Urgent help for an Aussie regarding an Emmons S10

Clinton Kraus · Post by **Clinton Kraus** » 19 Mar 2008 6:09 pm

As some of you may know from my posts, I live in Australia and am looking for a pedal steel to learn on and play.
Pedal steels here are A) impossible to find and B) very, very expensive.
I have just found a listing on Australian ebay for a S10 Emmons for $1500.
There is not a lot of information on the listing as the seller sounds like he is a beginner also. Could some of you guys (I trust your opinions) take the time to have a look at the link and let me know what you think?
I will watch this forum for about an hour and read feedback and if all is good I am going to buy this baby.
Any help is SO appreciated.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... :IT&ih=004

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 19 Mar 2008 6:43 pm

My currency exchanger puts that guitar at around $1,369.32 US. That's over a grand less than similar models for sale on the forum lately. I'd buy it in a flash. It's a pro model 3+4. You might have to take a crash course in adjusting a push-pull, but that's exciting anyway. I'd jump on it, especially taking into account how hard it is to get a steel in Australia and the price of shipping from North America. Congrats in advance! Get it before your Aussie compatriots see this and grab it out from under you.

Clinton Kraus · Post by **Clinton Kraus** » 19 Mar 2008 6:53 pm

Hey chris,
Thank-you.
from the photos, can you estimate the year/decade?

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 19 Mar 2008 7:01 pm

I'm definitely not an Emmons expert, but it's almost certainly a 70's. I'm surprised the Emmons fanatics have not chimed in already.

It's a black version of this one, expect Bobby's is a fatback which refers to the cut of the rear of the body:

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... emmons+s10

Clinton Kraus · Post by **Clinton Kraus** » 19 Mar 2008 7:03 pm

Thank-you.
I was hoping that they would, hence my post.
Cheers mate

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 19 Mar 2008 7:05 pm

Ha-ha....I'm only keeping you company until the calvary comes storming in.

Bill Moore · Post by **Bill Moore** » 19 Mar 2008 7:10 pm

It looks like a later one to me. Black knee levers, narrow pedals. Probably from '80-'82. Nice guitar.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 19 Mar 2008 7:11 pm

Clinton, I re-read in your original post that you're just beginning. That guitar may be a little bit much to figure out tuning-wise. But on the other hand, a lot of guys started on push-pulls. So if you're serious, it may be a good way to dive right in. Worst case scenario, you'll make a few bucks on it resale.

Clinton Kraus · Post by **Clinton Kraus** » 19 Mar 2008 7:12 pm

What do you reckon Bill? To buy or not to buy?

Clinton Kraus · Post by **Clinton Kraus** » 19 Mar 2008 7:15 pm

Hey chris,
I was thinking about that.
Let me put it this way...
I am dedicated to learning this instrument.
I am a musician, so I know music and tuning.
I don't know what P/P is but is but imagine it is complex.
A brand new Carter starter retails in Australia for $1900.

Lynn Stafford · Post by **Lynn Stafford** » 19 Mar 2008 7:19 pm

Clinton,

I think you should just go for it!! It's a real bargain and you'll never be sorry you bought it. There is plenty of help here on the Forum to get you out of any trouble that you could encounter. Once you understand the concept of the PP changer and the way it's set up and tuned, you'll love it!

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 19 Mar 2008 7:19 pm

Clinton, there are websites as well as support/thread history here for you to learn how to tune it. There is a particular order to tuning a push-pull, which can get confusing if you don't have it straight. The all-pulls are much easier to figure out, but hey, that's no fun! Like I said, I'm just the point man until the main unit arrives.

In my opinion, you cannot lose with that guitar. Get it and embrace the adventure.

Clinton Kraus · Post by **Clinton Kraus** » 19 Mar 2008 7:34 pm

I just bought it.
I am now an Emmons man.

Clinton Kraus · Post by **Clinton Kraus** » 19 Mar 2008 7:45 pm

Thank-you all for your help.

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 19 Mar 2008 7:48 pm

I just came across this thread. Clinton, you scored BIG!! Like Chris and others have said, there is plenty of help to learn the push-pull system available on the forum, as well as "how-to" books.

This is NOT a beginner guitar in the class of a carter starter--this is a pro model you can be playing 20 years from now, and be proud of. Congrats, Clinton!!

Martin Abend · Post by **Martin Abend** » 19 Mar 2008 11:43 pm

Congrats! That's exactly the guitar I'd be looking for if I could afford it. And the price is super. Have fun with it!

Brendan Mitchell · Post by **Brendan Mitchell** » 20 Mar 2008 2:15 am

Hey Clinton
congratulations , that is some guitar you bought , you are lucky I didn't see it ! If you need any help you are in the right place , contact me if I can help at all .
Regards
Brendan

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 20 Mar 2008 4:18 am

Good decision, Clinton! I'm envious.....that's a dream guitar of mine as well. Enjoy it in good health.

Bill Moore · Post by **Bill Moore** » 20 Mar 2008 4:57 am

Clinton, you are lucky to get this one! Good luck to you!

Richard Argus · Post by **Richard Argus** » 20 Mar 2008 5:59 am

Clinton,
You have done well!
All of the S10 Emmons I have heard have a special sound.

I find the push pulls tend to stay in tune and the mechanism is very reliable.

As an indication of your good deal, two years ago an Emmons LeGrande II SD10 (ex Perth) sold for $3K.

Richard

Clinton Kraus · Post by **Clinton Kraus** » 20 Mar 2008 7:03 am

Well, I'll tell you what. You guys are just fantastic!
Thanks-you all for your advice, feedback and congratulations. You have left me with a wonderful feeling of support, I really do appreciate all of the assistance in this purchase.
I will have my hands on it in roughly 12 hours and will let you all know how it is/sounds and how I am progressing now that I am a pedal steel player.
Cheers to you all
CK

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 20 Mar 2008 9:25 am

In the picture of the end plate, where the open and lower tuners are, you can see what looks like a couple of holes on either side of the block, where the patent number is. Is that something that Emmons did?

Brett Foster · Post by **Brett Foster** » 21 Mar 2008 12:44 am

Clinton,
I was watching this item from Brisbane (I got the seller to add the undercarriage and end-plate pictures to help check it out) Unfortunately, the "local pick up" was going to be complicated for me over the next month so I decided not to "buy it now" - good luck, I'm sure it is the last PSG bargain we'[ll see in Australia this decade,

Don Nemarnik · Post by **Don Nemarnik** » 9 Apr 2008 12:59 am

wow, just saw this. I was trying to rent a steel down there. I think I paid more than that to ship my exact same guitar down there and back last month.... nice score!

Tony Davis · Post by **Tony Davis** » 9 Apr 2008 3:50 am

Hey Clinton !!!!

think you did OK there.......I have had my push /pull Emmons SD 10...here in Brisbane since 1972... done 4..5...6....nights a week on it......taken it out to Mt Isa ..Boulia ..Camoowheel...........been thrown into Aeroplanes....back of Utes and Trucks..........there is a little chrome flakingon a couple of legs..but I swear by it..........only Tip I have.....is use a 12 guage String as 3rd string 10 and 11 dont last long...they break

Call or email if you need help
Tony