ZB Pedal Steel Guitars - Please help!

Ken Metcalf · Post by **Ken Metcalf** » 9 Feb 2008 12:40 pm

PLEASE Help, I just got this pile of stuff.
Can anyone tell me how to assemble these...
AMBIGUOUS parts.
Kenny

tom anderson · Post by **tom anderson** » 9 Feb 2008 12:58 pm

Well, it looks like you have 3 knee levers & there are some holes in the front rail that looks like the ones they go into. The front rail is what will hold the other cross bars you have gotten in-is this for a d-10? and do these parts go with that guitar or are they just parts you bought? The rods will lay out in the lengths that go to each cross bar from the changer, but if you are retrofitting another guitar & not the original, you may need help on machining & installing these parts.

Ken Metcalf · Post by **Ken Metcalf** » 9 Feb 2008 1:30 pm

I was hoping to make a 1959, 60, 61, 62 63, 64,
Fender, pull-push Sho~Bud Emmonized ZB.
What do you think my chances are??

Kenny

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 9 Feb 2008 1:38 pm

Well, Ken ... the cuss meter has to be engaged BEFORE you begin.

Russ

Ps: I just bought new rubber tips for my S-10 ZB. They went on real easy and the steel doesn't dance on the tile floor anymore!

Henry Nagle · Post by **Henry Nagle** » 9 Feb 2008 3:02 pm

I think microsoft (tm) has a new program for assembling those.

John Roche · Post by **John Roche** » 9 Feb 2008 3:14 pm

Kenny if your on the level, then there are lots of photos of the under side of ZB's here you could ues them to work it out. I think you have a five pedal steel, I had one for a while but don't remember what the other pedals did.

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 9 Feb 2008 4:47 pm

John,

Now that's a well dressed man!

richard burton · Post by **richard burton** » 10 Feb 2008 1:50 am

When I was faced with the same predicament with my ZB, I just threw
all the parts up in the air,
and bolted them down in the position that they landed

Ken Metcalf · Post by **Ken Metcalf** » 10 Feb 2008 9:03 am

Thank You Richard I knew someone would give me some sound advice eventually.
But really... I am just replacing all my rods and turnbuckles with solid stainless steel rods with the adjusters on the ends, Adding a couple of pulls and a fourth pedal.

Kenny

Bob Hamilton · Post by **Bob Hamilton** » 10 Feb 2008 9:34 am

Hi Ken, looks like a fun project. I'd be willing to purchase your old ZB rods and parts when you're finished. Send me a PM if you're interested. BH

Paul Frank Bloomfield · Post by **Paul Frank Bloomfield** » 10 Feb 2008 9:43 am

Tell me Richard, looking at the underside of your
ZB,have you got shares in some spring manufacturing
company or something ? and John, is that hair real or a wig ??
Duncan, sent you an e-mail,did you get it ?
All the best
Frank. Corfu

Ken Metcalf · Post by **Ken Metcalf** » 10 Feb 2008 9:46 am

Thanks Bob
I sold the left over parts before I started.
Ken

John Roche · Post by **John Roche** » 10 Feb 2008 9:56 am

Frank , the hair is real , but the shadow from the flash makes it look bigger...

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 10 Feb 2008 10:48 am

Yes Frank, I got your email and the answer is an enthusiastic thank you and YES! By the way, I saw you on YouTube...very nice playing.
Duncan

Steve Hamill · Post by **Steve Hamill** » 10 Feb 2008 1:54 pm

John,
are you plugged into the Hiwatt behind you or the giant Standel it's sitting on?
Thats some power!!!

John Roche · Post by **John Roche** » 10 Feb 2008 2:18 pm

Steve , I believe I was using a Custom amp made here in the UK with a 15" speaker , it was one of the first UK made amps with that size speaker, it's a long time ago but it looks like a Custom, as I remember they were not that great but loads of power for it time. The Hiwatt was the bass players amp, as I recall from the outfit I was wearing I was playing with a band called " Culpepper County" they were a country show band , we would only take work that we only played one set or only one hour, needless to say i did not stay with for long.. thanks

Chuck McGill · Post by **Chuck McGill** » 11 Feb 2008 6:28 am

Frank this looks like my 12 stringer that Steve now
plays. I have two names for you. Greg Jones and Greg
Jones.

Billy Knowles · Post by **Billy Knowles** » 16 Feb 2008 4:44 pm

Fellows
I had recently finished with 1054, however Zane had put the neck on slightly at an angle by at least 1/8 inch at the changer end. As I played I always noticed that is was not straight. Today I removed the roller nut comb, removed the neck, drilled new hole in the neck and body and replaced it. I know I could have lived with the neck but I just wanted to see it perfectly in place which it is now.
However before I drilled new holes and really tightened it, it had 4 cents drop on the 4th stings. After the operation and I think the tightening had a lot to do with it, it presently has only 2 cents drop. That is a fantastic change. So if your guitar has too much drop, you might try tightening the neck and of course the tailpiece and key head.

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 18 Feb 2008 7:41 am

Well I'm back in the ZB club! Nothing compares tone-wise as y'all know. I dug the D-10 out of the garage yesterday and spent all day tweaking her and getting her ready for action! Here's the S-10 ZB with me trying to play swing on E9 through a vintage tube amp and 12" JBL!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYqA2FFt ... re=related

Bob Hamilton · Post by **Bob Hamilton** » 18 Feb 2008 7:50 am

Nice work Dave, and great tone as always. Just wait till you get that D10 dialed in. BH

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 18 Feb 2008 9:42 am

Billy Knowles · Post by **Billy Knowles** » 18 Feb 2008 10:31 am

Dave
What are the serial numbers on your 2 ZBs. Red and Natural is hard to beat.
Thanks
Billy

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 18 Feb 2008 11:00 am

The S10 is 0495 and the D10 is 0115. Greg had the D10 refinished with the overhaul. The S10 has the original finish.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 18 Feb 2008 12:28 pm

pretty steels, dave!
hey...is that john travolta in the white suit? i didn't realize he played steel!

John Roche · Post by **John Roche** » 18 Feb 2008 12:48 pm

Chris, the only steps I know are on the pedals, I could not dance if you payed me.JR

The Steel Guitar Forum

ZB Pedal Steel Guitars - Please help!

ZB Rods

ZB's

1054

ZB Swing

number