Zane Beck Guitars

[Tim Toberer]

I came across a picture of the underneath of one of these old guitars and at first glance had no idea what I was looking at. After looking at a few more pictures, I think I see what is going on. These guitars use a completely different approach it seems. The downside is I think they must be really heavy, but they sure look bulletproof! It is getting me to think about some other ways of doing things.

[George Piburn]

Kline used the same devices , they are Eveners --
in the Horse business, like a stage coach or wagon to keep 2 horses at an even pulling power when they move at different speeds.

On pedal steel when a pedal is engaged, typically two strings are pulled or lowered. In pretty much all cases one of those strings needs to pull further than the other.
On most steel guitars there are compensators - springs and other means to help these pulls go evenly , musically so to speak.

With eveners both strings start at the same point, and one will pull quicker than the other , ending at the final position at the same exact time. If you were to look at the undercarriage while engaging a pedal or leaver, you can visually see the evener move to do what I am trying to describe.

The concept works brilliantly, but not many folks would care to set up or later adjust this type set up. A main factor why other manufacturers have not gone this direction.

[Bobby D. Jones]

The strings would not pull even, But will end up at the note required together. Some call it a double tree or single tree pull. This setup with some older guitars, Was one of the things that gave them their unique sound. 1 string would hit its note and stop, Then the double tree would arc and pull the other string to note. Giving the guitar a unique sound.

With a cross rod and bell crank set up, You time string pulls so they start together and obtain the the raise or lower stop at same time.

Some early steels with bell cranks also had double tree attached to the bell crank, That worked the same way. I think some Fender and Sho-Buds had double trees hooked to bell cranks, For strings 3-6 and 4-8. I know a Sho-Bud Mavrick used the double tree system.

[Mike DiAlesandro]

The strings would not pull even, But will end up at the note required together. Some call it a double tree or single tree pull. This setup with some older guitars, Was one of the things that gave them their unique sound. 1 string would hit its note and stop, Then the double tree would arc and pull the other string to note. Giving the guitar a unique sound.

With a cross rod and bell crank set up, You time string pulls so they start together and obtain the the raise or lower stop at same time.

Some early steels with bell cranks also had double tree attached to the bell crank, That worked the same way. I think some Fender and Sho-Buds had double trees hooked to bell cranks, For strings 3-6 and 4-8. I know a Sho-Bud Mavrick used the double tree system.

Well Bobby, to say they don't start and stop evenly is a bit of a mis-conception.

They can be timed by adjusting the rod length, which is done by adjusting the turnbuckles that connect the left-threaded rod, to the right threaded spoke that connects to the changer... 6-40 threads for anyone that may be interested.

Mike D

[Lee Baucum]

NOTE: The second photo in the original post is that of a BMI guitar. Those guitars have a more traditional pulling system.

[Tim Toberer]

NOTE: The second photo in the original post is that of a BMI guitar. Those guitars have a more traditional pulling system.

I just looked closer at that guitar in the 2nd picture. Good eye, you are right! It is a Zane Beck BMI here is the link. https://www.creamcitymusic.com/2008-zan ... el-guitar/ This one has me scratching my again. It has what appear to be flat cross shafts. It sure is a beautiful looking setup.

[Eric Dahlhoff]

They can be timed by adjusting the rod length, which is done by adjusting the turnbuckles that connect the left-threaded rod, to the right threaded spoke that connects to the changer... 6-40 threads for anyone that may be interested.

Mike D

Like Mike said!
You can also fine tune the timing by choosing the different holes in the yokes (aka trees). And also adjusting the return springs. A properly adjusted ZB will have very smooth and even pulls.

[Tim Toberer]

If anyone else is interested in the mechanics of these very unique guitars (The BMI version) here is a great thread. This one actually looks a bit different again with having the lowers tuned on the endplate changer.
viewtopic.php?p=3124354&sid=c31a34177e4 ... 0c306cd695

[Mark Shuda]

I have always been of the opinion that these “ uneven” pullers give the BMI’s and ZB’s their very cool unique sound! I think Tom Brumley liked it too!!!!

[Bill C. Buntin]

Zane was a genius. Those little hooks that go from the turnbuckle to the changer are kind of tricking. Some of them were aluminum. But that flat bar system was very smooth to play. I spent a lot of time tinkering with one (zb custom) and later totally rebuilt one zb that actually had bell cranks and cross shafts. Very tedious work but was when I realized what a genius mind Zane Beck had. Hindsight..wish I had hung on to both zb guitars I had. The last one was one of a kind. Zb custom d11 . Beautiful guitar. Awesome sound.

[J R Rose]

The ZB guitar is a great guitar. Will stay in tune till the cows come home. I think the reason they have not stay in style is their weight. Just listen to Tom Brumley's (Together Again.)
The most beautiful song ever recorded. J.R.

[Kevin Hatton]

Together Again was recorded on a Fender, not a ZB.

[Danny Letz]

A band mate of mine was given a mistreated ZB. It was converted to a SD10 & probably more than half the undercarriage was cobbled up poorly welded & hardware store parts. The clear coat was peeling off the cabinet. I looked at it gave it zero chance of working. Then I set it up & pushed a couple of pedals, they worked. I handmade ( hacksaw, hammer & drillpress) & improved some of the parts. It’s the way the changer is made that made it work. Nice tone too. The stops are in the changer which makes it very forgiving of the junk that’s pulling it. It still looks like Fidos butt, but is decently playable.