Emmons Push Pull Tuning

Instruments, mechanical issues, copedents, techniques, etc.

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Carl Burcham
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Joined: 5 Jan 2022 9:51 pm
Location: Texas, USA

Emmons Push Pull Tuning

Post by Carl Burcham »

Just wanted to get on here and ask about this. Recently I was gifted a 1979 Emmons D-10 (8x4) I’ve had it for about 2 months and just starting to learn how to play steel, I had Steve Lamb in DFW, TX go thru it and clean it and restring it. And he ran thru how to tune it with me but what he told me and what I’ve seen online are two different stories. Steve Lamb told me that my lowers are tuned with the bottom set of set screws then raises are with the top row. Then I’ve read online that the top row is for both raises and lowers and then the bottom row is for just open tuning.
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Lee Rider
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Joined: 20 Jan 2008 12:38 pm
Location: Fort Bragg, California, USA

Re: Emmons Push Pull Tuning

Post by Lee Rider »

I have a Bowman push pull which, I believe, is tuned the same way as the Emmons.

Tune raises at the key head, open notes are the lower set of screws and lowers are the upper set.

There is a thread a the top of this section that describes tuning the push pull.
Bowman SD10 push pull 3x5, Modified Hudson PedalBro, Sarno Tonic preamp, Furlong split, Altec 418B in Standel Custom 15, '67 Showman with D-130F in cabinet, Ganz Straight Ahead, custom Wolfe 6 string dobro, '52 Gibson Century 6, Gallagher OM with acoustic StringBender, '67 Martin D-35s (#3).
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Mike Polansky
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Location: Austin, TX

Re: Emmons Push Pull Tuning

Post by Mike Polansky »

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Henry Matthews
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Joined: 7 Mar 2002 1:01 am
Location: Texarkana, Ark USA

Re: Emmons Push Pull Tuning

Post by Henry Matthews »

He is correct, tune the raises with keyheas, then tune bottom Allen’s screws in end plate for opens. Tune lowers with top set of Allen’s. If you turn on over 3 rounds, something is wrong.
Henry Matthews


D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes.