Question on an Emmons

Duane Noom · From: Whitehall, Michigan, USA

I have been playing since about 1976 and have NEVER played an Emmons. I have noticed how much more they cost then most other kinds. I guess my question is, are Emmons worth the extra. At 64 if I'm going to do something I need to do it soon. Is an Emmons worth my GFI Ultra ++$$?

John Booth · From: Columbus Ohio, USA

Well friend,
Don't get an Emmons without trying one. The Emmons has always been the guitar "I" am most comfortable with, but not everyone feels that way.
From what I read, the Ultra is a heck of a guitar itself.
Good luck
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Jb in Ohio
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GFI S10 Ultra, Telecaster, a Hound Dog, and an Annoyed Wife
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Duane Noom · From: Whitehall, Michigan, USA

Thanks John the Ultra is a fun guitar to play

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

The GFI has adjustable drop return springs. The Emmons has these but it looks like a design afterthought and not easy to adjust.

The Emmons is heavier than the GFI, too.

Duane Noom · From: Whitehall, Michigan, USA

Thanks Jack

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

I would trade two GFIs for one Emmons.

Eric Philippsen · From: Central Florida USA

Yours is a good question.

I don't know if I would want to get into a "GFI vs Emmons" thing. I mean, there are plenty of great players who play GFI's as well as other brands and models. But maybe I could put my thoughts this way.....

Every steel player knows that an Emmons is a classic instrument of the industry. It's exactly similar to Fender Teles and Strats in the world of 6-strings. That being a fact, I just think that every steel player should own and play a push-pull (or LeGrande) at least once in their life. To continue the analogy, is there any accomplished or long-playing 6-stringer who hasn't owned and played a Tele or a Strat sometime in their career? If there are, then they're certainly a rarity.

Put another way, if one gets an Emmons at a reasonable price, then chances are pretty fair that they can sell the steel for close to what they paid for it, if it's not what they like.

Just my two cents. Thanks.

Asa Brosius · Posted 12 Mar 2015 8:34 am

You really need to try one to answer your question.

Roger Kelly · From: Bristol,Tennessee

Eric, your post is well put.
I just bought a Emmons LeGrande III. I have had several different brands including several different Emmons SD-10, D-10, and Push-Pulls. While the other guitars had a lot of good features and played good and all, I still keep going back to an Emmons which sounds the best to my ear. Smile

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

i wouldn't consider changing steels until you have gotten the max out of your current one. if you have reached a level that makes it apparent that you need something else, then try out other models.
emmons' are cool but so are many other brands.
don't just change to be cool, you may be disappointed.

Jack Strayhorn · From: Winston-Salem, NC

The drop return adjustments were not an afterthought just that Ron Sr. detested the ugly screw heads to be showing. Once a return is adjusted it rarely needs tweaking.

Duane Noom · From: Whitehall, Michigan, USA

I appreciate all the feedback. It helps a lot. Thanks

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

John Booth · From: Columbus Ohio, USA

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

sorry john, my bad.
cool on jean shepherd too!

John Booth · From: Columbus Ohio, USA

No prob Brother.
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Jb in Ohio
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GFI S10 Ultra, Telecaster, a Hound Dog, and an Annoyed Wife
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Bill L. Wilson · From: Oklahoma, USA

I'm with what Jack said about Ron Lashley Sr. detesting those ugly exposed screw heads. And I'll add that I don't care for pedal bars without boxed ends, exposed axles on the changer, and split key heads. Emmons had the forethought to hide those things and I think it just looks better. I've had my '95 LeGrande II for 10yrs. and it's the best steel I've ever owned, plays great, stays in tune, and sounds like an Emmons should. I've sat down to a Mullen, Infinity, and Justice, all wonderful guitars, but for monetary reasons, the Emmons is my steel for life and I'm Blessed to Have Such a Fine Instrument.

Tony Glassman · From: The Great Northwest

If you're intrigued by an Emmons, go for it.

I've played 'em since the 70's. Tried quite a few other brands, but always wind up coming back to Emmons........Mechanically, they are no better than most guitars being built today, but they have a unique sound that I crave.

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

listening to all the tommy white clips i liked his tone with the emmons the best, even though he loves his mullen. the emmons has more edge.
but i love norm hamlett on his gfi. i liked emmons on the derby. there's no 'best' steel.
confusing isn't it?

Tony Glassman · From: The Great Northwest

Chris it seems as if your taunting me by placing my old guitar in your avatar. It is tormentingly close to my grasp.

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I have nothing against Emmons, I owned a new 71 PP and dealt with Ron, Sr. on a professional basis working at Little Roy Wiggins "Music City" music store (as the amp and steel guitar repair tech) in Nashville that was the Nashville Emmons dealer at the time. (The store is pictured on the back of the Emmons "Black" Album). I even worked, with Ron, in the Emmons booth at the first Fan Fair in Nashville in 1972.

All other guitars that I've seen with adjustable drop return springs have convenient adjustment screws on the end plates. Apparently no other builder considered it an issue having the adjustment screws visible and easily accessible.

Jack Strayhorn · From: Winston-Salem, NC

Jack, Ron did, very much so.

Tony Glassman · From: The Great Northwest

Even though I an Emmons user, they're are a few design shortcomings for me

1] Return Springs: I'd prefer those "ugly" exposed screw-heads. Easier to the adjust return springs, especially in the playing position. It's not too bad as it is, just have to flip the guitar over on a stand to do it.

2] Cross-shafts : Extremely tough to remove, I like the Zum back-panel system much better. Again, this is not something one does frequently (and most not at all), but it makes re-builds or custom fitting more difficult

3] Cheap pedal/pedaal rod connectors: I'm always having to tighten the little swing-arm lock and apply loc-tite. I've hated them since the mid-70's

4] E-Clips: great space saving connector, but a PITA to remove. I prefer hitch pins or spring clips. I like the Fessenden or older Zum bell-crank systems. No fixation device needed, easier to change leverage slots

That said, the Le Grande is a wonderful guitar to play, as were their older push-pull brothers.

Mule Ferguson · From: N Wilkesboro NC,

They all good, No bad and the worst I ever listen to sounded wonder full.

With 2 shot's of Scotch
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Emmons La Grande D10, Zum Encore, Multicord,Marlen S10 1972, Nashville 112, Evans HVP #2, Peavey Profex ll, Martin, Merle Travis D28M Bigsby Neck.
D28 Henderson, Dobro and Tut Bro. Fender Tele, Stelling Stagehorn Banjo

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

I'm very fond of my LG111 (a black D-10 - made in October, 2000) but I hate those 'E' clips and it's the main reason I'm put off trying to make changes under the guitar. I'm not very adept, mechanically-speaking, and they're so fiddly that I've never succeeded it relocating one without destroying the clip's functionality.

The result? I have a box-full of bell-cranks, clips and what-have-you but lack the confidence to actually use them!
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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