Push-pull noob - any advice?

[Landon Johnson]

OK; been playing all-pulls since I started 7 years ago. I purchased a used Emmons (from Emmons) and am preparing for its arrival next week. I've reviewed the tuning procedure and feel comfortable with that process.

The guitar I purchased is an S-10, S/N 1429-S and from what I can tell is circa 1975. It was owned by Larry Sasser at some point; I have no lineage on the steel.

I'd love to learn more about what specific model I have, and its idiosyncrasies. Any advice or insight will be appreciated.

Also, what will I notice in terms of playability as compared to, say, a Williams or Carter?

TIA

[Henry Matthews]

Welcome to the push pull world. Yes, that’s a cut tail model and I would say it’s a 70’s year somewhere in there. A very nice looking guitar and if the guys at Emmons company set it up, I’m sure it’ll play and sound great because they are top notch.
It’s also got a single coil pickup and I’d just bet it would ohm out to around 17k which is what most of the later 70’s read.
I don’t remember Larry ever owning that guitar but very possible. I’ve never seen him play a single neck but like I said, he owned a lot of different guitars.
I think you will like the feel of the guitar. Best of luck to you.

[Dave Campbell]

i had one just like that. it was great.

in terms of playability, i figure it'll be a little more 'engaging' to play. a little stiffer and heavier feeling than modern guitars, but this is offset by more feedback to the player.

a fresh setup is a great thing, as they are a little less intuitive to work on than a modern guitar.

congrats!

[Jim Cooley]

The mechanics of the undercarriage are different from all pulls. That takes some getting used to. Not all push-pulls are the same. Some were great from the factory, both in tone and playability. Some were clunkers. However, if you bought it from the current Emmons company and if Kelcey set it up, it will play great. Mine plays as well as, and better than most all pulls. If you really meld with it, you might receive positive feedback from this steel, like it's flowing with you as you play. It should be a good one, nonetheless.

[Dave Magram]

Any advice or insight will be appreciated.

Landon, you made a wise choice--Emmons push-pulls are great!

Since you asked for advice...

I'd highly recommend Clem Schmitz's bargain-priced booklet "Methodology And Practice In Pedal Steel Guitar" to any Emmons push-pull owner. Clem used to own a steel guitar store and repair shop in Minneapolis, then one in Nashville, where he worked on Emmons push-pulls owned by players such as Mike Johnson.

Emmons push-pull guitars are very reliable and stable and I almost never need Clem's booklet, but it's great to have for the rare time every 20 years or so when some little Allen screw loosens up somewhere, or a string pitch change isn't happening the way it should and you have to leave for a gig in the next 30 minutes.

Clem's 24-page booklet shows how to make simple adjustments to an Emmons push-pull or even take the entire guitar apart and put it back together.

In his booklet, Clem explains step by step (with photos) exactly how to disassemble, re-assemble, and adjust push-pull guitars with several clever little tricks that would take a very long time to figure out--including a simple solution to setting the correct amount of slack on the 4th string in 5 seconds or less! (Just that tip alone is worth the bargain price of Clem's booklet & DVD!)

He sells the booklet and a DVD combo package on eBay listed as "Pedal Steel Guitar 83 METHODOLOGY P/P Book & 2008 2 DVD's Package" for just $21!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/274497649883?h ... XQMmJROe-R
Highly recommended!

If Clem's material is no longer on eBay, try contacting him at freedomsauce(at)comcast(dot)net (replace the "at" with "@", and "dot" with ".")

Clem is a very helpful guy; I've heard that if you are really stuck, he will guide you through the fix via Skype for a very nominal fee.

- Dave