WHO currently rebuilds Push Pull Emmons guitars?

J D Sauser · Post by **J D Sauser** » 4 Jan 2021 8:55 am

It's been two decades since I left the "steel field"... so, I am not current on who does what anymore:

I am toying with the idea of looking for a BOLT-ON D-10 Push Pull and having it restored and re-set up by somebody with an impeccable track record. The guitar has to be a tone MONSTER (not all PP's sound great).
The thing is, I need an added middle LK-cluster for my C6th (5P&4K) which is likely to become a D6th.
My E9th may also drop to D9th for a warmer tone and being in relation to the 6th tuning, but be otherwise straight forward BE (3&5) setup.

Thanks!... J-D.

Chris Brooks · Post by **Chris Brooks** » 4 Jan 2021 9:14 am

JD, Tommy Cass in upper Massachusetts is a wizard with Emmonses . . . . and all the others, too.

Saludos, Chris

Ben Lawson · Post by **Ben Lawson** » 4 Jan 2021 9:27 am

Billy Knowles, Kenansville N.Carolina. (910) 296-7428
Mike Cass, Nashville Tenn. (615) 446-5952

J D Sauser · Post by **J D Sauser** » 4 Jan 2021 10:22 am

Thanks to both.

Criss, is Tommy Cass related to Mike Cass? Would you have his contact info?

Ben, I'll also contact Billy Knowles

Thanks!... J-D.

Ben Lawson · Post by **Ben Lawson** » 4 Jan 2021 11:20 am

One more is John Widgren in Connecticut (203)-762-8951. All three of the names I listed have worked on my 1976 D10 push/pull and they all did great work.

K Maul · Post by **K Maul** » 4 Jan 2021 5:03 pm

Tommy Cass(ella) is not related to Mike Cass.

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 4 Jan 2021 5:37 pm

Lynn Stafford-Oregon.

Kelcey ONeil · Post by **Kelcey ONeil** » 4 Jan 2021 11:31 pm

Iâ€™m currently working on restoring a 67â€™ Bolt On that I intend to sell when complete. Iâ€™d be happy to provide references amongst those already mentioned if youâ€™d be interested.

Russell Nugent · Post by **Russell Nugent** » 5 Jan 2021 6:14 am

Clem Schmitz, PP guru, is still working on them in Minnesota. freedomsauce@comcast.net

Mark Perrodin · Post by **Mark Perrodin** » 5 Jan 2021 3:37 pm

Iâ€™d like to show some support for Clem. He accepted a commission from me sight unseen
on an old weird,mismatched Emmons. It really was a piece of crap that reflected my low buy-in price. He returned to me the epitome of a polished turd. He had taken an unplayable beat up, rotten guitar and turned it into a beautiful soft-playing heirloom quality guitar. And i had the pleasure of being able to talk to him via phone and email. Honestly, a guy like Clem has an interesting historical perspective that is included in the labor charge. I really enjoyed talking to him and hearing his remembrances of steel guitar from a different era. So in case you havenâ€™t figured it out, I wholeheartedly endorse Clem. Hook up with these legends before they retire.
mark

Ron Hogan · Post by **Ron Hogan** » 6 Jan 2021 11:10 am

Mike Scaggs too

Steve Cattermole · Post by **Steve Cattermole** » 7 Jan 2021 1:45 pm

In Southern California there's Jim Palenscar at Steel Guitars of North County.He's very good,and very honest

Kevin Mincke · Post by **Kevin Mincke** » 8 Jan 2021 8:48 am

Henry Matthews also does nice work.A forum search turned this up.
https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtop ... s&start=25

Tom Quinn · Post by **Tom Quinn** » 9 Jan 2021 10:59 am

Billy Knowles did the work on my brown guitar. Mike Cass did the other bolton. Both play and sound wonderfully.

J R Rose · Post by **J R Rose** » 10 Jan 2021 6:03 pm

Yes, Henry Matthews is the guru for p/p Emmons Guitars in the Central part of the USA. Texarkana, Ark. He is a forum member and you can contact him thru it. And Damir Besic is a buyer/seller out of Nashville and also a forum member. Both are good guys. The other Gentlemen mentioned are all good guys also. I just have done dealings with Henry and Damir. J.R. Rose

Willis Vanderberg · Post by **Willis Vanderberg** » 11 Jan 2021 3:48 am

I have know Clem forever.
He wrote the book on Push Pull guitars.
Even though in the early days he was mistreated by some biggies in this business he has hung in there.
His book is still for sale and if you own an Emmons P\P you should have it.
I can also attest to Mike Cass as he has rebuilt a couple of guitars for me.
The afore mentioned mechanics in this thread, all come well recommended.

Sven Kontio · Post by **Sven Kontio** » 13 Jan 2021 8:29 am

Honestly, Clem Schmitz is THE guy to go to if you want to have your pp set up to perfection. You donÂ´t know how a pp should feel and work until youÂ´ve sat behind one worked over by Clem. Clem ran the Pedal Steel Guitar Emporium, Mt Juliet, Tn as well as in Mpls, Mn for many, many years keeping the pros on the road. He is extremely knowledgeable on pedal steel guitars in general and on Emmons Push Pulls in particular. Anyone can polish but a very rare few know how to really work on, adjust and set up an Emmons Push Pull - detail skills that IÂ´m afraid in a relatively short period of time will be lost for ever...

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WHO currently rebuilds Push Pull Emmons guitars?

WHO currently rebuilds Push Pull Emmons guitars?

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