B M I Steel Questions

Mark S. Miller · From: Depew, NY, USA

Hey all I just bought this guitar. The buyer said it has been in the closet for some time maybe, Dan could help to. The serial number is ser927. How old is this guitar. Can I still get and install a knee level kit only has 3 would like one more and maybe a vertical.
Leaning towards just degrease and re-oil the changer or would you suggest taking it apart and rebuild and clean it that way. The springs have some corrosion . Would you change them or just re cut clean and lube. Hopefully some one can tell me what pick-up is in it. Would you change it for something else? If so probably not a single coil as I have always gotten a lot of hum in my home. I probably will not do much to it till after the holidays are over
Any suggestions any one has would greatly be appreciated. (What would you do?)
This guitar looks like a very well made one and, it has not been abused in any way all though the strings are very old, it sounded great as is and, very little rod turning was needed. I am very impressed. I am looking forward to having another very nice and, reliable guitar here. Higher quality pictures Christmas morning i hope!!!

Danny Letz · From: Old Glory,Texas, USA 79540

That looks like a Lawrence, maybe 705 pickup. They seem to be kind of popular. I have an older JCH with pickups like or similar to that and it is a tone machine.

Bill Moore · From: Manchester, Michigan

I used to own number 923. I didn't buy it new, but I think it dated from the early 1980s. It was a nice guitar, very solid construction. The pickup is a Lawrence 705, which is highly regarded, keep it. I'm sure you can get parts from BMI, if you want to add a lever. For now, I would just clean everything as well as possible without complete tear down, add some lube and play it. These are very underrated guitars, and they sound good. Enjoy! Smile

Danny Letz · From: Old Glory,Texas, USA 79540

I agree with Bill. I did however go thru one just like that a few years ago. I got parts from BMI without much effort and best I remember it was easier to work on than most guitars. Added a right knee right. The reason I went thru that one was because it had been sprayed underneath with some kind of white lubricant and it had a few bent parts. Just straightened them and put them back. It played and sounded good.

Jerry Roller · From: Van Buren, Arkansas USA

I am a diehard Emmons guy but I can tell you the BMI is a great sounding guitar. I have a 2009 BMI D10 with 8+8 and am currently playing it every Saturday night at the Little O' Oprey in West Fork, AR and it is a wonderful guitar. I would advise you not to tear it down. Just clean it up, lightly lube it and play it. It is easy to add levers and if you call Don Fritche at (479) 264-1457 he will tell you what you need and arrange to sell to you with no hassle. I agree the BMI is a very underrated guitar with folks that are not very familiar with them. The designer, builder Zane Beck (BMI=Beck Musical Instruments)was one of the true genius' in the development of the pedal steel guitar. As an added note, I am a BMI dealer and would be happy to help you but you can do just as well going direct to Don Fritche, present owner of BMI.
Jerry

mike nolan · From: Forest Hills, NY USA

I had one very similar to that one. Great axe, and the 705 probably is a good match for that guitar. Get a couple of lever kits from Don, which are easy to install, and you are good to go.

Jerry Hayes · From: Virginia Beach, Va.

Mark, congrats on a fine guitar. I've had my S-12 for around twenty years or so and I have no plans of ever replacing it. I just got another S-12 MSA but the BMI is still my #1 workhorse. Here's a shot of mine...........JH in Va.

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Ron Castle · From: West Hurley,NY

I recently sent an s12 of the same vintage tp Don Fritche at BMI to have another knee & pedal and complete copedant change done.
The instrument was in rough shape but Don
did a spectacular job at a very reasonable price. I would recommend sending it to him
if it needs a lot of work

Dave O'Brien · From: Florida and New Jersey

Great guitars - easy to work on - good people providing support. My U-12:

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Dave O'Brien
Emmons D-10, CMI D-10, Fender Deluxe Reverb, PV 112, Fender Pro Reverb
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Wesley Medlen · From: LaCygne,Ks

I had a S10 s/n 131 Don told me it was a 79 or 80 I contacted him went down to Scranton he installed my two right levers. I sold that and bought a 2003 SD10 with 3 and 5 great sounding axe. I had to change copedents on levers very easy to do. BMI people great people to work with Very Happy

My pic is on the BMI family web site (not very good camera work)
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Justice S10 Jr, Gibson Electra 6string, Boss Katana 100, Steelers Choice ,Gretsch 6 string lap, Hilton VP

Dave Yustin · From: Vermont, USA

My first guitar was a BMI 3 & 2 and I still have it. Great sound, red and black, one of the prettiest I've seen. You can buy lever kits for these, just check their website. Dan is a busy guy, but he will answer his cell phone if you have questions so keep trying him. He was very helpful to me in rebuilding a black S-10. Great outfit to deal with.

Dave Simonis · From: Stevens Point, WI USA

I had an 80's BMI for a number of years and enjoyed the sound. I did my own repairs and Jerry Roller (above) got me all of the things I needed. I ended up selling it, but enjoyed it while I had it!
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Dave Simonis

Fiddle: Zeta, Arthur Conner, many others.../Steel: GFI SD-10 Ultra.../Mandolin: Breedlove.../Guitar: Gibson, Fender, Taylor.../Amps: Peavey NV112, Evans FET 500.../Others: Hilton, Goodrich, Stereo Steel, Pendulum Pre-amp...

Bent Romnes · From: London,Ontario, Canada

Mark, I had the golden opportunity to work on one in Sept of 2009. I want to say that I have a new-found respect for the BMI. First, I don't really have much experience working on other buildrs' guitars. Basically what I did was change it over from the Day to Emmons copedent, install a half-stop(non-factory), clean and lube.

I was amazed at how user-friendly this guitar is for a relatively inexperienced person to work on. The guitar is so well thought out in its simplicity and robust manufacture. Every part made so much sense - the clever way that bell cranks and cross rods were made, for example. I believe it all came from Zane Beck and as we all know, Zane was a mechanical and musical genius.

When I got it back together, I was amazed at the ease of playing this guitar..pedals and levers work easily and it is mechanically quiet considering it's age. The tone is there as well

If you wish to, and you have any mechanical aptitude at all, go ahead and do it yourself. Just take your time, study each part you take off and go thru in your mind's eye how it goes back together. Make notes of pull rod locations etc. Stay in close touch with Dan Burnham, the man who makes these guitars.

Yes, get new lower return springs

You have got yourself a great guitar that will give you fine service in many years to come.
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Ron Davis · From: Lake Arrowhead, California... We're a mile high. ;)

I have 2 Emmons p/p's (a D-10 & an S-10) & 2 BMI p/p's (both keyless S-12's). The BMI's are great. Tone wise, ease of playing, etc., they are just solid, great sounding guitars, IMHO.
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Emmons 12 p/p, Revelation, Black Widows, (& way too many assorted goodies...)
Drummer with a pedal steel fantasy. Wink

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