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Topic: Thank you, Billy Knowles! |
Henry Nagle
From:
Santa Rosa, California
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Posted 9 Sep 2007 11:36 am |
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When I started playing pedal steel about 4 years ago, my first guitar was a ZB S10 (#0248) that had been mechanically overhauled by Billy. My friend, Dave Zirbel, sold it to me for $900. I knew it was a good guitar and I knew that it sounded great.
After a year or so, I could play it well enough to fool the general public. I decided that I should learn to play a C6 tuning. I bought a double neck Sho Bud and then I bought a Kline universal. Somewhere, in all the confusion, I had to sell the ZB.
The Kline was a great guitar but it didn't take me long to realize that my old ZB was something special. So began my epic journey.
2 Sho Buds, 1 Emmons (rebuilt twice!), a Kline, another ZB, and a Williams(keeping that one!). Somewhere between $8,000 and $11,000 of pedal steel passed through my wallet.
Last winter I bought a really beat S10 from Ben Elder (who was a former owner of my first guitar). I sent it to Billy Knowles and and two months later recieved my 2nd Billy Knowles ZB. 4x5. Plays tight. Stays in tune very well. So far, all indications are that it will be a suitable replacement for my first guitar.
When I sit down at it, I feel comfortable. When I play it, it sounds great.
I'm very pleased. Billy is a great guy to deal with and he does great work. Lots of innovative solutions and improvements on the original design.
Thank you, Billy!
Last edited by Henry Nagle on 10 Sep 2007 6:21 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Henry Nagle
From:
Santa Rosa, California
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Posted 9 Sep 2007 11:38 am
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| Oh, yeah.... I forgot... #0064. |
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Duncan Hodge
From:
DeLand, FL USA
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Posted 9 Sep 2007 4:52 pm
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I'd like to second the thank you to Billy Knowles. I too am a satisfied customer with an SD-10 #0093. He does fantastic work. Mine came complete with a refinish.
Duncan |
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Russ Tkac
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Posted 9 Sep 2007 4:53 pm Nice ZB!
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Very nice Henry. Billy does nice work! 
Russ |
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Duane Dunard
From:
Troy, MO. U.S.A.
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Posted 9 Sep 2007 5:58 pm Billy Knowles
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| Billy is a master craftsmen on ZB guitars and a real southern gentlemen. Absolutely none finer. |
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Bobbe Seymour
From:
Hendersonville TN USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 9 Sep 2007 6:41 pm
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If I started thanking Billy for all he has done for me, it would go on forever! A great guy and tech. Honesty, talent, knowledge, and the list goes on!
ZB's, sound good don't they!
Bobbe |
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Kevin Hatton
From:
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted 9 Sep 2007 7:07 pm
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| Henry, thats a nice little gem you've got there. |
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Henry Nagle
From:
Santa Rosa, California
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Posted 9 Sep 2007 8:21 pm
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Thanks, Kevin.
I should mention that Billy offered me a very reasonable price on a refinish. I decided against it because I'm not wealthy and I really don't mind worn finishes.
He also had the endplates and such polished. It wasn't part of our original agreement, but he really wanted it right. No extra charge. |
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Paul Frank Bloomfield
From:
Greece
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Posted 10 Sep 2007 8:57 am Billy Knowles
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I got to agree with everything said about Billy, I first had dealings with him when I lived in the UK,
My ZB had an Emmons pickup on the E9th neck (not by
me !!)and wanted to put a ZB back on. I tried to get
one in the Uk without any success so contacted Billy
who sent me one over to match the year of manufacture.
I have had many dealings with him since and had the
plesure of meeting him and his wife when they visited
London,a truly great guy who deserves recognition.
Frank Bloomfield. Corfu |
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Billy Knowles
From:
Kenansville, N. C. 28349 usa
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Posted 10 Sep 2007 3:54 pm Thank you
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Thank you all so very much. We are all brothers of the road, but ZB pickers are a closer band of brothers.
Thanks
Billy |
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Clyde Mattocks
From:
Kinston, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 10 Sep 2007 6:11 pm
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I never buy any new equipment. I just let Billy buy it and wait six months till he's ready to try something new. My whole rig is Billy Knowles rejects. Seriously, one of my closest steel friends
and has been for years. |
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Bobbe Seymour
From:
Hendersonville TN USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 10 Sep 2007 7:23 pm
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Hey Clyde! Glad to see you agree with me about Billy! And you are another great "Tarheel player".
How many years have I known you?? 49??
Bobbe |
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Clyde Mattocks
From:
Kinston, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 11 Sep 2007 7:10 am
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| Hey Bobbe, you can tell your age, but please don't tell mine! |
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Bobbe Seymour
From:
Hendersonville TN USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 11 Sep 2007 9:48 am
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Clyde, my age and I.Q. are now the same number!
Bobbe |
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Chip McConnell
From:
San Francisco, California, USA
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Posted 11 Sep 2007 9:55 pm
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Congrats Henry- that is a beautiful guitar. I agree about keeping the original finish. It's even got the Emmons knee levers on it. I'd like to get a chance to hear it soon. Hope all is well-
Chip |
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Henry Nagle
From:
Santa Rosa, California
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Posted 12 Sep 2007 4:16 pm
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You're welcome to come check it out anytime, Chip.
Are you playing my guitar much these days?  |
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Jimmie Brown
From:
Fayetteville, NC, USA
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Posted 12 Sep 2007 5:59 pm Billy Knowles
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Billy is a wonderful guy and great craftsman on the ZB guitar.I have visited his shop and observed his work and it just amazed me at the skill he has and he really loves his work.
While there on one occasion i had the pleasure of sitting behind Tom Brumbly's steel that Billy was working on at the time.
Hope to see you again soon Billy.
Jimmie Brown |
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Paul Warnik
From:
Illinois,USA
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Posted 12 Sep 2007 10:43 pm
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| Billy K was helpful when I needed ZB parts and was easy to deal with when buying the ZB I had for sale |
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