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Topic: Most desirable Emmons All-Pull |
Mitch Ellis
From: Collins, Mississippi USA
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Posted 9 May 2014 7:06 pm
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Of the different all-pull models that Emmons made, which one would generally be considered the most desirable? Thank you.
Mitch |
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Mike Kowalik
From: San Antonio,Texas
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Posted 9 May 2014 7:33 pm
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SKH....... _________________ Cremation is my last shot at having a hot body...... |
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Patrick Drummond
From: Florida, USA
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Posted 10 May 2014 3:26 am
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Agreed love my SKH _________________ 84 Emmons SKH D10 8x5 Fessenden Sd10 3x5, Musicman HD 150, Nashville 400x2, Fender Steel King, Hilton, Gibson Dobro, to much to list! |
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David Nugent
From: Gum Spring, Va.
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Posted 10 May 2014 3:52 am
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Another vote for the short keyhead Legrande. Best sounding Emmons that I have owned! |
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Jack Stoner
From: Kansas City, MO
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Posted 10 May 2014 5:29 am
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I remember when Emmons first came out with an all pull model guitar (the SKH model). They had many problems getting the sound they wanted out of them, and they didn't sell well back then. They went to the Legrande models, but now everyone wants the SKH models. |
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Mitch Ellis
From: Collins, Mississippi USA
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Posted 10 May 2014 7:52 am
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What year did the SKH model come out, and when did they go to the Lagrande? What year did they stop making the Lagrande? Thank you.
Mitch |
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chris ivey
From: california (deceased)
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Posted 10 May 2014 8:51 am
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the very first skh models were named 'legrande'. |
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Eric Philippsen
From: Central Florida USA
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Posted 10 May 2014 11:26 am
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As I understand it, all SKH's were "LeGrandes" but not all LeGrandes" were SKH's. There were some that had the longer keyhead, presumably before the "II" came about. |
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Buddy Castleberry
From: HAWKINSVILLE GA USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 10 May 2014 1:29 pm
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i just bought a lagrande long keyhead with 4 hole bellcranks.ive owned several p/p,s and all pull,s
i put 022 ohms emmons single coils in it .
its as close t a p/p as u can get |
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Bill L. Wilson
From: Oklahoma, USA
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Posted 10 May 2014 2:24 pm The Best Emmons.
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Obviously The Black Ones. |
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Kevin Mincke
From: Farmington, MN (Twin Cities-South Metro) USA
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Posted 10 May 2014 3:04 pm
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Mitch Ellis wrote: |
What year did the SKH model come out, and when did they go to the Lagrande? What year did they stop making the Lagrande?
Mitch |
I think around 82/83 but believe they always had the LeGrande name but denoted as SKH if it had this feature. They were also available in the full size key head. I'd have to dig up my old literature from back then. I had a good friend who bought one new. |
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Jim Means
From: Missouri, USA
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Posted 10 May 2014 3:16 pm
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Weren't the SKH guitars made from left over P/P bodies? I always thought that the SKH guitars were always noted as LeGrandes (on the P/P bodies) and then the long key heads on bigger bodies started the Lashley LeGrande followed by the LL II and the LL III. I'm just asking here for my own information. I know I sure would like to have a SKH!
Jim in Missouri |
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Jack Strayhorn
From: Winston-Salem, NC
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Posted 10 May 2014 5:46 pm
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Lots of improvements were made in the early 90's and a much better playing instrument was developed. If you are looking for push-pull like tone the longer keyhead models are much closer. More to do with the changer design than the keyhead. When the 14 hole bellcrank was added the playabililty advanced by leaps and bounds. Interesting to see people praise the SKH because after it was introduced many scorned it. |
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Jack Strayhorn
From: Winston-Salem, NC
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Posted 10 May 2014 5:49 pm
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The SKH guitars were not built on push-pull bodies. They are 1/2" shorter than and the LKH are 1/2" longer than. Completely different changer opening, crossbar location, and stop bar location. |
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Mitch Ellis
From: Collins, Mississippi USA
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Posted 10 May 2014 6:00 pm
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Thank you all for your helpful replies. Mr. Strayhorn, what years were the longer keyhead Lashley Legrande models made, and why did players scorn the SKH models. What was the most often heard complaint? Thank you.
Mitch |
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Jack Strayhorn
From: Winston-Salem, NC
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Posted 10 May 2014 6:25 pm
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Mostly the usual, doesn't sound like a push pull. There were a few tuning issues early on due to the neck and keyhead touching. This was corrected. The SKH changer had dividers between fingers which seemed to suppress the openess and stringy sound of the push pull. The SKH had a more dominant midrange, which in recording can be a plus. Some didn't like the closeness of the tuning machines. The finger radius was larger which created quicker travel but believed to add to the qualities listed above. The Lashley II had improved mechanical leverage provided with better pivot points. The 4 hole bellcrank did not provide enough balance for multiple pulls. A much smoother pedal feel is provided by a balance where multiple pulls all start at the exact same time and pedals can be balanced to have equal travel. If the SKH guitar was better the company would have continued making it and not spending the time and effort to improve qualilty and performance. All design changes and improvements over the years were demanded by the consumer.
Last edited by Jack Strayhorn on 10 May 2014 6:32 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Jack Strayhorn
From: Winston-Salem, NC
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Posted 10 May 2014 6:30 pm
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LKH guitars came out in 85'-86' and continue. I have and continue to repair Emmons guitars. I have played a couple SKH guitars that had a very good and unique sound but most were less than the LKH models. SKH guitars are great and I am glad that there are players that still enjoy them but there really is no comparison. |
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Jack Strayhorn
From: Winston-Salem, NC
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Posted 10 May 2014 6:48 pm
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I do not recall there being any sales issues when the Legrande was introduced. The main issue was availability, a result of production problems. The improvements over the years were mostly prompted by the persistence of several pros, mainly Hal Rugg. Weldon Myrick continued playing SKH guitars until the late 90's. The all pull introduction was prompted by Buddy realizing that the consumer demanded all pull mechanics. In a recent discussion I was ask about today's market. I realize there are many diehard push pull players out there but if the Emmons company had not introduced an all pull guitar it would not have survived and could not survive in today's market place. If I had control today I would consider re-introducing the push pull but only as an option and not until I had the production of the LeGrandes in full swing. I would also offer the SKH for those who prefer it but believe it would also be in limited demand. |
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Paul Sutherland
From: Placerville, California
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Posted 10 May 2014 7:37 pm
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What about the LeGrande IIIs? That counter-force mechanism sounds real good on paper. But does the mechanism compromise the tone of the guitar at all? If I had the money, which I don't, I'd really want to try out an LG III. _________________ It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing. |
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Billy McCombs
From: Bakersfield California, USA
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Posted 10 May 2014 7:42 pm
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Jack, Did Buddy play a SKH and if so for how long? A friend of mine told me that he used one on one of his Albums. I have a 84 that sounds great, but not like a PP. Thanks Billy _________________ 78 Emmons PP,Great tone.82 Emmons SKH #56 |
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Mike Sweeney
From: Nashville,TN,USA
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Posted 10 May 2014 10:42 pm
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Buddy's " One For The Road " album was a rosewood SKH LeGrande. About 1981 or '82 _________________ Zumsteel steel guitars, Telonics and Peavey amplifiers, GHS strings. |
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Jack Strayhorn
From: Winston-Salem, NC
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Posted 11 May 2014 3:16 am
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I do not detect any tonal changes caused by the counterforce. Certainly nothing in a negative way.
The tuning being precise certainly makes for a sweet sound. |
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Jack Strayhorn
From: Winston-Salem, NC
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Posted 11 May 2014 3:17 am
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The Ray Price Live at Austin City Limits is a SKH LeGrande. |
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Billy McCombs
From: Bakersfield California, USA
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Posted 11 May 2014 6:53 am
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Thanks Jack and Mike .Buddy makes that SKH sound Good. Check Buddy out at 3;09 " I Love You Because" http://youtu.be/Mov5XsQvzaY _________________ 78 Emmons PP,Great tone.82 Emmons SKH #56 |
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Jack Stoner
From: Kansas City, MO
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Posted 11 May 2014 8:33 am
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It doesn't matter what Buddy plays it all sounds good. |
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