Emmons PP tuning/setup help -- 4th string lower

[Sam Inglis]

I have taken a deep breath and bought an Emmons bolt-on. I've only ever dealt with all-pull guitars before so the push-pull setup is hurting my brain a bit.

Everything seems to be set up and working OK except that I cannot get the 4th string lower to go all the way to E flat. The raise rod is pulling taut and separating the two halves of the changer finger before it can move enough to lower a full semitone. If I adjust the collets on the cranks for the C pedal and E raise lever to give the raise rod more slack, I then cannot get a full tone raise on the C pedal.

Not sure if these photos make anything clearer! This is Day setup so the C pedal is the one at the end. As you can see the collets are right up on the cranks and the raise tuning nut on the 4th string is quite far our, that's the only way I can find to give it sufficient travel.

If anyone is able to advise I'd be very grateful!

[Roland Scholl]

Hi Sam, make sure the raise hook is in the lowest hole of the changer finger, adjust the pedal to raise that finger all the way, then tune the string to F# (pedal) and E (zero position). Then see if there is enough slack for the lever to lower to Eb; if not, increase the slack and compensate with a longer travel at the C pedal.

[Sam Inglis]

Thanks Roland. I'll try that.

By "the lowest hole of the changer finger" I assume you mean the one nearest the guitar body? Ie. the one that will be lowest when the guitar is upside down?

[Sam Inglis]

OK, I think I have sorted it at last. The raise was being restricted by the end of the lower rod sticking out. Allowing that to move in a couple of millimetres gave everything just enough travel.

This is like working on vintage motorcycles or something!

[Roland Scholl]

Yes, the lowest with the guitar upside down - but it seems like you solved the problem by fixing something I wasn't even thinking of: stuck rod. Glad it's working now!

[Dave Magram]

Sam, congratulations!
The Emmons push-pull guitars are the benchmark of great tone for many, many players!!

I'd highly recommend Clem Schmitz's bargain-priced booklet and DVD "Methodology And Practice In Pedal Steel Guitar" to any Emmons push-pull owner (especially someone who doesn't live in the States).
● Clem used to own a steel guitar store and repair shop in Minneapolis, then one in Nashville, where he worked on Emmons push-pulls owned by players such as Mike Johnson.

Clem’s 24-page booklet and DVD shows how to make simple adjustments to an Emmons push-pull--or even take the entire guitar apart and put it back together.

In his booklet, Clem explains step by step (with photos) exactly how to disassemble, re-assemble, and adjust push-pull guitars with several clever little tricks that would take a very long time to figure out--including a simple solution to setting the correct amount of slack on the 4th string in 5 seconds or less! (Just that tip alone is worth the bargain price of Clem's booklet & DVD!)

He sells the booklet and a DVD combo package on eBay listed as "Pedal Steel Guitar 83 METHODOLOGY P/P Book & 2008 2 DVD's Package" for just $21!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/274497649883?h ... XQMmJROe-R
Highly recommended!

If Clem's material is no longer on eBay, try contacting him at freedomsauce(at)comcast(dot)net (replace the "at" with "@", and "dot" with ".")

Emmons push-pull guitars are very reliable and stable and I almost never need Clem's booklet, but it's great to have for the rare time every 10 years or so when some little Allen screw loosens up somewhere, or a string pitch change isn't happening the way it should and you have to leave for a gig in the next 30 minutes.

Clem is a very helpful guy; I've heard that if you are really stuck, he will guide you through the fix via Skype for a very nominal fee.

More info on making simple adjustments to Emmons push-pull guitars at:
viewtopic.php?t=205028


- Dave

[Sam Inglis]

Thanks Dave,

I can't shake the feeling that this magnificent instrument deserves a better player than me, but I am having a blast so far.

I've placed an order for Clem's guide, thanks for the tip.

[Dave Magram]

You are most welcome, Sam.

I'm curious--does your Emmons guitar have a wooden or aluminum neck?

- Dave

[Sam Inglis]

Hi Dave,

It's a wooden neck. The serial number is in the 2300s which dates it to the mid ’70s I think.