Emotional experience purchasing a guitar from Lynn Stafford

Tom Palmer · From: East Wenatchee, WA USA (deceased)

After selling my 87 Emmons Push Pull a couple of years ago to devote the time and funds to my business, I have felt the need to hear that sound and experience the joy of playing steel again even if it just for my own pleasure and sanity. My 87 Emmons was a black beauty that came to me in a special way and had a lot of memories tied to it. I call the gentleman I sold it to, who is in his early 80's now, to see if he was willing to sell it back to me. As it turns out, he plays it three to four hours daily and is in Emmons heaven. He politely told me I would have to out live him to get that one back. With my health, it wasn't something I was willing to bet on.
I called Lynn Stafford who had set the guitar up for me several years ago and much to my surprise he had my 87's older brother. I mean it was a 1980 Emmons exactly like my '87 except for the tuning keys and in every way, even better. Lynn had done his ground up restoration and this guitar was as good as new if not better. I could not say no and arranged to pick it up on Saturday morning, October 19th.
Just seeing the guitar made my heart skip a beat. Because I have not played in several years I ask Lynn to play a little for me while I just had a seat to listen. What came out of that guitar brought emotions out of me from the depths of my soul. The tone, sustain, and that Emmons bell tone ring just cut to my heart.
I have now had some time with it now and the emotions and memories just keep on coming.
I don't think these things are something Lynn plans for when he restores a guitar, but for me he restored a part of my being that is priceless and I shall forever be grateful.
If you are looking for a sound that will shake your soul and the sole of those of who hear you play, consider calling Lynn Stafford. You will not only get a quality restoration, you are likely to get way more than you bargained for.- Tom Palmer

Dave Bertoncini · From: Sun City West, Arizona USA

Tom
Great looking Emmons...glad to see you are back playing again.

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

You couldn't have bought from a better guy. When Lynn Stafford sets up a guitar, it IS set up by an expert. One of the top five on my list for recommending people to.

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Very nice indeed - both of them!

Maybe you should call that guy who makes the covers and get a slip-over to keep the dust of her. Very Happy

One day I'll have me a black p/p - even if I don't really deserve one....
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

A beautiful guitar for sure and you're guaranteed a life-time of pleasurable playing........

Regarding the above suggestion for getting a dust cover for your prized guitar......

I'd urge you to give that guy up in Seattle a call. It's D2F Covers.... It's tailor made! You won't be sorry and it will definitely prolong the luster and beauty of that instrument. Nothing but the best for the very best.

Dale Ware · From: Texas, USA * R.I.P.

I'd suggest you get a color chart for the covers before you order. Great looking guitar for a great guy. Dale

Marco Schouten · From: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

It looks great! Enjoy.
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JCH SD-10 with BL XR-16 pickup, Sho-Bud Volume Pedal, Evidence Audio Lyric HG cables, Quilter Steelaire combo

Mitch Ellis · From: Collins, Mississippi USA

I have a two-tone Zum that I think is very nice looking but I'll tell ya'..... black with chrome is tough to beat. Smile

(especially when it's spotless!) That's a fine lookin' steel, Tom.

Mitch

Tom Palmer · From: East Wenatchee, WA USA (deceased)

When I sold my 87 I had new cover made to send with it to the new owner. The original cover didn't have our logo and I wanted the one I sent with the guitar to have the logo. So, my new Emmons is wearing the original cover without the logo. The price was right and the service was top notch. I will be getting one with a logo soon but since the guitar will not likely be seen by anybody but me, there isn't any hurry.

I appreciate all your kind comments! I could not be happier with the guitar and the whole buying experience. Lynn, you hit it out of the park!

John Alexander · Posted 21 Oct 2013 8:31 pm

Congratulations!

Lynn Stafford · From: Ridgefield, WA USA

Tom, I can't express enough thanks for your friendship during all the years that we've known each other and done business together. I must own at least one or two shares of stock in the D2F Cover Company by now, for all the covers and leg bags I've purchased Laughing

It was my sincere pleasure to fulfill your wish to acquire another Emmons. When I purchased the guitar from my friend, Larry Petree not too long ago, I believe it was a big help to him at the time and solid investment for me. It really is an exceptional sounding Emmons and I'm just glad it turned out to be the one that suited your wishes. A lot of work goes into restoring a guitar like this but my reward is a lot more than monetary. Especially when I witness a reaction like yours, while sitting in our living room. It was a very special moment, as I began to play the guitar for you and we both heard that famous bell-like Emmons tone that only a push-pull can provide.

I'm also glad that our friend, Harley James was able to drop by and share those special moments with us. After all, if it weren't for him getting me started playing pedal steel over thirty years ago, I wouldn't even be writing this right now.

I hope you are able to enjoy this guitar for many years to come, Tom.

Thanks to everyone for your very kind words on behalf of Tom and I Smile

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Best regards,
Lynn Stafford

STEEL GUITAR WEST
http://www.steelguitarwest.com
Steel Guitar Technician (Restoration, Set-up, Service and Repair work)

Previous Emmons Authorized Dealer & Service Technician (original factory is now closed)

ZumSteel Authorized Service Technician
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billy tam R.I.P. · From: baton rouge, louisiana

Hi Tom, I am so happy you found what you were looking for and MORE with your "new" Emmons for a couple of reasons. First you are a happy guy with the new axe and second I still have my '74 laquer till someone else has to have it Laughing

Billy Tam

George Duncan Sypert · From: Colo Spgs, Co, USA

Just last week I received a package via UPS consisting of a Df2 T shirt that evidently I had won in a monthly drawing for a free T-shirt back in may which I knew nothing about. A friend emailed me that I had won the shirt. I emailed Tom to claim the prize and it showed up about 3 or 4 days later. Great fellow. Glad he has a nice PP guitar now. Also met Lynn last year in Dallas. Another nice fellow.
Also met a young fellow in Texas back in June that had just purchased a PP from Lynn. It sounded like a million bucks. Played that way too.

George

Bob Poole · From: Myrtle Beach SC, USA

Beautiful geetar Tom,& a great story...i'm 60 & have wanted an Emmons for ages.grew up 30 minutes away from the Emmons shop.My luck has always been that my finances wouldn't allow it & on the odd occasion that an affordable one did come along,i'd already gotten something else...well,i finally got that Emmons,a black "Strayhorn-era" Lashley LeGrande...it's a real beauty & when i'm @ home,i can't stay away from it...I know for a long time,my wife thought the only word in my vocabulary was "Emmons"...Congrats on a beautiful instrument.

Jerry Van Hoose · From: Wears Valley, Tennessee

Congratulations, Tom! You have a beautiful Emmons guitar. Lynn, your work & expertise is surely amazing. Tom, being a repeat D2F customer, that old man might send you a nice D2F T-Shirt too Laughing

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GFI w/Steeltronics 507, Profex II, Nashville 112’s, Hilton, George L .155’s, BJS, Steelers Choice

Steve Spitz · From: New Orleans, LA, USA

I have a Zumsteel D10 that Lynn is working on right now. It's just a set up change, not a restoration. It's tough waiting for it, but I know it will be great when it's finished. I asked around, and the majority agreed you can't go wrong working with Lynn. I'll update on the forum when he's finished. I'm sure he's going to nail it, and treat me right.

Scott Hay · From: Portland, OR / Yucca Valley, CA USA

I saw this last week and kept meaning to post. Lynn's the man. If you have an Emmons you can't go wrong with Lynn.

I also have the pleasure of having an emotional experience with my S-10 push pull every day almost, and at my Monday gig for almost 3 years now.

It came to me at a good price, as a fixer, which I took a stab at. In the end, though it sounded killer, it played like a pig. I was convinced it wasn't for me.

I took it to Lynn and was going to sell it to him, he convinced me it was a special guitar, and to leave it with him and come back two weeks later. A few weeks later, guitar looked like a brand new guitar, played infinitely better, like "how the hell did you do that!" better. It took about 5 minutes to realize I had a lifer guitar on my hands, and that I would never bother setting up one of my guitars again as long as I lived in Portland. He was right. I get compliments from the guitar from people who know the difference all the time.

I'm lucky to live pretty close to Lynn. Every time I go to his house I learn something awesome about push pulls, and narrowly escape a dangerous close call for my wallet (because he always has at least one to die for guitar). We're grateful to call you neighbor Lynn.

Thanks for my Emmons! Looking forward to my next one.

PS - Tom Palmer, got an amp recently with a D2F cover. NICE cover, impressed. Glad you have a sweet Emmons now.

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