ZB Pedal Steel Guitars - Please help!

Tony Russell · Post by **Tony Russell** » 7 Apr 2012 5:24 am

Here are some pics of my ZB #0552 as promised. I can just detect a little "browning" on the front apron. Tony.

B. Greg Jones · Post by **B. Greg Jones** » 7 Apr 2012 6:29 am

Thats a beaut Tony!!!!!

Tony Russell · Post by **Tony Russell** » 7 Apr 2012 7:35 am

Thabks Greg, bit by bit I'm getting it balanced out to play smooth. It's a steep learning curve, but well worth the effort!

Chuck McGill · Post by **Chuck McGill** » 7 Apr 2012 10:19 am

Gorgeous Steel Tony.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 15 Apr 2012 5:31 pm

The serial number is 0064.

Anyone have a good source for the rods and turnbuckles? I need a couple of 'em.

Chuck McGill · Post by **Chuck McGill** » 16 Apr 2012 2:15 am

Greg Jones. You probably have his info from the forum. If not contact me and I'll send it. Of course Billy Knowles is an excellent source. Bob you have a great steel there and thanks for this forum.

Bob Mainwaring · Post by **Bob Mainwaring** » 18 Apr 2012 3:22 pm

E by-gum Tony, that's a real belter eh??
What sort of brass would you be looking for owd fettler??

My SD10 Z.B. came from Rochdale many years ago which an old steel-pickin' friend of mine called Harry Greenwood sold me.
He was playing sometimes 7 nights a week back then in various pubs and clubs.

All Z.B.est.

Baawwb.

Tony Russell · Post by **Tony Russell** » 20 Apr 2012 8:28 am

First,
Hey Bob - you originally from UK then?
Second,
Hey anybody - my D10 (the blue one a few posts above) has two slots for selector switches, but sometime in it's life a single five way has been put in. Can anyone point me to a wiring diagram for the two (presumably 3-way) originals? I might as well get it did right!
I guess they would be off (centre?) and two coil taps(?). Thanks in advance.

Bob Mainwaring · Post by **Bob Mainwaring** » 20 Apr 2012 9:51 am

Aye Tony,all the way from Rochdale, originally fromp't top ut' moors by-gum. $:\$

Yes you're right - a three way switch was/is original, but you know what, I never alter the position where it's at on both my Z.B.'s, it's always set towards the peg-head, the tone is "right there"

The old Z.B.s have a great tone and feel to them and I find them easy to work on if needed.

All Z.B.est.

Bob Mainwaring
Vancouver Island.

Andrew Buhler · Post by **Andrew Buhler** » 20 Apr 2012 10:06 am

Tony, it looks like your guitar doesn't have stock ZB triple coil pickups. If that's the case, you wouldn't need the additional selector switch which allows you to choose between three different coil taps per pickup. I assume a prior owner removed the coil tap switch upon installing the new pickups.

Tony Russell · Post by **Tony Russell** » 20 Apr 2012 12:06 pm

Yeah, they're Geo. L 66s, but I still wonder if I can fill the slots to look right.
Hey and b0b I got that record right there top of your pile on the floor next the guitar, one of my favourites.

Billy Knowles · Post by **Billy Knowles** » 20 Apr 2012 6:25 pm

Bob,
I have some, let me know exactly what you need and the length of the rods.
Billy

Bob Mainwaring · Post by **Bob Mainwaring** » 22 Apr 2012 7:11 am

Tony, just a little question here - is your Z.B. facing N.W. or N.E. when it's being worked on?

All Z.B.est.

Bob Mainwaring.
Vancouver Island.

Erik Alderink · Post by **Erik Alderink** » 30 Apr 2012 5:25 pm

Does anyone know what the coating is on the metal parts of Zbs?
I know from reading through all 100+ pages that some have polished it away, but I wondered if anyone knew what it was?

B. Greg Jones · Post by **B. Greg Jones** » 1 May 2012 1:10 pm

Some of the metal parts underneath are zinc plated, some are polished stainless and the older ones are just painted black.

Greg

Joe A. Camacho · Post by **Joe A. Camacho** » 12 May 2012 7:13 pm

Which strings are you all using on your ZBs? I've been using the Ricky Davis Jagwire sets which are hard to by these days, I need some ideas. Yes, I use a wound 6th string on the E9 neck.

Thanks,
Joe

Jon Hyde · Post by **Jon Hyde** » 13 May 2012 9:40 am

Joe, I don't have a ZB (yet! I'm supposed to be receiving one tomorrow... See page 95 of this thread, I just bought Andrew Buhler's Sunburst D10...) but I'm in the same situation with strings. I'm getting to the point where my cache of Jagwires is going to expire. I'm thinking I might try Live strings - they will build full custom sets, you could make a set with the exact same gauges... I haven't tried them yet but it seems like a good solution until Jagwire is back at full speed?

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 13 May 2012 4:08 pm

GHS Boomers. Nickel.

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 14 May 2012 2:47 pm

Saw this on Craig's list in NH if you're in the area..

For Sale:
1974 ZB Custom D10 Pedal Steel Guitar. 8 pedals, 3 knee levers. Natural Birdseye Maple finish. Excellent condition. Comes with case. $1500.00

http://nh.craigslist.org/msg/3012062487.html

Bob Mainwaring · Post by **Bob Mainwaring** » 14 May 2012 7:50 pm

Hey Russ,......get it bought, if it hasn't already been sold, it looks like a really nice steel even if you keep it for a little while and make some money off it, that if you'd want to sell it

All Z.B.est.

Bob Mainwaring.
Vancouver Island.
Canada.

Chuck McGill · Post by **Chuck McGill** » 15 May 2012 6:42 am

I'm with Bob, Russ. People sell these steels too cheap!

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 15 May 2012 7:37 am

They will only bring what the market will bear. Most all used ZB's are out of adjustment and need service if they haven't been worked on. The most neglected/abused steel guitars that I've ever seen. They are fine once they are cleaned/lubed and set up properly. Most havent. Although that's getting better.

Andrew Buhler · Post by **Andrew Buhler** » 15 May 2012 9:10 am

I always liked the Lloyd Green Jagwires for E9 with the wound 6th string. The Gs equalize very nicely with the wound 6th. Standard Jagwire C6 set on the back neck.

Dan Beller-McKenna · Post by **Dan Beller-McKenna** » 15 May 2012 6:01 pm

How hard is it to add knee levers to ZBs? It looks like they are operating somewhat independently from the other linkage.

Dan

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 15 May 2012 6:51 pm

I have a nice 69 ZB I got from Chuck and I'm in Michigan so one is enough for me, but thought the guys on the east coast might like this.

The Steel Guitar Forum

ZB Pedal Steel Guitars - Please help!

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rods and turnbuckles

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1974 ZB Custom

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