1971 Emmons Resto - "James Blonde"

Mike Scaggs · Post by **Mike Scaggs** » 20 Feb 2019 3:24 am

Ken Byng wrote:As ever you are doing a brilliant job Mike. This guitar passed through my hands a couple of years ago. It had incredible tone, and killer birds eye veneer.

What a beautiful guitar Ken! One difference between ours is the trim. Yours has the traditions Emmons trim you would find on most all lacquer Emmons. When I did this guitar I set the trim on the edge like a 1964 Emmons because I really liked that look, plus its VERY rare to find an old Emmons with trim like that. It was a lot more precise work cutting it in but worth it to me. I think I will be using chrome frets too. I jury is still our for me which pickups I will use. I have one set of chrome 705s left that may go on this guitar or I will use some single coil Emmons if I can find a nice set.

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 20 Feb 2019 3:56 am

I think you hit the nail on the head as far as pickups are concerned Mike. I haven't heard a bad 705 pickup, especially the chrome surround ones. However, I have heard some variation in some of the Emmons single coils on push pull guitars that I've played. The birdseye guitar that I provided pics of had stunning tone, and some of it I put down to the guitar itself, and some is in the pickups. My black push pull sounds good with single coils, but that veneered guitar simply sounds incredible.

I wish I'd bought it at the time - I was selling it for my late friend who was terminally ill at the time.

Re the pics that I put up, please be assured that I didn't want to distract from your guitar which I know is going to be brilliant. It was just to show forumites an original lacquer body Emmons that hadn't been painted.

Mike Scaggs · Post by **Mike Scaggs** » 20 Feb 2019 6:34 am

Ken Byng wrote:the pics that I put up, please be assured that I didn't want to distract from your guitar which I know is going to be brilliant. It was just to show forumites an original lacquer body Emmons that hadn't been painted.

Ken, post as many pics as you like. I love seeing other guitars and the Forum to me is all about sharing knowledge and experiences. That goes for all steel forumites, post away!

Cheers!

Mike Scaggs · Post by **Mike Scaggs** » 23 Feb 2019 6:55 pm

My bud Mike getting a sneak peek!

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 24 Feb 2019 2:21 am

That could well end up being your best resto yet Mike!

Mike Scaggs · Post by **Mike Scaggs** » 24 Feb 2019 4:23 am

Ken Byng wrote:That could well end up being your best resto yet Mike!

Well thanks Ken, I appreciate that. The bottom side will be silver flocking which I thought would be a perfect mate for the vintage blonde color.

Johnie King · Post by **Johnie King** » 24 Feb 2019 11:03 am

Ken that was a beautiful pp.

john widgren · Post by **john widgren** » 24 Feb 2019 11:40 am

Mike your work is incredible! And I love your vids too!
Heres one I did a few years back...was a good un. Wood neck bolty!

john widgren · Post by **john widgren** » 24 Feb 2019 11:46 am

Nuther un... I did a full refin on this one...Poly of course.

Mike Scaggs · Post by **Mike Scaggs** » 24 Feb 2019 7:26 pm

john widgren wrote:Nuther un... I did a full refin on this one...Poly of course.

Looks amazing John!

Mike Scaggs · Post by **Mike Scaggs** » 25 Mar 2019 12:17 pm

Starting to gt prepped for the build. Yes I polished the changer. The smooth fingers have less friction when polished and anything I can do to improve actin, even a little bit, is worth it to me.

Mike Scaggs · Post by **Mike Scaggs** » 9 Apr 2019 6:50 am

Only a few weeks away now till I start the build process. This guitar is really something in person. Standby

George Seymour · Post by **George Seymour** » 9 Apr 2019 9:29 am

Mike Scaggs wrote:Only a few weeks away now till I start the build process. This guitar is really something in person. Standby

Very nice!! Does nothing at all to reduce my GAS syndrome

Mike Scaggs · Post by **Mike Scaggs** » 9 Apr 2019 9:39 am

George Seymour wrote:
Mike Scaggs wrote:Only a few weeks away now till I start the build process. This guitar is really something in person. Standby

Very nice!! Does nothing at all to reduce my GAS syndrome
Don't fight it, just let it happen naturally LOL

Mike Scaggs · Post by **Mike Scaggs** » 17 Apr 2019 6:22 am

Starting the assembly. Bolted a few things on him and going to let things settle in for a week or two.

John Steele · Post by **John Steele** » 17 Apr 2019 9:26 am

That's just beautiful, Mike.... I really like the look of the decal. Terrific job.
John Widgren, I'm pleased to tell you that D-10 has been used, carefully and respectfully, and still looks basically like the day I got it from you. Also an outstanding resto.
- John

Johnie King · Post by **Johnie King** » 17 Apr 2019 9:54 am

That s Special love it beautiful Job!

Mike Scaggs · Post by **Mike Scaggs** » 17 Apr 2019 12:40 pm

Silver flocking which is very vintage coolness... I don't like the speckle trunk paint I've seen on very early Emmons so I went with the silver, glad I did - WOW

Notice the maple wood pedal stop bar, some say it matters and I agree. I let my ears be the judge and wood wins for me.

Mike Scaggs · Post by **Mike Scaggs** » 17 Apr 2019 7:54 pm

Mike Scaggs · Post by **Mike Scaggs** » 18 Apr 2019 4:35 pm

Sneak preview... still more to do under this one..

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 19 Apr 2019 12:30 am

Astounding!! The flocking is superb too.

Olli Haavisto · Post by **Olli Haavisto** » 19 Apr 2019 12:51 am

Amazing work, Mike, just beautiful !!!
Have you ever figured how much you would have to charge for a thorough restoration like this to get a decent compensation for your time plus parts and materials? And, of course, your expertise....

Mike Scaggs · Post by **Mike Scaggs** » 19 Apr 2019 1:43 am

Olli Haavisto wrote:Amazing work, Mike, just beautiful !!!
Have you ever figured how much you would have to charge for a thorough restoration like this to get a decent compensation for your time plus parts and materials? And, of course, your expertise....

Thanks so much. I am not really doing kinda work for customers to be honest. I buy guitars when I find the right one and right deal on one that needs a restoration. Then I do them the way I like them at my own pace. These take an enormous amount of time to do the way I do it. For example, the one you see here has been in the works for 10 months now as I had a few set backs with some house repairs. You might already know how much you can get wrapped up in parts alone. When you add that cost plus finish work, polishing etc it really adds up.

I appreciate all the comments from everyone.
God Bless

robert kramer · Post by **robert kramer** » 19 Apr 2019 7:00 am

Mike Scaggs · Post by **Mike Scaggs** » 24 Apr 2019 10:21 am

Rods going in tonight, we're close now

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1971 Emmons Resto - "James Blonde"

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