Emmons models, how they work?

Liam Sullins · From: Brookville, Ohio

I'm really getting into Emmons lately, mostly older models from the 60s-70s. I bet this has been asked a hundred times but, what is a Fat Back, Wraparound, Bolt on? We're these great guitars, tone wise, mechanics, pickups? I might pick one up this Summer and it probably would be a guitar I'd keep by just listening to the sound of them.

- Liam
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'66 Sho~Bud Fingertip, Sho~Bud amps, Fenders, old cars and Tinkerin with steels!

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

Wrap-around, Bolt-on, Cut-tail all refer to how the push-pull changer is attached and integrated into the neck and body. It evolved over time.

Fat-back refers to the rear apron and whether it is cut away for knee access or is a straight piece of wood.
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Liam Sullins · From: Brookville, Ohio

Hey, thanks!
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'66 Sho~Bud Fingertip, Sho~Bud amps, Fenders, old cars and Tinkerin with steels!

James Sission · From: Sugar Land,Texas USA

Thank you Jon Light. That was very informative. I' be always wondered the same thing.

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

Just because I'm religious about this, that photo is not my doing. I saved it, many years ago, and I'd gladly give credit, if I remembered whose work it is. (This came up before and I think the creator was identified but I remember it about as well as I remember.....most anything these days.....)

James Sission · From: Sugar Land,Texas USA

Remember what? Smile

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

I think the subject was 'what we had for breakfast' but let me scroll up and check the title.
Oh.

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

Excellent. Props to Doug. I have no doubt I said that before too.
Sausage and eggs! Good. Trying to remember that would have kept me up all night.

James Sission · From: Sugar Land,Texas USA

Not to be confused with a split tail, which I've seen here and assumed the post was on the wrong forum.

Kelcey ONeil · From: Sevierville, TN

Liam,
They are all great guitars in their own right, each having itâ€™s own characteristic nature though. The cut tail is most common and was made from 1967 until about 1982, and as the name suggests, employs a cut out in the back of the neck which is filled with an aluminum block for the changer to attach to. The wooden stop bar for the pedals was changed to steel in 1970 with the advent of the Fatback, and continued until the end of production(the Fatback continued until 75 or so, then they once again but out the back apron). Many lacquer models with wooden necks were made in the Fatback era and used bolt on changer mounts; however, these are not to be confused with the bolt on aluminum neck models made in the mid 60â€™s, and are not to be considered bolt ons. The cut tails are considered to be standard for Emmons tone, and they are all good guitars regardless of model year as they were changed very little.

The bolt ons were produced in 66-67â€™ and are characterized by the changer bolting to the top of the neck. These have a more aggressive mid range and, and thicker high tones than most other models. These are rather rare with a few hundred D10s being made.

The wraparound is rarest, and is the original Emmons design. Itâ€™s name suggests that the neck is one piece, and wraps all the way around the changer; it is further characterized by the use of hollow necks(no ribs), and a slightly narrower body. Only 50 or so were made, the first 13 of which are considered production prototypes of sorts. The sound seems sweeter and more rounded than the others, with clear highs, and a rich bottom end. Buddy claimed that the later iterations of these with updated changer mounts were the gold standard for tone, and can be heard on his playing for Ray Priceâ€™s â€œTouch My Heartâ€ album.

Please note, that all production model Emmons used the exact same changer, only the necks and the corresponding changer mounts differed.

Steven Paris · From: Los Angeles

Kelcey ONeil · From: Sevierville, TN

Steve Paris,
Yes, as far as the general design, all Emmons push pulls used the same changer. I should specify, the C6 changer is a 1/4â€ shorter than the E9 changer, but thatâ€™s the only difference.

robert kramer · From: Nashville TN

Liam Sullins, It sounds like the Emmons model for you is an S-10 cut tail, a single neck guitar, 3 pedals, 4 knee levers. These are great guitars, consistent in quality, very easy and solid to play, a professional instrument that can cover any situation. Try to find a guitar, in good shape, already configured to your setup. Spending a little more upfront will save you double or triple later. They were built in black or rosewood Formica. Black sounds better except when it doesn't.

Doug Beaumier · From: Northampton, MA

FYI: I think I posted those pictures in an old thread, but I just grabbed them from an even older thread. The text/labels were already on there. And the comments below the pictures are not mine.
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Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

That is a quote by Jan Ganz taken from another thread.

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