Sho-Bud Serial Numbers

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 3 Jul 2016 10:14 am

Gene, Shot made this in his garage from parts left over from the Gretsch contract. The serial number dates it as after the contact ceased. Also there is no sound-well just posts.
David confirmed that !

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 3 Jul 2016 10:25 am

When Dobro® guitars began to be manufactured again in 1969, Shot interested Baldwin-Gretsch in manufacturing and marketing a resonator guitar of his design under the name ShoBro. The Gretsch models were #6030 for the round-neck Spanish version, with a cut-away body, and #6031 for the Hawaiian square neck instrument. Prior to 1969, these model numbers were assigned to other designs of Gretsch guitars. After 1971, new models numbers were assigned: #7705 Hawaiian 6-string; #7710 Hawaiian 7-string; and #7715 Spanish. The first models had a long neck, attached at the body at the 14th fret (as some Dobros®). This put excessive pressure on the resonator, causing problems, and was later re-designed attaching at the 12th fret. This later model is preferred. During this time, Shot continued to make hand-crafted guitars, which he labelled ShoBud. At the Gretsch plant, ShoBros were done on an "assembly line", much to Shot's chagrin since Shot's method was to have one person work on an instrument until completion. Gretsch was not impressed by the slow ShoBro sales and they dropped the line in 1973. The relatively mellow-sounding ShoBro was not in the same demand as the Dobro® with a brighter tone, sought after by Bluegrass musicians. Gretsch-made ShoBros have sound wells, as do Dobros®, whereas ShoBuds and Shot produced ShoBros do not, giving the latter two a still mellower sound yet; the body is the sound well. They contain sound posts for support. After 1973, Shot continued to hand-craft guitars, usually with the ShoBro trade mark. The initials of the purchaser on the face of the pegboard or body can identify most of those instruments. It was an extra charge to the customer as was any mother-of-pearl or abalone trim. Shot purchased neck stock and bodies from Gretsch, both usually already having serial numbers and assembled the ShoBros at his shop. He also purchased tail pieces from them which carry the "Gretsch" name. The Gretsch manufactured ShoBros do not have the same quality/sound as those made by Shot. He suffered a sever stroke on August 17, 1983, and another in 1990, and died of a heart attack on January 25, 1991. He was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 1986. One of his personal 7-string ShoBros was donated for permanent display to the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville on July 23, 1999.

Dave Hopping · Post by **Dave Hopping** » 17 Jul 2016 9:06 am

I had earlier posted my Super Pro with a wrong serial number.It's actually #13388,and according to Gene Haugh's list posted 6/4/12,it dates to mid-late June 1978

Nicholas Ackron · Post by **Nicholas Ackron** » 18 Jul 2016 3:00 pm

Sn:3595 any info.

Michael Yahl · Post by **Michael Yahl** » 18 Jul 2016 7:36 pm

Approx. 6/73 No info logged as yet.

Dan Beller-McKenna · Post by **Dan Beller-McKenna** » 19 Jul 2016 1:53 am

Gene,

I'll bet a lot of us would snap that book up in a heartbeat!

Nicholas Ackron · Post by **Nicholas Ackron** » 20 Jul 2016 8:32 am

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 20 Jul 2016 1:46 pm

Why in the world would someone convert to nylon nuts and leave the racks?

Nicholas Ackron · Post by **Nicholas Ackron** » 20 Jul 2016 2:04 pm

I'm not sure, that's the first time I've ever seen it. The body seems nice though.

Ron Gordon · Post by **Ron Gordon** » 21 Jul 2016 11:02 pm

Hi Guys,

Sho-Bud Pro II serial number 5891, model 6155.

Looks like it was built in July 1974 from the previous posts on this thread.

Would be interested in any historical information as far as builder, original owner, etc.

Eight Pedals, Double Ten configuration, with 4 Knee levers, two of which are doubles.

Curious if it originally shipped with the 4 Knee levers.

Thanks!

Michael Yahl · Post by **Michael Yahl** » 22 Jul 2016 4:52 am

Ron, looks like exact build date may be 7/8/74 as 5892 was built that day. It has been entered into the database.

What Color is it and is the builders tag still under it?
Could you post some pictures as I'm unclear as to the configuration of the double knee levers.

Ron Gordon · Post by **Ron Gordon** » 25 Jul 2016 2:08 pm

Thanks Michael,

Gene reached out to me with more info.

Best,

Ron

Ray Ostwald · Post by **Ray Ostwald** » 26 Jul 2016 10:46 am

Hi Gene H. and all,
I am new to the Forum, and enjoying the topics and info a lot. From your list, I see that my Sho-Bud LDG with serial number 3538 is from early June, 1973. Can you (Gene or any others) offer any addition details about this instrument? Thank you so much -

Ray
Ray Ostwald
Lombard, Illinois, USA
rayostwald312@gmail.com

Mark McCornack · Post by **Mark McCornack** » 28 Jul 2016 9:55 pm

Greetings.. I don't know if this is directed best to Gene or Michael, but let me just put this out there. I have a Pro-I I purchased I believe back in 1974, but don't recal the exact year. Serial number 4157. It has 3 pedals and two knee levers (right knee). If any production information is available on this guitar, I'd love to know about it. If not, no problem, and thanks a ton for the great contribution you have made to this fascinating thread.
Cheers,
Mark

Michael Yahl · Post by **Michael Yahl** » 29 Jul 2016 4:38 am

Mark,

The S/N would put build roughly 9/73. What is the color and undercarriage configuration. I'm guessing 2 hole pulls w/barrels?

Mark McCornack · Post by **Mark McCornack** » 29 Jul 2016 7:53 am

Hi Michael,
Thanks for this info! I couldn't remember the year I purchased it new, but I think it was '74. This 9/73 production date lines up nicely with that recollection.
As far as a description goes, its a blond, birds-eye maple Pro-I with 3 pedals, 2 levers. You are right about the two hole pulls. In fact, It turns out I sent you a couple pictures of this guitar last Saturday by e-mail. I was the one inquiring about getting parts from you to outfit a left-knee lever pair for this instrument

Cheers,
Mark

James Taylor · Post by **James Taylor** » 5 Sep 2016 11:16 am

When was the : The Pro 1 made ? JAMES TAYLOR

Godfrey Arthur · Post by **Godfrey Arthur** » 26 Sep 2016 1:23 pm

Serial Number: #17313
Model Number: 6148
Model Name: The Pro 1
Style: S10
Color: Red
Pedals: 3
Knees: 2
Builder: No tag
Name of Current owner: Godfrey Arthur
Build date: 12/23/1981.

Comments:
Originally 2 knees now 5 courtesy of Jim Palenscar and Michael Yahl.

Purchased from Hank Mann 12/12.
Fretboard was originally black but changed to white by Hank Mann.

Autographed photo from Hank Mann to me. Hank had this set up for C6 and played it like this standing up.

Nicholas Ackron · Post by **Nicholas Ackron** » 30 Nov 2016 4:02 am

Can I get some info on SN 2917?

Michael Yahl · Post by **Michael Yahl** » 30 Nov 2016 5:14 am

Nick, 2917 would be approx. 8/11/72.

What's the rest of the info on it? I'm going to assume that it's a Professional or a 6139.

Nicholas Ackron · Post by **Nicholas Ackron** » 30 Nov 2016 5:26 am

It looks like it could be a 6139 S10 3x1, with the tone and volume knob and switch on the apron.

Zach Chastain · Post by **Zach Chastain** » 3 Jan 2017 6:12 am

I have a pro3 that has number 6589. According to Gene's list could this be a very early pro3? maybe some of the first built? I have always heard they started in 1975 but this dates to November 74. It also has the big pedals instead of the small ones so that would help explain that.

Zach Chastain · Post by **Zach Chastain** » 3 Jan 2017 6:16 am

Ken Pippus · Post by **Ken Pippus** » 17 Jan 2017 12:04 pm

#3243. Rack and barrel 6139. Hadn't seen a black one before.

Michael Yahl · Post by **Michael Yahl** » 17 Jan 2017 1:38 pm

Nick- August 1972, 1 knee?
Zach- November 1974, what color is it and how many knees?
Ken- March 1973, that Black is Cool! How many knees?

Builders tags anybody?

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Sho-Bud Serial Numbers

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Sho-Bud LDG 1973 info