MCI Range Expander vs. EMCI?

Cliff Kane · From: the late great golden state

I've read the threads about the history of MCI and EMCI, but I'm interested in the specific differences between the Arlington-made MCI Range Expander series of D-10's with the welded frame and Barcus Berry pickups (and the black apron and burgandy top color scheme alledgedly conceived of by Buddy Emmons???)), and the later EMCI D-10's. From what I have heard, the only significant difference is that the EMCI's had the changer welded to the neck to improve tone and sustain, but this also introduced the issue of thermal expansion tuning problems (ala the Emmons bolt-on changers), whereas the MCI Range Expander guitars did not have a welded-on changer. (Does this give the MCI Range Expander an edge over the EMCI?)I have heard from a few excellent sources that the EMCI is the all-pull guitar that comes closest to the Emmons push-pull guitar for tone and sustain. I've just become aware of the welded frame MCI Range Expander, and I wonder how close to the EMCI, or to the Emmons push-pull for tone and sustain, the MCI Range Expander is?

Thanks!

[This message was edited by Cliff Kane on 17 August 2006 at 12:09 PM.]

[This message was edited by Cliff Kane on 17 August 2006 at 12:13 PM.]

John Lacey · From: Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada

I've never AB'ed an MCI with my EMCI, but I have recorded my EMCI and my PP on the same tune on my home studio setup. I couldn't tell the guitars apart in the recording, but they sounded different going down to disk.

Paddy Long · From: Christchurch, New Zealand

Cliff I played my D10 MCI Rangexpander for 20 years and it was an outstanding guitar. Sorry I can't AB it with a push-pull because I have never had one. Another small point of difference (I think) from the EMCI - the R/E had opened ended keyheads as well.

Jim Palenscar · From: Oceanside, Calif, USA

Some EMCI's had the changer pillow blocks welded to the neck- and some did not. Amoung other things, I've heard that it was an attempt to minimize cabinet drop that was largely unsucessful. I welded one of mine that was previously not welded and could not tell the difference.

Frank Carter · From: Yuma, Az

I play a EMCI and my buddy plays a MCI Range Expander.We have the same P.u.'s
I've played them side by side many times
and they sound the same to me.I like the
sound of these guitars!!

Willis Vanderberg · From: Petoskey Mi

I have had three MCI guitars and four p/p Emmons guitars. The MCI , I think comes closer to the p/p, in tone, than any other guitar I have ever played.
Both guitars are played through the same set with a Black Box, Hilton pedal to a SE-200 Evans amp with a Boss DD/3 Delay patched in post EQ. My current MCI D-10 has the Lawrence 705 pups.

[This message was edited by Willis Vanderberg on 21 August 2006 at 01:54 PM.]

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