Which EMMONS should i buy

Bobby Traneskog · Post by **Bobby Traneskog** » 7 Jan 2018 6:51 am

I was looking for a better pedal steel than my last studentmodel

I've been offered a D-10 LeGrande 1, black, year made: unknown
2981usd, the condition is used but good.

The other one is an SD-10 LeGrande 2, midnight blue, year made: mid 80's
3523usd, the condition seems very good..

I am not so interested in C6, and i don't like black psg as much as every psg-player seems to do ðŸ™‚

So what's better with an LeGrande 2 instead of a number1 ?
Is it better to pass these 2 and wait for a number 3?

Some folks say the older ones are better?
Can somebody give me a tip, so i don't waste any good deals

//Bobby

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 7 Jan 2018 6:53 am

If you aren't interested in the C6th neck so with the SD-10 Legrande II.
I don't know if it makes that much difference but the Legrande II has the 14 hole bell cranks.
That guitar is hard to beat!

Erv

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 7 Jan 2018 7:41 am

Either one would be great. It does depend on the instruments condition though. If they are both in good shape buy the pretty one ! You are welcome to skype me or email pictures. I have recently been switching over to legrande s and may have some insights for you.

Bobby Traneskog · Post by **Bobby Traneskog** » 7 Jan 2018 8:22 am

Thanks for answers

But what's about split tunings and counter force?
Isn't that worth a few extra $ ?

The year of production doesn't matter on these Emmons PSG either?
Good features, upgrades and so on?

If some colors are lower valued than other doesn't bother me..
I just want a good guitar that plays well

Jeremy Moyers · Post by **Jeremy Moyers** » 7 Jan 2018 8:31 am

I had a LeGrande and loved it. Moved "up" to a LeGrande II and was dissapointed in it. I also played a few LeGrande III's and never did like the counterforce system. My LeGrande II just never sounded or played anything like my LeGrande. I've played others LeGrande II's that were great though. Point being, you can't go by specs or other people's ecommendations. You really need to play them if possible to see which one feels and sounds better to you.

If all else fails, black always sounds better! ðŸ˜œ

Good luck with the purchase! I'm sure both guitars are great.

Jeremy

Charley Hill · Post by **Charley Hill** » 7 Jan 2018 8:39 am

I beg to differ on the looks part. When you are sitting behind a guitar that looks terrible, it will affect the way you look at playing or even practicing.

Look at Tommy Dodd for example. He plays very colorful guitars that match his personality. Bright and Energetic. He loves playing and it shows.

Black just simply looks good on stage. It fits in regardless of the venue or atmosphere.

Black or Rosewood are my picks FWIW.

The Legrandes are Great. The 3 is stiffer to play. Each has it's on advantages and personas.

Bobby Boggs · Post by **Bobby Boggs** » 7 Jan 2018 8:54 am

the other one is an SD-10 LeGrande 2, midnight blue, year made: mid 80's
3523usd, the condition seems very good..

FWIW. There were no LeGrandes II's built in the mid 80's. In 91 The Lashley LeGrandes began up showing up with 14 hole bell-cranks. But many had 4 hole bellcranks.By 92 all but custom ordered guitars had the 14 hole cranks. Bottom line. The 14 hole Lashley LeGrandes bring a better price. There were a few minor tweaks on the LeGrande II's. Fret-boards with wide marks.Going to a 9/16 changer axial comes to mind.

Douglas Schuch · Post by **Douglas Schuch** » 7 Jan 2018 8:54 am

I totally agree with Erv - if you are not interested in playing C6, don't buy a double-neck - a lot of expense and weight that is doing you no good. Find a good S-10 of SD-10 - Emmons if you prefer, but many other great brands. Everyone knows that Black steels sound the best, but I've heard red ones are faster. I have a burgundy one - best of both?

Rick Barnhart · Post by **Rick Barnhart** » 7 Jan 2018 9:10 am

I wouldn't be so quick to eliminate a C6 neck. It may not interest you now, but you may find it's your favorite, down the road. I did.

Kevin Fix · Post by **Kevin Fix** » 7 Jan 2018 1:54 pm

C6. Yup!!!!

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 7 Jan 2018 3:21 pm

Bobby Traneskog wrote:
I am not so interested in C6, and i don't like black psg as much as every psg-player seems to do ðŸ™‚)

I think you answered your own question. Either guitar will provide a lifetime of great playing.

Mike Holder · Post by **Mike Holder** » 7 Jan 2018 4:14 pm

If it were me Iâ€™d buy the D-10, you donâ€™t have to play the C6 neck but you wonâ€™t be able to if it isnâ€™t there. Also you get both necks for $500.00 less.

Clyde Mattocks · Post by **Clyde Mattocks** » 7 Jan 2018 6:38 pm

By all means, buy the D 10. You'll get more chicks that way. When its not your turn to play, get on that back neck with the volume off and stomp the pedals like crazy and make all kinds of faces. I actually know a guy that has one pedal hooked to nothing. He stays on that one 90% of the time.

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 8 Jan 2018 6:51 am

........another option.

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtop ... highlight=

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 8 Jan 2018 8:23 am

I don't think you could get a LeGrande II with the counterforce, that didn't come out until the LeGrande III.
As far as I know, that was the only difference.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 8 Jan 2018 8:33 am

excellent comments above.

The Legrande 1 as you refer to it is the 1st version Legrande, it contains 4 hole Bell cranks but is similar in every other way to a Legrande II.

The Legrande II uses 14 hole Bellcranks, but you may run across a few with first version Legrande components such as knee lever kits with 4 hole Bell Cranks. They may have been added after the factory build. It's not uncommon. The parts are indeed interchangeable and high quality.

The Legrande III is a Legrande II with the Counterforce option.

Regarding color, my taste is Black or Brown (Rosewood) as these are the most accepted and should you want to sell it one day they will attract the largest market. Most everyone will buy a Brown or Black guitar but maybe not a Bright Blue or Bright Green.

regarding a D10, well, it's another tuning for a few bucks more and if its' there, you will dabble in it. I recently SOLD my S10's so that I can now only bring a D10 to the gigs !

I have owned a Black Legrande, excellent Instrument, I currently own a BLACK LII and it is one of two Emmons Steels which I play on gigs regularly. The other is Brown 81 Push Pull.

jump in the pond with a D10 I say !

Bobby Traneskog · Post by **Bobby Traneskog** » 10 Jan 2018 3:54 am

Thanks for all answers,

That gave me more to think about..
ðŸ‘

Leo Grassl · Post by **Leo Grassl** » 10 Jan 2018 3:29 pm

To add to what Tony Prior said: There was a short period when Legrande IIs were being built where every single part of the guitar was a " Legrande II" except for the sticker,
which just simply read "Lashely Legrande" like the earlier models before them. All the components were 100% what is known as a Legrande II. 14 hole bell cranks and all. I owned one of these guitars and it was a great guitar. It was Built in 91.

Bill L. Wilson · Post by **Bill L. Wilson** » 10 Jan 2018 10:18 pm

I love my old 1995 Black Emmons LeGrande D-10. The best and last steel Iâ€™ll ever own.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 11 Jan 2018 2:05 am

Leo Grassl wrote:To add to what Tony Prior said: There was a short period when Legrande IIs were being built where every single part of the guitar was a " Legrande II" except for the sticker,
which just simply read "Lashely Legrande" like the earlier models before them. All the components were 100% what is known as a Legrande II. 14 hole bell cranks and all. I owned one of these guitars and it was a great guitar. It was Built in 91.

Well not to set fire to the wood pile, but like Leo, my 1st D10 Emmons Legrande was indeed a 4 hole puller guitar and had the Lashely Legrande badge. And yes, true , many L II's came out of the factory with the Lashely Legrande badge.

Who knows what they were thinking...

The only real way too tell if it's an L II with that badge is turn it upside down and look at it !

But not to worry , regardless, they are all great guitars, I would grab one in a NY minute if the price and timing were in the cards. I should have kept the 1st one ! 8+5 D10, in world famous BLACK !

Pat Moore · Post by **Pat Moore** » 13 Jan 2018 10:03 am

Hi Bobby,
Just a note on this. Billy Cooper's music has a nice Emmons SD-10 LeGrande SKH in his store right now. Can't go wrong with a SKH (Short Key Head). Tone to the bone. I have a D-10 SKH and it definitely has tone to the bone. Send him or Wanda an email on Tues.

http://billycooperssteelguitar.com

All the best in you search!
Pat

Steven Paris · Post by **Steven Paris** » 14 Jan 2018 7:56 pm

"Which EMMONS should i buy"
Push-Pull

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 15 Jan 2018 8:51 am

A push/pull is not for the novice.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 15 Jan 2018 8:59 am

Erv Niehaus wrote:A push/pull is not for the novice.

Why not ? If a new player wanted an Emmons Steel in 60's, 70's and thru the mid 80's,it's not like they had any choices !

Dance with the one ya' brung....

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 15 Jan 2018 9:05 am

It's not the 60's, 70's or 80's; it's 2018.

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Which EMMONS should i buy

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