Shobud Fingertips and Permanents----got a picture??

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 7 Feb 2008 12:55 pm

Where are the single neck guitars?

Marty Holmes · Post by **Marty Holmes** » 7 Feb 2008 3:55 pm

Why has'nt any of todays steelguitar makers manufactured or built a fingertip just curious?

Mark Durante · Post by **Mark Durante** » 7 Feb 2008 6:44 pm

I've been trying to find some time to do some work on mine, it has four crude home made knee levers I want to replace and the whole thing needs a good cleaning etc. I've used it quite a bit and it sounds great, I've been using the bottom neck as an 8 string for the 50's style pedal stuff.

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 8 Feb 2008 6:30 am

Wow Mark! Except for the binding, our guitars are twins!

Jay Ganz · Post by **Jay Ganz** » 8 Feb 2008 6:45 am

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 8 Feb 2008 7:17 am

Marty,
The reason they aren't built anymore is for the same reason that Ford abandoned the Model T!

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 8 Feb 2008 8:27 am

The fingertip tone wise is hard to beat, but pedal action and tuning stability have been surpassed. I can live with my issues but some can't.

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 8 Feb 2008 8:36 am

Marty Holmes wrote:Why has'nt any of todays steelguitar makers manufactured or built a fingertip just curious?

To expand on Erv's comment, The steel marketis geared toward the newer All-pull system. That's what the majority of steelers want today, with more and more complex tunings.

To build the old fingertips today, is cost prohibitive, concidering what you would have to spend to set up the CNC files and mass produce the parts. Also the old fingertip parts are very primitive in design, and you would really need to re-design those old parts to keep up with todays requirements. That and there is a small market for these type guitars---usually just a few of us crazys who love these old Shobuds. So a very narrow market to sell a new fingertip to.

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 8 Feb 2008 8:40 am

James, Still no single necks! I want to buy one to try out some new ideas.

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 8 Feb 2008 8:48 am

Also wanted to add, If the old parts WERE redesigned, to make these guitars very playable, one might be surprised to find a pretty decent market, afterall. The tone is definately there!!

John, I can't recall ever seeing a singleneck fingertip. There probably are not very many at all, if they exist.

Anyone know much about single neck fingertips????

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 8 Feb 2008 8:51 am

According to Steve's post, quoting Bobbe,"Yes , there were many single 10string Fingertip guitars built. I have had many, many over the years.
Bobbe"
I've never seen one, but would like to acquire one!

Mark Durante · Post by **Mark Durante** » 8 Feb 2008 5:49 pm

I'd be interested in seeing underneath photos from anyone with original knee levers. How about serial numbers. Mine is 7-227-227

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 8 Feb 2008 5:59 pm

Mark here is one of mine. The odd parts aren't there anymore.

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 8 Feb 2008 6:22 pm

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 9 Feb 2008 7:06 am

A D12

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 9 Feb 2008 7:28 am

Here's a few under carrage shots of my '67. Notice the diaper pin on the 8th finger in the C6th changer!

Loose rings are why these guitars sound like a thrashing machine when you activate the pedals. Pull most of the slack out of the pullrod and it's ring then set your little ring collar and the fingertip will tune up much better.

The neck selector switch is "L" shaped to fit under the springs of the E9th neck.

Also, notice the A,B,& C pedals. They are closer together, where as the other 6 pedals for the C6th neck are regular spacing. Notice the C pedal with the corner cut off to accommodate a cowboy boot, this was factory.

Also, notice the pedal rod connectors. Subtle differences.

Mark Durante · Post by **Mark Durante** » 9 Feb 2008 4:04 pm

Thanks guys, great pictures. I'm also suprised that only 100 or so were made.......

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 11 Feb 2008 1:55 pm

Notice the offset tuning keys for 5th and 6th strings. And string ball ends for rollers!

Bill McRoberts · Post by **Bill McRoberts** » 11 Feb 2008 2:01 pm

Here is the only picture I have of my first guitar a D-12. Similar to the one in Bill Fords picture. I traded it to Bobbe about ten yers ago.

Sorry for the fuzz it's a scan of a polaroid.

Steve Waltz · Post by **Steve Waltz** » 11 Feb 2008 2:54 pm

And it just sold on Ebay. Check the finished sales.

http://cgi.ebay.com/SHO-BUD-PEDAL-STEEL ... dZViewItem

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 11 Feb 2008 3:02 pm

I had a double 11 string fingertip Sho-Bud I picked up from Marlen Guitars. Was traded in. I eventually traded it on a new Emmons push-pull around 1970. Wish I had it now and the push-pull. I wonder who it was originally built for?

My guess would be Bobby Garrett

Bill McRoberts · Post by **Bill McRoberts** » 11 Feb 2008 4:15 pm

Yep... Thats it.
I was wondering where it went.

I called that case....."the casket". It should have had six handles on it.
Thanks Steve.

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 13 Feb 2008 8:23 am

Comparison of a Permanent keyhead on left, and a Fingertip keyhead on right.

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 14 Feb 2008 2:02 pm

John, What year is that Fingertip keyhead with the off-set 5/6 tuner? Mine is like the regular keyhead, end to end 5/6 deal.