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Author Topic:  Encore no longer "Zumsteel" and texture paint on the undersi
Karl Paulsen

 

From:
Chicago
Post  Posted 25 Jan 2022 5:16 am    
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Was curious to know if anyone had any insider knowledge about why Encores no longer (based on the new website pictures) say "Zumsteel" on them.

I'm sure the news ones are just as good, but equally sure that those of us with "Zumsteel"on our Encores tend to be glad it's there.

One other thing. The pics on the new site show texture painted undersides on the Stage one. Is this a new feature and is it on the Encore too now? Again not a big deal, just something I noticed because when I took possession of my Encore the pretty wood on the underside was notable.
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Jeremy King


From:
Rochelle, GA, USA
Post  Posted 25 Jan 2022 7:02 am    
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I was wondering about the logo as well... The updated site looks great though!
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Brian Henry

 

Post  Posted 25 Jan 2022 1:41 pm    
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Perhaps they are no longer licensed by Zum Steel.
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Doug Earnest


From:
Branson, MO USA
Post  Posted 26 Jan 2022 7:12 am    
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Over the years, Stage Ones have had several different finishes on the underside of the cabinet. It needs to be durable, quick, cheap and easy. The water based product I use now meets all those criteria. If it's good enough for a $2500 amplifier it's good enough for the underside of an economy guitar.

Most Encores have had a clear finish on the underside, some have gotten a textured opaque finish of sorts. They may all get textured black in the future, but I do like the look of natural wood. Not having a proper spray booth, I can't just spray on a clear finish any time I want. It's a three to four day process by the time you put on a few coats, vs. a few hours for the textured black.

If there is a difference in the sound of a guitar with different types of coating on the underside I have never found it. They all sound exactly like a steel guitar.

As to lack of a label using the Z name on the guitars.....There is no longer a legal entity bearing that name. It was legally dissolved at the end of 2021. If it does not exist it can not license anything. It's that simple. Karl, if you peel that label off the front of your Encore it will be exactly like the Encore i built yesterday. The label is the only difference.

There is a new website. The old site format could no longer be updated and an update was required since I had to change prices, hence the new site. I suppose it will be a work in progress but it's a pretty low priority. I have more work on the books now than can be done by two men in a year, and I don't have that second man very often.
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Karl Paulsen

 

From:
Chicago
Post  Posted 26 Jan 2022 7:49 am    
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Thanks for the inside baseball Doug. I find these little details really interesting especially the finishing details. and that ZumSteel is no longer an entity.

I appreciate all the answers and I really like the new website, though I don't think it will make your wait list any shorter!
Very Happy
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Larry Baker

 

From:
Columbia, Mo. U.S.A.
Post  Posted 26 Jan 2022 9:02 am    
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I'm sure that just because Dougs guitars no longer sport the Zumsteel label, that it will not lessen the quality of the great guitars that Doug builds.
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Karl Paulsen

 

From:
Chicago
Post  Posted 26 Jan 2022 10:42 am    
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Larry Baker wrote:
I'm sure that just because Dougs guitars no longer sport the Zumsteel label, that it will not lessen the quality of the great guitars that Doug builds.


I think everyone here agrees with that. Doug's reputation at this point is well earned and bulletproof such that the lack of the sticker shouldn't hurt sales at all.

I don't think it's inaccurate to say though that the "Zumsteel" logo was -at the very least- an appealing feature. For myself, I think my brother and I would have settled on the Encore as my first steel (and it's still my only) with or without the name. It's fantastic and I count myself blessed to have it. Still, 5 years ago as a complete PSG greenhorn I still knew that the "Zumsteel" badge carried some special cache'.
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Doug Earnest


From:
Branson, MO USA
Post  Posted 26 Jan 2022 1:29 pm    
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Believe me, no one knows the value of that sticker any more than I do. I'm sick to the depths of my soul. Times change, things change.
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Ray Gehringer

 

From:
New Jersey, USA
Post  Posted 26 Jan 2022 2:58 pm    
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I just received my Stage One PSG and Volume Pedal from Doug two weeks ago... the association with Zum and a sticker never played into my choice, I bought the Stage One sight unseen based on the reputation of Doug and his guitars... I've only ever heard good things about, Stage One, Encore, and most importantly only ever heard good things about Doug. Great guy to do business with and I consider myself lucky to own one of his Pedal Steel Guitars.
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Brooks Montgomery


From:
Idaho, USA
Post  Posted 26 Jan 2022 5:32 pm    
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“Earnest Steels” has a nice ring to it 😀
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Karl Paulsen

 

From:
Chicago
Post  Posted 26 Jan 2022 8:42 pm    
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Would "Zoom Steels" be too on the nose?
Too soon...? Confused Very Happy
Doug Earnest wrote:
Believe me, no one knows the value of that sticker any more than I do. I'm sick to the depths of my soul. Times change, things change.

True, but so long as your guitars don't change, I think we owners will continue to preach the gospel of Encore to whomever will listen.

My favorite passage is Chapter S10 vs 4+5.
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Josh Moss


From:
Florida, USA
Post  Posted 27 Jan 2022 7:18 am    
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Brooks Montgomery wrote:
“Earnest Steels” has a nice ring to it 😀


I agree.
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Samuel Phillippe


From:
Douglas Michigan, USA
Post  Posted 27 Jan 2022 8:14 am    
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[quote="Karl Paulsen"]Would "Zoom Steels" be too on the nose?
Too soon...? Confused Very Happy
Doug Earnest wrote:


My favorite passage is Chapter S10 vs 4+5.



Great comment, gave me my early smile......
Sam
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Fred Treece


From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 27 Jan 2022 9:49 am    
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Brooks Montgomery wrote:
“Earnest Steels” has a nice ring to it 😀

It’s not bad, maybe Earnesteel, all one word. Or the Euro version - D’Earnesteele...

To be honest, when I got mine I thought Stage One was the brand name, and a darn good one. I just thought of the Encore as an upgraded basic Stage One.
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Brooks Montgomery


From:
Idaho, USA
Post  Posted 27 Jan 2022 10:24 am    
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I have to admit, when I was shopping, I really liked the affiliation with Zumsteel, and Bruce Zumsteg, having a modicum of entry level knowledge about classic coveted steel guitars.

But after owning an Encore, and getting such a great guitar, and great service from Doug--Zum and/or Bruce Zumsteg never enter my imagination. I think of it as being built by Mr. Earnest, a master craftsman.

In the world of vintage, modern, and collectible split bamboo fly rods (yes I'm one of those geeks, and they are every bit as expensive as any pedal steel guitar), modern builders often offer models that are "built on the Dickerson taper", or "fashioned after the western tapers of Gary Howells" etc, etc.

Maybe Doug could reference the tradition and history of Zumsteel, or Bruce Zumsteg, in the narrative of the brand, and then re-brand them now as Earnest Steel Guitars, Earnesteel, Earnest Steels, ESG (I think brands that use initials seem sterile and industrial) , or whatever. . .(I'm still in marketing). But given the back-log of builds he has, probably not a big issue right now, but I do think future owners would appreciate the provenance (as it were).

Doug, you're getting a lot of free advice from your fan club here. Which is worth what you paid for it Laughing
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Doug Earnest


From:
Branson, MO USA
Post  Posted 27 Jan 2022 11:27 am    
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I'm thinking more on the lines of "Whineythang" or "CantBePlayed".

You are all very kind and encouraging, it is appreciated.
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Karl Paulsen

 

From:
Chicago
Post  Posted 27 Jan 2022 12:02 pm    
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Doug Earnest wrote:
I'm thinking more on the lines of "Whineythang" or "CantBePlayed"CBP.

You are all very kind and encouraging, it is appreciated.

Cantbeplayed is the opposite of your work, but it does lend itself to abbreviation. Along with some earlier mentions here's some ad copy free of charge targeted toward military vets, engineers and anyone else with an affinity for shorthand...

Got PTSD from your CBP? Get a PSG from ESG. It's like CBD for your OCD!
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Ray Gehringer

 

From:
New Jersey, USA
Post  Posted 27 Jan 2022 12:55 pm    
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Doug Earnest wrote:
I'm thinking more on the lines of "Whineythang" or "CantBePlayed".

You are all very kind and encouraging, it is appreciated.


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Mitch Ellis

 

From:
Collins, Mississippi USA
Post  Posted 27 Jan 2022 5:25 pm    
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Ray Gehringer wrote:


You’ll sell em no matter what they’re called.


Nailed it.

Mitch
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Jimmie Hudson

 

From:
North Carolina, USA
Post  Posted 27 Jan 2022 6:09 pm     Zoom
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They sell very fast so call them ZOOM Steels
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Bob Watson


From:
Champaign, Illinois, U.S.
Post  Posted 28 Jan 2022 12:36 am    
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My Encore is a great pedal steel and a real workhorse and Doug Earnest has always been great to deal with. I'll continue to sing the praises of any pedal steel that comes out of Doug's shop as he rolls with the flow of running a business in these tough times.
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Jack Wilson

 

From:
Marshfield, MO
Post  Posted 28 Jan 2022 12:58 am     possible
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DEI Doug Earnest Instruments
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Richard Sinkler


From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
Post  Posted 28 Jan 2022 6:02 am    
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I'm kinda liking whineything. 🤣
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Rob Segal

 

From:
New York NY
Post  Posted 28 Jan 2022 10:47 am     Encore
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Doug,

Good luck going forward; Encore on its own is fine.
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Last edited by Rob Segal on 28 Jan 2022 12:12 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Colin Swinney


From:
Wisconsin, USA
Post  Posted 28 Jan 2022 11:19 am    
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Doug Steels
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