Installing an Emmons switchplate in a Zum

John Lacey · Post by **John Lacey** » 2 Sep 2013 4:18 am

Is it possible to fit an Emmons switchplate onto a Zumsteel Hybrid? Don't think I'll do it but I'm fantasizing

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 2 Sep 2013 4:59 am

If one has skills in carpentry, I could see it happening.
If I wanted a tone knob, I think I'd put it above the output jack.

Dick Sexton · Post by **Dick Sexton** » 2 Sep 2013 5:25 am

I would install it external of the steel. Of course that's just me and I would want my wife to get top dollar for it after I'm gone. That is, when and if they can pry it from my cold dead grasp. But, that wont be a problem, I could never afford one. Hummm, maybe my wife will by me one with her insurance money.

Just saying... "Don't do it!"

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 2 Sep 2013 10:39 am

now john, you're way smart enough to figure this out.
the plate screws down on the deck and the hole in the body needs to be big enough to house the guts.

i don't think i'd do it..no real benefit.
i've switched out just the pickup from emmons to older zum with no problem and only slight tonal benefit. the plate might look cool, but the hybrid is totally cool on it's own.

Craig Baker · Post by **Craig Baker** » 2 Sep 2013 11:03 am

John,
While the best advice I can offer is always: "Don't Take Anybody's Advice". . . since you ask. . .
I wouldn't do it for several reasons;

Your steel guitar is not the place to control tone. For least noise, it's always best to fine-tune your tone at the amplifier.

Your Zum is an excellent guitar right out of the factory. Why take a chance with your resale value?

Respectfully,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024

Lynn Stafford · Post by **Lynn Stafford** » 2 Sep 2013 1:39 pm

John Lacey wrote:Is it possible to fit an Emmons switchplate onto a Zumsteel Hybrid? Don't think I'll do it but I'm fantasizing

John,

It's possible from the factory, (if you can talk Bruce into providing it) but not very easily as a retrofit, in my opinion.

John Lacey · Post by **John Lacey** » 2 Sep 2013 7:17 pm

The only reason I want it is because the Emmons has a real substational neck bank switch. I don't even need a tone pot there, just a more substantial bank switch.

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 2 Sep 2013 9:10 pm

I wonder if a full size toggle could be swapped out for the stock mini-toggle (like the 3-position P/U selector switch on a Les Paul). I don't think over-drilling the hole in the deck would be a big problem but I don't know if there is room underneath for the bigger switch housing. .....Come to think of it, it may be too tall and liable to be inadvertently hit.

John Lacey · Post by **John Lacey** » 3 Sep 2013 3:56 am

That's what I would be afraid off...complications! It's just a shortcoming I've seen on most modern guitars. If your playing your guitar in the heat of the action, I find the position of that mini-switch and the size not conducive to fast switching. The tone control is a moot point.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 3 Sep 2013 4:38 am

I leave mine in center position, I like the tone better, and I go back and forth at will, between phrases.
I've replaced that switch once: If it needs it again, I'm paying someone to do it. Not much room in there. I'd ask Bruce or your guitar tech if there's room for a full switch.

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 3 Sep 2013 7:28 am

There are hundreds of different 3 position switches. They are of varying heights. Here's a sample You need an on-on or ABY switch
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/i ... r2=piv-web

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 3 Sep 2013 7:38 am

oh i see. mine is a mini toggle that looks weak as all get out, but the old zumsteel is 30 years old. if i 'ever' changed it, it was only once!

Jerry Jones · Post by **Jerry Jones** » 3 Sep 2013 8:09 am

You'll need an "ON-ON-ON" DPDT switch if you want to select both pickups at once. That configuration is usually only available as a "mini" switch.... which I assume you already have. Other than that, there's the leaf switch, or the blade type.

You could always make a larger and longer switch tip from plastic that slides over the tip of your current switch. Drill the smallest possible hole in some < 1/4" plastic rod stock and glue onto the tip of the mini switch you have..... not much glue, of course and guitar up side down.

Buddy Castleberry · Post by **Buddy Castleberry** » 3 Sep 2013 1:24 pm

ive done a black zum wth the emmons plate before
its not hard,you have to have the guts an a little know how. i would not do it for anyone else.it did change the tone a little ,anytime u go through pots something will change ,but it will not sound like an emmons .it just cut the tinted highs a little.
look at the one jack goodson has right under your ad thats the one i added

Jack Goodson · Post by **Jack Goodson** » 3 Sep 2013 1:42 pm

buddy: that was the best thing that ever happened to my zum, i disconnected the tone and defeat switch then put original single pickups in it. it sounds great now....jack

Buddy Castleberry · Post by **Buddy Castleberry** » 3 Sep 2013 1:53 pm

u need to hook that back up ,then flip the tone
toogle to the right that makes it go through the tone pot but leave the tone pot off then crank up the treble on amp
thats why i added that .when u turn the treble up on a zum it will cut glass . but just going through the switch and pot u can crank up the treble. thats the way i play my p/p also

Jack Goodson · Post by **Jack Goodson** » 3 Sep 2013 2:27 pm

buddy: i have my emmons pp the same way, it gives you a direct hookup without going thru anything to lose signal. you do not need anything but the amp to control the tone....thanks jack

Chris Lucker · Post by **Chris Lucker** » 3 Sep 2013 2:46 pm

John, do you mean an "Emmons control plate" or do you mean a control plate?

I make the distinction because, especially in the early Emmons D-10 guitars with the smaller overlap the control plate was placed for structural reasons, and is the reason why the wood neck Wraparounds had very long control plates. The control plates for wood necks did not need to be as long when the cabinets changed and became stiffer -- deader, to my ears.

If you want an Emmons style cast control panel to stiffen your cabinet down the center it is one thing, but if you just want a piece of milled out extrusion to hold some electrical components that is easier.

Just a suggestion, as a test wire up what you want the controls to do. Just wire in a pot and switch and let them hang in the air and listen to determine if you think they are worthwhile.

If you like the new components, and do not think you will be using them on the fly, but will set and forget, install them under the guitar and out of the way. Do not make any holes in the top, and if I recall, there is no room in the case for an added switch and knob on an endplate anyway.

John Lacey · Post by **John Lacey** » 4 Sep 2013 4:43 am

Chris, it doesn't have to be an Emmons switchplate, I just happen to feel comfortable with them on my Emmons guitars. A custom made plate similar in size to the one Lynn showed would probably work, I just prefer the Telecaster-sized switch bodies cause they're more substatial. As far as doing anything electronically on my guitar, forget it

Willie Sims · Post by **Willie Sims** » 12 Sep 2013 7:05 am

I I have a Emmons LaGrand double neck with the switch you're talking about. I find that this switch gets in the way when trying to chime on the C6 neck. I would just as soon as not be on the guitar at all. I could take it off but, I don't want to devalue the guitar. I would advise not to put the switch on your them. Just my opinion.

Willie Sims · Post by **Willie Sims** » 12 Sep 2013 7:07 am

I I have a Emmons LaGrand double neck with the switch you're talking about. I find that this switch gets in the way when trying to chime on the C6 neck. I would just as soon as not be on the guitar at all. I could take it off but, I don't want to devalue the guitar. I would advise not to put the switch on your zum. Just my opinion

John Lacey · Post by **John Lacey** » 13 Sep 2013 4:25 am

The reason I said Emmons is I also own 2 Emmons guitars and I'm very used to the switchplates on them and they don't get in my way for anything. As I said before, the tone control doesn't have to be there, just the substantial neck bank switch, but short of letting Lynn or Bruce work on the guitar, I'll just continue to live with it. It's not the end of the world, just something I'm throwing out there for feedback. Thanks for the replies, guys.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 13 Sep 2013 6:03 am

I think I'd put one inboard on the rear apron, on a couple of angle brackets, actuator facing down. That way you're not cutting up the guitar, and it shouldn't take much to get used to a switch just to the right of the right thigh.

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 13 Sep 2013 6:11 am

Jerry Jones wrote:You'll need an "ON-ON-ON" DPDT switch if you want to select both pickups at once. That configuration is usually only available as a "mini" switch.... which I assume you already have. Other than that, there's the leaf switch, or the blade type.

You could always make a larger and longer switch tip from plastic that slides over the tip of your current switch. Drill the smallest possible hole in some < 1/4" plastic rod stock and glue onto the tip of the mini switch you have..... not much glue, of course and guitar up side down.

The Old Sho Bud "neck selector" and Gibson Les Paul pickup selector" switches are both "on-on-on" DPDT. They would be more sunstatntial for neck swapping and would require minimal work to install (enlargening the existing hole).

I've even used on-off-on swoitches before, which work for me. Even though I may jump from neck-to-neck within the same song, I never keep both necks on simultaneously. The tone is too thin and there can be too much extraneos noise.

Jerry Jones · Post by **Jerry Jones** » 13 Sep 2013 11:15 am

Here's the quick fix, nylon tuning nut pressed onto switch handle...... MacGyver!

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