Emmons SKH Problems?????????

Jory Simmons · Post by **Jory Simmons** » 31 Dec 2008 2:18 pm

I am considering getting a 1985 Legrande SD10 SKH....But I have heard there are problems with the changer screws...loosening/breaking/cracking????? ANYBODY know about any problems with these Guitars? Just Chime in Boys! Jory

Ron Brennan · Post by **Ron Brennan** » 31 Dec 2008 3:31 pm

Jory,

I acquired an "83" SKH D10...#77L from Bobbe Seymour approx. 2 years ago.

100% no problems, Nada, zero. Moreover, I am totally happy with the tone, sustain (as well at the upper register/frets) and broke, maybe 3 strings with the imfamous 3rd string.

It stays in tune better or as good as any guitar I have ever owned.....never had or foresee any problems with the changer system. Still, one must do a nodicum of PM's as with any mechanical system.....

And, it's an Emmons....

Hope this helps........Happy New Year...

TX

Rgds,

Ron

Paul E Vendemmia · Post by **Paul E Vendemmia** » 31 Dec 2008 4:21 pm

That's a lot of crap!!!! Mostly internet crap!!!!
I've had three of them and they were all very good.
Paul

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 31 Dec 2008 4:43 pm

I've never heard about changer screws breaking, and I've looked, since I have an '85 SKH. One thing that seems to come up occasionally is the rivets that hold the two-piece changer finger together come loose. For example, see these threads, and I'm sure there are plenty more on the old forum:

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=123382
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=102603

As you can see, some people find issues, others not. I had my SKH in a hundred pieces a few months ago to clean and tune up the undercarriage, clean and teflon-lube the changer, and reassemble everything to my specs. I had a chance to carefully clean and inspect the changers, and everything seemed to be totally jake after 23 years. There was no noticeable play in the rivets, and everything seemed to function fine. When I got it back together all cleaned, tuned, and lubed up, it played like buttah. I understand that this was Hal Higgins' main guitar for some time, and got plenty of use.

Of course, there are all kinds of opinions and factoids on the distinction between various kinds of Legrands and Legrande vs Push-Pull

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=106877
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum5/HTML/011043.html
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum5/HTML/013770.html
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum5/HTML/013427.html
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum5/HTML/006964.html

- and more. I finally gave up trying to choose, found a good push-pull to go with my SKH, and now I'm happy.

I would read Bobby Boggs' and Jerry Roller's technical posts on the SKH carefully. As I've been playing my SKH for the last 2 and a half years or so, and especially as I tore it apart, cleaned it, and put it back together, I found their comments in various places very helpful. It appears to me that they know these guitars very well.

My own take on playability and tone is that 1) playability on mine is tremendous - perhaps the shorter keyhead and resultant slightly less string travel for pulls helps, and 2) I found the sound good and tight with a nice, strong midrange to it. I mean that in a good way - too much midrange would bug me.

I'm sort of curious - if a rivet goes on a changer finger, is it that tough to fix? It doesn't sound like a huge deal to me, but probably annoying. Aren't rivets used on most fingers like this?

John Cadeau · Post by **John Cadeau** » 31 Dec 2008 5:52 pm

I'm playing a short keyhead Emmons LeGrande that I acquired in 1987, and have not had any problems whatsoever. The first five years I had it, I was playing six nights a week 52 weeks a year. I'm still using it, it sounds great, and it stays in tune better than any other steel guitar I've ever played.
John

Ulf Edlund · Post by **Ulf Edlund** » 1 Jan 2009 4:49 am

My 1983 LeGrande is rock solid and still plays perfectly.
It's also a true joy listening to the sound she produces, even with me playing!

Jack Stanton · Post by **Jack Stanton** » 1 Jan 2009 5:07 pm

I own one of the earliest SKH Legrands (002)which had a LOT of heavy use by it's previous owner,and it still plays and sounds great!

John Cadeau · Post by **John Cadeau** » 1 Jan 2009 6:38 pm

Mine is one of the early ones too. Serial #005.
John

Hal Higgins · Post by **Hal Higgins** » 2 Jan 2009 2:35 pm

I had an '85 SKH LeGrande....and I never once had a problem with the changer at all....I had this guitar for about 7 years, too....probably one of the best Emmons Guitars I ever had......(Kick my Butt for getting rid of it, too.) HAL

Barry Gaskell · Post by **Barry Gaskell** » 3 Jan 2009 5:40 am

Hi Jory
I have an SKH, serial no 094L, and it's the best guitar I've ever owned for tuning, never breaks strings,mechanically superb,totally reliable and compact, and sounds supercalifragelisticexpialodocious (spelling ??). Give it the usual check out and if all seems ok, GO FOR IT

Barry

Mike Archer · Post by **Mike Archer** » 3 Jan 2009 8:22 am

well ive had several skh emmons

and never a problem its the most well built

steel ive ever seen GO GET THAT PUPPY!!

AND YOU WILL LOVE IT MIKE

John McGuire · Post by **John McGuire** » 5 Jan 2009 11:59 am

I have s/n 175L and have had no problems what so ever.

JW Day · Post by **JW Day** » 6 Jan 2009 7:02 am

Jory.
I have serial # 033L Which I bought new in 82.Last year I had to replace the selector switch, not from wearing out, but the small screws backed out and it would not change necks. I have owned A legrande 2 and A 3. These were wonderful sounding and playing guitars, but, for my ears, I like the SKH. Buy as with any machine, it depends on how it was cared for over the years. I am still playing at least 2-3 nights A week. As always the ole' Emmons is still my choice. Jump at this chance to own this guitar,you can always sell it if you don't like it. Fraturnally, JW Day

The Steel Guitar Forum

Emmons SKH Problems?????????

Emmons SKH Problems?????????

Emmons SKH Problems.

Emmons SKH problems

skh emmons

Skh