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Topic: Advice please on possible rebuild of a Rus-Ler... |
Chuck Snider R.I.P.
From:
West Virginia, USA - Morgantown, WV
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Posted 15 Feb 2009 7:31 pm |
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Someone I know has an older Rus-ler D-10 that I am considering buying from him. I got a chance to play it briefly, and I thought it sounded awesome. It seemed to play ok, but it certainly could use some TLC, and possibly rebuild/refurbish/refinish. Am I out of my gourd in considering that? In other words, if it was refurbed/refinished would it have similar value as an older Sho-Bud or Emmons that has been refurbed/refinished? The metal end pieces were originally finised with those swirls in the metal (not sure what that is called, and those really need re-done/re-chromed/re-polished. They might even be steel or something other than aluminum, not sure at this point.
Would appreciate any thoughts/comments/advice/warnings about whether or not to get into this thing this way.
-Chuck
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GFI U-12 Ultra Keyless, Carter Black U-12, both with Alumitones, and a sweet '70 Sho-Bud Permanent D-10, NV400 in Rick Johnson cabs, NV112, '73 Vibrosonic in Rick Johnson cabs, Hilton pedal, Steeler's Choice seat, Bessdang Gizmos from Dale Hansen, and a few other widgets and doodads.
I may not sound good, I just don't wanna sound bad. |
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Chuck Snider R.I.P.
From:
West Virginia, USA - Morgantown, WV
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Posted 15 Feb 2009 7:34 pm
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By the way, I have talked for a bit with Chuck Back, and he said he could likely provide any parts that might be needed, so I am aware of that source for parts.
-Chuck
_________________
GFI U-12 Ultra Keyless, Carter Black U-12, both with Alumitones, and a sweet '70 Sho-Bud Permanent D-10, NV400 in Rick Johnson cabs, NV112, '73 Vibrosonic in Rick Johnson cabs, Hilton pedal, Steeler's Choice seat, Bessdang Gizmos from Dale Hansen, and a few other widgets and doodads.
I may not sound good, I just don't wanna sound bad. |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 16 Feb 2009 6:42 am
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| Quote: |
| ...if it was refurbed/refinished would it have similar value as an older Sho-Bud or Emmons that has been refurbed/refinished? |
In a word, no.
Chuck, you're talking about a very minor brand that has almost no following or "name recognition". Whereas, the Emmons and Sho~Bud are probably the two top names in the industry.
Fix it up if you like, but unless you're doing it entirely yourself, you can probably forget the idea of making any money on it. Despite how good it sounds, it is what it is...an "off-brand" guitar. |
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John De Maille
From:
On a Mountain in Upstate Halcottsville, N.Y.
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Posted 16 Feb 2009 7:49 am
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It's true, that, the RusLer is an "off brand" guitar, whatever that means, but, to anyone who knows about them, it's a great steel. I'll probably get flamed for this, but, better than a ZB. It sounds exactly like a ZB, but, has all modern mechanics to it. The undercarriage is the most predominant. All the changes can be readily change in the wink of an eye. Plus, you can time any change easily. The cabinet is 3/4" maple with various inlays and the pickup is the same as a ZB with the triple tap to it.It has roller bearings at the nut, which, never hang up and delrin bushings on the cross shafts, which, never bind. The radii shoulders on the changer can be replaced, if, and I say if,they wear out. THe only drawback I see, is that, it only has a double raise, double lower feature. But, most of the old ShoBuds and Emmons had that too.
I've played my S-11 RusLer for 27 yrs, playing 4-5 nights a week and NEVER and I mean NEVER had a problem with it. It still looks and sounds great today. The only problem you might have is with the end plates. The "jeweling" or "engine turning" might not hold up with machine polishing on a buffer wheel.
As you know already, Chuck Back has most of the parts needed for anything you might need. Fred Laymen, also, had a vast knowledge of RusLer's too. Ha was compiling a history of them, I believe. I received a new fretboard from him, a couple of years ago. Mine had become yellow with age and from smoke from all the clubs I played in. As for marketability, I don't know where it would fall. It played better than any ShoBud or Emmons for it's time. It just wasn't as popular for it's time. I was probably one of the first guys to play one, here, on the east coast. Several people bought one after hearing and seeing mine. I'm sure you could get your money back after re-furbishing, if you decided to sell. But, you won't make a killing on it, because of it's anonymity here. Everybody was playing a ShoBud, Emmons, or MSA back then.
BTW- There weren't many ZB's around here on the east coast either, back then. They, along with the RusLer were more of a west coast steel.
It's a great steel with a short heritage, unfortunately. If I were you, I'd rebuild it and play it. But, that decision is up to you. |
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