MCI Guitars

Willis Vanderberg · Post by **Willis Vanderberg** » 26 Jun 2002 7:25 am

Hello....Does anyone out there know the story of MCI..EMCI ? I have two MCI instruments and one has a solid aluminum frame while the other has wood on one side.
Why is this company out of business ? They certainly didn't die from a lack of quality .
Thanks
Buddy Van
MCI SD-10,S-10,Fender 1000,Fender double eight,BR-9 Gibson X 2.Dobro,Evans SE200.Nashville 400's X2.

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 26 Jun 2002 7:43 am

The short story is that they sold the company to Gretsch, who buried them just like they did when they bought Sho-Bud.

Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 26 Jun 2002 7:55 am

The MCI and EMCI seem to sell for a lower price than comparable steel guitars. Did they have a decent sound? They sure look good.

Rick

Willis Vanderberg · Post by **Willis Vanderberg** » 26 Jun 2002 7:56 am

Hey Jim ..thanks for the info..but where did EMCI fit in ?

Willis Vanderberg · Post by **Willis Vanderberg** » 26 Jun 2002 8:02 am

Rick..to answer your question about the MCI sound.I have a close friend who is picking on the Mullen that was built for Jimmy Day just before he passed away.He said my guitar has a great sound.I have been picking for over fifty years.I currently am running thru a Evans SE200 which I just received.It has the new speaker set up and is wonderful.
I don't have the fast hands but my tone quality is great.Both MCI'S that I have sound good to me although a little different.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 26 Jun 2002 8:04 am

As I understand, these were designed by Bud Carter, of "Carter" guitar fame, and they ceased production of the EMCI in the mid to late '80s (it was a rough time for steel makers). I'm sure that if you e-mail Ann Fabian at the Carter website, she can pass on your questions to Bud. Also, there are several players here on the Forum that still play the MCI and EMCI steels.

Check this link, and do a search using MCI. There's plenty of info here already.
http://steelguitarforum.com/Archives/Archive-000003/HTML/20011227-1-006906.html

Yes, it was a good steel.

Chris Forbes · Post by **Chris Forbes** » 26 Jun 2002 8:25 am

Why on earth does Gretsch keep buying these companies and then don't do anything with them? Are they on crack or is there an obvious explanation I'm missing?<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Chris Forbes on 26 June 2002 at 09:31 AM.]</p></FONT>

Glenn Suchan · Post by **Glenn Suchan** » 26 Jun 2002 9:34 am

They're on crack.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 26 Jun 2002 1:22 pm

Sarah Jory plays an EMCI on stage.
she did last year when i saw here.
c'est tout !

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 26 Jun 2002 9:11 pm

The E was added to MCI when Buddy Emmons got involved. The company started in Waco and was purchased by John Burkhead and moved to Arlington. I have have an Arlington EMCI. Great guitar. Jim Smith would be a good source to answer questions. This subject was on several months back. Check the archives and maybe it is still there. Jody.

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 26 Jun 2002 10:37 pm

Where is John Burkhead these days ?
He was very gracious, helpful and generous to me when I was just getting started. The guitar I got from him was one of the best I ever owned.

Bob