Question(s) for Emmons geeks

Jack Hanson · From: San Luis Valley, USA

Re: "Fatback" instruments...

1) Were the original Emmons D-10s all fatback guitars?

2) When did the switch to the cut-down rear apron occur?

3) Were both styles manufactured concurrently, built to the customer's preference?

4) Is there any discernable difference in the performance of one style over the other?

Mike Vallandigham · From: Martinez, CA

The early ones were cut back. I think around '73 or so you start to see mostly Fatbacks. Then they go away later, maybe after 76?

I'm not soo sure about the exact timing, or if either was available in the time after say, 1973.

I think they tried the fatback to add stability to the aprons and cabinet. I'd say it didn't matter, as they're all cutbacks after the 70's.

I specifically don't like fatbacks, it really interferes with my thighs. Just some combination of standard height and fatback, along with my seat and size, they are just not comfortable. So much so I hawked one and bought another that was cutback. That and it was flat rosewood mica. Wink

Chris Lucker · From: Los Angeles, California USA

The early ones -- 1963 and the first two in 1964 -- had rear aprons that were cut so close to the top deck that the cross shafts were too high from the top deck to intersect the apron for support. MARLEN pyramid angle brackets were used to support the cross shafts on the player's side of the guitars.

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Chris Lucker
Red Bellies, Bigsbys and a lot of other guitars.

Kelcey ONeil · From: Sevierville, TN

The original Emmons design was not the Fatback, as it was introduced in 1970. It was largely an over reaction to correct the aprons from bowing, as the strap across the aprons was all that was necessary to correct the issue, which is why the Fatback was phased out about 1975. They were not produced as an option. Ergonomically they represent a disadvantage, and the tone is still comparable to the later models; however their tone is often regarded as a step away from the more desirable 1960's models.
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Co-owner and operator: Emmons Guitar Co.

Doug Palmer · From: Greensboro, North Carolina, USA

Chris is correct. The early 63/64 models cutout was too steep and the mechanical parts stuck out. According to Ron Lashley, the Fatback design was to copy the GS-10 design that had almost zero cabinet drop. It was determined that the string height above the body was the reason for cabinet drop instead. No tone advantage to either body. I worked at Emmons in late '79 thru '83, and we made both. The cutout was standard and Fatbacks could be special ordered. And to quote Ron again, "The cutouts just look better!"
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Emmons D-10, ST-10,LD-10 III, NV-112,Fender Deluxe Reverb. Authorized wholesale dealer musicorp.com!

Kelcey ONeil · From: Sevierville, TN

Very enlightening Doug! Never came across any documentation or examples of late 70's Fatbacks, but just like Fender or any other maker, anything is possible!
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Co-owner and operator: Emmons Guitar Co.

Chris Lucker · From: Los Angeles, California USA

Dennis Detweiler · From: Solon, Iowa, US

Before I finally settled on a new maple body S-12 MSA in 1974, I sat down at a new S-12 Emmons and new S-12 ShoBud. The Emmons had noticeable and substantial cabinet drop. The ShoBud barely noticeable.
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1976 Birdseye U-12 MSA with Telonics 427 pickup, 1975 Birdseye U-12 MSA with Telonics X-12 pickup, Revelation preamp, Carbon Copy Delay and Hall Of Fame Reverb, Crown XLS 1002, 2- 15" Eminence Wheelhouse speakers, ShoBud Pedal, Effects Pedals. 1949 Epiphone D-8.

Jack Hanson · From: San Luis Valley, USA

Thanks for the answers, everyone. Very interesting indeed.

My '73 D-10 (#1714 D) left the factory as an 8 x 2 with a metal strap between the aprons. When Clem Schmitz in Minneapolis installed four more knee levers (to make it an 8 x 6) in the late '70s, he removed the strap; said it wasn't necessary. Cabinet drop has never been an issue with the guitar, a common satin rosewood 'mica fatback with wide pedals.

Big Ron was right. Cabinet drop on my two GS-10s (one lacquer -- one 'mica) is undetectable.

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