ZB Custom S-10 - under the bed 35 years

[Bud Harger]

Listed for sale. Thanks.

[Eric Dahlhoff]

A student model. Ser # starting with a one means it was made by Zane Beck I believe. I don't see the pickup 3-way switch. How many wires are there?
Sure does look new!

[Bud Harger]

Eric,
I don't see a switch on this guitar. It has the one single-coil pickup. I didn't look at the wiring when I saw it last night.

The 1/4" jack is located on the underside of the guitar, just below the pickup mounting. It is visible in the picture of the undercarriage.

The Uvex finish is bright 'fire engine' red. Literally no discoloration or scratches. The pictures make it appear pinkish or faded. It is not faded. I don't think it has seen daylight in at least 35 years.

If you or anybody can give me more info on this guitar, I would appreciate it.

I think the family will want to sell it, so I'm trying to get some idea of the desirability of this model and approximate value. We will list here on the Forum if they decide to do that.

Thanks.

[Scott Duckworth]

Wish I could find one under my bed....

[John De Maille]

Bud,
You might want to contact Jerry Fessenden of Fessenden steel guitars. He's know a lot about the old ZB's.

[Dave Zirbel]

Zb student models never came with triple tap pro model pickups. The pickups was built by ZB at the middle tap resistence. Never heard or played a ZB student model but from what I read they sound as good as any zb but have a noticable "cabinet drop"...but like I said I never played one. Zane recorded an entire album with a S-11 student model zb.

[Bud Harger]

This model is constructed of a one-piece (I think) metal frame. Built like a tank.

I suppose cabinet drop could occur through the neck and deck. This one is a dark color like a black-bronze-tone. I've seen pictures of similar models on the internet that have a silver-aluminum-type color.

Thanks.

[J R Rose]

I have the album mentioned and it has the same color guitar on the cover as this. It sounds great and I doubt that their is little or any cabinet drop. This was Zane's version of a guitar for a beginner. But it has the professional changer and pulling system as the pro guitar did. I have no ideal what it is worth? Never have I seen one here on the forum but their may have been. I have read that Zane sold lots of them in the U.K.. Thanks, J.R.

[Kevin Hatton]

Student model with only 1 knee lever. Single tap pickup. $400-500.

[Henry Matthews]

I had a blue one just like it. Killer tone on those things and they play good. Kevin is correct, around $500.

[Greg Cutshaw]

Here's Zane Beck playing an 11 string version of this guitar to give you an idea of the tone:


http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Samples/17%20Track%2017.wma

From this album:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ZANE-BECK-Plays ... 1358058080

[J R Rose]

I respectable disagree with you gentlemen on the value of this guitar. I would gladly pay $500.00 sight unseen for this. Body $200.00, Legs $200.00, Pedals $ 75.00, Changer Bridge and Changers, $200.00, Keys, $75.00, Top Nut & Rollers, $100.00, Pickup, $100.00, Fretboard $50.00, Springs & cap screws $25.00, pull rods & pull levers $25.00, knee lever $25.00, paint, labor & case??. That's about $1200.00 or $1300.00 and more. These are great playing little guitars and I would love to own this one. Just my 2 cents, I mean no offense guys. J.R.

[Henry Matthews]

You are so right J.R., I myself think they worth much more than $500 to $600. Worth more than a Carter starter for sure but I guess the old supply and demand comes into play, well demand anyway. I don't know how many were made but you don't see them often. Little blue one I had in my possession played and sounded great. Played a gig with it one night.

[Kevin Hatton]

Here is my reasoning on this. It will cost you a solid $500.00 to add 3 more knee levers and do a setup on this guitar. That includes shipping both ways. I have never seen these go for more than $1000.00 with 4 knees. I get called on these occasionally by people.