Hello fans and fellow players,

I keep getting emails from folks asking for more information concerning what the Sho-Bud Super Pro II is all about. Because this is such a unique guitar that was built outside of the usual Sho-Bud production line, there is a lot of confusion about the guitar that I would like to clear up.

The Super Pro II was created by Sho-Bud designer and engineer Gene Haugh. It really had nothing to do with Shot Jackson, David or Harry Jackson. It was created to be the top end, the flagship steel guitar of the Sho-Bud line.

The new owner of the Sho-Bud company at that time, Fred Gretsch III, commissioned Gene Haugh to build a few of these guitars using the finest maple that could be obtained and using all aircraft aluminum parts under the guitar. I would like to point out that there are absolutely no zinc or pot metal parts on this guitar anywhere.

This guitar has a glow in the dark fretboard with special quarter inch magnet pickups which was a new innovation for the time. A roller cam changer was employed that eliminates wear between the lower finger and the cam.

The size of the body is slightly larger than the standard Super Pro that Sho-Bud had been building for eight years. The wood in the body is 1/16th of an inch thicker. This guitar overall is slightly larger than the regular Super Pro and quite a bit smaller than the Pro II.

All of these guitars were either built for name players of the day except for one that went to a major movie production company in California. Less than 10 were built including two single necks with pads. The single necks were called the Heritage model.

I have several pictures you can click on that will help explain the major differences that set it apart from the standard production Sho-Buds. Go to Sho-Bud Super Pro II

I know we have many readers of this newsletter that do not play steel guitar, but rather folks that want to know about things that are happening in the music industry and what's going on in Nashville.

This is wonderful as this newsletter is as much for you as it is for steel players. Therefore, we have some Nashville news.

Here's a tidbit about Mindy McCready who is trying to re-climb the steps of stardom. Mindy is releasing a new CD, the first in several years, and in the press release, her publicist has stated that Mindy is a platinum selling artist and celebrity news personality.

Sounds like something straight out of Hollywood, doesn't it!

The reason I have featured Mindy in my tips newsletter several times over the years is because I think she is a beautiful girl with a tremendous amount of talent that just needs to make the right decisions about her career and personal life. She has the talent and looks to do about anything in the world that she wants to do.

When I first heard her sing, I was extremely impressed. There is nothing I would rather see than Mindy on a big tour with a full 8 piece, well rehearsed country band that included some serious television exposure. Seriously, at the moment, things are looking good.

Every once in a while, our 24 hour steel guitar instrumental streaming from our website will get overloaded and shut down. We try to stay on top of this as much as possible. Naturally we are never going to complain about too many listeners. This is there for you as a free service from us.

I have been getting many emails from folks around the world mentioning that they have seen me on RFD TV. RFD is such a unique channel when it comes to music and agriculture and a rural way of living. I have not seen any of the shows as I'm having trouble getting up that early in the morning or even getting up at all at times.

Anything that I ever do or have ever done with Stan Hitchcock on his live shows or television shows, musically or any other way, is always and has always been a pleasure. Thank you all for mentioning me doing that show.

Now is a great time to stock up on the best string possible to use on steel guitar. If you require a great sounding string that won't let you down by breaking at an inopportune time, we always recommend Cobra Coil. Now we can see you the best string at a good savings.

See our string special this month on our monthly special page. The link is below. We just want you to know that the prices on the Cobra Coil strings are approaching half price of retail.

See our monthly specials www.steelguitar.net/monthlyspecials.html

Your buddy,
Bobbe Seymour

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