Back to Sho-Buds

Barry Gaskell · Post by **Barry Gaskell** » 8 Aug 2010 1:49 am

Hi Guys
Is it me, or does there seem to be a move back to Sho-Buds now that any 'Bud can be totally refurbished and rescued. Also there seems to be a nostalgic allure attached to them. I must admit to having owned more 'Buds than any other guitar and my present Super-pro is an absolute peach, and sounds and plays like it should, even though it has all that monkey metal underneath. whilst new guitars with highly figured solid maple bodies are very expensive, and Emmons guitars are a maple laminate, you can pick up a Sho-Bud with a gorgeous and well seasoned piece of maple and refurb it with quality parts, and have history, and a mechanically well built instrument for good bucks.
Power to the Bud.
Barry

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 8 Aug 2010 2:40 am

I've had my main 'Bud for 35 years and it stays with me. It needs a good re-furb after 35 years of solid playing, but it is still a great guitar. Very different tonally to my 2 Emmons guitars, but wonderful all the same. Not all of the maple bodies were flawless, but there are some outstandingly beautiful ShoBuds out there. The natural birdseye maple bodies are my favourite.

Ken B

Brick Spieth · Post by **Brick Spieth** » 8 Aug 2010 11:50 am

As someone who has never owned a Bud, I can tell you there is nothing like a Bud's vibe factor. I WILL have one someday.

Larry Robbins · Post by **Larry Robbins** » 8 Aug 2010 12:44 pm

Im' with ya,Barry!
Thanks to fine fellows such as James Morehead,John Koop,Bobbe Seymoure,ect...
we'll be able to keep playin' our beloved Buds for many years to come!!

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 8 Aug 2010 4:58 pm

Here's a Super Pro I just finished restoring a few months ago. Plays good, sounds great, and sustains better than most of my other guitars. And besides that, it's beautiful. The body was refinished by Mark Giles who does beautiful work. It was originally green that had faded to a yucky brown, he also did away with the old rope inlay, and replaced it with abalone, with a black accent top and bottom.

Danny Bates · Post by **Danny Bates** » 8 Aug 2010 5:36 pm

Darvin, beautiful is an understatement!

"Vivir la vida al máximo" (live life to the max)

Terry Sneed · Post by **Terry Sneed** » 8 Aug 2010 6:46 pm

Wow Darvin! That's one of the purtiest Buds I've ever seen. I went from a 2004 Mullen, to a 1984 Pro II. After lovin the tone of that Pro II, I got another Pro II. Both are great soundin and playin guitars. Both are great lookin guitars. A redish laquere, and a Mahogany laquere. Not as purty as your Super Pro though.

terry

Jason Hull · Post by **Jason Hull** » 9 Aug 2010 12:58 am

I'm restoring a maple Fingertip right now, and I wouldn't go to this much trouble for any other instrument. 40 years from now, we'll be looking at all the 'mica guitars and saying to ourselves "What were we thinking?".

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 9 Aug 2010 3:50 am

Darvin - that is an astounding job that Mark has done. He really is a genius at what he does, and is very modest with it.

Kevin Mincke · Post by **Kevin Mincke** » 9 Aug 2010 7:43 am

I really dig the white fretboards on that Blue~Darlin'....what a fantastic looking guitar

Darvin, what kind of floor effects case is that? Looks like something I could use with the onboard wiring.

George McLellan · Post by **George McLellan** » 9 Aug 2010 7:54 am

Kevin, I'm thinking the same thing about that case. I have one but too bulky to fit in my grip. That looks much more compact.

Geo

Skip Ellis · Post by **Skip Ellis** » 9 Aug 2010 9:04 am

Here's the one I recently refurbished. I originally built the cabinet in 1976 for the 'back neck' mechanics off a Pro II. After a setup by the great Leon Roberts, it's as good as anything out there and it's all original parts!!

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 9 Aug 2010 2:35 pm

Kevin,

I couldn't find a pedalboard like I wanted, so I built my own. I described it and added pics in this thread. http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=188067

Barry Gaskell · Post by **Barry Gaskell** » 9 Aug 2010 2:39 pm

Hi Skip and Darvin,
That's exactly what I mean when I say they are so refurbishable. Absolutely stunning, and full of history and a character all of their own. Each Bud seems to have it's own vibe and story to tell.
Barry.

Storm Rosson · Post by **Storm Rosson** » 9 Aug 2010 3:44 pm

After a month or 2 of retooling my shop and ,relearning wood shop 101 and 102, I finally have things setup and ready to start cutin wood....waitin on a bandsaw blade.....but I can't come up with a color ....I'm just blank ....how's bout some of y'all throw some ideas out there maybe get me inspired ....doh!! Stormy

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 9 Aug 2010 5:24 pm

wood or aluminum necks?

Storm Rosson · Post by **Storm Rosson** » 9 Aug 2010 6:23 pm

Wood

Kevin Mincke · Post by **Kevin Mincke** » 10 Aug 2010 5:02 am

Exactly what I'm looking for Darvin! Lotsa great features such as the angled board (wedge) back toward you, hinged take-off cover, plugs (in/out) on either end and out of the way, no stickem' zip ties to hold effects on board.
Did I say Great looking ~Bud

yours too Skip!!

Nick Reed · Post by **Nick Reed** » 14 Aug 2010 12:11 pm

Lately I've been playing mine alot more than I did

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 14 Aug 2010 12:21 pm

What's the big deal about Shobuds? They're okay, I guess!

Barry Gaskell · Post by **Barry Gaskell** » 15 Aug 2010 5:01 am

Come on now John, you're just showing off !!!!!!
Am I jealous ?.........you're damn right I am. Love the fingertip maple front....liquid gold !!!!!
Barry

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 15 Aug 2010 6:09 am

Barry, thanks! Actually "Goldie" is a Perm. The F-tip is the Rosewood guitar in the back.

Barry Gaskell · Post by **Barry Gaskell** » 15 Aug 2010 8:16 am

Sorry John you're right...I was mesmerised by the maple rippling in front of my eyes
Barry

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 15 Aug 2010 8:34 am

If ya likes "ripplin' Maple," Here's another pic;

Here's a Perm body I just picked up. They sure had nice wood back then!

Dale Rottacker · Post by **Dale Rottacker** » 15 Aug 2010 8:43 am

I have this 'old' Pro 111 8x6 that I bought new in 77...everything works, but could probably work better...any recommendation's on who you'd have refurbish it, and what kind of dollars would a guy be looking at? It's been sitting in it's coffin for the last 7-8 years, and just got out about a month ago...it's not the only thing a little rusty, (figurativly speaking) after that many years.