Single Vs. Double Body? Help?!?!

Larry Jamieson · Post by **Larry Jamieson** » 30 Oct 2002 8:14 pm

Well, I'm thinking of taking the plunge and ordering a new Zum. I only play E9. Is the sustain/and or tone better on the double body with pad than on a single body? Any comments from your experience would be appreciated. Thanx! Larry Jamieson, Walton, NY Cougar SD-10, 3 & 5, Nashville 400, Goodrich pedal.

Rex Thomas · Post by **Rex Thomas** » 31 Oct 2002 9:04 am

I say order your new Zum as a double body /w pad.

Jim Eaton · Post by **Jim Eaton** » 31 Oct 2002 9:06 am

I have had my new SD-10 Fessy for a few months now and just from the standpoint of "playing position" being more like playing the front neck of my 75 D-10 PP Emmons, I'm very happy with it.
There is more room for KL's with the double body. Not sure if there is any real "tone" advantage, but I'm very happy with mine.
JE:-)>

Tony Rankin · Post by **Tony Rankin** » 31 Oct 2002 2:42 pm

I agree with Rex and Jim. Plus, I think you would probably have a better resale market with the double body.

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 31 Oct 2002 4:19 pm

Take the plunge, and get C6 AND E9. That's what I did, and now I can't play either one.

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Stephen Gambrell on 31 October 2002 at 04:20 PM.]</p></FONT>

Sam White R.I.P. · Post by **Sam White R.I.P.** » 31 Oct 2002 5:12 pm

I have a SD-10 Fessy and I think the sound I have is as good if not better than the Emmons.I think you should try a Fessy before you buy anything. They play very easy and the pedals push easy. I have played a couple of Emmons and you almost have to stand on the pedals. I think they push to hard.That is on the push pull.I think the all pull push a little easyer.
Sam White
SD-10 Fessy
S-10 Self built
Nashville 400
Profex II
Goodrich Match box
All hooked up together and what a sound you get on this set up.

Larry Jamieson · Post by **Larry Jamieson** » 31 Oct 2002 8:28 pm

Thanks for all the good comments and opinions. I have never tried a "Fessy." I did buy one nationally advertised name brand steel and found the pedal action to be so stiff I couldn't play it... However, I did buy it used, and maybe somebody played with the undercarriage after it left the factory. I currently have a Cougar on a double body. It has a nice tone, but I'd like to be carrying around a lighter guitar to my gigs. Any more opinions?

RON PRESTON · Post by **RON PRESTON** » 1 Nov 2002 6:07 am

Hey, Samuel,
I like that.....We all PULL/PUSH....Yea, (All Together, Now) With the Bass player, Drummer, Fiddle player,Ba*&%o player, and lead guitar player.
When we ALL work together, It's easy to PULL/PUSH my Session 500, Evans FET 500, D-10 Emmons, Pak-a-seat, and everything else I've got up the 3 flights of stairs to the ballroom to play for those "Shriners in the funny Hats"....Too cool, Sam, I love it!

Mike Delaney · Post by **Mike Delaney** » 1 Nov 2002 8:45 am

I have a Zum, single neck E9, on a double body, and I'm completely satisfied with it. I highly recommend it.

John De Maille · Post by **John De Maille** » 1 Nov 2002 1:38 pm

Larry,
I just ordered a S-12 Zumsteel from Bruce last month. I asked for the single body, because I have relatively short arms, and feel more comfortable playing that way. The tone of the guitar had nothing to do with it. I really don't think that the width of the body has much to do with the tone of a Zum. Hoping to get mine by "June". Good luck with your choice, however, you can't go wrong with a Zumsteel.

Dennis Detweiler · Post by **Dennis Detweiler** » 1 Nov 2002 1:45 pm

I've been playing a U-12 Zum on double since 83. Great playing and sounding guitar. I would go with the SD for the purpose of added knee lever placement.
Dennis

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 1 Nov 2002 2:17 pm

My vote is for a DB.

I started with an MSA S-10. When I changed to a Carter S10DB it just felt better on my arm position.

When I went to D-10 there was almost no change in my arm position. Felt very natural.

It's really a personal preference, and that's mine.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 1 Nov 2002 2:19 pm

I owned an SD once but would opt for the single neck. I found the pad to be in the way and the single neck to be a faster guitar. I have a friend with a single neck push-pull who says the same thing. Different strokes for different folks.

Bill Atwood · Post by **Bill Atwood** » 6 Nov 2002 12:05 pm

Larry
I join the others in urging you to go double body. I prefer the comfort of the pad. Another advantage not already mentioned is greater stability from the wider body. You know what they say about wide bodies

Richard Gonzales · Post by **Richard Gonzales** » 6 Nov 2002 1:54 pm

I like the single neck with no pad as it just gets in my way like the C6 neck of a D10.

Richard Gonzales · Post by **Richard Gonzales** » 6 Nov 2002 1:56 pm

I like the single neck with no pad as it just gets in my way like the C6 neck of a D10.

Wayne Cox · Post by **Wayne Cox** » 6 Nov 2002 2:46 pm

Larry J., if you only play one neck (E9),why haul two around? Simple,isn't it!? Guys like Bruce Zumsteg and Jerry Fessenden only make great sounding steels,so don't worry about the tone.
~~W.C.~~