Help with ShoBud Pro III pedals and dating

Ed Larson · From: Oregon, Wisconsin, USA

Grettings all, I purchased a Pro III from Billy Cooper a little while back and I was hoping ya'll could help me out on a few things....
First off, on of the pedals was broken in shipping, I bought a pedal sight unseen from Bobbe, and when I got it, it didnt match the existing pedals in size or looks. Bobbe didnt seems to think they were the original pedals, and I have not been able to find anything about them. There are pictures here: http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c271/Edtronics/IMG_0005.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c271/Edtronics/IMG_0004.jpg

Secondly, the serial # is 10230, could someone give me an idea of the date of manufacture?

Last, the case is destroyed, I am amazed it reached me with only one broken pedal, can ya'll provide some contact info for case manufacturers or does anybody have an extra PIII case lying around that they would part with?

Thanks in advance!!

Ricky Davis · From: Bertram, Texas USA

Those are the original wide waffle sho-bud pedals; but shaved down on the sides to make them narrower. These were the first pedals the Pro-III saw; then the skinny slick ones than the skinny tread ones.
The serial number does not tell the date of the shobud; you'll have to show some pictures top to bottom.
Ricky

Ed Larson · From: Oregon, Wisconsin, USA

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

Ed,
If I were you, I'd take that broken pedal to a shop where they do aluminum welding. They should be able to weld it back together. With a little grinding, filing and polishing it should be good as new. I've purchased some steels that require some filling of holes in the aluminum and so on. Have had very good results.

Colby Tipton · From: Crosby, Texas, USA

What Ricky said is correct. If Bobbe sent you a wide padal and it is the same width at the pedal bar just saw off each side of the pedal to the correct width and sand / polish it up. If its wider at the pedal bar you know the rutine.

Ed Larson · From: Oregon, Wisconsin, USA

Bobbe sent me a narrow pedal, he didnt have any wide ones and I didnt send him the picture we both assumed we were talkiing about the same thing when I told him the pedal was .933 inches wide.

I do know an place that welds aluminum, I used to work there in fact (not as a welder) I will try that if I cannot find a replacement

Chris LeDrew · From: Canada

I'm still a student of Sho~Bud history, but from what I've learned this guitar's year of manufacture should be 1975.

Ricky Davis · From: Bertram, Texas USA

Well all of the very first pro-III's had round front and wide pedals and double raise/single lower and just said Pro-III on the front. Those came out late 74'-75; then came the "Pro-III Custom" that had square front and wide pedals and double raise/single lower in '75> then into later and '76; came the same pulling mechanism; but double raise/double lower and triple/double and had skinny slick pedals...then when the superpro came out '77-'78; then all pro-III customs took on the superpro mechanism....
So this one is certainly around the '76-'77 era.
By the way; here's one on E-bay that I just finished up and is up for auction and I played it just this last weekend and it kicked serious butt....and stayed in perfect tune all night>
Pro-III Custom by Ricky Davis
Ricky

[This message was edited by Ricky Davis on 15 November 2006 at 09:44 AM.]

Skip Edwards · From: LA,CA

I don't think I've ever seen a round-front ProIII. They must be pretty rare. I was under the impression that the ProIII came out a little later than than the ProII, after the "Custom" came along.
Anybody have a pic of a round front ProIII?

Ron Fitzgerald · From: Port Charlotte Florida

Ed , just curious . what was Billy's reaction. Did he not have another pedal?Billy is the best. I am sure he would have tried to help.

Ricky Davis · From: Bertram, Texas USA

Skip I have a few pictures of a "Pro-III" that are on my computer in Austin; which I won't be back there for a week.
Yes I haven't seen very many of them either.
Ricky

Skip Edwards · From: LA,CA

Cool, Ricky... I'd like to see that when you get back.
Thanks...

Steven Black · From: Gahanna, Ohio, USA

Hey Ricky, John Coop is working on my Sho-Bud pro III and it had somewhat of a rounded edge on the front apron, but the date of it was 1976, it has the narrow pedals, and the tear drop knee levers, double raise/ double lower changer, but being updated to a triple raise/ double lower, and roller bearing fingers for smoothness on the pedals.

Steven Black · From: Gahanna, Ohio, USA

Well Ricky, I messed up, the date is 1979, not 1976 on my Sho-Bud.

Ed Larson · From: Oregon, Wisconsin, USA

Wow, thanks for all the replies!
Billy just suggested I contact Bobbe.

How about a case or cases for this guitar?

Skip Edwards · From: LA,CA

Kevin Hatton makes some really nice cases.

David Biggers · From: Texas, USA

Hey I build cases. I have cases with heavy duty wheels. Some of the cases I have seen being included with these new guitars make me proud of my cases. They ain't cheap or light but when you have wheels who need light.I put Carpet on the outside with 4 latches and nice corners and heavy duty stay open hinges.Special Dense foam and plush velour to protect inside and if you have a logo or decal I will include it on the case for you.

Email with measurements and I will give you quote.

Ken Byng · From: Southampton, England

I am intrigued by Ricky's posts. I got my Pro 111 custom in 1975, and it has a square front with narrow smooth pedals but with triple raise & double lower changer.

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