Does this look like a good ZB?

Cliff Kane · Post by **Cliff Kane** » 27 Feb 2006 12:17 am

Saw this on Ebay: does it look like a good ZB D-10? I've never seen one with that logo, but I don't know that much about ZB's, other than they're classics and people love them.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Z-B-CUSTOM-PEDAL-STEEL-DOUBLE-NECK_W0QQitemZ7393783496QQcategoryZ621QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Henry Nagle · Post by **Henry Nagle** » 27 Feb 2006 12:23 am

Can't tell until you play it but it looks nice. I'm pretty sure that's an early one.

Pat Kelly · Post by **Pat Kelly** » 27 Feb 2006 3:36 am

This is going to go for A LOT more than the opening bid.

Oh yes, and in answer to the question...........yes!

By the way guys, I've asked the seller to post a pic of the under carriage. We'll see if that happens.[This message was edited by Pat Kelly on 27 February 2006 at 03:49 AM.]

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 27 Feb 2006 7:54 am

I am always suspicious when they don't show the undercarriage or the pedals and rods hooked up. You're missing half the guitar! At that starting bid price I would want to see the whole guitar and know if it is playable.

Greg

Larry Chung · Post by **Larry Chung** » 27 Feb 2006 8:23 am

Hey Forumites:

Nice ZB, a little worse for wear, but it's got the really good pickups (IMHO). Judging from the cosmetics, I'd say it's either a later Scranton guitar or early Bakersfield guitar (circa '67-68). I'd expect the guitar to have either a very high serial number (1100+) or low serial number (0001+).

The undercarraige is always worth looking at, too...

All ZBest,
Larry

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 27 Feb 2006 10:03 am

Take it from me, this guitar will need work. Maybe alot. The ZB's that I've seen in this era have been severely neglected and thats probably why the owner is selling this guitar. Make sure that you know some one with parts who knows how to work on ZB's. They are extremely unique mechanicly, but can be made to play beautifully if adjusted out by someone who knows what they are doing. They have to be stabilized, balanced, and lubed. The good news is they remain that way once its done.

Pat Kelly · Post by **Pat Kelly** » 27 Feb 2006 1:25 pm

Ok there's some new pics posted. Serial number 0044. the picture of the undercarriage is too unclear for me to make much of it. Can only see one cross rod -- seems to be at a queer angle.

Chick Donner · Post by **Chick Donner** » 27 Feb 2006 2:27 pm

The guitar SHOULD be a Bakersfield guitar made in 68. Mine is one of the very last Scranton guitars, and even it was shipped [first] to Cal and then on to me, and my SN is 0013. SN 0017 was also started in AR and finished in CA. That guitar was ordered by and made for Jim Florence, of this Forum.

Oddly, I note that the fretboards say "ZB Custon Guitars on them;" that's just like SN 0017 referenced above. My SN 0013's fretboards say "Zane Beck Guitars" on them. We know for sure that both guitars (13 & 17) were ordered from Scranton; we believe, from talking to Tom Brumley and Greg Jones, that they received the serial numbers they did because they were "in process" at the time of the sale of the company. I picked mine up at the airport in April, 1969. SN 0017 went on to Hawaii about the same time.[This message was edited by Chick Donner on 27 February 2006 at 02:33 PM.]

Ben Elder · Post by **Ben Elder** » 27 Feb 2006 5:28 pm

Larry (or Greg J or Kevin H or Larry P or John R or Duncan H):

Do you have a fix on when (what serial #) the logo changed (or is it even a consecutive phenomenon)? This one is old and #0044. I have #0064 (new). Or are ZBs semi-random like Fender (Spanish) electrics? Ditto the use of white-top pickups?

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 27 Feb 2006 6:28 pm

Hello Ben. I believe that you are right, the serial number is 0044. I have #0093 and #0127, both Bakersfield guitars. From what I understand, and I am not a ZB expert that title should be left to Billy Knowles, Greg, Kevin and Larry (no particular order, just alphabetical), the serial number are sequential. The ones that Mr. Beck built started with 1000 then went up. In the company's next incarnation the numbers started with 0001. If I am in error, somebody please feel free to correct me. I just love to play them...they sound good. I also like to look at them. I hate to work on them.
Duncan[This message was edited by Duncan Hodge on 27 February 2006 at 06:30 PM.]

Billy Knowles · Post by **Billy Knowles** » 27 Feb 2006 6:36 pm

Looks like it would need a lot of work and does not look well cared for at all.
Thanks
Billy

Bob Hamilton · Post by **Bob Hamilton** » 27 Feb 2006 6:45 pm

Sounds like you've started your project Duncan.......

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 27 Feb 2006 7:16 pm

Hi Billy! How is the golfing? I hope all is well. Did you start on the D11 of yours?

Duncan, How ya doing?

Russ

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 27 Feb 2006 8:57 pm

Hey Russ. I'm doing just great, how's things in the great winter wonderland? It's cold down here...must be about 50 degrees. Yes Bob, I've started it, a little bit, or so. I just don't want to mess it up. Hello Mr. Knowles, great to see you post. How is that orange ZB doing? Take care all.
Duncan

Pat Kelly · Post by **Pat Kelly** » 7 Mar 2006 11:10 am

Went for $1100.