My Christmas Surprise

Walter Jones · Post by **Walter Jones** » 31 Dec 2002 6:15 am

Due to everyones work schedule we clebrated our Christmas last weekend. All the family was home for a great time, all have now gone except Greg and he is leaving today. The grandchildren were just great, Sydney,2 1/2, and I passed out the presents.

After all were passed out Greg gave me an envelpoe that said "To Dad & Grandpa".
When I opened it inside was a ZB Custom decal and the paperwork for a S-10 ZB Custom with 3 & 4, serial number NOS 001, to be delivered when completed. It seems that a certain elf in London, Ky has been working hard to get it finished by Christmas but job duties and shop work just couldn't make it for Christmas.

It was on display at the Lexington, Ky show and is beautiful. Dark purple with a white fretboard and endplates that are so highly polished you can use them to shave in. I never had any idea and I was always telling Greg to get it done and sell it but he always had an excuse as to why it wasn't ready. Also, he still has to have a case built for it.

I now find out that Fred Layman, Larry Chung, John Borchard and a lot of other guys knew where it was going. Of all the guys that inquired about buying it at the Lexington show not a one of them spilled the beans. Chick Donner sat at our display and ate some Rax sandwiches with us and just smiled, I thought he just liked the roast beef.

Now the pressure is really on as I know nothing about playing a pedal steel.If I strum across the E9th tuning I can't even tell you what the strings are tuned to. This will be a cold start from absolute O, any and all advice will be appreciated. I will be 63 in March and have made noise on some other instruments, fiddle, mandolin, guitar and Dobro. I hope the old brain can learn to play " Cold, Cold Heart " so it can at least be recognized.

I was really floored and this beautiful instrument should probably be in the hands of someone worthy of playing it. The feelings of receiving it are hard to explaine, especially coming from the kids and Grandchildren. I surely will give it a real effort and am looking forward to delivery. When Greg comes home from time to time maybe he can show the old man a new lick to work on.

If at 63 you can be the new kid on the block then I guess I will go for it. I have a Nashville 400 that I bought a while back. Greg had given me a Goodrich pedal, picks, Bar and some George L cable and new ends. I just thought he was doing it to have things here when he came home.

So, as Paul Harvey says , "Now you know the rest of the story" I will keep you posted on a delivery and will try to get some pictures on when it comes.

Tony Rankin · Post by **Tony Rankin** » 31 Dec 2002 7:01 am

This is a great story. Congratulations! After Greg gives you a lesson or two you can drive over to Dayton and teach me something.

Best wishes,

Tony Rankin

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 31 Dec 2002 10:57 am

A ZB ain't a bad starter steel Walter,sounds like you are truely blessed with a wonderfull family,good luck and to all........ Happy New Year......

BF

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Bill Ford

Buck Grantham R.I.P. · Post by **Buck Grantham R.I.P.** » 31 Dec 2002 2:44 pm

Walter, There's nothing to it , just practice practice practice,then practice some more. Congratulations,,ZB is a fine steel with great tone.

Fred Layman · Post by **Fred Layman** » 31 Dec 2002 7:11 pm

Walt, Greg confided to me last year what he planned to do with the ZB. I was glad to have a part in the surprise. Fred

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 31 Dec 2002 8:20 pm

Walter,

It's a trap! It's designed to make you envy Greg like the rest of us wannabees.

Seriously, congratulations! I can't think of a better gift for such a deserving and supportive dad. I was unaware of this, but I did notice Chick smiling a lot in Lexington. I just figured he was glad to be there and not in court.

You'll never regret a minute you spend with the guitar. As you know, there's a lot of great training material available. I think I have about 18 instructionals, many with video. You're welcome to borrow and test drive anything I've got.

I only have time for 1 hobby, if that. Everytime I think about taking up golf again, steel wins out... and I live on a golf course. I'm rededicating myself, again, and I can now practice in silence with my guitar and stereo through the headphones; my wife gets irritated as many times as I have to repeat something to get it down.

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HagFan

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Ron Page on 31 December 2002 at 08:21 PM.]</p></FONT>