The Steel Guitar Forum

Hello All, I have some info on D-10 Emmons but nothing on the SD-10 Emmons LeGrande II which I have. Serial # 2356L Year made Please? Thanks, J.R.

I have a Emmons D-10 LeGrande II S/N # 2046-L
I was built for me in 2001, if this helps.
Larry

My D-10 LG-111 is 2085L and was delivered to me in October, 2000 - odd that Larry's guitar was made the following year yet has a lower number.

JR: In the LeGrande era there was/is one numerical sequence that covers all their output, be they SD-10s or D-10s or LG-11s or 111s. I suspect yours is as late as '07 or '08. Production volume has tapered off considerably since 2000.

what,are some years better than others?

Unquestionably, Chris.

Roger, I looked and found the papers for my Emmons D-10 L-II S/N #2046L.
You are correct,
Mine steel was shipped 5-30-2000 so it is a 2000 year.
The S/N #'s are right.
The Emmons Co. made 39 steel between our guitars.
Larry

Thanks Roger & All. So the D-10's and the SD-10's use the same serial number system? Meaning the serial number does not tell you that it is a SD-10. Thanks, J.R.

Correct.

OK, I have a listing of Emmons serial numbers that Chris Ivey posted but they are from 1966 thru 1981 so that would be P/P models. A message from Jack Strayhorn tells me that around 1990 the LLII was introduced which had the 14 hole bellcrank. He tells me also that this info has been discussed numerous times here but I cannot find it. What I need is info on serial numbers that are from 1990 thru 2010. My Emmon's # 2356L is an all pull Lashley LeGrande II. I was told by the gentleman I brought this from that he had been told it was perhaps a 2004.
Thanks to all for any information. J.R.

i'm curious to know what you intend to find once you know the build date?

I have and S-10. i found the SN for it once. I have looked it over with a flashlight and cannot remember where it is.

Look on the Changer end plate. It should be there.
My S/N # 1109-S
Larry
See picture below:

Curiosity Chris, Curiosity. It sounds like an Emmon's should so knowing year made will not make it sound any better. J.R.

Thanks Larry. SN is 651 GS. Looks like mine has been around for a while. I had it cleaned and tweaked this year. It sounds good and looks good. I have had it just over a year and having a great time learning to play. I play with a friend of mine at an assisted living once a month. It is a blast. If you have info on the SN I would appreciate it. I think it was made around 1968, but I could be wrong.

Gary Grider wrote:Thanks Larry. SN is 651 GS. Looks like mine has been around for a while. I had it cleaned and tweaked this year. It sounds good and looks good. I have had it just over a year and having a great time learning to play. I play with a friend of mine at an assisted living once a month. It is a blast. If you have info on the SN I would appreciate it. I think it was made around 1968, but I could be wrong.

I have an old sunburst GS-10 with serial number 161 GS. Bobbie at the Emmons company told me in an e-mail a couple years ago that it "was built in 1973, had 3 pedals, 3 knees and red with black shading."

Our local push/pull guru installed a fourth knee lever last summer, and it's now my go-to rig. Just don't want to hump around my 86-pound (in the case) D-10 any more.

The lowly old Emmons GS-10 student model is a very underrated instrument, in my humble opinion.

JR & Jack I don't know anything about the GS models. My S-10 Emmons PP is a Professional model. Just like my D-10 PP.
My D-10 PP S/N # is 1153-D
My S-10 PP S/N # is 1109-S
Both steels are Rosewood with the Original Decal on front apron.
Larry

My Legrande II is # 1362L , I have been told that is around 94 or so, How does one really know ?

My Push Pull is 2923D I am told that is 81, is it ?


To me the #'s make no sense, but then again, I am 67...

Tony, I know That my Legrande II is a 2000, cause I place the order with The Emmons Co. Jan. of 2000 and received delivery May 30, 2000 S/N # 2046-L.
My PP is S/N # 1153-D the table of S/N #'s show it to be 1967. I did not buy it new.
I like both steels, but the all pull is much easier too maintain.
Larry

also I just bought a used Derby D-10 8-7 S/N # 27. It plays, and sounds as good as my Emmons. but that is just my opinion.

I wonder if Emmons took their end-plates from a pile that had already been stamped with a serial number (like Fender guitars) or if the number was stamped in after assembly?

I suspect the latter - though of course I could be wrong - because I've had two new LeGrandes and the delivery date in both cases seems to tie in with the general pace of their output.

roger...i think they just grabbed them out of a pre-stamped bin.
larry...i think derby steels are as good as anything made. probably underestimated.
tony..i'm 67 also. nothing makes sense to me.

The numbers are not a secret code and are issued as the bodies are built not when the guitar is assembled.

Jack, thanks for the reply, can you explain the numbers rational ? Obviously they are not a secret !

My Legrande II has a lower number than the Push Pull, but it is defined with an L.

Legrande II # 1362L ,

Push Pull is 2923 D

thx

t

Heres an odd one, I have a Legrande 2 (14 hole bell cranks, black pedal rod nuts) which has a serial number of 861L. It has 8/8 and looks like a newer vintage guitar. any thoughts on when it might have been made? Its rosewood mica.

LeGrandes started at 001L and went from there as each body was constructed. If an odd color was built at number 500 it could have sit on a shelf for years before being built up as complete guitar unit. Thus, a black guitar at number 700 could have shipped the same day as the odd colored 500. The numbers have no date relation what so ever. A black guitar in the 800 range was built in the early-mid nineties but the only was of knowing exactly is by calling and having the warranty card pulled.

Bob Sehy wrote:Heres an odd one, It has 8/8 and looks like a newer vintage guitar.

what would a newer vintage guitar look like?
aren't all emmons' basically the same?