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Post new topic MCI, EMCI, Welded frame, non welded frame
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Author Topic:  MCI, EMCI, Welded frame, non welded frame
Austin Tripp

 

From:
Westminster SC
Post  Posted 18 Feb 2010 7:37 pm    
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When it come to MCI guitars, I dont know diddly about them. Tone wise, what is the difference between a welded frame and a non welded frame? Also tone wise, what is the difference between the EMCI and the MCI? Any changer or mechanism differences? Really the only thing I know about them is that Buddy was involved with the EMCI. Just curious, thanks in advance!!
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Murnel Babineaux


From:
Mermentau, Louisiana, USA
Post  Posted 18 Feb 2010 10:20 pm    
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More reliable design: welded frame.

Sound? I'll shoot first in order to make subjective nonsense extremely subjective and therefore nonsensical to it's subjective order.

welded frame: C6th neck sounds better.

non-welded frame: E9th neck sounds better

Murneleaux
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Peter Nylund


From:
Finland
Post  Posted 18 Feb 2010 11:06 pm    
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Sounds of a welded frame model can be heard here: http://www.myspace.com/peternylund
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Henry Matthews


From:
Texarkana, Ark USA
Post  Posted 19 Feb 2010 7:30 am    
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I personally like the welded frame tone myself. Seems to have a little more zing I call it. However the MCI Waco models were great sounding guitars. I have an MCI RangeXpander model which is the welded frame and the Pre-Runner to the EMCI. As I understand, these were made in Dallas area.

Here is the story I heard about the EMCI. When MCI moved to Dallas, the name MCI was already taken by some other company so the MCI name for steels was infringing on their copyrighted name. Buddy came up with the idea to just change the spelling and make it EM-CI, which would be pronounced the same. That was done but the - was left out so it became EMCI. If this is true, them the E in MCI doesn't stand for Emmons but would sure be alright with me if it did.
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Peter Freiberger

 

From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 19 Feb 2010 9:22 am    
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There's been a great deal written on the Forum about MCI/EMCI guitars. You can do a search to find it all.

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/search.php

as well as searching the archives:

http://steelguitarforum.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?action=intro&default=A:000004

Judgements on tone are, as noted, entirely subjective. Interstingly, Buddy Emmons and Curly Chalker, whose tonal preferences are quite different IMHO have both chosen to play them at one point in their careers.
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Mike Archer


From:
church hill tn
Post  Posted 23 Feb 2010 1:03 am     great playing Peter
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great playing Peter Nylund
steel sounds great
I like that tone !!!
Mike Very Happy
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Jay Jessup


From:
Charlottesville, VA, USA
Post  Posted 23 Feb 2010 4:47 am    
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Some of my favorite E9 tones of all time is Buddy's Christmas album which is the EMCI with the E-66 pickups.
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J D Sauser


From:
Wellington, Florida
Post  Posted 24 Feb 2010 11:12 am    
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Murnel Babineaux wrote:
More reliable design: welded frame.

Sound? I'll shoot first in order to make subjective nonsense extremely subjective and therefore nonsensical to it's subjective order.

welded frame: C6th neck sounds better.

non-welded frame: E9th neck sounds better

Murneleaux


I have never tried a non-welded fram EMCI. But I am surprised to find out that an other player found that the welded frame has an exceptional C6th. "Gutsy" would be the term to describe it.
The E9th was good on the one I played too, but the C6th was mindbogglingly exceptional.

... J-D.
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Roger Rettig


From:
Naples, FL
Post  Posted 24 Feb 2010 12:13 pm    
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I once had an MCI - I'm embarrassed to admit that I have no idea which sort it was, but that guitar had as good a tone as I've ever got from a steel! It was a bit past-its-best and there was some wear underneath, but it sustained for ever in the upper-registers.

I've had numerous ZBs, a Pro111, a Derby and a bunch of LeGrandes, and that MCI still sticks out in my mind.

And I agree with Jay - Buddy's tone on his Christmas album is as good as I've ever heard!
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Paddy Long


From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
Post  Posted 24 Feb 2010 12:44 pm    
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I played an MCI Rangexpander for about 20 years, it was an exceptional guitar - once I changed the original Barcus Berry Pickups for GL's .. finally wore it out ! This was the welded frame version !
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Gary Dunn


From:
near Camel City, NC
Post  Posted 26 Feb 2010 4:48 am     PIctures
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Anyone have some pictures of this topic?
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Roger Rettig


From:
Naples, FL
Post  Posted 26 Feb 2010 6:13 am    
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As I said, I don't know what sort my MCI was but, if anyone's able to tell from the glimpse of the undercarriage, here it is....



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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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Jim Palenscar

 

From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
Post  Posted 26 Feb 2010 8:26 am    
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There were no true non-welded frame EMCI's, even though I've had a few come through my shop Confused . The welded frame came about as Gene Fields entered the picture with MCI bringing with him his experience using welded frames in the Fenders. The first welded frame came about in the MCI line of RangeExpanders and then continued in the EMCI line. Yours looks to be a RangeExpander Roger but can't see closely enough to be absolutely sure.
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Dallas Cheked

 

From:
Pennsylvania, USA
Post  Posted 28 Nov 2010 5:33 pm    
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Roger Rettig wrote:
As I said, I don't know what sort my MCI was but, if anyone's able to tell from the glimpse of the undercarriage, here it is....


It is a welded frame. I could see the bead of weld in the corner next to the leg socket. It seems to be the same guitar as my EMCI. Solid instrument with modest weight and outstanding tone and sustain. I don't think you'll find a better sounding steel for the price.
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Bobby Boggs

 

From:
Upstate SC.
Post  Posted 28 Nov 2010 7:03 pm    
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Willis Vanderberg


From:
Petoskey Mi
Post  Posted 29 Nov 2010 5:21 pm    
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I have owned four including the D-10 I now have. One was a range expander the rest were the non welded versions. They all had Lawrence 705 pick ups and all sounded equally as good.I would have no reservations about any of them that are in good condition. Easy to work on and a snap to change copedants. Jim Palenscar out in California has made some great improvements on the bell cranks. They are drilled, with a pin holding the rods in the bellcrank.
They seem to be holding steady at about 17 to 18 hundred for a D-10.

Old Bud
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