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Topic: BMI Guitars |
James Quillian
From:
San Antonio, Texas, USA
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Posted 10 Aug 2024 12:05 pm |
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Have any of you guys played one of these? Any opinions. I would have to drive 200 miles to see it.
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_________________
Curbside Jimmy's New Act
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlzieFLE5no |
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Larry Dering
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 10 Aug 2024 12:42 pm
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| I own 2 s10 BMI guitars. They are solid well made and easy to work on plus they sound and play great. The company is still in business and parts available too. If it's in good condition and the price is right there should be no reason not to buy. |
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Samuel Phillippe
From:
Douglas Michigan, USA
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Posted 10 Aug 2024 1:56 pm
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I have an S10 and although I haven't played any other brand, I love this guitar.
As Larry stated, "They are easy to work on". Mine was an attic purchase, do not know how old or how long in the attic so I tore it apart for a complete cleaning and adjustment.
I never worked on a pedal steel before but with the help of this forum I was able to get it into excellent playable condition.
I would not hesitate to buy another.
Sam |
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Joe Krumel
From:
Hermitage, Tn.
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Posted 10 Aug 2024 4:38 pm Bmi
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| Owned a s10. Wish I had it back. Through a trade I think Don Helms took possession. That little BMI was so cool. Would not hesitate on a BMI steel. Zane Beck knew his stuff! |
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Brett Day
From:
Pickens, SC
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Posted 10 Aug 2024 6:27 pm
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| I've never played a BMI but there's one steel player who plays a BMI and plays it well, "Cowboy" Eddie Long, who plays steel with Jamey Johnson |
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Dan Beller-McKenna
From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 11 Aug 2024 2:50 am
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| I bought a S-10 a couple of years ago as insurance in case a new build didn't arrive for a while. I was surprised how much I liked it. So much so, that I cancelled the order on the new one. Plays well, sounds good, parts are easy to get. If I didn't already have plenty of D-10s I'd consider getting a D-10 BMI as well. |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 11 Aug 2024 3:26 am
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| My first steel was an 'economy model' S-10 that I bought new from Zane Beck in 1983. Which simply meant that it came with 3 + 2. I added two more levers a few years later. Still have it. I found over the years that it's got a couple of maintenance caveats that are good to know in order to keep it playing smoothly. But it's a good playing, good sounding guitar. |
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Lee Baucum
From:
McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier
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Posted 11 Aug 2024 3:51 am
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I really like my S-10.
Here is a post I made back when I received it:
https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=285177&sid=0afb9b11a5829e5d299ccb23cecccdfc
_________________
Lee, from South Texas - Down On The Rio Grande
There are only two options as I see it.
Either I'm right, or there is a sinister conspiracy to conceal the fact that I'm right.
Williams Keyless S-10, BMI S-10, Evans FET-500LV, Fender Steel King, 2 Roland Cube 80XL's,
Sarno FreeLoader, Goodrich Passive Volume Pedals, Vintage ACE Pack-A-Seat |
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Doug Earnest
From:
Branson, MO USA
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Posted 11 Aug 2024 7:06 am
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| I like the pedal action very much! Those are good guitars. They will probably last forever. |
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Greg Tudor
From:
Cincinnati, Ohio
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Posted 11 Aug 2024 7:25 am
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| (Currently trying to zoom in that photo for a sales price…) |
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Joe Krumel
From:
Hermitage, Tn.
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Posted 11 Aug 2024 9:18 am
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| Thik it says 1k on price! Dang! |
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Damir Besic
From:
Nashville,TN.
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James Quillian
From:
San Antonio, Texas, USA
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Posted 16 Aug 2024 10:20 am
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I got it. Here it is in my studio.
This thing hasn't been played in year.
The strings are even rusty.
All of the pedals and levers work. It is really well built. like solid and sturdy.
I bought it side unseen for $1000. + $300 to get it here.
this guitar had been in storage for years,
Anything I can learn about BMI guitars at this point will be of great benefit.
Thanks for all of the replies.
Here it is in my studio.
_________________
Curbside Jimmy's New Act
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlzieFLE5no |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 16 Aug 2024 10:44 am
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This is not a criticism of BMI's. It is an experience-based observation.
Zane Beck chose to drill holes in the endplate instead of cutting a window. As a result, you need to be very careful of several things.
The rods, as they may come from an angle from the bell crank, must be bent to line up to pass through the changer hole and the endplate hole straight. Poor alignment adds friction and I've found that the changer is pretty sensitive to friction.
Also, rod length is a bit critical. The nylon nut (with a spacer) can get hung up on the endplate hole if the rod is too long or too short.
I did a bunch of setup changing on my BMI (some of it to suit my changing needs, some to suit a friend to whom I was lending it).
Unfortunately I was not as good a steel mechanic as I am today so I learned the above lessons the hard way.
So I'm describing problems that may occur in a BMI that is out of spec. A well maintained guitar should not need these warnings.
Congrats. That's a nice score.
Edited to show endplate for the people playing along at home.
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James Quillian
From:
San Antonio, Texas, USA
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Posted 16 Aug 2024 11:04 am
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Thanks, I need to know these things.
So far, all the moving parts seem to be working right.
I hope the issue you mentioned has already been addressed.
I am no pro and have spent little time on the mechanic of these things.
All I need to do is get it working right. Once it is set up right it will never leave my studio.
I have only had it for a few hours.
| Jon Light wrote: |
This is not a criticism. It is an experience-based observation.
Zane Beck chose to drill holes in the endplate instead of cutting a window. As a result, you need to be very careful of several things.
The rods, as they may come from an angle from the bell crank, must be bent to line up to pass through the changer hole and the endplate hole straight. Poor alignment adds friction and I've found that the changer is pretty sensitive to friction.
Also, rod length is a bit critical. The nylon nut (with a spacer) can get hung up on the endplate hole if the rod is too long or too short.
I did a bunch of setup changing on my BMI (some of it to suit my changing needs, some to suit a friend to whom I was lending it).
Unfortunately I was not as good a steel mechanic as I am today so I learned the above lessons the hard way.
So I'm describing problems that may occur in a BMI that is out of spec. A well maintained guitar should not need these warnings.
Congrats. That's a nice score. |
_________________
Curbside Jimmy's New Act
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlzieFLE5no |
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Lee Baucum
From:
McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier
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Posted 16 Aug 2024 11:20 am
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I purchased my BMI new, back in 2015. It has a triple raise and double lower changer.
Thankfully, it has a full "window" in the end plate, instead of those individual holes.
I believe I have the cell # for Don Fritsche. If I do, I'll text him and see if he knows when the individual holes were discontinued.
_________________
Lee, from South Texas - Down On The Rio Grande
There are only two options as I see it.
Either I'm right, or there is a sinister conspiracy to conceal the fact that I'm right.
Williams Keyless S-10, BMI S-10, Evans FET-500LV, Fender Steel King, 2 Roland Cube 80XL's,
Sarno FreeLoader, Goodrich Passive Volume Pedals, Vintage ACE Pack-A-Seat |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 16 Aug 2024 11:29 am
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| Lee Baucum wrote: |
...... it has a full "window" in the end plate, instead of those individual holes.
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Ah! I don't think I've ever seen a picture of a BMI without the holes. I had no idea. I got my guitar in 1983. I'd be curious to know when Don opened the window  .
For reasons stated above, lose the holes and you lose two headaches. |
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Lee Baucum
From:
McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier
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James Quillian
From:
San Antonio, Texas, USA
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