Cliff Kane
From:
the late great golden state
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Posted 12 Feb 2007 8:54 am |
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Hello,
I now have a Zum steel over here, and after studying photos of other Zums I have a question:
This is an early 90's guitar (SD12 with mica). On this guitar the square cross shafts rest in bushings that are in holes in the wooden aprons, not on metal side rails. The bushing in the front apron look like brass and the bushings in the rear apron look like nylon.
In photos of the undersides of Zums that I have seen, as well as the other Zum that I played, there have been metal side rails that hold the cross shafts, as opposed to the cross shafts being held in holes in the aprons (as described for this guitar).
I'm just curious when (and why?) Zum used the side rails and when not, and if it's significant.
The photos that I have looked at are of later models with metal side rails, and the one other Zum that I played was an earlier model than this one, and it had the metal rails. Again, this early-90's Zum does not....was this some sort of transitional design?
Overall, it's an excellent guitar, great mechanics, and a triple raise/ triple lower changer to boot!
The only thing that bothers me about it is that it seems too light (perhaps the metal rails add a little weight?), but I'm used playing older Emmons and Sho-Bud; however, the pedal and lever action is very light and smooth, so I'm probably too heavy handed. Do these guitar seem light to you?
Anyway, just wondering about the rail-less design and why so light? Comparing this guitar to an Emmons D-10, the Zum is a very compact guitar. This SD-12 cabinet is the same size as the Emmons D-10 cabinet....pretty cool.
Thanks |
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