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Topic: Hybrid Zum |
john widgren
From:
Wilton CT
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Posted 21 Feb 2005 11:05 am |
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So here is my story:
November 2003 the great Mr. Randy Beavers dazzled all at the Norwalk CT show with his outstanding talent. He was playing a new prototype Zumsteel hybrid guitar that I'm sure you all have read about. (Forum search:Zumsteel Hybrid)
I was so impressed with both the Artist, and his new gear that I called Bruce Zumsteg the following Monday and asked him to build me a Hybrid. At that time Bruce informed me that certain aspects of the final design, and other production issues would have to be finalized, and that there might be a wait of a year or more. For me this was not a problem, and I told Bruce that whenever he felt the design was ready for production, that I wanted one.
My new custom Hybrid arrived last week, and I must say that it has far exceeded my wildest, and most optimistic expectations. The guitar is simply the finest I have ever laid hands upon. (And friends, that's a lot of guitars.) My reference model is my 1967 PP Emmons, so you can imagine how high the bar has been set regarding sonic quality.
The process of having a custom made instrument was fun, interesting, and Bruce made the entire endeavor an exercise in the pursuit of excellence. Bruce's essential concern is always to provide the ultimate in customer satisfaction, and excellence in his handiwork. All questions that I had regarding the process were handled knowledgably, and patiently by Bruce, who made me feel that I had a very collaberative role in the process.
I will write more about the new guitar soon and will get some pics posted within the next week or so.
It's black mica with pearl inlay, and retro style "butterbean" kluson type tuners, and it's a tone monster, that sustains forever, tunes beautifully, and plays like a ferarri.
Warm regards and very best to all...ESPECIALLY you Mr.Z! |
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Randy Beavers
From:
Lebanon,TN 37090
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Posted 21 Feb 2005 2:46 pm
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John, many thanks and congrats on the new Hybrid. You are in for a real treat when you get to know that guitar. I've said from the start, you have to experience it to believe it. I too have a '67 Emmons so I know what you mean when you say "the bar was set high."
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Randy
http://hometown.aol.com/pulltightb/home.html
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john widgren
From:
Wilton CT
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Posted 22 Feb 2005 6:48 am
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| Is there anyone else out there who plays the Zumsteel Hybrid? |
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Roger Crawford
From:
Griffin, GA USA
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Posted 22 Feb 2005 9:32 am
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| John Hughey! |
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john widgren
From:
Wilton CT
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Posted 22 Feb 2005 9:58 am
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| I think John Hughey's "old rosewood" Hybrid can be seen on the jacket of his DVD. |
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Jay Jessup
From:
Charlottesville, VA, USA
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Posted 22 Feb 2005 10:16 am
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| I have one on order but it will be almost another year before I get it. |
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john widgren
From:
Wilton CT
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Posted 22 Feb 2005 10:41 am
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Dear Jay,
Definitely worth the wait, I hope you will be as pleased as I am. Good luck! JW |
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Rob Segal
From:
New York NY
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Posted 22 Feb 2005 10:59 am
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Well, I'm going to chime in here, and report my own experience with my own new Hybrid Zum, received just this last Thursday; a purchase also inspired by Randy Beaver's fantastic tone and performance at the same '03 Norwalk show.
John Widgren and I parallel-ordered, parallel-obsessed about choice of finish and setup, and then parallel-received these two absolutely wonderful instruments.
Mine is a rosewood mica with pearl inlay strips and Kluson tuners. My previous instruments have included a '69 Emmons and a Franklin, so I too am comparing the new Zum to some significant reference points.
I completely agree with John in his assessment. The Hybrid has by far the longest sustaining tone I've ever experienced. It has growl and hair. It has fat unwound strings not unlike the push-pull. It stays in tune. Plays like a Porsche. Looks great. I love it.
The design of the new changer provides body contact in all changer positions--neutral, raise, and lower; and you can feel the vibrations coursing through the whole steel, down into the legs and pedals.
It's not news to report that commissioning a steel from Bruce Zumsteg is a complete pleasure. He has understood and delivered on every request I've made, and a few I should have made but neglected.
Those who know me know I don't normally gush, but this steel has taken its place at the head of my group of steels. It's totally great. |
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Bobby Boggs
From:
Upstate SC.
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Posted 22 Feb 2005 3:39 pm
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| Seem's I remember reading that Bruce had maybe 3 different types of the new hybrid.Seems Tommy Dodd had one Randy Beavers and someone else.Anyway all 3 were a little different.Did he ever settle on one design for the Hybrid?? Also how much extra for the hybrid?? If Bruce now has a web page for prices ETC? Could somone post a link> Thanks...........bb |
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Terry Hickey
From:
Arroyo Grande, California, USA
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Posted 22 Feb 2005 3:57 pm
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Bobby,
The site is zumsteel.net. The info. you need is there.
Thanks Terry |
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Bobby Boggs
From:
Upstate SC.
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Posted 22 Feb 2005 5:21 pm
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| Thanks Terry.Back when I was a Zum owner Bruce didn't have much use for websites.Glad he changed his mind.....bb |
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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Posted 23 Feb 2005 1:52 am
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Bobby, Bruce did'nt put the Zum site up
a fo'bro' did it out of love & respect for Bruce's babies & that Zum was'nt present on the great WWW amongst the other steel builders
i've joined those in line for a new Zum & i know the result will be well worth the wait.
this thread is helping me understand, about the hybrid changer.
the Zum i ordered has the standard changer.
now if any of you want to convince me about changin to a hybrid, please do so
EDITED : actually the beszt thing to do would be to try one
Thanx  [This message was edited by CrowBear Schmitt on 23 February 2005 at 02:39 AM.] |
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Jay Jessup
From:
Charlottesville, VA, USA
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Posted 23 Feb 2005 6:31 am
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John and Rob,
You guys both mentioned Kluson tuners, are they what Bruce is using these days or did you both specify them? I seem to remember that some thought the old Klusons were part of that old Emmons sound but I can't remember what the thought behind that statement was. |
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Boo Bernstein
From:
Los Angeles, CA
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Posted 23 Feb 2005 7:42 am
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I'm just curious -- has anyone explained how the hybrid changer works? I realize that it is a combination of all pull and p/p technology (thus, the name hybrid  but I would be interested to see exactly how it works. Thanks in advance. Boo |
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john widgren
From:
Wilton CT
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Posted 23 Feb 2005 7:44 am
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Dear Jay,
The standard tuning machine on Bruce's guitars are the more modern (and actually better) Gotohs, or Schallers, or the hi ratio, hi quality type.
The more modern tuners definitely work better!
Bruce cannot warrantee the Kluson type tuners against backlash or slip. Bruce informs me that the modern type tuners sound great, and work better..
I chose to go with the Kluson type because I was looking for a very specific vintage look and sound. (This was a custom option) I have been playing PP's for years, and am very familiar with the less than perfect characteristics of the K type tuners, and I'm willing to deal with them, and perhaps replace a tuner or two every few years if necessary. The K type tuners do contact the headstock more directly than the modern tuners.
Nothing is a panacea, what works for me is certainly not for everyone. I am admittedly somewhat of a "vintage nut", and sometimes I think I hear stuff that no one else does. (...the voices, the voices...)
I hope these observations don't muddy the waters...I love my new guitar. Regards, JW |
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john widgren
From:
Wilton CT
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Posted 23 Feb 2005 7:53 am
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Dear Boo,
I am not able to convey a technical description of the mechanics of how Bruces Hybrid changer works. It is a proprietary system (Patent Pending), but Rob Segal's comments about the changer making contact in all positions, pretty much sums it up. It is very user friendly. |
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Per Berner
From:
Skovde, Sweden
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Posted 23 Feb 2005 7:58 am
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Does anyone have any pics showing the color options on the hybrid Zumsteel? Not much on the website except the names of the colors, and no e-mail address to be found.
...with my usual knack for really lousy timing, I bet if I'd order one today, the US dollar would start climbing about two seconds later, and keep on climbing until the day of delivery. Then it would drop like a stone... |
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Rob Segal
From:
New York NY
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Posted 23 Feb 2005 9:30 am
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The Hybrid Changer (patent pending!) uses the same typical 'scissors' mechanism as on an all-pull zum. It is in the stopping of the scissors' travel, both at rest (neutral position) and in raising that there is a difference.
On a given string, the longest raise stroke (the greatest raise in pitch) is stopped not by a stop on the pedal or knee lever (as with an all-pull guitar), but rather by the scissors itself striking the cabinet (as on an Emmons push-pull mechanism). Lesser/shorter raise pulls on the same string do not contact the body, but rather the usual pedal/knee lever stop as on a typical all-pull. Just as on an Emmons push-pull, the body contact raises must be carefully adjusted to achieve firm contact, but not to overpull, and thus overstress, the mechanism.
In the neutral position, and also during lowers, the scissors rest against a heavy stop-bar through which stop screws are threaded, permitting pitch adjustment for open strings (again, as on a push-pull).
It seems that firm mechanical contact between parts promotes the transportation of vibration between those parts. That's why, I think, the Hybrid Changer contributes to sound and sustain, and perhaps why the Kluson tuners may also be a factor (no bushing between shaft and keyhead).
Hope this helps. |
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Bobby Boggs
From:
Upstate SC.
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Posted 23 Feb 2005 10:15 am
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So unlike the Carter BTC you have contact in the no pedals position,pedals down,and also contact when a string is lowered.The only time you don't have body contact is like with a 1/2 tone stop in either the raised or lowered position.Have I got right Rob? Thanks for sharing this.
BTW. I saw no prices for lacquer finishes.Did I miss something? |
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Rob Segal
From:
New York NY
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Posted 23 Feb 2005 11:23 am
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That is correct Bobby.
Except with a with a partial raise, both scissors fingers are always in contact with a stop
With the partial raise, the lowering scissor part is in contact, but the raising scissor part is floating.
I believe pricing can only be determined by talking to Bruce.[This message was edited by Rob Segal on 23 February 2005 at 11:26 AM.] |
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Jay Jessup
From:
Charlottesville, VA, USA
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Posted 23 Feb 2005 11:57 am
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Bobby,
I am going for something as close to the old Bigsby look as I can get with a new guitar (that's why I asked about the Kluson tuners) so I did inquire about a laquer finish on the guitar I ordered last fall. Bruce told me he is trying to reduce the lead time (currently 1.5 years) to get one of his guitars and for that reason is not accepting orders for laquer guitars at this time. |
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 23 Feb 2005 12:16 pm
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| I believe I read somewhere that Bruce no longer makes Lacquer guitars because of the time and cost --- also regarding the Mica colours available, I do believe Rand Anderson was hoping to put together a front apron simulator for the website, so we could all try out colour combos etc to see what they would look like on a guitar. |
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Steven Welborn
From:
Ojai,CA USA
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Posted 23 Feb 2005 3:25 pm
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| I believe Carter uses tuning machines with shafts that contact key head like the Klusons. They appear to be good quality from the looks. Might be a good alternative if available. |
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Dennis Detweiler
From:
Solon, Iowa, US
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Posted 23 Feb 2005 3:52 pm
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Anyone know why the Hybrid isn't offered in U-12?
DD |
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Jon Graboff
From:
Santa Fe, New Mexico
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Posted 23 Feb 2005 8:29 pm
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| I had the pleasure of playing Rob Segal's new Zumsteel with the new Hybrid changer yesterday and I can sum up my reaction to it with one word. WOW! Jon (proud owner of a JCH D-10) |
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