Zum Changer Question??

Ron Pruter · From: Arizona, USA

I ran across two things on this Zum that have me stumped. 1) what purpose do these small springs above the helper springs do? 2) The return block that the lower fingers come and rest on have threaded holes behind each string.. Why?? Also, why do only the two E strings have the screws in that block? Thanks. Ron

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Emmons SKH Le Grande, '73 Fender P/J bass, Tick tack bass, Regal high strung, USA Nashville 112.

Lynn Stafford · From: Ridgefield, WA USA

Ron,

Bruce used those tiny springs to pull those thin "dummy" spacer fingers that are between each finger against the cabinet to try to transfer tonal vibrations from the changer to the cabinet. I restored an '83 ZumSteel a couple of years ago and it had the same arrangement as yours does. The guitar sounded terrific and I bet yours does too!

The other screws are used for lower compensators (to help with strings that come back a little sharp after being lowered).
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Best regards,
Lynn Stafford

STEEL GUITAR WEST
http://www.steelguitarwest.com
Steel Guitar Technician (Restoration, Set-up, Service and Repair work)

Previous Emmons Authorized Dealer & Service Technician (original factory is now closed)

ZumSteel Authorized Service Technician
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Bill Terry · From: Bastrop, TX

Hi Lynn, so is that the Zum Hybrid changer?

Bobby Boggs · From: Upstate SC.

Bill, I'm not Lynn. But no. The Hybrid came to be around 2001. He's much better at explaining things. So when he gets here. The show's all his. Smile

b.

Lynn Stafford · From: Ridgefield, WA USA

Hi Bill and Bobby,

Bobby is correct of course, he's a very knowledgeable (and modest) guy.

I also had the same questions about my guitar as Ron has, so I called my friend, Bruce for the answers.

During our conversation, I found out that my guitar was originally owned by Chris "Tiny" Olson! I later called Chris and was told that he used it on several Gene Watson recordings!! The guitar now resides in Texas with one of my customers.

Throughout all the many years of building guitars, Bruce Zumsteg has done a lot of experimenting. He has consistently made improvements in his quest to build one of the very best steel guitars in the world.
_________________
Best regards,
Lynn Stafford

STEEL GUITAR WEST
http://www.steelguitarwest.com
Steel Guitar Technician (Restoration, Set-up, Service and Repair work)

Previous Emmons Authorized Dealer & Service Technician (original factory is now closed)

ZumSteel Authorized Service Technician
----------------------------------

Bill Terry · From: Bastrop, TX

Thanks Lynn and Bobby.. not the hybrid but Interesting nevertheless. I bought Bruce's book at the Texas show last year, and in reading that it's obvious he's a guy that was always looking for a 'better way'.

Great book BTW if anyone hasn't read it. Not sure it's still available?

Ron Pruter · From: Arizona, USA

Thanks guys.Lynn, can you explain how that compensator works and how to adjust it? Does it use rubber washers in the contact point? You can pm me if you wish. Ron
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Emmons SKH Le Grande, '73 Fender P/J bass, Tick tack bass, Regal high strung, USA Nashville 112.

Pete Burak · From: Portland, OR USA

Douglas Schuch · From: Valencia, Philippines

Hey Ron,

Here is Chris Ivey's reply to a similar question. He played an '82 Zum.

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=243976&highlight=zumsteel

I think there are other threads that have discussed this as well - if I find them, I will post. I never bothered with them.

Doug
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Bringing steel guitar to the bukid of Negros Oriental!

Lynn Stafford · From: Ridgefield, WA USA

Below is a very good explanation by Danny Letz, taken from Ollin Lander's post.

Danny Letz · From: Old Glory,Texas, USA 79540

Gosh Lynn, I've never been quoted before. The guitar that I worked on had the spacers that are pulled up against the wood body with the springs for body contact. It is an exceptional sounding guitar and it's owner is playing it in some pretty well known Texas bands. I don't think anyone could talk him out of it.

Danny Letz · From: Old Glory,Texas, USA 79540

Ron, the allen head capscrew you see under the nylon nuts just pushes on a little compression spring in the other end of it's bore. It just contacts the finger, there are no orings. The reason they're are just two is because they are just on strings that lower and raise. I worked on a Rains not long ago that had the split tuning on the 5th string. I couldn't get it to return properly so I built a compensator with the oring that works like late Zums. I put a brace across the guitar like a lot of guitars have, and anchored the compensator rod to it. It did solve the problem.

Robert Lashier · From: Arizona, USA

Doug,

Wondering if you happen to recognize this guitar? That's right, it's the one you just sold me. Ron is getting her fine tuned for me. Can't wait to get it under my hands. Thanks for a great deal on a great Steel and for being such a gent in the process. Sorry I didn't get this posted on the sales page but it had closed out before I got around to it.
Bob

Rex Blevins · From: Jenks, Oklahoma USA

Ron;
Do you still have that SKH SD-10 I sold you ? That was a really nice guitar...

Ron Pruter · From: Arizona, USA

Yes Rex,
Still have it. Have put a lot of work into it. Compensators on 4 strings, polished the rollers, made the adjustments for the lower return springs accessible by drilling ten little holes through the end plate. Polished the pedal bar, then added a new decal to it. I also put on a Bill Laurence 705.(couldn't stand the hum) The low B wasn,t dropping with the vertical so I took it apart and found the finger was rubbing on the side of the housing. After a little grinding away with a dremel, it worked great. Still needs a new fret board. I'm starting to grow fond of it. Wish the pedals weren't so crowded. RP
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Emmons SKH Le Grande, '73 Fender P/J bass, Tick tack bass, Regal high strung, USA Nashville 112.

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