The Steel Guitar Forum

From what I understand, in order of desireability, its: Wraparound,bolt-on,fatback,cuttail, LeGrande. Wouldn't stake my life on it, but would bet the price of lunch!
They're all gonna be tone monsters. I can tell you the best PP I have ever owned was a bolt-on. Tone from heaven.

Are the newer 1980s model Emmons push pull more in demand than the earlier models with those pedals that look like paddle boards?

Uhh...no.

Is a new Telecaster more desirable than a ‘52?

Just my opinion is that the early wrap around are more in demand and I think it’s more for the collectibility rather than how they play or sound. I’ve played them all and even though they are different, I tend to like the mid 70’s guitars. Every year, Ron always had improvements to his guitars whether in the geometry of the workings are small cosmetic designs. Some are also under the impression that a wood neck bolt on is not a real bolt on. Well, it is and bolt on refers to the changer, not the neck material. The metal neck bolt ons are more collectible and some of them have a special growl in the tone that a lot love as they quit making them in late 60’s I think and went to the wood neck with a bolt on changer. I heard was because of tuning issues with temperature changes.
I play a wood neck bolt on and think it’s like a 74. It has the growl that I like.
Bobbye Seymore told me he liked the 80’s push pulls so I guess it’s all personal preference as to which ones are more in demand.

Which year Emmons in demand

The one you're selling.

Henry:

Could it be that Bobbe had an '80s one for sale at that point?

Roger Rettig wrote:Henry:

Could it be that Bobbe had an '80s one for sale at that point?

Exactly my first thought when I read it too, Roger...

Roger Rettig wrote:Henry:

Could it be that Bobbe had an '80s one for sale at that point?

You could be right, lol, knowing Bobbe.

Really just about every year I would think but the old push pulls can demand a hearty price!!


What Rodger said really is fact chiseled in stone!!!!

I have bought, restored, and sold quite a few Emmons push pulls as has steel guitar aces Billy Knowles and Lynn Stafford.

I would say the early guitars are more sought after, especially 1969 and older which also have maple wood pedal stop bars. The guitars with the cast pedals are favored by many including myself.

The later guitars with the extruded pedals are fine guitars but do not seem to be as desirable. Mike Johnson plays a mid to late 80s Push Pull and sounds amazing so I say each to his own.

For me at least, value highly depends on each individual instrument. I know first hand what it takes to pull one all the way down and make it new again. When guitars need that sort of repair the value is far less as the repair is costly and very time consuming.

My 2 Cents

Mike, I can only imagine the time and labor that goes into one of your rebuilds because I know the time and labor I put into one and I don’t go to the extent and extreme that you do. If no one has ever rebuilt a guitar, they have no idea what it takes.