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Author Topic:  Question for Emmons Push-Pull Gurus
Michael Pierce


From:
Madison, CT
Post  Posted 19 Sep 2007 9:34 am    
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Over the weekend I picked up my "new" 1978 Emmons D-10 Push-Pull from Tommy Cass and am having a ball playing it. Great tone and built like a tank. I have two historical questions for the Forum's push-pull masters:

1. This guitar has the same mica finish on both the outside and inside of the guitar. I've been told Emmons did this for a limited period of time, 2 to 3 years perhaps, in the late 70s - early 80s and discontinued the practice for cost reasons. (Presumably, this could help with cabinet drop or flex, although that's only an assumption on my part.) Anyone familiar with this treatment?

2. Would this guitar likely have had an Emmons decal in the center of the pedal bar? I see that Emmons has them in their catalog, but I'm not sure if it would be appropriate to add one.

thanks, mp
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Skip Edwards

 

From:
LA,CA
Post  Posted 19 Sep 2007 9:44 am    
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I think they pretty much all had the decal on the pedal bar. I got one from Larry Petree in Bakersfield. Bobbe Seymour may have some as well.
I've never heard of mica on the inside...interesting.
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Billy Knowles

 

From:
Kenansville, N. C. 28349 usa
Post  Posted 19 Sep 2007 11:33 am     underside
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I was told that the material on the underside was a vapor barrier.
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Chris Lucker

 

From:
Los Angeles, California USA
Post  Posted 19 Sep 2007 12:28 pm    
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By "inside the guitar" do you mean to say the pedal stop bar and sides are covered with mica, or just the decks? Do you have a slim strip along the overlap? There must be no mica under the endplate tabs?
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Michael Pierce


From:
Madison, CT
Post  Posted 19 Sep 2007 1:05 pm     Emmons
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Chris, I'll have to check when I get home from work tonight. Tommy reflocked the underside of the guitar (it looks like new), so it may be tough to tell the extent of it.
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Jerry Roller


From:
Van Buren, Arkansas USA
Post  Posted 19 Sep 2007 5:21 pm    
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The vapor barrier Emmons used was a very thin mica material much like mica without the finish layer. This barrier was used to cover the undersides of the decks. All I have ever seen was covered up with flocking. Emmons is not stocking the pedal bar decal unless they recently got some. They have one that looks more like a Nike swath.
Jerry
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Michael Pierce


From:
Madison, CT
Post  Posted 19 Sep 2007 6:13 pm     emmons
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Thanks for the information, Jerry. Like the one's you've seen, mine is covered with flocking, so I'm unable to answer Chris' questions. I'll check the other sources for the pedal bar decal, or perhaps post in the "want to buy" section for one. thx, mp
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George McLellan


From:
Duluth, MN USA
Post  Posted 20 Sep 2007 2:34 am     P/P info
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Is there any printed material out there for the tuning and set up of a P/P? I don't have a clue how to even tune it. I've only owned all pull guitars.

Any information and guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Geo
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Charles Curtis

 

Post  Posted 20 Sep 2007 3:04 am    
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George, have you visited the "Carter Guitar Web-site"? I believe that there is a lot of material there about the adjustment of push-pull guitars.
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Ron Whitworth


From:
Yuma,Ariz.USA Yeah they say it's a DRY heat !!
Post  Posted 20 Sep 2007 4:39 am    
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George;
This is where you also want to look - a LOT of info in here..Ron

http://www.melmusic.com/laceyj/guide.html

Michael, sounds as if you got a really nice guitar
there - that is the 1st i have heard about the mica inside & outside too, interesting..Ron
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We need to turn the TWANG up a little

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Michael Pierce


From:
Madison, CT
Post  Posted 20 Sep 2007 5:35 am     emmons
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George, I'm really enjoying the Peterson tuner (and your CD!).

In addition to the web site mentioned above, there is a pamphlet with the unlikely title of "Methodology and Practice in Pedal Steel Guitar" (sounds like a doctoral dissertation) that I've heard is available from Emmons. I'm getting a copy in a week or so. In addition, if you do a search on the Forum (particularly the old archive) under push pull and tuning, you'll find some good posts on how to tune these. I've only ventured as far as tuning the E9 neck on mine... I'm terrified of tackling the C6, but I'm sure that fear is unfounded. I do have to say that the tone is amazing. I traded in a LeGrande for it (a great guitar as well), and the P/P just has a bit more bite to it.
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George McLellan


From:
Duluth, MN USA
Post  Posted 20 Sep 2007 7:04 am    
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Thank you all for the help. I'll look it up right away.

Geo
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Michael Pierce


From:
Madison, CT
Post  Posted 20 Sep 2007 8:04 am     emmons
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Further exploring the burning pedal bar "decal" issue, I see from other posts that locating a decal appropriate for a late 70's PP is tough, but that decals from earlier vintages are available through Bobbe's store. Is the only difference between the earlier decals and a late 70's version the lack of a "circle r" trademark symbol? Thanks for the advice.
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Doug Beaumier


From:
Northampton, MA
Post  Posted 20 Sep 2007 10:40 am    
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Michael, Emmons push/pulls with mica on the underside are very rare. I have only seen one other besides yours, and that was a S-10. Rumor has it that those vapor barrier guitars have great tone and sustain. Another legend to add to the push/pull mystique!

Don’t worry about the missing decal. My '74 is also missing the decal and it’s still the best sounding PSG I have ever played.
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Chris Lucker

 

From:
Los Angeles, California USA
Post  Posted 20 Sep 2007 10:51 am    
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Michael, don't bother checking to see if there is mica everywhere -- I now understand what Emmons did. I have never seen one of those. I think it would have been easier to spray a coating.
I bet your Emmons was protected from the salt they would put on the Connecticut roads in the winter.
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Michael Pierce


From:
Madison, CT
Post  Posted 20 Sep 2007 12:34 pm     emmons
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I don't know, Doug, that decal might just put you "over the top" for this weekend's "superjam" at the RISGA show! (now is that a shameless plug or what?)

Chris, I actually think the vapor barrier was installed to dampen the effects of my sweating knees when I contemplate tuning the C6th neck.

Thanks to everyone for their advice. (I should probably get back to work now.)
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Willis Vanderberg


From:
Petoskey Mi
Post  Posted 20 Sep 2007 8:27 pm    
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I find it insulting that there are folks selling the Methodology book that was written by Clem Schmidts
With out any credit given at all.
He is one of the most knowledgable people in this world on p/p guitars.
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Doug Beaumier


From:
Northampton, MA
Post  Posted 20 Sep 2007 9:33 pm    
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Clem was selling copies on eBay last year. That's where I got mine, directly from him.
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Willis Vanderberg


From:
Petoskey Mi
Post  Posted 21 Sep 2007 4:00 am    
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Hey Doug:
Good for you. I have known Clem for many years. He was an Emmons Guru when he first started out in Minnesota.He had a store called The Steel Guitar Emporium. I think Mike Cass used to hang out there also. At any rate he is a class act who was mistreated and misled by some of the biggies in this business. Enough said....

Bud
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George McLellan


From:
Duluth, MN USA
Post  Posted 21 Sep 2007 7:00 am    
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Mr. Vanderberg, he may be a class act in your book but I still would like to know what he did with my MSA S10 4x5 that he never paid me for. I still have the paper work with the serial number 1C2196. If anyone has seen this guitar, I was never paid for it therefore I concider it stolen.
Geo

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