and see Leon’s work, well it’s like I’ve opened the lid on a 76 pound jewelry box.







Leon Roberts - You Da Man!<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Kenny Drake on 28 May 2006 at 11:05 AM.]</p></FONT><font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Kenny Drake on 28 May 2006 at 11:06 AM.]</p></FONT><font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Kenny Drake on 28 May 2006 at 11:20 AM.]</p></FONT><font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Kenny Drake on 28 May 2006 at 12:00 PM.]</p></FONT>

WOW!! sure looks FINE!!
Congrats on the re-do. To my eye's and ears there is NOTHING like a SHO~BUD for sight or sound! Be sure and post pics of the LDG when its done. Enjoy!

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72 Professional 8&5,73 PRO II 8&4, 79/80 PRO III 8&4,Fender Steelking, Hilton pedal, USA Tele, Fender Twin,Peterson tuner,Tut Taylor Reso's and Twang to the Bone!!

A friend of mine has his guitar with Leon as I write.
I am very familiar with his work and HIGHLY recommend his expertise when it comes to steel refurbishing. Every guitar gets the same hands on consideration as if it were his own. His work speaks for itself.. nuf said..

JD

PS: Albert Johnson, his partner, also does some fine cabinet work as well as Emmons makeovers....A mighty fine team.

Just like I have always said these 2 have no EQUAL.

ernie

Man, that is a most excellent job! In fact, with the newer material, I bet it is BETTER than new.

Great job!

Thanks for the kind remarks guys. Ernie, you speak the truth! Curt, it IS better than new! That's the great thing about most of the rebuilds on later Sho~Buds. Material discrepancies can be mitigated in most cases and you end up with a guitar which is usually much better than new. I could not be happier with mine.

Kenny, could you post Leon's address?

Thanks!!!!

Delbert, you can contact Leon by sending an email to: leonusn@comcast.net

Kenny all I can say is WOW!Stu

Thanks for the kind words guys. I was hoping that Kenny would be as happy with the outcome as Albert and I. The guitar plays and sounds awesome. It is now my version of what the Sho-Bud Super-Pro should have been. This is strictly my opinion of course.

At the present time we are completely refurbishing an older D-10. The owner wanted 8+8. He will have it. It's the guitar Jack Daughtry mentioned above. Here's a sneak preview below.

NOTHING as pretty as a Bud.

I AM IN THE PROCESS OF SEARCHING FOR A pROFESSIONAL D10 SO LEON CAN DO IT HIS WAY.
I like my D10 but it is not as good as using the aluminum parts Leon uses. He has one that he owns and you can tell the difference in the 2 guitars, they are like dark and light, form each other. Untill you try them you do not know the difference, but we have the 2 to compare.
Bobbe says I am next in line for the next D10 he gets in. I hope it is not to long Leon has 2 in front of me now.
If you could play Leons Blue guitar you could see a world of difference in it and mine. I like mine enough to keep it and do another one like his.
Can you have to many Shobuds?????????

ernie

I love a Sho Bud. I am gonna have another
Bud before too long.

^^^ Bump for my friend Leon Roberts. After six weeks, I can't describe how much happier I am with this Super Pro. I haven't been this happy or excited with a guitar in many years. The tone is magnificent, sustain is beyond expectations and it stays in tune like no other guitar I've owned. I could play this guitar for the rest of my life and never want for another. It's what a Sho~Bud is all about, and what a Super Pro was meant to be.
Jack D, your friend will not be disappointed with his D10 - trust me! Leon will do it right.

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Kenny Drake on 11 June 2006 at 08:24 PM.]</p></FONT>

That ShoBud is one great looking guitar. Leon did a fantastic job on the finish for sure.

Paul, what you see is the original finish. Everything else was done except the finish. That finish shows how well Kenny cares for his guitars.

Leon

Kenny the seat arrived, it was a pleasent supprise,it is set upin my practice room or office behind my Pro 1 and it looks good. I had a shobud seat before but in a weak moment I sold it. I will cherish tis seat it will stay here for ever. Thaks so much for your frienship and will see you nest time down here. Stay well

your friend ernie and nan

That's a beautiful guitar!

Kenny, Forgive me for asking, but what did it cost to have this beauty worked over?

Brett, there are many factors that can affect the cost. You should contact Leon or Bobbe or one of the other fine folks who can do this work if you're thinking of having one re-done. For me, it wasn't about the cost or getting it on time. It was all about the superior quality of Leon's work. That's worth much more to me.

What are the three screws through the aluminum changer housing on the outside neck? Should all of us Super Pro users have them?

beautiful guitar and great job on the mechanics

Db

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"Promat"
~when tone matters~ www.promatsteelguitars.com

Barry, the three screws you asked about are used for tunable splits on 5th & 6th strings and to tune the 9th string lower to C# since the 9th string lowering return spring assists the half stop on the 2nd string.

Leon