Which steel to buy in your opinion and why

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 21 Feb 2003 9:42 pm

Jeff,I own a 69 Emmons D10 which I bought from Ron Lashley back in 69. I have had little or no expierience regarding using anything but the single coil pickups that came with the guitar.

I had both pickups wound to 20,000 ohms as I wanted a fatter fuller tone.

I have aluminum necks and have found my guitar to be suitable,,however there are so many guitars out there with advanced technology,I wonder all things considered how you rate,lets for arguments sake compare
my Emmons to the guitars at present,....
excluding the new Emmons guitars.

I like the single coil pickups,but I do get
an audio hum when I kick up the gain. Any suggestions? The Emmons in my way of thinking is the standard of the Industry but are the others advancing beyond the pp Emmons? and by what margin?. And what is it that makes the pp Emmons the guitar many would like to own?

I hear nothing but praise for the pp Emmons guitars regardless of the antiquated method of design.If this is so why are the Emmons pp guitars so much in demand and the price of a pp is much more costly than other brands? of a similar vintage. Again Jeff,I have no way of making comparisons to other guitars presently on the market. If we were discussing non pedal guitars,my evaluation would obviously be Fender,,but this is a different ball game.

Any comments would be appreciated. Sorry to bog you down with these questions,but you may save my Emmons from finding a new home.

Thank you[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 21 February 2003 at 09:47 PM.]

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 22 Feb 2003 1:46 am

ShoBud is the Apple and Emmons is the Orange.
It's apples and oranges....two completely different pieces of Fruit, but both real yummy.
The Fulawka is the Rolls Royce...and yes that's my opinion.....and Ed Fulawka was building guitars before ShoBud and Emmons were ever conceived..........so yes he is confident because he knows a little something about it.
Ricky

Al Miller · Post by **Al Miller** » 22 Feb 2003 5:53 am

Ricky !!
If sho-bud & Emmons are the apples and oranges of the steel guitar world then "MULLEN" must Be the tomato since the tomato is really a fruit after all

.... I havent played any other guitar since I got this Mullen and if I were in the market for a new one today Yes I would try All of the above brands first But they would have a lot of selling to do with me before I would change guitars at this point . so as for What guitar to look at . if I had an opinion in the matter I would say call Dell & dixie or better yet call herbie Wallace he can explain the Why in much more detail than me

just my two cents !!
BOO

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 22 Feb 2003 10:26 am

I have a special sentimental attachment to my
69 push pull Emmons.

It was during the time I was a Fender rep when a friend of mine who was a buddy of Ron's asked me if I could help Ron get his foot in the door in the New York,New Jersey,Connecticut area.

Since I knew all the dealers my buddy "now deceased" Luke Morris asked me to try to help
Ron,, they were close friends.

I did and Ron was able to sell some Emmons guitars to Mannys Music on 48th street Manhattan. That opened the door for Ron.

I have posted this story at length somewhere on the Forum and I would have to look for it
for as I forgot where I posted it. There are times I think of selling my Emmons.I dont think it has a 100 hours on it,if that much and if I can say what I often times hear people say.."This guitar has NEVER been out on a gig" and the only time it was taken from my home was when I moved,and that was NOT touched by the moving people,my guitars went
into the trunk of my car and were hand carried by myself when my wife and I stopped
at Motels on the way to Florida where I dont live any way.

I find it very difficult parting with my memories and this is one of the many I have.
I think its a great guitar and too add to this, Ron had Fred Trogden "now deceased" do this guitar of mine from scratch and it didnt go through the usual assembly procedures..I have a personal letter from Fred regarding his feelings as to his appreciation for helping Ron get his foot in the door in this area, and he paid me back by putting all he could into my guitar.They often call that "soul".

I did look after Emmons guitars when I called
on Manny's..I didnt get paid to do this, I didnt get a free guitar, I was paid back by a great guitar and the respect and friendship
that was given to me by Ron Lashley Sr and
another good friend Fred Trogden.

I'll look for the thread. You guys have time
to read what I posted??

NO Body touches my guitars NOBODY.

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 22 Feb 2003 11:15 am

I'd stay away from anything remotely hard to change the copedant of.

You say you've been playing music all your life.
You will undoubtedly want to add/remove/modify what your pedals/levers do at some point, and having a steel that makes this easy will allow for countless hours of musical exploritory enjoyment (or, a big headache with your steel turned upside down on a work bench and a big long distance bill).

I also suggest you buy a brand built by a company that is within driving distance if possible.
Getting first hand adjustment training, parts and parts installation, ect, is a great benefit of living near the builder.

The Fessy sounds like it may be your best bet to me.
Vermont is real nice most any time of year and just a few hours from the city!
Also, Jerry goes to alot of steel functions in your area.

[This message was edited by Pete Burak on 23 February 2003 at 09:34 AM.]

Post by **Joey Ace** » 22 Feb 2003 11:17 am

"NO Body touches my guitars NOBODY"

I guess I'm NOBODY

, because I had the honor of playing this Emmons Push-Pull.

Jody's not exagerating when he says it's mint, it is. I've seen new unsold guitars that weren't in as nice shape.

I'm sure this is because Jody's heart belongs to his non-pedal Fenders, so not much time is spent with this "new-fangled" contraption.

And it's the correct color for an old Emmons. Black just sounds better..

Thanks for letting me enjoy pickin this piece of history, Jody.

Post by **Joey Ace** » 22 Feb 2003 11:25 am

Sorry for the topic drift, Mike.

Back to your original question, I like Carter Pro models and would reccommend one.

You won't go wrong with a Fessy either.
Get out to a Steel Show or two and see different ones close up. It's worth the trip just for the inspiration. Grand Rapids is just a day's drive for you.

The PSGA show in CT is nearer, but not until Nov.