MCI Range Expander on par with Zum, Mullen?

Cliff Kane · From: the late great golden state

I'm almost at the point where I am able to get into a much newer guitar than what I currently have. I love what I have (an older push-pul), but I want something that is easier to make copedant changes to, that is easier to work on, and that isn't quite so quirky and unpredictable (my p/p seems to be alive and to have a mind of her own, which seems to be part of her truely organic nature, which I love her for and makes her a thrill to play

). I had a chance to play an older Zum, and I was blown away by what a tone monster it was, and it seemed to have the sustain and a lot of the tonal characteristics of my p/p/ (singing highs and punchy mids and lows). However, a Zum is a little out of my finacial league right now. However, I have found an MCI Range Expander that seems pretty nice (I hope to check it out soon). I am interetsed in this MCI because of the reputaion that the EMCI has for being close to the p/p tonally, and that I have heard that the MCI Range Expander is pretty much the same guitar as the EMCI. I know that the MCI's are no longer being made, so perhaps a current production guitar like the Zum, Mullens, Fessenden, etc., is a more practical choice, but apart from this, are these later MCI's on par with the current guitars, or has the technology really improved enough in the last 15-20 years to warrent waiting longer and spending more for a current model? I know this is a pretty general and some-what subjective question, but I will appreciate any thoughts you would offer on this.

Cheers,
Cliff

Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

I have owned both the ranger expander and the emci and at least with the ones I owned the emci ate the range expanders lunch as far as tone goes. They are a good solid guitar though.

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Bob
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Mike Wheeler · From: Delaware, Ohio, USA

I owned two matched MCI U12's...one for the road and the other for rehearsals and studio sessions. For the 8 years I owned them, I never had one problem...and the road guitar went thru hell and back. Always in tune, superb tone and reliability beyond belief. The mechanics were a snap to work on, so changing a pull now and then took minutes.

I loved those MCIs and regret ever letting them go. If you can find one, I highly recommend them...you won't be sorry.

By the way, mine were before the Range Expander/EMCI era.

Paddy Long · From: Christchurch, New Zealand

Hi Cliff, I played a MCI Rangexpander (welded frame) for 20 years and it was a great guitar - especially when I upgraded the original Barcus Berry pickups to Geoge L's. However it is hard to get parts and I couldn't add any extra levers or whatever until I started using Carter parts on it. Still it was worn out when I sold it. I now own both a Zum and a Carter and they are both awesome guitars. Unless you know the guitar has been completely refurbished I would say that it maybe a bit "tired" and could be more trouble
than it's worth. Have a look around for something a little more recent and trouble free. Having said that, a mint MCI that has been rebuilt would be a fine guitar.

John Lazarus · From: Tucson, AZ.

Cliff, I've been singing the praises of the EMCI/MCI welded frame guitars since Bobbe Seymour turned me on to the secret years ago. I've had quite a few and wouldn't be without one. They are easy to adjust and work on and close to bulletproof. Simple, solid design at very reasonable prices with all the modern features. Super tone. Great guitars.
Best ones are the later MCI/EMCI guitars made after the mid '80's(1984-85 onward) with complete welded frame all around made in Arlington,Texas. They are also called RangeExpanders. They are not the Waco model or the wood front apron MCI's which are good, but NOT up to the welded frame IMHO. The modern pedals on the unbendable "honeycomb" pedal bar are the best ever designed and are preferred to ealier designs.
This is my opinion after owning or playing perhaps ten of these guitars in the past few years. The tone is very consistent from one to the next, and can be vastly improved by the changing out of the original Barcus-Berry pickups with good aftermarket units(George L's for instance).
Listen to the Buddy Emmons Christmas album for a good example of tone on this guitar. Or,if you ever catch Frank Carter playing at a show near you, you'll understand what a welded frame MCI/EMCI can do!
Hope this helps, John

TRAP TRULY · From: Mobile , AL

I love my EMCI.Its the easiest guitar to work on Ive ever owned,plays smooth as butter,and sounds great.I found the BB pickups very similar to the GL E-66,thats the case on mine anyway.Iam not sure of the yr. but the serial # is 0003 made in Arlington,Tx.

John McClung · From: Olympia WA, USA

Cliff, I played another student's Emmons p/p S-10 last week, revamped by expert Jim Palenscar. It had great tone. But to my ears, very similar and probably no better than my pre-RP Mullen D-12. So, if you want really juicy tone, but far superior mechanics, I can't say enough good things about the Mullen steel. The engineering is so great, it's super easy to move things around, try a new change, I'm like you, I like to mix it up and try new things.

I will confess that the retro Zum we tried in my studio had even slightly better tone, especially on the low end, than my Mullen. Much of which I attribute to the single coil pickup (I've switched my E9 to the silent Lawrence 912, couldn't stand the hum in studio settings).

That'll be 2 cents, please!

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E9 lessons
Mullen D-12/Carter SD-10/Webb amp/Profex II+Lexicon MPX-110 OR Line 6 Pod XT

Cliff Kane · From: the late great golden state

Thanks for the testimonials and input, guys. That's a lot of good praise for the later MCI, which I'm pretty sure this is: welded frame, closed keyhead bar, black mica front apron and dark red mica top and rear apron, Barcus-Berry pickups, and a black and red mica pedal bar, says "Range Expander" on the lower front right corner. It looks really nice from the photos I've seen. Now I just have to find the time to make the drive to check it out (time is getting harder and harder to find it seems).

Hey John: that Zum is awesome, lots of tone, and lots of (((((((((((mojo!)))))))))))
That low end is big and swampy, especial with those extra low strings. That guitar was born to rock. I bet Jim can make any part for either that Zum or the MCI, so I'm not too worried about parts, but I think both of those guitars are obsolete in some ways. Looking forward to seeing you soon, my friend!
Cheers!

[This message was edited by Cliff Kane on 05 September 2006 at 10:52 PM.]

John Lazarus · From: Tucson, AZ.

Cliff, So. . . . what happened?

Willis Vanderberg · From: Petoskey Mi

I have had three MCI guitar.My present horn is a D-10 with Lawrence 705 pups. This has beautiful tone and unbelievable sustain.
The highs are crystal clear.
Jim Palenscar has some parts available and I got a couple of rods made by Jerry Roller for compensators. So there are some parts out there.Fortunatly for me my guitar has less than a hundred hours on it. So it will no doubt out last me.

Old Bud

Cliff Kane · From: the late great golden state

Hey John, I'm still waiting to check it out. It's a long haul, and I've just been slammed and burnt with work and stuff here, schools, etc. Hopefully in the next week or so. I'm hearing great stuff, and am eager to check it out. For sure I will post my findings.

If Bud says they're great, that's pretty good news!

John Clark · From: Arkansas, USA

This is my first time to post so hello everyone. I have played steel guitar and fiddle for Moe Bandy for about 25 years, and used a single 12 mci Range Expander from 1988 to just last November. I would agree with everyone else on the reliability of these guitars, as I know mine must have bounced around a million miles under the bus. It never failed me, and the only work I ever did on it was to replace one return spring. Very easy to change pedal and knee setups- just minutes. Mine came with the Barcus Berry pickup --changed it out to a George L a few weeks ago. I am playing a Bethel steel now on Moes show here in Branson. The Bethel has really smooth pedal and knee action and stays in tune really well even under the lights. I still have the old MCI for back-up and to play outside road shows if I know we're going into bad weather. Incidentally, the MCI is a welded frame, and has less than onc cycle of cabinet drop. Practically un-noticeable on stage. Best of luck to everyone.

Bobbe Seymour · From: Hendersonville TN USA, R.I.P.

Mullens? What's that? Like an Emmon?

Stephen Gambrell · From: Over there

John, say hello to Ed for me, will you? He and I worked together a long time ago, great dude, great keyboard player!

Harold Parris · From: Piedmont, Alabama USA

I have an EMCI that I bought from Bobbe a couple of years back. My personal opinion is;
" I would not trade my EMCI for a brand new guitar of any brand being manufactured today!" The EMCI is what I've been looking for in a guitar. That is my personal opinion and a lot of player probably wouldn't like my EMCI. That why everyone has freedom of choice.

Bobbe Seymour · From: Hendersonville TN USA, R.I.P.

We have a couple of MCIs on the floor for sale now and I also feel they are as great as anything being manufactured today, size, weight, TONE!, beauty, parts availability along with service and very simple to work on.
Having been designed and built with great talents of John Birkhead, Bud Carter and Gene Fields, how could it be anything but great. Possibly the best kept secret in the steel biz!
I sure wish Fred Grestch would start making these guitars AND the Sho-Bud again.

Bobbe

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

john c. does jj jones still play bass with moe? he's an old friend...would love to hear from him... if you are in contact with him would you give him my e-mail? chrisivey2002@yahoo.com
thanx and welcome to the steel guitar information booth!

Willis Vanderberg · From: Petoskey Mi

Hey John Clark:
I met you a few years back up in Traverse City Michigan. Moe came up for George Broad's wedding. We had four steels on the floor. You played my MCI SD-10. It had a "Day " set up on it.
We all enjoyed your pickin...

Old Bud

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