Zum Hybrid

[Tommy Auldridge]

I wonder why you never see a Zum Hybrid for sale? I had one that belonged to my brother Mike. It was the Emmons set-up, and I play the Day set-up, I didn't want to change it over to Day set-up, so I sold it. I think that was a big mistake. I should have kept it regardless. I guess there were not that many of them made. Thanks, Tommy.....

[Roger Rettig]

I expect Paddy Long in NZ will see this and will confirm that they're extremely desirable. I believe he has two.

Now you mention it, I haven't seen one for sale in a long time. The Big E, however, did part with his, I believe.

[Marvin Born]

Bruce did not build a lot of Hybrids and they are very desirable. I have two; both D10’s, both 9X11, both black. Exact same setup.

I think the reason you don’t see them for sale could be that people who want one make it known to those that own one and when it’s time, they sell quietly. If you find one for sale you have to pounce on it.

They do have a little different sound than a normal Zum, kind of push pull sounding without the PP issues.

Zum Hybrid, Telonics volume pedal into a Telonics amp, or LIttle Walter with Strymon effects. Could be the ultimate rig.

[Per Berner]

SInce I bought my SD10 4+5 Hybrid new, it's more than doubled in value – I've been offered around 7000 bucks, but I've turned those prospective buyers down...

[Paddy Long]

Roger is correct, I do have two Zum Hybrids which Bruce custom built for me - these guitars are absolutely stunning and I doubt I would ever sell them - maybe one when I am getting too old and wobbly to carry on gigging :-}
Marvin nails it in his description about how good they sound ... mine are both 9 and 9's.
I also own a pretty nice Franklin as well !

[Jack Wilson]

I was told Buddy returned his Zum back to Bruce before he died. I know for sure Buddy returned the GFI 12 string back.

[Richard Sinkler]

Exactly what was the Hybrid? I've never seen one up close.

[dlayne]

If it’s the one I’m thinking about Buddy sold his
Zum to Hook Moore who sadly isn’t with us anymore
So I don’t know who has it now

[Marvin Born]

You can tell a Hybrid when looking at the changer end; there is a row of hex screws above the nylon tuners (not the lower stops for setting splits). These adjust the open string tuning.

When a string is raised the changer hits a stop and this is set by a brass nut that is thread locked in place. When the changer is in that raised position, you adjust the string at the key head. (similar to a push pull)

When the changer raise is released, you adjust the open string pitch with the hex screws as above. Lowers and other raises are adjusted as a normal all pull guitar. Of course there is a Hybrid logo on the front. I suspect that solid contact in the changer gives it the sound similar to the PP.

Hybrids do not have the cabinet comp device that is on the tuner of newer standard Zums.

Maybe Bruce will see this thread and fill in the expert details.


Yes, Hook Moore did have Buddy Emmons’s Zum. I actually tried it a steel jam in Louisville, OH. He had driven from WV to Ohio for the jam.

[Paddy Long]

Here is the changer end of my Red Burl Zum Hybrid - you will see the row of hex screws Marvin describes at the top of the cutout for the tuners in each neck !! All primary raises are tuned like a push pull, eg: string 4 E to F#. Secondary raises are tuned like a normal all pull guitar eg: string 4 E to F, as are all lowers. The Primary raises are anchored with a brass nut at the changer end, instead of a nylon tuner. (so they are tucked in a little closer to the changer than the nylon tuners)

Incidentally Buddy Emmons Zum Hybrid is now owned by Jeremy Moyers - the luckiest man alive hehe !!!!

[Gary Spaeth]

some zum patents are found at patents.google.com if you search for Bruce Zumstad.

[Richard Sinkler]

Thanks. That's pretty cool.