Emmons value

Garry Pugh · From: Nashville Indiana

I'm looking at a 1968 Emmons D10,5 in average condition, any idea what it is worth, approximately.

I haven't played it yet but I know I will have to have the setup changed on both necks, which I am told should run about $500.

Just trying to get an idea of what I should pay for it.
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Emmons PP D10 8X5, GFI Ultra D10,both are setup up "Emmons" style. Quilter 202 Tone Block, Nashville 400, Milkman 85, Stewart PA200, BW and JBL speakers, Profex II

cell # 812-603-1612

Ray DeVoe · From: Hudson, FL

Hi Gary

I sent you a PM with an approximate value. I own a 68 and have a pretty good idea of its current market value. The value's I sent you are for a guitar in good all around condition with decal on front. If the decal has been removed and a badge screwed on, the guitar loses a little value. It will still play and sound great though. Smile

Good luck with your possible purchase.

Ray D.
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Garry Pugh · From: Nashville Indiana

Thank you Ray
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Emmons PP D10 8X5, GFI Ultra D10,both are setup up "Emmons" style. Quilter 202 Tone Block, Nashville 400, Milkman 85, Stewart PA200, BW and JBL speakers, Profex II

cell # 812-603-1612

Jim Palenscar · From: Oceanside, Calif, USA

In general I've seen them go from about $3000-$3500 +/- 10%. There are some asking for up to 80% more but I'm not sure that any of them sell for near that w/o some very unique history or features.

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

wow!!!
$500 to change a setup??
wow!!

and i used to do it for friends for free.
i must have been a fool.
i guess that was back before steel guitar became big business.

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

Chris,
That includes the plane ticket from Hawaii! Whoa!

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

It depends on how much you want changed.
I had Bruce completely redo my C6th neck, I think it cost $175, but it was EVERY rod and bellcrank on 5 pedals and 4 knees. In the 90s
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

i get the impression bruce might not be available for that anymore?
anyone know?

it's true that i don't particularly want to get involved anymore, even with my own.
but i would if i acquired something for myself that needed switching....which would be anything i got.

Garry Pugh · From: Nashville Indiana

I made contact with 2 well known guys about the setup change, both were recommended by Mike Johnson and both gave me the same price for a setup, $250 per neck.
_________________
Emmons PP D10 8X5, GFI Ultra D10,both are setup up "Emmons" style. Quilter 202 Tone Block, Nashville 400, Milkman 85, Stewart PA200, BW and JBL speakers, Profex II

cell # 812-603-1612

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

i guess the touchy feely good vibe brotherhood of steel player days is over.
people were anxious to help and share in their special little world.
now we have 'salesmen' and 'technicians' and 'factory specs' and alot of other bull.
it's like when the 60's ended and psychedelic art became graphics for commercials.
shame on everyone.
'far out' became 'sold out'!

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

Chris, many people will still do it for little or nothing. But a guy recommended by Mike Johnson will likely be a professional and get it done very well and quickly.
Bring it to me and I'll do it for the cost of buying me lunch.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Eric Philippsen · From: Central Florida USA

Leave it to Chris to speak bluntly. Seriously, I like his postings. Often they're a darn breath of fresh air that make me think and even reconsider my own opinions. He's been around the block a time or two, a quality that deserves listening.

But this time I have a different opinion than him. I mean, yes, things used to be different and, often, just plain better. Heck, we older players also remember the days where gigs were coming out of the woodwork. You could play out all the time, almost as many nights as your schedule would allow. That's certainly not true now and it will never happen again. Never. If one thinks it will then they're unrealistic. If one talks about those good-ole-days too much then they're living in the past. Too often this ole' guy has to haul myself up short when I find myself doing that. Livin' in the past.

The same holds true for this post's subject. Yeah, days gone by guys did steel adjustments and mods for free. Doesn't happen (much) nowadays. I'm ok with that.

Mike Cass does great Emmons' work. He's worked on maybe 5 or 6 of mine, doing a range of services from basket-case restorations to tweaking simple one KL student models

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

Eric, I'd say BOTH positions are still true.
In the 80s, I knew folks to go to that would do it from friendship and for the sake of a fun afternoon, but I also knew people who did it for real money, and gave it meticulous attention to detail.
BOTH are still around, and with the Internet it's easy to find lots of the pros, but the "bring it over we'll knock it out over a beer" still has to be local.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Tom Quinn · Posted 13 Aug 2015 12:19 pm

No offense to Jim, but I think $3500 for a '68 is about three years past due. I was quoted $5700 for a similar guitar (not horn) a few months ago. Didn't a fatback go for $6 large or thereabouts this week on the forum buy&sell? A '68 is worth more than a '70.

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=288320&highlight=
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I need an Emmons!

Jim Palenscar · From: Oceanside, Calif, USA

I agree that most of my pricing is a bit low~ that said- I've not seen many older Emmons guitars go for more than 4k- unless they have just been gone through and totally restored. Maybe I need to re-evaluate the price on the Garrish guitar I have here Smile

Jerry Roller · From: Van Buren, Arkansas USA

I believe a person could set up 3 Zums in the time it would take to set up the push pull correctly. It is a very time consuming job at least for me especially any more when we want the second string to raise to E and still have the lower to D and C#. That in itself is about as much work as setting up a D10 all pull. Some guys make their living doing this but I could not. However, those guys have to charge for their work or they would have to spend that time doing something to make a living. I am sure I can't make over $5.00 and hour working on a push pull guitar, at least I never have.
Jerry
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Jim Palenscar · From: Oceanside, Calif, USA

I absolutely agree with you Jerry. If someone wants to donate their time and money to someone- more power to them. Chris and I are friends but disagree about giving away what has taken us years to learn and have as a trade, as much as playing music is a trade (even though most of us admittedly would like to play for free), or mowing lawns, cleaning pools, delivering the mail, etc. If this is your source of income I feel absolutely no shame in charging, especially in that it costs me about $150/day in overhead, have over 40 years of experience in this field, and about 20k in equipment and frequently have to enlist the help of those with talents that exceed mine - ie- CNC machining, aluminum welding, ordering special materials to do a specific job right,etc. A push-pull takes approximately 4-5 times as long/job as an all pull to do the same job and it extracts its pound of flesh each time. Every day that I spend working on guitars is another day of my life that is gone and I value that day more than anyone can know and hope that what I do is appreciated by my customers who make it all worthwhile.

Charlie McVay · From: Pittsburgh, Pa. USA

I totally agree with Jerry and Jim. I quit restoring and setting them up just for that reason. Most P/P players don't understand the time involved in even making a simple knee lever change. When I give them a price to add a knee lever and make changes, etc they would say, oh ok, that sounds high. I try to tell them its very time consuming and how much does there job pay per hour and leave it at that. Its not there fault, they just don't understand the time involved working on a P/P verses an all pull guitar.

Tom Quinn · Posted 14 Aug 2015 4:04 am

An Emmons has never been "just another steel guitar" to me and I suspect to those of us who play the best pedal steel ever made. I'd have no problem with someone charging me to straighten out my push-pull.
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I need an Emmons!

Charlie McVay · From: Pittsburgh, Pa. USA

Tom, you are exactly correct as I know having played Emmons P/P's most of my life.

Steve Spitz · From: New Orleans, LA, USA

In many ways we are still a brotherhood, but that doesn't demand working for free. The complexity of the job is a major factor, but I can understand the top techs charging what they think they should.

As far as the time per hour factor, you're often paying a professional for what they know, as well as what they do. It may be unrealistic to compare it to what you make per hour. If one man can do in half an hour what it takes another man to do in four hours, should the speedier tech be paid less for being faster ?

Nobody is forcing anyone to go to the best techs, but there is a reason those guys are busy.

We don't want to work for less than our perceived market value, same for your plumber, Barber, or Doctor. Should a top steel tech expect less because we are a brotherhood?

I've helped newbies for free, on simple , minimal stuff. I bet a lot of us have. One difference is if I'm not satisfied with a job paid for, I can get it made right. If someone doesn't like my freebie help, no such recourse.

steve takacs · From: beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)

Jerry Roller said:
"I believe a person could set up 3 Zums in the time it would take to set up the push pull correctly. It is a very time consuming job at least for me especially any more when we want the second string to raise to E and still have the lower to D and C#. That in itself is about as much work as setting up a D10 all pull."

Jerry is on target; it takes expertise and time to work on an Emmons so the cost is commensurate. Many of us who use all-pull steels know this and prefer being able to set up our own steels.

I wish I were more mechanically adept to work on an Emmons but I'm positive it would be worse off than when I started. An all-pull however is within my limited skill-set and is less time-consuming. It is not the only reason I prefer all-pulls either, but it is one of them.

And too, unless you live near a push-pull specialist, be prepared to factor in the cost of shipping ($200-$250) so, in the end one, is paying $700-$750 for a set-up. Then there is the possibility of damage during shipping. stevet

Tom Quinn · Posted 14 Aug 2015 7:31 pm

And worth every penny...
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I need an Emmons!

Damir Besic · From: Nashville,TN.

last Franklin sold on here for $8000, your 1968 Emmons should be worth at least $25,000...
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Tom Quinn · Posted 14 Aug 2015 8:39 pm

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