Why are there so many Emmons for sale?

[Bill McCloskey]

It seems every post in the sales section is for an Emmons.

I'm one of those people that have been scared off by a push pull, or anything to do with Emmons. On the one hand, people say it has "that sound". On the other, tuning seems complicated, setting them up properly sounds like a nightmare and literally everyone tells me if you aren't mechanically inclined, don't even think about an Emmons.

Am I being scared off unfairly? and why are so many people trying to get rid of them in favor of an all pull guitar?

[Howard Parker]

and why are so many people trying to get rid of them in favor of an all pull guitar?

I think you might be overstating the reason for the majority of sales.

There were a LOT of P/P's built and have been popular for decades...even as the community ages and moves those guitars to a new generation of players.

Lots of fine guitar choices out there.

h

[Mike Preuss]

I think it's random.

The other week I was setting up for a gig with my nearly 60 year old push pull. I panicked when I realized I left my allen/hex tuning tool at home. All I could do was tune up at the keyhead, which I did. I was pleasantly surprised when my tuner confirmed what I was hearing - perfectly in tune. That old guitar is one of, if not the most stable and reliable pedal steel guitar I have ever owned. I set it up myself using the Clem Schmitz DVD.

They may not be able to raise, lower, and split as many notes as an all pull. And it is definitely more difficult to change a copedent than on an all pull. But, for me they are superior in the way their raises and lowers hit solid stops at the changer. I marvel at the design of the PP changer. It's a masterpiece.

[Duane Becker]

I dont follow the reasoning that push pulls are complicated, setting them up properly sounds like a nightmare and do not own one if you are not mechanically inclined. Although I have heard the same reasoning over the years. I got my first Emmons push pull in 2000, a cuttail 1224 that dates to 1968. My second push pull in 2007 2443 that dates to 1978. When I received my first one, I realized there was a different way of tuning and setting up the undercarriage. I simply learned how to tune it and set it up. That was it, it is as simple as understanding that there is a different way of tuning and adjusting. Same thing as a car or truck stick shift and automatic, different way of making the vehicle go, but once you learn the two procedures, you got it.

Not sure if there are people getting rid of pp's in favor of an all pull either. Probably just the nature of sales.

[Henry Matthews]

Push pulls aren’t really a nightmare if you understand them. That’s basically all I’ve played in last 40 years. I’ve played a lot of different all pulls during the years but seems I always go back to the old push pulls but I understand them and can set them up to play great. If you’re not mechanically inclined, I’d stay away from them.
But if you get one that’s been set up properly, you could play it for years and never have any issues.

[Dave Grafe]

and why are so many people trying to get rid of them in favor of an all pull guitar?

I think you might be overstating the reason for the majority of sales.

There were a LOT of P/P's built and have been popular for decades...even as the community ages and moves those guitars to a new generation of players.

A quick look at this morning's listings on the forum is a reality check, with the following listings from the first page:

Nine Emmons push-pull guitars: five S10/S12, four D10
One Emmons LeGrande all-pull D10

Other guitars currently listed include:

Five Mullen all-pull
Three Zumsteel all-pull
Three Rittenberry all-pull
Two ShoBud all-pull
Two Fender cable pull
Plus excellent guitars from
Justice
Williams
Sierra
Excel
Show Pro
MSA
GFI
Desert Rose

10 Emmons including the one all-pull
23 other quality makes

As Howard says, a lot of older players are letting go of their treasures and some younger players are moving up from single to double necks.

Are push-pull guitars more of a fuss mechanically? Are they clunkier to play than a Zum or Mullen or Franklin?Absolutely on both counts,, but if you want that sound that's where you have to go to get it, which is why so many are still in the hands of professionals and remain active on the market.

The good news is nearly all of the guitars listed here are great sounding instruments in their own right, and most are also well tended and ready to play at a fair price. Good luck on your ventures, keep us all posted on what you find.

[Howard Parker]

The good news is nearly all of the guitars listed here are great sounding instruments in their own right, and most are also well tended and ready to play at a fair price. Good luck on your ventures, keep us all posted on what you find.

I always tell folks that when the tone you get out of your hands matches the tone in your head, well then, that's the instrument you play.

h

[Dave Grafe]

Bingo

[Mark Hepler]

Bought my Emmons push-pull new from Jimmy Crawford's basement shop around '78. He set it up with my copedent. It's still my only steel.

Was happy back then to rid myself of an all-pull and I've never bought another one. My Emmons push-pull stays in tune, which is my priority: played fairs then, wineries & breweries now.

Make sure it's already set up your way and playable--critical because you won't want to change things--and you'll rarely have to fix or tweak it.

[Ian Rae]

I don't like to drift off topic, but what Howard says is so true, and it applies to all instruments. The "best" instrument is the one that delivers your ideal sound with the least effort, whatever brand or model that may be.