emmons lap steel

kirk allred · Post by **kirk allred** » 3 Dec 2000 4:51 pm

I recently completed an Emmons 8 string lap steel from parts lying around the Emmons guitar factory.The body is solid mahoghany and has incredible resonance and sustain.These lap steels were avalible in a 1970's Emmons catalog.I don't know how many or if any were produced.Does anyone out there have one of these guitars?

Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 3 Dec 2000 5:43 pm

Hey Kirk. I've got a picture of a catalog with one of those in it. Cool that you built that. Did you try to make it a reproduction of the earlier model or did you just build a nice axe?

kirk allred · Post by **kirk allred** » 3 Dec 2000 6:29 pm

jon,yes i built a reproduction of that guitar just like in the catalog.have you ever seen one other than in a catalog?[This message was edited by kirk allred on 05 December 2000 at 06:40 PM.]

Cliff Swanson · Post by **Cliff Swanson** » 4 Dec 2000 3:36 pm

Got a picture?

Cat

Peter Jacobs · Post by **Peter Jacobs** » 4 Dec 2000 4:18 pm

I actually own an 8-string Emmons. You can't beat those atomic fret markers. Anyone know how many of these were made? Any collector's value?

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 4 Dec 2000 5:16 pm

I bought a 10 string non-pedal from a guy in Georgia who made it himself using a block of hard rock maple and Emmons hardware. It has a Bill Lawrence double blade pickup.
I had a guy named Mike Black paint it blue and put 4 legs on it (yes Jon, the same Mike Black you got your Ric' from).
There is a dead spot in volume knob but besides that it is O.K. It has a volume knob and a tone knob. I was thinking of just bypassing them though. I haven't gigged with it but use it to practice 10 string B6th stuff. It's tuned the same as strings 1-10 of my S12U. It has an old fender fretboard on it. I don't play it much so if anyone is interested let me know.
-pb

c c johnson · Post by **c c johnson** » 4 Dec 2000 5:38 pm

Yes I bought one new from the emmons factory. The catalog shoiwed a toilet seat finish which looked very pretty and I was highly disappointed when it came with a mahagany body. I was pleasently surprised however when I plugged into my old standel amp. The tone was beautiful and still is today. It cost direct from the factory the outlandish price of $110, 8 strg and plush lined case.

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HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 4 Dec 2000 6:21 pm

I'd return it if I were you!

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kirk allred · Post by **kirk allred** » 4 Dec 2000 9:38 pm

have you ever heard one of these lap steels howard? if you had you would not want to return it. it sounds great through my '61 ampeg reverberocket!

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K.A.

HOWaiian · Post by **HOWaiian** » 4 Dec 2000 11:36 pm

hey, C.C.!

I'll give ya $59.95 American fer yers! [but you gotta pay fer shipping

]

c c johnson · Post by **c c johnson** » 5 Dec 2000 2:43 pm

If you would have offered that sooner you may have caught me in a weak moment. I played it dec 1st at a gig in Richland Sprgs, Tx; I was too lazy to pick up the Excel dbl 8 and I played it through my Peavy LTD. It sounded so great I believe I'll hang on to it a while. Keep your thumb pick hot! BTW, Jerry has completed his biog book and as soon as he can find a publisher he will let me know and I will put it on the forum.

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kirk allred · Post by **kirk allred** » 5 Dec 2000 9:49 pm

A toilet seat finish?!! If that's brown,I'd guess you got that toilet seat finish!![This message was edited by kirk allred on 05 December 2000 at 09:55 PM.]

Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 5 Dec 2000 9:56 pm

To venture a straight answer about the marketability of your project, Kirk--first of all, would it bear an Emmons logo? Face it, the exact same guitars, one with, one without the tag would generate different levels of interest.
I wonder how many high end lap steels the market can sustain. Between a pretty heated up market for the vintage stuff and the production of some very well regarded steels by Sierra, Melobar, West Coast Steels (that have just come to my attention), and, of course, the SS Hawaiian, I wonder how you would fare?
If you go with the Emmons name, though, and assuming that the guitar is excellent, you would sure get noticed.

BTW--if you're not familiar with the term, MOTS--Mother-Of-Toilet-Seat--it's that fake mother-of-pearlish finish you see on all the old lap steels.[This message was edited by Jon Light on 05 December 2000 at 09:59 PM.]

kirk allred · Post by **kirk allred** » 5 Dec 2000 10:07 pm

just joking about the toilet seat,but yeah I can make a great lap steel Email me!

Brian Henry · Post by **Brian Henry** » 22 Jan 2005 9:15 am

CC Could you post a picture of this Emmons lap Steel Guitar please. Brian

c c johnson · Post by **c c johnson** » 22 Jan 2005 9:30 am

tb I would be happy to do it but I don't have enough smart. Email me your snail and I'll send you a puic by return mail. CC

Brian Henry · Post by **Brian Henry** » 22 Jan 2005 10:28 am

CC Thank you. Please check your email. regards, tb

Brian Henry · Post by **Brian Henry** » 25 Jan 2005 3:58 pm

CC Thank you for the pictures in the mail. That guitar is awesome looking. I already have an emmons fretboard, a keyhead a pick up and bridge. I have a block of maple on order. Could you do me one big favor and give me the measurements. I just have to have one of these. Regards, brian

c c johnson · Post by **c c johnson** » 26 Jan 2005 4:34 am

LOA 33.5 wide 5 depth 1.5 neckdepth 6/8" 24"scale neck 31/4" wide This guitar is from one block of wood with the neck routed out as well as the key head. The nut and the bridge are in routed out grooves about2/8" deep. I believe the one block of wood, the hard steel nut and bridge recessed into the wood gives this guitar its sound. Ray is going to post the pics you have to include the Rick and the Dickerson. Good luck on toyr project. CC

c c johnson · Post by **c c johnson** » 26 Jan 2005 4:38 am

Pete, unfortunately the quality control on these was lacking. You either got a pile of junk or a fine guitar. I know of 16 guys who have or had these and only 3 of them were good. I have one of the good ones and I was offered $600 for it last yr. CC

Brian Henry · Post by **Brian Henry** » 26 Jan 2005 10:01 am

Hi cc,

Thank you for the dimensions. I have a block of maple on the way, also I have an emmons fretboard and a bill lawrence xr 16 pick up. I am getting a key head from EdNaylor and a real neat bridge thing from Chet Wilcox. I intend to make a reproduction and will do the maple with a clear laquer. Is that emmons label on yors a stick on one or is it raised plastic? regards, Brian.

c c johnson · Post by **c c johnson** » 26 Jan 2005 10:48 am

The Emmons is a decal. Bobbie Seymour may have these. They were on some of the old Emmons Ped steels. CC

Brian Henry · Post by **Brian Henry** » 22 Feb 2005 1:50 pm

CC What tuning do you use on yours?

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 24 Feb 2005 7:23 am

Here is a fine looking mahagony Emmons body, and the guy has basic hardware from it as well. Too pricey for my project, and 3 days left to bid close, if anyone is interested. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7302595673&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT
Charlie

Brian Henry · Post by **Brian Henry** » 28 Feb 2005 12:59 pm

CC I your emmons lap steel tuned to c6 or e9th??