ZB Custom verses Emmons P/P

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 29 Mar 2005 10:21 pm

After two years of playing a ZB Custom D-10 I notice some similarities between it and the Emmons P/P that I played for two years. First they are both unique guitars. Their sounds are both very characteristic. Tremendous tone from both. Excellent string separation qualities. A clarity of tone that cuts through the mix of the country rock bands that I play in without being harsh. I also notice that the feel of the guitars are unique after haveing played some modern guitars for some years. I find that most modern guitars feel the same when you sit behind them where as both the ZB Custom and the Emmons P/P have there own playing idiosynchrosis. You become very tuned into these guitars the more you play them. They are both VERY responsive. They both also have a unique set of mechanics that require the guitars to be balanced out properly in order to play smoothly. I could not believe how beautifully some of the P/P Emmons played
after being properly tweeked by a mechanic that really knows what they are doing. Same with the ZB Custom. I also find that both guitars are very stable once they are put in balance and kept lubricated.
Both these guitars are tone monsters. I've had other players come on stage at sound check at some of our bigger shows as I went out front to hear what it sounded like through the concert mains. The sounds coming out of these guitars is just great. Absolute vintage tones.
I have to thank Dr. Bobbe Seymore for turning me on to these guitars years ago through discussion. He recognized the ZB sound many, many years ago as a quality sound and has played Emmons P/P for many years. The journey of steel guitar is very interesting. Just some rambling observations. I would never say that either of these guitars are for everyone, but for me these two and the older Sho-Buds represent the vintage sounds that I hear in my head that I always associated with steel guitar. [This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 29 March 2005 at 10:23 PM.][This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 29 March 2005 at 10:24 PM.][This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 29 March 2005 at 10:25 PM.][This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 29 March 2005 at 10:28 PM.]