Used EMCI...Pictures Added

Bill Bassett · From: Papamoa New Zealand

I was put in touch with someone who has an early EMCI psg., D-10, 8 pedals and 7 knees. Serial #000033. It was purchased used and given to her son some time ago. He never got past screwing the legs on it and turning it right side up. So, Mom wants to sell it. I'd like to buy it or at least help her sell it, but here's the thing.
It's a mess. Must have been set up in a garage or store room and left to gather dust. Thick layer of dust that is. I found little mouse tracks all over it, all the aluminum is oxidized pretty badly, the fret boards are curling up at the nut. The case looks good, a little pitting on the latches and hinges but the covering is very clean and shows no sign that it was exposd to the same dust as the guitar itself.
I got is set up and found some unusual features. The pedals have all been moved to the right about and inch so all the pedal rods slant. About half of all the rods have been disconnected at the bell cranks and left to dangle from the changer end.
Those pedals that do work seem fine except certain strings don't return to pitch when the pedal is released. The push button switches between the necks don't work. I honestly think that mice peed on them and elsewhere. The guitar has sticky residue all over the body and legs as if tape was used to attach things at one time or another.
The body is bright blue mica with the name of the original owner on the front apron in stick on letters. (I know that'll leave a ghost impression when removed.)
The guitar has potential I know and I want to offer a fair price, but given the hours involved in bring it back to life and making it a player again, I don't know what fair would be.

Any advise from you guys who do rebuilds and restores? I know a lot of what this will involve is cleaning and lubricating but if those changers need to be taken apart and polished, I'm in over my head.
I'll take some photos and share them directly if anyone would find that useful.

Thanks in advance,

Bill Bassett
bdb107@yahoo.com
Rimrock AZ
928-567-4612

John Lazarus · From: Tucson, AZ.

Bill,
Please post those photos!
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John Lazarus
EMCI D-10,8+9; Evans FET 500 Custom; Peavey Tubefex; Model 6-A Matchbox; Emmons Volume Pedal

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

sounds like a $500 max guitar. their loss due to carelessness!

i bought a d10 wood emmons p/p for $700 from a nice lady. the thing looked as if it had been tortured by dick cheney...bent leg..cracked body..weird set up..
it's now a wonderful players guitar with character.

Bent Romnes · From: London,Ontario, Canada

A great restoration project. Considering the mouse pee and likely a bad storage area, I agree with Chris I. on the price. The fret board curling up doesn't bode well. This could mean severe moisture problems and possible warping of the body.
I would love to see some photos, Bill...lots of both under and over.
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Bill Bassett · From: Papamoa New Zealand

OK, OK, I'll take some pictures this evening after work.
Thanks for the replies so far. I appreciate any and all advise.

B

Bill Bassett · From: Papamoa New Zealand

OK, here are some shots including the undercarriage, fret board, mouse tracks, stains and so on.
I'd appreciate your opinions of value and how you might proceed.

Thanks,

BDBassett
Rimrock AZ

Bill Bassett · From: Papamoa New Zealand

Here are a few additional shots.

BD

Steve English · From: Baja, Arizona

Bill,

I'd jump on that! It doesn't appear to be anything other than topside cleaning and setup to me.

I would think that guitar would be worth 2500-3000 once it was cleaned.

Offer her $1000 for it.

I'll put my money where my mouth is, if you don't want it!!!!
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Steve English · From: Baja, Arizona

(I could be there in about 4-5 hrs with the $ if necessary.) Very Happy

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Always remember you're unique..... Just like everyone else

john widgren · From: Wilton CT

Email sent

Bill Bassett · From: Papamoa New Zealand

I appreciate it. Truth is she's not for sale...yet.
I'll let ya know in the proper section of the Forum if and when it goes on the market.

Thanks,

BDBassett
Rimrock AZ

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

yeah, looks a little better than first described. but you still might as well get it cheap as possible. potentially great steel. what's a little mouse pee amongst friends?

John Lazarus · From: Tucson, AZ.

Bill,
That's a winner(incontinent rodent not withstanding)!
Use some heat(hair dryer or Tucson in summer) to remove the fretboards and reapply with contact cement. Take out the Barcus Berry pickups(they make nifty refrigerator magnets) and replace them with other, better options. I'd suggest George L E-66 or 10-1 to start. A good cleaning and set up will yield an amazing guitar.
Steve and Chris are right. I would say it's not a major project, just a refurbishing. Hard to believe it would be worth less than $1,000 or more than $1,400 as it sits.
_________________
John Lazarus
EMCI D-10,8+9; Evans FET 500 Custom; Peavey Tubefex; Model 6-A Matchbox; Emmons Volume Pedal

Steve English · From: Baja, Arizona

Hard to believe it would be worth less than $1,000 or more than $1,400 as it sits.

There ya go Bill....

You give the lady $1000, I'll give you $1400, and I'll get 'er all cleaned up and take it from there...

What more could a couple of ol' cowpokes ask for? Very Happy

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Always remember you're unique..... Just like everyone else

Dan Tyack · From: Olympia, WA USA

How much damage can mouse pee do to Formica? It's been tested on kitchen counters for decades....

Looks like a guitar with great potential. The best EMCI mechanic I know is Frank Carter, but he's probably pretty busy. Jim Palenscar is great, too.

Bill Bassett · From: Papamoa New Zealand

EMCI Is now listed in the For Sale section.

BD

Steve English · From: Baja, Arizona

Got up at 4:30am, on the road by 5...

Drove 4 hrs.up north to meet with Bill, got there at 9am.

Enjoyed meeting and chatting with Bill, did the deal, back home 4 more hrs.

Spent from 2pm on cleaning and setting up the e9 neck, I have to order strings for the c6. Got as far as I could go and now need sleep.

The guitar's gonna be a goodie, cleaning up very nicely.

I'm going to post a link to some pics tomorrow for those interested..

Thanks again Bill, it was nice meeting you.

Happy Trails

Here's a couple of pics:

"before"

"after"

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Always remember you're unique..... Just like everyone else

Paddy Long · From: Christchurch, New Zealand

Steve I played a MCI Rangexpander (almost identical) for 20 years and it was an outstanding guitar. One thing I would suggest is to replace the pickups when you get a chance ... I put a GL E66 on C6th and a 10-1 on E9th and the guitar came to life... the Barcus Berry originals are a bit bland and don't do these guitars justice IMO.

You know that you have yourself the bargain of the century of course Laughing

Enjoy mate!
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08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
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Steve English · From: Baja, Arizona

Here's a link to some more pictures from yesterday:

http://entertainment.webshots.com/album/573671137PmQDYh

Good news today is I just found that the neck selector switches work perfectly!! just gummed up between the switch and the body. Very Happy

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Larry Bressington · From: Nebraska

Stevie, it's looking great already, a bit o elbow grease works wonders.
Weldone!! Very Happy

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