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Topic: Sho-Bud model differences |
Michael Douchette
From:
Gallatin, TN (deceased)
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Darryl Hattenhauer
From:
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
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Posted 4 Jan 2007 10:05 pm |
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Great question. I wish I had a good answer. I'm looking forward to reading the good answers. I hope somebody someday writes a book about the whole history surround Sho Bud.
_________________
Steel crazy after all these years.
$100 reward for info leading to the purchase of a fender D8 white, yellow, or butterscotch. |
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Colby Tipton
From:
Crosby, Texas, USA
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Posted 5 Jan 2007 1:05 am
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I've been through 3 generations of them. Start asking and I will try to answer, if I cain't someone will.
The first one I had was a rack and barrel, Crossover.
The second was a LDG with 2 hole cranks with barrels.
The third one is super pro mechanics.
Changers have a difference too.
What would you like to start with?
I can say that Sho-Buds have one of the best feeling actions no matter how you set it up. Thats just me.
That includes any of the above.
An old "Bud" is the easiest on the pedals that there is. Any of them to me, it's just a feel thing.
Rack and barrel guitars could be set up to infenity.
2 hole cranks with barrel tuners was the best, I think they still are. Smooth and stayed in tune pretty good. The old LDG I had was the best ever, why did I get rid of it??????????? Who Knows, maybe I was stupid back then.
The super pro mechanics, some people have complained about them because of the pot metal knee lever linkage parts failing on them, I have one now and have never had a problem with it and I can get some what crazy with the knees without a problem.
They have a great tone, each one I've had was different but you know it is a Sho-Bud, it's the "Bud" sound.
Thats all I can say about them, except they are heavy. Heavy sounds good to me.
Size, just right for me and no other guitar straight from the builder ever had a left knee lever left that goes at the correct angle for a persons body except a Sho-Bud.
The End
Colby |
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Tor Arve Baroy
From:
Norway
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Posted 5 Jan 2007 2:37 am
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Hello, I own a 1972 shobud professional (converted to a d10+8nonpedal) It has the rack and barrel system and after a rather long time searching for the best barrels(some of them had bad screws)It now works beautifully! I hardly ever tune the pedals and the overall sound in this guitar is fantastic!
I think it is best if you are a little bit mechanical if you have this system, but when its set up, its great!!
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Tor Arve Baroy, Norway
www.baroy.no |
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Bill Terry
From:
Bastrop, TX
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Posted 5 Jan 2007 7:19 am
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I've got a Pro II, '73-74ish, and '73 LDG. Both are round front and have two hole pullers with barrels and the infinite raise/lower changer. I also owned a mid 70's Pro I a while back with the single/double changer and nylon tuners. I seem to remember somebody calling that infinite raise/lower changer the 'birdcage' changer? Maybe not, but I personally think it may be the best changer ShoBud ever made. JMO of course. From what I've read on the Forum, Sho-Buds seem to have been manufactured in lots of variants, i.e. wide/narrow pedals, changers, etc. with 'transition' guitars that may have some features of both earlier and later models on the same guitar.
All of my guitars sound like ShoBuds, but the LDG probably suits me best. I sometimes think the barrel on pullers mechanism gets a lot of bad rap about tuning stability undeservedly. My LDG stays in tune great. The Pro II is a just a bit more finicky, but definitely good enough to gig. You just have to learn how to set them up correctly. I agree with Tor's comment about 'best barrels'. I swapped a few around and definitely saw some that stayed tuned better than others. If you think about it, that whole infinite raise/lower concept is pretty ingenious, and dang cool...
I may try to update the Pro II to Coop parts eventually, but it's not enough of a problem that I'm in any hurry. |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 5 Jan 2007 7:46 am
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Here's an oft-pasted link to a chronology of Sho~Bud models, if you're looking for info on the various models:
http://www.planet.eon.net/~gsimmons/shobud/models.html
One of my New Year's resolutions was to only post on topics that were directly related to my experiences. I've realized that I learn a lot more here on the forum by staying out of the way and letting others impart their vast knowledge. But my love of Sho~Buds has ultimately weakened my resolve to refrain.
I've owned 3 Sho~buds: a '69, a '76 and an early 80's. All three were very special guitars, although the sonic quality and sustain varied between the models. According to Sho~Bud experts' past posts, this was a result of the changes that were made over the years in the mechanics and body design.
My first Sho~Bud was an 80's triple raise/double lower 3+4 with the Superpro mechanism that I got from Bobbe Seymour:
Great guitar, although it didn't have the sustain of the others. The higher register was somewhat thin. I loved it, though, and the pot metal parts caused me no trouble with breakage or wearing.
Next came a '69 Baldwin 8+3 with a Professional undercarriage, meaning that it had a Crossover body, changer and hardware but was for all intents and purposes a Professional. I found this one in a small port near my hometown:
Rack and barrel underneath, single raise/lower, metal hex tuners. (I believe the nylon tuners were introduced in 1975 with the introduction of the "Custom") It had no crossover cababilities. It was a transition model that foreshadowed the advent of the Professional. I don't think I will ever hear such sustain and pure sonic beauty in a pedal steel again. This guitar was magical. I sold it for reasons of weight and my limitations with the rack and barrel mechanism. I envy the new owner's ability to sit behind this guitar and get that sound any time he wants.
My current guitar is a '76 Pro 1 3+3 with double-raise/lower, made just before they switched to the triple-raise/double lower changer and pot metal:
I bought this one from Dana Flood in Maine. Underneath is the earlier two-hole puller mechanism, curved knees, etc. This guitar is my favourite of the three I've owned. It has superior sustain to my 80's Pro 1, and puts forth a tone that's similar to the Crossover in its chimy warmth. And of course it's easier to maintain for me than the rack and barrel. It's the perfect compromise. But nothing will ever come close to that Baldwin. In the upper register, it rang out like the best concert soprano you've ever heard. The big aluminum frame, the pickups, the shafts for the string ends at the changer, and the pull of the brass barrels all combined to produce a big sound that was just a joy to channel as a player.
I've owned several brands since I began playing, but the only guitars that have made me excited just by merely being in the same room as them are the Sho~Buds. The sound and visual beauty of a Sho~Bud is a very special combination that has hooked me big time.
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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Mike Wheeler
From:
Delaware, Ohio, USA
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Posted 5 Jan 2007 8:42 am
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That was a great post, Chris. Your love of ShoBuds really comes thru....you make me want to run out and buy a Bud! Thanks.
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Best regards,
Mike |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 5 Jan 2007 11:52 am
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Thanks, Mike. As I said, I don't know much - but I know I like Sho~Buds. I consider myself a student of Sho~Bud's long and winding history. I've learned a lot about them from guys like Skip Edwards, Bobbe Seymour, John Coop, James Morehead and Ricky Davis. Thier love for old Sho~Buds is contagious. The quirky history of Sho~Bud production only adds to the mystique, and learning about all the different phases and models is an added bonus to playing one.
Here's a pic of the Baldwin at its one and only gig with me, back in October. Having this 85-pound beast out at a gig, with its huge tone filling up the dance hall, was one of the more memorable shows of my playing career. I only owned it briefly, but it was a pleasure and I regret letting it go.
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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Larry Robbins
From:
Fort Edward, New York
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Posted 7 Jan 2007 5:14 am
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Here's a Professional,a Pro II, and Pro III......I love em' all.
Aint they pretty boys? !! 
_________________
Twang to the bone! |
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Darryl Hattenhauer
From:
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
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Posted 7 Jan 2007 9:58 am
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Larry,
Do they sound different?
_________________
Steel crazy after all these years.
$100 reward for info leading to the purchase of a fender D8 white, yellow, or butterscotch. |
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Larry Robbins
From:
Fort Edward, New York
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Posted 7 Jan 2007 1:10 pm
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The Professional and the Pro II are both the bigger boddied, round front Buds and to my ear, sound an awful lot alike. The ProIII is a 79/80 with upgraded undercarrige(still all Sho~Bud parts but no pot metal) but I changed the microphonic pickups to a pair of Jerry Wallace Trutones wound to 17.5k E9 and 18.5 C6. So I guess you cant really consider that one all original, and yes that one sounds a little different than the other two. My favorite by far though is the 73 Pro II !!
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Twang to the bone! |
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