Shot Jackson and His Views Of The New Sho-Buds

[Brett Day]

I've been thinking about Shot Jackson lately because now that Sho-Bud is back, I wonder what he would've thought about Sho-Bud coming back and the new Sho-Bud steel guitars. When I first found out about Sho-Bud coming back, I wondered what his thoughts would be on the new models like the Pro V and Maverick II. I think the idea of Sho-Bud coming back is amazing, because, even though I never met Shot Jackson, I still have a lot of respect for him as a steel player and a steel guitar builder.

[Bob Carlucci]

Interesting question.. Here's what comes to my mind.. I am sure he would love the quality and craftsmanship.. The current Buds are much more precision built than the guitars he built.. he simply didn't have the technology we have today.. I can't speak for him of course, but I am not sure that any builder of his era would be thrilled with the prices on the guitars that bear the Sho Bud brand name... In those days, a steel guitar was expensive, but the average player could sacrifice a few other things, scrimp and save a few months and place his order on a new Sho bud.. Thousands of us did... The new Buds are very nice guitars, but I was in shock when I saw the prices... they are VERY pricey, and out of the range of a lot of average gigging steel players.. Not sure many guys of Shots generation would think that is a great business model... bob

[Dave Grafe]

I think he would be delighted to see his offspring carrying on the tradition in first-class style. I spoke with Dawn last week and they are definitely doing it right and maintaining high standards. The days of the $300 starter guotar are long gone, the new Maverick mechanism and cabinetry are far more refined than the original and the build quality is first rate. If you do the math incorporating materials, design, machining and assembly HERE IN THE USA the new Sho-Bud guitars are priced very reasonably and are certainly no more costly than comparable current builds. I wish them every success.

[Dave Magram]

When comparing prices of steel guitars of the 1970s to today's prices, one needs to take inflation into account.

I don't know what Sho-Bud Maverick prices were back then, but the list price for an Emmons GS-10 student guitar (3 pedals, 1 knee lever) in 1973 was $398.

Sounds fantastic, doesn't it?
However the US government inflation calculator at https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm shows that $398 in 1973 would be $3,003 in 2025 dollars.

- Dave

[Dave Grafe]

What Dave M sez, I bought my Maverick new for $300 in 1973 when rent was $75/month and gasoline under $0.40/gallon.

[Bob Carlucci]

The mavericks look like a fair deal I suppose, but I dunno still kind of dear for a pull release changer with fingers made from aluminum angle stock, but I digress.. Everything else with pedals between 9-18K?.. I would not call that reasonable, but again I am not privy to what it costs to source and assemble such nice guitars.. I am only saying not a lot of average joe steel players can afford a new sho bud , but back in the day a lot of us could and did. It is what it is.. The DO look great, and the sound samples I have heard are 100% pure vintage Bud. Still for the price of one new one , 3 or even 4 nice condition originals can be had.