Ron Lashley Jr. - Emmons Co

Harry Hess · From: Blue Bell, PA., USA * R.I.P.

One year ago today, many of us were bemoaning and debating the facts as relayed to us from Billy Jenkins that, in his opinion, the Emmons Co was giving him the run around on delivering his "pre-paid for" guitar. Ron Lashley's silence on the subject fed the flames of the perceived controversy.

But now, as it has finally turned out, Ron Lashley ate big time losses this past year and reportedly delivered on 12 Emmons guitars that he personally and the remaining Emmons Co received "zilch......$0" payment for.

He met the task of building tens of thousands of dollars worth of guitars with no hope of recovering the costs of said guitars.

He did so to preserve the good name Buddy Emmons and his father built and to carry on the great Emmons legacy. I'm sure his father can only be looking down with pride at his son.

The Emmons Co is not some kind of huge entity. They would, believe it or not, be classified as a small company.

Apparantly, a principle party left the company, unannounced no less and allegedly taking with him the majority of the finiancial assets.

It should be clearly noted that Ron Lashley rose to the occaision honorably and met the standards of old fashioned decency most have long forgotten.... while his liability to do so was not even clearly evident.

He produced and delivered the one dozen guitars at no doubt great suffering to the already cash short company. He did it to maintain the fair minded reputation of the Emmons Co and their high level of respectability in the industry.

On top of this task that many companies would have found insurmountable, he has also managed to keep the Emmons Company going strong. Their current quality has not diminished one bit. One can only hope that any damage to their reputation is now forgotten in favor of their obvious integrety.

While Ron Lashley, Jr received a beating here ( I hope that I wasn't too rough, I hope he will forgive me), he kept his mouth shut and busied himself with the monumental task before him and kept plowing away untill he had made good on all of the bad debts allegedly incurred by the previous owner.

It is only fitting that we now take the time to reflect and to recognize the high moral standards and dedication to the reputation of the great Emmons product and the refusal to give up exhibited by the man who deserves all of the steel guitar communities deepest respect.... Ron Lashley, Jr.

Ron Lashley, Jr. persevered with out whining..... we heard not so much as a peep out of him... He worked diligently to retire the former owner's alleged bad debts at great cost and no doubt personal hardship to himself, and has keep the Emmons Co very much alive and has come out of the box swinging with the Emmons Co still THE major producer of "professional quality" pedal steel guitars.

Another company may produce and sell more than Emmons, but Emmons is still clearly the leader when it comes to professional quality PSG's with undeniably THE tone and rock solid construction standards sought after by the vast majority of players.

If the Steel Guitar Forum members were to be able to vote for our "Man Of The Year", I'd submit Ron Lashley Jr for the honor.

At this one year anniversary of the unfortunate events (well publicised here), we should take public note of Ron Jr's success and diligent attention to righting the wrongs that he was not clearly responsible for, and in as forthright a manner as he could.

It should also be well noted that his personal honor and that of the beloved and highly respected Emmons Co have withstood the kind of test that would have destroyed a Company and individuals of lessor stuff. And he has certainly put to rest any fear that he could not produce a guitar as good as his father could. The Emmons quality has not diminished one bit, and I predict that once he has his feet firmly on the ground, Ron Jr's ascendancy to the helm of the Emmons Company will return it to a new era of renewed vigor and we are already seeing a return to the kind of diligent personal support and customer care recently lacking while the company appeared to be under the thumb of an seemingly uncaring individual who just did not appear to have the company or it's customers best interests at heart.

Hat's off and best wishes for profitable success to a man who clearly deserves it.

Regards,
Harry Hess
wb3jfw@comcast.net (new primary email address)

P.S. sorry for the typo error/mispell Of Ron Lashley's last name in the topic thread title, can you fix it, b0b?

[This message was edited by Harry Hess on 28 September 2002 at 04:18 AM.]

Wayne Brown · From: Bassano, Alberta, Canada

HERE..HERE

Ted Hughes R.I.P. · From: Ms. USA

I second that . Great Man , Great Company , & Great Guitar. And also ,His wife & mother Inlaw is very nice to talk to on the phone & They are very quick to get orders out to .

RON PRESTON · From: Dodson, Louisiana, USA

AS Mike Cass and I said a year ago.......
We Knew that Ron and Rebecca would get through this....BUT, it seems back then, several thought Otherwise.
If Ron and his Family asked me to work for them again, I would move back to Burlington and work my butt off for them just as I did back in 1999-2000.
NEVER would I have imagined that I would work for the

Emmons steel guitar Co.
I was honored to just be a part of such a history as the Emmons Co.
I met many great human beings around the world that made such an impact on my life.
Someday, I will pass on many pitures and autographs of my time at the Emmons Co. to my Son, Jonathan Preston.
Only through the Grace of God was I allowed to be a part of this wonderful family of Steel Guitar.
My BEST memories of my life will always be when I was an employ of the Emmons Co.God Bless Ron Jr. and the Great staff at Emmons.
Your Friend in Jesus,
Ron Preston

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

I recently did some business with Ron Jr. and I'll have to say that I was never treated any better. I added some knee levers to my LeGrande. I sent Ron a check for the lever kits and was rewarded in short order with exactly what I needed. It would be my pleasure to do business with Ron Jr. again!
Erv

Dave Robbins · From: Cottontown, Tnn. USA (deceased)

Include me in, too! Ron Jr, is a good guy and working very hard to preserve the Emmons honor and legacy. Those who "Know" him already know this!

THE EMMONS GUITAR IS IN GREAT HANDS BY THOSE WHO BUILD IT AND BY THOSE WHO PLAY IT!

"RON Jr," keep up the good work, we're behind ya, man!

Dave
(proud owner of L-III, L-II, an '64 P/P)

[This message was edited by Dave Robbins on 28 September 2002 at 10:30 AM.]

Bill Simmons · From: Keller, Texas/Birmingham, AL, R.I.P.

I endorse what has been alread stated about the dedication, commitment, and integrity of Ron Jr and Rebecca. They have had a mountain of a challenge and they are going over. I've owned many Emmons over the years and although at the moment I do not play an Emmons, I plan on getting another one soon.

It's amazing that several steel companies use the Emmons (especially the old p/p's) as the standard for 'the sound'of there guitars.

I wish ALL the steel guitar companies well in their business. There are many great steels and the builders are fine people. It's sad looking at some old steel guitar ads from 10+ years ago realizing that many of the fine steels are no longer being made such as - ZB, BMI, Sho-Bud - Kline - MSA. It's good to hear about the great MSA's coming back and our prayers and support are with them and the great Emmons Steel Guitar Company. Keep going forward Ron and Rebecca.

Frank Estes · From: Huntsville, AL

Emmons guitars are the standard to which all others are measured. Everything about them is beautiful. I have finally "settled down" to a wonderful 78 Emmons and whether it's an all-pull or push-pull, the only brand of steel guitar I prefer to own is Emmons. The search is over!

Ron Jr. has proven to be a real class act--he did not wait decades to make good on these obligations that technically were not his.

Hey guys, we should put are money where are mouths are and help Ron Jr. out by buying some accessories like strings, etc. from Emmons Guitar or maybe Harry or someone can start a fund where we can donate some money to help them out.

When people choose to do the right thing above and beyond the call of duty, then we should always respond and do generous things to encourage and reward it!

Sincerely,

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Frank Estes - 1978 Emmons D-10 8+7 #2441D

Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Herb Steiner · From: Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064

Ron Jr. is one of the good guys. He's got a real job ahead of him, and I wish him the best. I won't go into the mundane details of my recent custom work done by Ronnie, except to say the Emmons Company satisfied my every customer desire I had. Excellent service!

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Kenny Dail · From: Kinston, N.C. R.I.P.

What else can be said that hasn't already been said. Ron and Rebecca are certainly deserving of everything that has been said. I wish them success in their continuing efforts to make the best Steel Guitar todays market has to offer. Our hats are off to you Ron...

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kd...and the beat goes on...

Lee Baucum · From: McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier

Frank Estes said:

"Emmons guitars are the standard to which all others are measured."

Before another long-winded discussion gets started, go to this link.
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum5/HTML/004283.html

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Lee, from South Texas

Ernie Renn · From: Brainerd, Minnesota USA

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My best,
Ernie

The Official Buddy Emmons Website
www.buddyemmons.com

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

It just goes to show you that there are people out there of integrity building steel guitars like Ron Lashley. Refreshing to see a steel guitar company run by someone who doesn't threaten people with lawsuits for telling the truth. They also build what has to be considered the standard steel guitar that others are measured by, not an overpriced piece of crap with no tone. My hats off to Ron.

Brett Day · From: Pickens, SC

I love the Emmons steel guitar. I play a 1974 beginner Emmons steel guitar and it's awesome! I'm amazed at the sound of an Emmons guitar! The Emmons steel guitar is awesome! Brett Day, Emmons S-10

Harry Hess · From: Blue Bell, PA., USA * R.I.P.

Let's close this thread before the wierdo's come in.

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