Sierra Model Comparisons

Jerry Berger · Post by **Jerry Berger** » 4 Jul 2015 8:16 am

Can somebody tell me what the differences are between the Sierra Gearless Crown Series S-10 models and the Session gearless S-10 models? I know that the Session models were built after the Crown series and that Buddy Emmons assisted in the manufacturing of the Session models. Thanks

Tom Campbell · Post by **Tom Campbell** » 4 Jul 2015 8:47 am

Jerry,

The major differences are the placement of the legs and the pedal/knee lever "stop" mechanism.

The Crown series:
The legs attached outside the body of the guitar and they fold up when putting the guitar in the case. For all practical purposes the legs are permanently attached.

The "stop" mechanism is a offset cam that can be rotated to adjust the throw of your pedal or knee lever. This is a very solid, positive stop method.

The Session series:

The legs are mounted inside the body and are removable just like most other steel guitars.

The "stop" mechanism is accomplished by using an allen screw and the throw can be adjusted by turning the allen screw clockwise or counter clockwise.

The body size of the Crown series and the Session series are identical. The Crown series is heavier than the Session series.

I have three Session series 12 string, keyless, guitars.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 4 Jul 2015 9:05 am

really? buddy actually assisted in the manufacture of these? i'd like to see some documentation on that. pictures?
since buddy was near nashville most of the time and sierra was in the nortwest it raises questions.

Jerry Berger · Post by **Jerry Berger** » 4 Jul 2015 9:14 am

Good Morning Chris,

I hope that you are having a good Fourth of July! I got that information off of the Sierra history page that is published. It's not information that I made up if that is what your thinking.

Cheers,

Jerry Berger

Gerald Smith · Post by **Gerald Smith** » 4 Jul 2015 10:01 am

The Crown series had round cross shafts and the session had square ones along with other changes with the way the knee levers were mounted.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 4 Jul 2015 10:58 am

no jerry, i just wasn't aware of that connection and so i wondered what his input was.

Ross Shafer · Post by **Ross Shafer** » 4 Jul 2015 10:59 am

From the Sierra website:

Like his predecessor Chuck Wright, Don's quest for improvement never ended. A couple of years after the introduction of Sierra's innovative Crown series, Don sought the input and ideas of none other than "The Big E", Buddy Emmons. This successful collaboration resulted in the Sierra Session model."

Perhaps its just semantics, but assisting in the manufacture and offering input and ideas imply a different level of involvement to me. At least that's my experience after 39 years in the design and manufacturing game.

I've no negative intent here, just responding to Chris' query.

Tom Campbell · Post by **Tom Campbell** » 4 Jul 2015 11:10 am

I have a Sierra advertising brochure with the "Big E" on the cover in his black "bowler" hat, playing a white, keyless Sierra. With the caption, "Sierra Shines Again...uh-Huh!"

Quentin Hickey · Post by **Quentin Hickey** » 4 Jul 2015 1:43 pm

On the Buddy Emmons website ran by forumite Ernie, if you search in the guitar section there is link on his extended C6 Sierra Session with his copedant listed. Cool idead for sure!!

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 8 Jul 2015 7:24 am

The Session series has detachable legs; the Crown (and before that, the Olympic) had fold-up legs. There was a change in the pedal stop mechanism. I bought a Session after playing a Crown for a long time, and noticed immediately that the Session had more sustain.

Jerry Berger · Post by **Jerry Berger** » 8 Jul 2015 11:25 am

Thanks for all of your input. I really appreciate the information. Jerry

Quentin Hickey · Post by **Quentin Hickey** » 8 Jul 2015 11:27 am

Looks like you have a descent practice amp right off the mark. I am gassing for a 65 pri

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 9 Jul 2015 8:32 am

Bob wrote:

I bought a Session after playing a Crown for a long time, and noticed immediately that the Session had more sustain.

Is this a Crown? If it is, it has a lot of sustain.
Gerry Hogan once told me heavy guitars had very much of it. Don't know if that's true but I believe him.

Tom Campbell · Post by **Tom Campbell** » 9 Jul 2015 9:41 am

Yes...that's a Crown series. Don't often see a keyed Sierra, but them did make the in the Crown.
With that said, maybe b0b will "chime" in here...it might be an Olympic...which is earlier than the Crown...I think he had one in black/gold.

Tim Russell · Post by **Tim Russell** » 9 Jul 2015 9:52 am

Joachim Kettner wrote:Bob wrote:
I bought a Session after playing a Crown for a long time, and noticed immediately that the Session had more sustain.

Is this a Crown? If it is, it has a lot of sustain.
Gerry Hogan once told me heavy guitars had very much of it. Don't know if that's true but I believe him.

That is identical to my Sierra, although it looks as if someone removed the name plate from the body and glued it on the pedal bar...

And, I agree about the sustain, Joachim. Mine has sustain that won't quit, and the higher register is as clear as a bell.

If a Session puts out even more, that would be amazing!

Jerry Berger · Post by **Jerry Berger** » 9 Jul 2015 10:07 am

You guys are giving me goose bumps when I'm reading all of these nice threads about Sierra's. Here are two pics. of the one I bought.

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 9 Jul 2015 11:02 am

A very cool looking guitar, Jerry!

Jerry Berger · Post by **Jerry Berger** » 9 Jul 2015 11:17 am

Thanks Joachim. It's do to arrive next Tuesday.

Tim Russell · Post by **Tim Russell** » 9 Jul 2015 3:11 pm

Jerry,

That is a very beautiful guitar. Love the colored fretboards. When it arrives, would you possibly be able to weigh it in/out of the case?

I have the Crown D-10 and it is 60 lb. out of the case, 90 lb. boxed up!

Jerry Berger · Post by **Jerry Berger** » 9 Jul 2015 5:09 pm

HI Tim,

According to the shipping weight of the package being shipped to me the total weight is 54 lbs. I believe he has some small items included in the box besides the steel.

Jerry

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 10 Jul 2015 1:46 am

Thanks for the extra info, fellers. I was looking at a Sierra Session-12, but I know next-to-nothing about 'em, and the guy trying to sell the guitar told me to leave, said I was asking too many questions. That keyless peghead--Are they known for reliability? How easy is it to string one up?

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 10 Jul 2015 3:20 am

They're reliable. Once you get the knack, restringing ain't bad. Probably even quicker.

Tim Russell · Post by **Tim Russell** » 10 Jul 2015 10:45 am

Lane Gray wrote:They're reliable. Once you get the knack, restringing ain't bad. Probably even quicker.

They tout the finger design as such that the broken string always falls through to the floor, thus not getting jammed up in the changer.

Not always the case - if you do happen to break a string, always look for the remaining end either on the floor, or lying on one of the pull rods, which happened to me recently. It took a bit of doing to get it removed, including turning the guitar over/endways and shaking it to loosen it.

Kinda like when we drop a pick inside an acoustic...

Quentin Hickey · Post by **Quentin Hickey** » 13 Jul 2015 4:42 pm

Nuff said folks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5aOB5MzfMQ