Questions about a Sho-Bud Pro-1

Joshua Clements · From: Tifton, Georgia.

A local pawn shop has a Sho-Bud Pro-1 that they are asking $1500 for. I think it is an early 80's model from what I have gathered in my research. I also think they are asking too much for it. I normally play non-pedal but have thought about getting a pedal steel and this is just down the road. Any information about them would be helpful.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

Only two knees?
That looks like a good price for good condition and four knees. Knock off 300 for the missing two
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Ken Pippus · From: Langford, BC, Canada

It would be useful to know what the undercarriage looks like. Barrels and two hole pullers or nylon tuning, where the number of raises and lowers on the changer becomes more important. It would also be important to know how worn out it looks. Price seems too high, almost regardless of the answers.

The volume pedal is a plus. I personally like the older ones with wide pedals, a Gumby headstock, and no risk of pot metal parts, but I'm not sure those things affect the value a great deal.

Joshua Clements · From: Tifton, Georgia.

Dave Grafe · From: Hudson River Valley NY

I agree with Lane, $1200 is a good price, properly set up that guitar will play and sound fabulous.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

I'd talk them down to 12 (and point out the lack of the other two knees), and once you get the hang of working the feet and knees, James Morehead (here on the forum) can sell you the parts you need for the rest of the knees.
It doesn't LOOK horribly gunked up, so it quite probably isn't. Therefore it SHOULDN'T need a teardown for cleaning, I'd probably just remove the return springs (those springs you see on the underside of the guitar, on top as you look down at it), and oil the three rivets that each finger pivots on.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

it's an interesting phenomenon. used sho-buds used to get a higher price. i've noticed lately everyone seems to be expecting them in the range of old dekleys and msas. the whole steel pricing overall seems to have fallen into a slump. good for buying, bad for selling. yet others are dropping big money on single 10 3+5 newer models that are nice but.....twice the price?....are they that much better? just newer and plainer. so $1500 for an old sho-bud vs $3000 for a newer emmons/ritt/mullen 10 string.
people even complaining about a $2500 d10 emmons!

and beautiful old restorable zbs used to get a decent price and now you can't give one away.

i'd like to see things get back to a somewhat stable and rational/logical point.
and have more steels be sold to players without everyone thinking every steel needs to go to the refurbisher/rebuilder first. most steels are fine playable instruments the way they are...no need for boutique peer pressure foolishness.

Tom Quinn · Posted 28 Apr 2014 7:15 pm

Originality + played-in look = my kind of axe...
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I need an Emmons!

Jason Putnam · From: Tennessee, USA

I'd buy it. I love my old shobud. I don't think my wife loves it so much but I do!! I would rather have it than a new one. Just something about the old ones.
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1967 Emmons Bolt On, 1995 Mullen PRP 3x5,Nashville 112, JOYO Digital Delay, Goodrich Volume Pedal, Livesteel Strings

Don Griffiths · From: Steelville, MO

I have same model Pro 1 3/2 that may be only a few years newer(less desirable) as it doesn't have the Gumby headstock or teardrop knee levers.I was told mine was an early eighties model.I paid around $1250 almost 14 years ago.But keep in mind I bought it from Scottys Music who was backing it up with one of the best reputations in the business.Good security for a first time buyer who didn't know what I was buying.
Like Lane said, knock $300 off for only having 2 knee levers. How serious are you about playing pedal steel? Will you be able to devote more than 2 hours a day to practice and learn?I wish somebody would have asked me that so I would have honestly known what I was getting in to. Now I'm hooked.I'm going to find time to learn and play. If it will always be your secondary instrument 3/2 is plenty to keep you busy for a while..If you think you'll want more knee levers,buy a guitar with more knee levers.

Have you played it at all? The volume pedal is worth something.$75 maybe,as you probably won't know how much use or age of the volume pot. $1200 is a good value to buy it from a Pawn Shop whom I'm assuming is selling it as is and not backing it up.$1300 and like me with my bud,you probably would not have any regrets.$1400 is definitely on the high side for a 3/2 though there are worse things you could spend $1400 on. You could find much better values and guitars for $1500.00.It will set there for a while at that price.Start the negotiating process at $1100 Winking

Things to look for and mention while trying to negotiate.Bar dings and dents.Any corrosion.Any holes in the mechanisms that look elongated from wear.I suspect like most pawn shops it is priced high for negotiating room.
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Shobud Pro1,BMI U12, Santa Cruz F, PRS Standard, Fender Twin Reverb, ‘53 000-28

Micky Byrne · From: United Kingdom (deceased)

Joshua...Is it a double raise single lower?? My 1977 S-12 ( converted to a universal) has that. According to Ricky Davis,that was one of the best changes for Sho-Buds. The only downside to that steel you're looking at is the "dust catcher" fret board...you can live with it or change it. There's many sources out there to get one. I agree with the comments so far...get another 2 knee levers fitted, you'll need them sooner than you think. Mine was made in 1977, and assembled by the late great Duane Marrs.

Micky "scars" Byrne U.K.

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

it's a pawn shop....i bet they'll be glad to sell it for $1000 cash.

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

That is a transition model most likely.. Small pedals, but has a 2/1 changer with 2 hole pullers with set screw,and nylon tuners.. This was before they used the SP pot metal stuff, or were just using up the older parts inventory... Very nice set up..
Problem is, the knees are going to set the buyer back $150 each, more or less, and if you want a Franklin pedal or something, You are looking at serious money for the upgrades.. Thats why so many guys are looking for already "loaded" guitars with 4 and 5 etc.. Upgrades cost a lot of bread on any steel.. Cheaper to buy with lots of pedal/levers already hung... bob
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I'm over the hill and hittin'rocks on the way down!

no gear list for me.. you don't have the time......

Daniel Policarpo · Posted 2 May 2014 5:03 am

I dated a girl who worked in several pawn shops. The general rule is about 20% wiggle room to negotiate with according to the tagged price. $1500.....you got about $300 to knock off from the top, which Lane suggested would be reasonable for a 3 pedal 2 knee Sho-Bud.

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