Bruce Zumsteg at ISGC

Joe Alterio · From: Irvington, Indiana

I recently bought a 9-month old Zum and was having a few problems with some rodding modifications (especially when trying to adjust the feel of the knee levers and the lever travel, among other things). I called Bruce a few times over the past month and he has always been more than accomodating in trying to explain to me how to make the mods (though I do have difficulty with some of the basics....so even as good as he explains things over the phone, I still have trouble understanding).

Anyhow, he mentioned to me on the phone that if I continue to have problems, to bring the guitar to the ISGC and he'll give me a hand.

Sooo.....I only had one day to be in St. Louis and I darted there and arrived late Friday evening. The Zumsteel room was closed, so I left my guitar with Dick Meis (thanks Dick!) as he was set up just outside the room and I went walking around playing all the different guitars and buying way too much! After about two hours, I went back and the Zum room was still closed. I hovered around until I saw Bruce go into the room with his wife and daughter. Apparently they were just dropping some stuff off and wanted to go into the main hall to hear the players.

I caught him just as he was leaving and told him I brought the guitar but that I was leaving that night. Though he did express that he wanted to hear the players, he did ask me to bring in the guitar so that he could take a quick look at it.

Well, long story short....he spent about 15 minutes completely fixing EVERYTHING...he got those knee levers to work like butter, showed me some tips so that I don't mess things up again(!) and even put the guitar upright and started playing it AND tuning it to perfection.

Again, this was despite his wanting to go out and listen to the players.....I knew he was being inconvenienced and I apologized profusely, but was also very thankful. I made sure to give him some compensation for his time, which he was very stubborn about taking.

This is a FIRST-CLASS gentleman, all......remember, I didn't even buy this guitar from him new. He did this to help me out, and for that I am very VERY thankful.

Thanks so much, Bruce....you made my first experience at the ISGC unforgettable and well worth the 8-hour roundtrip drive!

Joe
'03 Zumsteel S-10 4/5, '77 Peavey Session 400

Tony Rankin · From: Land O’ Lakes, FL

Joe,

Your post confirms what many of us have learned over the years. Bruce really is a great guy and he is a terrific guitar builder.

BTW, I heard him playing steel this past weekend and I found his playing quite impressive too!

Tony Rankin

Leland Ogle · From: Baxter Springs, Kansas, USA

You only think you buy a Zumsteel. But it will always be Bruce's baby and he will treat it as such. Bruce doesn't want one of his babies to not work properly. He is the best.
Lee

Bill Simmons · From: Keller, Texas/Birmingham, AL, R.I.P.

Bruce and his lovely family are wonderful people. Bruce not only builds one of the best steel guitars, but he is always so helpful...by the way, his new Zum "Hybred" steel is absolutely incredible sounding. I missed buying the demo model by a couple of hours...Tommy Dodd tried to hurry me along but...

Jay Jessup · From: Charlottesville, VA, USA

Zum Hybred model, what's that? I haven't talked to Bruce in quite some time and haven't been keeping up to well here either I confess, have I missed something?
By the way Joe, that was just Bruce being Bruce, I have a 82 and a 95 Zum and Bruce really hasn't changed in all those years, very straight forward, lets you know what he thinks and always trying to build a better guitar.

[This message was edited by Jay Jessup on 13 September 2004 at 09:54 AM.]

Wally Davis · From: Belleville, Illinois, USA

Bruce and Doreen Zumsteg are two of the finest people you would ever want to meet. We players are blessed with many options of very fine guitars with very fine builders that are in production these days. Bruce is an Einstein that is consumed by constantly trying to improve on an already great guitar Every one is his baby that will not leave his hands till it has his stamp of approval. They always remain his children. I have an 82 that I bought new that I have beat the Hell out of playing wise. It performs amazingly and is my main guitar. As far as the Hybrid goes, it has many characteristics of the Emmons push/pull as far as sound but is an all pull changer.

Jack Dougherty · From: Spring Hill, Florida, USA

Yup.... That's Bruce!!!

KENNY KRUPNICK · From: Columbus, Ohio

Ron Sodos · From: San Antonio, Texas USA

I have had the same experience with Bruce. I bought a 1 year old Zum that was set up Jimmy Day. I had to set it up Emmons and with Bruces' help we got it perfect. He never hesitates to help. He is the best of the best..............

[This message was edited by Ron Sodos on 14 September 2004 at 08:12 AM.]

Buck Grantham R.I.P. · From: Denham Springs, LA. USA

Bruce is a super nice guy and a great steel guitar builder. You can't beat that combination.

Terry Bethel · From: Hollister, Missouri (deceased)

Bruce is a "CLASS" guy, and builds a great steel guitar. You get nothing but the best from people like Bruce.
Terry Bethel

Forum Index > Steel Players		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: