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Topic: Beginner on 12-String Sho-Bud |
Alex Talbott
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 31 Aug 2021 12:08 pm |
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Hi SGF, recent lurker here. I'm interested in learning to play pedal steel (understanding this is no easy undertaking) and I have the opportunity to buy this 12 string Sho-Bud - https://reverb.com/item/43323114-1975-sho-bud-12-string-pro-series-pedal-steel - tuned to extended E9 (not sure if it can be tuned otherwise). My learning plan includes online lessons with a pro and picking up some of the classic books like Winnie Winston's to get started.
* How crazy is it to learn on a 12 string / extended e9 setup?
* Anything else about this pedal steel that stands out as notable? It looks like the RKR may be tuned differently than a typical setup. Does this look like a good purchase for a beginner? (I'm tired of waiting for a good-quality stage one to show up for sale!) |
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Chris Brooks
From:
Providence, Rhode Island
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Posted 31 Aug 2021 2:34 pm
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Hi Alex. Some other guys who are more familiar with Sho-Buds will chime in soon, but I'll make 2 observations:
1) Prices on Reverb are often too high--sometimes way too high.
2) I wish the seller had shot a photo of the underside of the instrument. That's important.
3) I wouldn't worry about it being a 12 string if you are just starting out. You can adapt to a 12 just as easily as to a a 10. (I myself play a 12)
Chris |
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Colin Swinney
From:
Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 31 Aug 2021 2:55 pm
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You can always simply remove the two extended strings and only play on the standard ten. That’s what I did when I tried learning on a 12. Then when you get more comfortable, add them back on.
It certainly wouldn’t hurt to just get used to it right away, but speaking from experience it was a little frustrating when all the instructional material is for ten. Those extra bass strings sure sound cool though! |
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Colin Swinney
From:
Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 31 Aug 2021 3:01 pm
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There an Encore in the forum for sale section that was just listed. It’s probably a much better guitar to start on than an unknown 45 year old Bud.
It’ll sell within 24 hours almost assuredly, I’d jump on it. |
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Johnie King
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 31 Aug 2021 4:55 pm
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You can get a very good deal here on the forum on 12 string steels from $1200 an up.
For a beginner I would suggest go with a 12 string. With Johnny cox's new 12 string tuning. Or extended E 9h tuning.
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Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
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Posted 31 Aug 2021 5:10 pm
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There is a metal plate at the right end of that Sho-Bud that is not original. It may be there cover up cracks in the body.
Also, it's likely that some of the changer fingers are worn so the strings buzz like a sitar. I wouldn't buy it unless you can be sure that all the fingers are OK. |
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Bobby D. Jones
From:
West Virginia, USA
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Posted 31 Aug 2021 7:46 pm
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Mr. Bovine I agree with you, I wonder what that extra aluminum strip is covering. The wood may be badly cracked and broken hidden under that patch.
With only 3 pedals, Some Extended E9th setups needs 6 pedals and a vertical knee lever. If you wanted 12U universal 7 pedals. Finding matching Sho-Bud right Era Vertical knee Lever, Pedals, Cross Rods with hardware, Pedal Rods and Pull rods could cost a King's Ransom.
With no more holes in changer fingers than the picture shows, I am wondering if it is Rack and Barrel tuning setup.
That would make any upgrade much more complicated and expensive.
For a new player an All Pull Guitar Changer is much easier to work on and keep in playing order.
Welcome, Good Luck and Happy Steelin if you join the steel guitar adventure. |
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Per Berner
From:
Skovde, Sweden
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Posted 31 Aug 2021 8:56 pm
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| Looks expensive for a guitar in that condition. I would advise going for a more modern S10 or SD10 with 3 pedals and 5 levers, that would be much easier to sell on at a decent price if you finally decide PSG is not for you. The market for 12 stringers is much smaller. |
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Dave Mudgett
From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
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Posted 31 Aug 2021 9:03 pm
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Looks very rough for $2400 to me. But I note that the listing now shows sold, so I guess it's moot now.
The lack of undercarriage shots would have been a serious concern for me. I call this a "pig in a poke". The finish also looks real beat up to me, and I tend to like a vintage finish. But this just looks plain beat up. |
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Mike DiAlesandro
From:
Kent, Ohio
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 1 Sep 2021 4:34 am
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| Quote: |
| Anything else about this pedal steel that stands out as notable? It looks like the RKR may be tuned differently than a typical setup. Does this look like a good purchase for a beginner? (I'm tired of waiting for a good-quality stage one to show up for sale!) |
The RKR change is a very common change (string 1 F# to G). The one that is not normal is LKR. 2nd string lowers are normal, but having string 5 lower to Bb on the same lever is not a good idea. First off, it ruins the E7 chord using the half stop note (D) with the E chord on string 3,4,5,6. String 5 needs to stay a B note. It ruins the pedals down unison licks with the 2nd lowered to C# and string 5 raised to C#. Other issues too.
I probably wouldn't pay much more than half of what they are asking. I actually would turn around and run, and not look back. A guitar in that condition most likely has issues a brand new player probably won't know how to repair. Unless I had a bunch of extra money to have someone totally rebuild, and some sentimental reason to need to have a Sho~Bud, I wouldn't touch it.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting. |
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Alex Talbott
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 1 Sep 2021 10:38 am
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Thank you ALL for your help here! This forum is amazing. Glad I was able to avoid making a bad decision here. Now looking first at Zums, then GFIs and Mullens!
If anyone feels like helping a beginner even more, please feel free to shoot me a message if you come across a good beginner pedal steel purchase opportunity. |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 1 Sep 2021 11:32 am
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You're in Nashville. Get together with Johnnie King. He always has some great guitars for sale.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting. |
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J D Sauser
From:
Wellington, Florida
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Posted 6 Sep 2021 12:44 pm
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A ShoBud can be a nice and uniquely satisfying to play instrument. But just like most vintage instruments, at that age it can also turn out to be just an "ol' axe".
This one has still very simple and limited mechanics, and a 12-string could open up to some very interesting tunings and setups which it's mechanics might not accommodate easily,
Personally, to a "beginner" to the instrument, I would suggest a recent generation guitar with sound and flexible mechanics. I don't think that 12 strings are too much for a beginner... a 10 string already has substantially more strings than a guitar or violin.
There are very nice proven guitars of current technology available starting around what that ShoBud is being offered for (which by the way seems a totally "fair" price).
Tuning?
Unless you are only a beginner to STEEL but musician with great practical and theoretical knowledge, I would suggest deciding Jazz or Country, which is drawing you to steel. Typically E9th towards the country sounds and C6th towards the Jazz sounds (you can play both on either tuning) and start with a fairly "standard" tuning & setup. If its both styles attracted you to the instrument, you might want to consider a double neck (E9th & C6th) or an S12-Universal.
IF you really don't care for either style and just want to play "music" or introduce it into an alternative style like R&B, Soul, FunkJazz, I would suggest a Universal which can be tuned E9th with all C6th changes available with the E-lever engaged or B6th ro Bb6th with all the E or Eb9th changes available raising your Eb's or D's with a lever and treat it as ONE tuning giving you gliss-harmony melodies and big complex chords on one neck.
... J-D.
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Was it JFK who said: Ask Not What TAB Can Do For You - Rather Ask Yourself "What Would B.B. King Do?"
A Little Mental Health Warning:
Tablature KILLS SKILLS.
The uses of Tablature is addictive and has been linked to reduced musical fertility.
Those who produce Tablature did never use it.
I say it humorously, but I mean it. |
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