shobuds Who plays them?? Are they extinct?

Larry Robbins · Post by **Larry Robbins** » 24 May 2005 3:15 pm

I got a picture of Bobbe Seymour playing my PRO III CUSTOM. That ought to be a big enough name for anyone

thanks again for the great steel, Bobbe!

------------------
SHO~BUDS, Steelkings,
Fender guitars,
Hilton pedals, Preston
covers, and Taylor(Tut, that is)Resos.

Still Country after all these years....

[This message was edited by Larry Robbins on 24 May 2005 at 04:16 PM.]

Jimmie Martin · Post by **Jimmie Martin** » 24 May 2005 3:24 pm

i just refinished and fairly much rebuilt a sho-bud prof. if i knew how i would put a picture of it on here. how u do dat?

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 24 May 2005 3:41 pm

Sho-buds extinct? Yea, I only sold seven this week, but last week was better.
A shame no one likes them any more.
Anybody got one to sell me??

Mike Weirauch · Post by **Mike Weirauch** » 24 May 2005 3:52 pm

That ought to be a big enough name for anyone

......hmmmmmm, 12 letters in BobbeSeymour and 12 letters AND one space in Mike Weirauch. Hey Sleazmore, my name IS bigger than yours..........................and that's all we're measuring!

Farris Currie · Post by **Farris Currie** » 24 May 2005 5:41 pm

HAHAHA,no more sho-buds huh??Bobbe knows what i'm playing,i been thru a bunch but my old bobbe guitar stays home.he said he wanted it back one day.best guitar i got.
I told my family something happens to me,call bobbe, he will buy it back.Best guitars ever built. farris

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 24 May 2005 5:42 pm

That does it. I'm taking the logo off my Super Pro right now .......

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 24 May 2005 5:58 pm

Cliff and others wondering why me mouth runnith over; just remember that is my opinion only; as I'm sure your Sho-bud is just fine. But the change that came that I don't like; that took the "transparent silky warmth" out of Sho-bud; was the die-casting of parts. When the Sho-bud went to hex cross shafts is when all the pullers and finger tops and mounting brackets; went to a poured pot metal and chrome plated and also by that time; good resonating birdseye maple was no where to be found.
They are all fine guitars; but to my ears and mechanical resonance; they sound a world different in texture, to its former glory.
Ricky

Ricky Littleton · Post by **Ricky Littleton** » 24 May 2005 6:24 pm

Wanna hear some good "Bud"? I think Ricky Davis played a Sho-Bud on the Linda Lay CD.

Top notch stuff there for sure.

Have always loved Lloyd G.'s tone and he is "THE SHO-BUD" Man in my book any day!!!

Ricky...

------------------
Emmons LeGrande - 8x4
Session 400 Ltd, Nashville 112,Hilton Volume pedal, Peterson VS-II Tuner
Dan-Echo, E-Bow, Ibanez Distortion, Boss Comp./Sustain, Ibanez Auto-Wah, PX4 Pandoras Box

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 24 May 2005 7:06 pm

I'll buy all the late model "Zinc-Buds" I can find. Send that Hex-shaft Sho-Bud right on to me, I love them and can make them sound as good as anything ever built by this company.

Want warmth? Buy a heater, want great tone? Any Sho-Bud should and can do it, or can be made to with a little tweeking.

We did have to bake the body of a Super Pro to get it to sound good once. The guitar was new and the wood was not cured properly. Refinishing was the expensive and time consuming part. Don't have to do this on guitars ten years old or more. This could be why some folks think the older Sho-Buds sound better. Drier bodies.

The "Steelmech-Buds" require less maintenance over long periods of time, but the late model "Zinc-Buds" will take a much more complicated pedal set-up, work and feel much better.

If you have or want a lot of knees and pedals, get a newer Sho-Bud guitar, if you have a factory type or a simple set-up, any Sho-Bud will be wonderful. Even the first ones.
Remember, there are at least 50 different Sho-Bud configurations out there. Just saying "Sho-Bud" doesn't say a lot. Lotta' years, lotta' changes, lotta' different parts and engineering over the years.
There are many different LDG models, just saying that you have a Sho-Bud LDG, again isn't saying which changer, which knees, which pedal width, which cabinet size, which legnth cabinet, round front or square? And the differences go on and on, just like me---------------->

My personal choices in the modern world, to play and be competitive with modern steel guitars would be the aluminum neck Pro-III, and the Aluminum neck Super-Pro.
Guess an old Pro-III would come out on top, if I had room for it. Just my own personal opinion here. Yep, just an opinion. [This message was edited by BobbeSeymour on 24 May 2005 at 08:12 PM.]

Richard Tipple · Post by **Richard Tipple** » 24 May 2005 7:09 pm

Over 30 years ago I bought Lloyd Greens albumn "10 Shades Of Green" and was totaly engulfed with the sound of the man and the green Bud on the albumn cover. That was the sound of pedal steel in its purest form to me. That albumn inspired me then and I still have & play the albumn to this day.
Until last year I never owned a Sho-Bud, there always seemed to be a better deal on somthing else whenever the urge to buy hit me.
After Lloyd released his last project "Revisited" the bug hit me again & I made a deal on an early 70s Sho-Bud Pro1 original. I think this will be the last steel for me. I loved my Carter, Emmons & Zum but the Bud just does it for me in my quest for that sound only I can hear in my mind. It sounds good to me,it stays in tune for me, it looks good to me.
So there, I am officialy a Bud man

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 24 May 2005 7:14 pm

You have my heart Richard, great post.
Now who is this Lloyd guy?

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 24 May 2005 8:00 pm

Well that's certainly not the "Warmth" I'm talking about.
Bobbe does have some good points as too why a body resonates like it does in it's progression of Death...ha.
And also; he speaks great truth on the many many >did I say Many????>differences in all mechanisms through every model type and body type, through the years.
But to end in my opinion; My '73 LDG single raise and single lower; will Blow your whatever later zinc Pro-III or Superpro; out of the pond in sound and playability with even less knee levers on it

..and I'll meet ya anywhere in Texas to a play-off To prove it.

Ricky

Jerry Malvern · Post by **Jerry Malvern** » 24 May 2005 8:50 pm

I'm with Rickey one this one. I own a LDG just like his. When I play it, I sound just like Bobbe...........well almost,well no,not even close, but I DO sound better on my LDG than on any other guitar

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 24 May 2005 10:17 pm

We all know how awesome a first generation Pro II is, but I have to go with Bobbe on this. I got a SuperPro from him that will curl anyone's moustache. Bobbe knows the guitar I'm talking about... black SP/metal necks/aluminum fingers/reverse diamond inlay/705 on the E9 & 708 on the back neck. Sounds awesome & cuts like a knife...and it stays in tune. Who could ask for more?

Don't get me wrong... I'd love to have a round-front ProII, too. I spent a couple years on the road with Gary Morse, just marvelling at the tone he got night after night. Those old 'Buds are just about as good a steel as can be found anywhere, anytime.

I've also got a beautiful 6139 that I bought new in '72.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 24 May 2005 11:20 pm

I have an new Pro-II Hex shafts and Duane Marrs shafts.
With the aid of Ricky Davis ( by email) I have a steel I will keep even if I get others.
I may eventually send it for a re-fit with Duane, or a re-set up by Ricky, but I won't get rid of this steel.

Bud's have their quirky faults, but they are still very nice instruments, as longas you are willing to do maintainance peridoically.

That work has caused me to KNOW much more about steels,
and what I want in a 2nd steel.

All for the good.

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 25 May 2005 4:50 am

Guys, this is not a disagreement between Ricky and myself, but rather and discussion showing the vast differences between the many Sho-Buds and their construction over the years.

Ricky also makes good points in the great sound of the two piece piviot mechanism as opposed to the later three piece. To me, they both are great, one has advantages over the other, and visa versa. Both are Sho-Buds, both can be very wonderful if maintained and in good condition.

Ricky has his favorite Sho-Bud models, I have mine, I respect his ideas, hope he understands mine with respect, and suspect he does as we are very good friends.
Bobbe

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 25 May 2005 8:40 am

Ricky has his favorite Sho-Bud models, I have mine, I respect his ideas, hope he understands mine with respect, and suspect he does as we are very good friends.

..and I absolutely Respect and Understand you and your ideas/opinions Bobbe; as you are certainly a Mentor of mine my friend.
One thing Bobbe and I HIGHLY Agree on is: Whatever Sho-bud you have or Get or Get worked on> keep it an Original Sho-bud with the parts and/or someone that knows the correct parts to have that particular machine work like it does/did in its original Form> That is very very important.
Ricky

Richard Tipple · Post by **Richard Tipple** » 25 May 2005 8:44 am

I say we have a Bud-Off here. I will hold the titles to the two Buds & the winner takes all

Gentlemen,,,,,start your Buds!!
Darn,I never used to be this way till I started watching my man (8) Earnhart, while playing steel in front of the TV,,,,,,,,
Go Jr!!!!!

Brian Henry · Post by **Brian Henry** » 25 May 2005 9:07 am

Bobbe,

I am glad that you sold 7 sho buds last week. People are still buying and selling them. My point is that you rarely see one on the stage at steel guitar shows. For years Lloyud Green played a JCH and then he started back to play his original LDG, except as far as I understand it is not original but has been retrofitted. Correct me if I am wrong. To restate my point, all I see these days are rains, emmons zumsteel carter msa gfi on stage, but alas no shobuds. Does this imply that newer guitars are as good as sho bud or bettter.? Are shobuds being bouht by pro players to play, or as a collectors item to be put in a museum or on show? Personally I love the shobud sound, but now own a carter and an MSA.

Fred Jack · Post by **Fred Jack** » 25 May 2005 9:55 am

[This message was edited by Fred Jack on 25 May 2005 at 06:57 PM.]

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 25 May 2005 10:09 am

Gotta go with Bobbe on this one. My '74/5 Pro 111 alloy necks is as good a sound as it gets for my personal taste. Even worse for some who think it is sacrelige to replace the pickups - it has George L's on it.

Ricky - I bumped into Bill Kirtchen a couple of weeks ago over here in the UK. He speaks very highly of you. He's a sweet guy.

Larry Robbins · Post by **Larry Robbins** » 25 May 2005 12:26 pm

Hmmmm...I have a 73 Pro II AND a 79/80 PROIII ...one lucky guy and one happy camper thanks to the advice of Bobbe and Ricky..you guys are the best!

------------------
SHO~BUDS, Steelkings,
Fender guitars,
Hilton pedals, Preston
covers, and Taylor(Tut, that is)Resos.

Still Country after all these years....

Wayne Morgan · Post by **Wayne Morgan** » 25 May 2005 5:59 pm

"your not even talking about a Real Sho-bud. The real Sho-bud Died in 1977-78 and anything after that; shouldn't have the name Sho-bud on it..."

BULL !!! But I still like you Ricky !!

Wayne
Sho~Bud Pro I

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 25 May 2005 6:25 pm

Your Right Wayne; that was a bit of a stretch on my part of my mouth runnith over; and I still like you anyway too> but I still stand by my explanations of the Real Sho-bud sound; and the Sho-buds made after that are just fine in their own way/voice and should be honored to have the name Sho-bud on it.
------------------------------
Ken; yes Bill Kirchen is one of the sweetest guys you can meet and I was honored to play my Big Body "The Pro-II" on his CD from Cracker Barrel.
tbhenry; I think what ever steel guitar expresses what the player hears in his head; both tone wise and mechanically, is the best Steel guitar for them. I don't think it's whether one is better than the other; I think it's a matter of ease. I can only speak for myself; but I had a Perfect mechanically and pretty dang good sounding Fulawka(modern day pedal steel) and the advances of mechanics these days enabled me to have as many changes and everyone of them perfectly in tune all the time and took NO effort at all to play the guitar and get a pretty good sound. BUT; that's the difference between someone like myself and most of the modern day pedal steel guitarist, is I don't mind tweeking on the steel and working the thing to get everything out of it to play consistant, and that's what It takes to play older mechanics(and why it was easy to sell it and put the sound I WANT to hear back in my head). Folks these days; want a perfectly mechanical steel guitar that will be "User friendly" trouble free and as many changes possible on it; and that's what modern day advancements get you; and the sound is competitive; but "Redundant". That is what happened to recordings these days; as compared to days of yesteryear; is bands used their own players that expressed their own heart and soul; and those players choose a steel that did that. I don't think players these days particularly seek that deep in their emotion; to choose a steel that captures their individualality; as they are only wanting to capture ease and conformaty. I don't blame them one bit. But I choose to not fake my emotions out anymore and will Always play what really really speaks to me; even if it takes all the changes out from underneath and I have to constantly keep it up mechanically> I enjoy it and love it and find it more rewarding that way; than to just ease on by with a effortless redundancy.
Sorry I went off on me Soap-box of my opionions again; but I challenge every modern day player; to always look deep down in your soul and what captured your inspiration to play the instrument in the first place; and display that through the instrument that will display your true emotion in Song.
Ricky[This message was edited by Ricky Davis on 25 May 2005 at 07:29 PM.]

Ernest Cawby · Post by **Ernest Cawby** » 25 May 2005 7:52 pm

bouight my bud new in 1973,it is a D10 The Professional, it has not been repaired in all these years and I have been the only one to adjust it, and that has presented no problem.
It has 8 and three and does all I need. Just put TT pickups on it and love the sound, the ones I replaced sounded just as well, I just wanted to try the TT's, The people that bought the old ones can attest to the fact they still sound as good as ever, they bought with a money back deal.t the BUD STAYS,STAYS STAYS. My daughter says it will never leave the family. I met Nan at the American guitar studio where we both took lessons and she says it sounds great and will never leave our family, I guess it is a family member.
Thats good enough for me.
Jennings may repent one day and buy a good guitar.

ernie

hi Farris
PS at Atlanta Don Lynch played a bud, I played a Bud, and ther were 2 more as I recall. Chuck Haney with Sun Country plays one,
Chet Gibson with Mo Bandy plays one, Lonnie Portwood plays one, Corky Owens was that you playing one with Gene Watson in Gainsville Fl. at the fair.