posted 02 November 1999 06:56 PM         

I would try the “search” function here on the forum. This topic came up not to long back (A couple of months ago if I remember right) and most, if not all your questions, were answered by several knowledgeable members including “BE” himself.

I am not “dodging” the question, but I don’t know a lot about the MCI or EMCI guitars. I play a C&W which is the modern version of the EMCI. Carson Wells bought the extrusions from EMCI when they went away, made some modifications and improvements, and builds a fine guitar. As far as the “history” goes...I would look up that thread. It is really very enlightening!

posted 02 November 1999 09:05 PM         

I play an '85 MCI (Arlington, TX model) S10/E9 with 3&4...

Bought it on consignment in Dec. of '96 from a music store in Las Cruces, NM and promptly shipped it off to Bud Carter for a 'tune-up'. He's the person you really want to talk with! Bud helped design and build MSA's before moving on to MCI steels. Indeed, MCI and EMCI steels are the bridge between MSA's and today's Carters. Check out this picture on Carter Steel Guitars web-site...

There is more interesting stuff from Bud Carter on the Carter web-site...
An interview with Bud Carter (circa 1993)

What follows is a synopsis of information sent to me via e-mail by Ann Fabian of Carter Steel Guitars...

<--- Begin --->
Original MCI's were made in Waco, TX and then in Arlington, TX from '83-85.

Waco models were designed as intermediate models with wood necks, Arlington models were redesigned as a professional model with metal necks.

Original MCI logo was white color with 'MCI' in the shape of a steel bar. The 'Arlington' logo was big block 'MCI' with world globe instead of the letter 'C', also metal trim was added.

MCI stands for MusiConIcs (Musiconics, Inc.). EMCI was owned by Intertek, Inc.

Bud Carter left MCI in April '85, and shortly afterwards MCI became EMCI (this is where Buddy Emmons enters into the historical record).

Some of the first EMCI's are actually Arlington MCI's which had an EMCI logo. You can tell the difference between an Arlington MCI and an EMCI in that the EMCI's had a welded frame and used all extrusion to make the frame; on the EMCI endplate there are 2 small seams, 1 on each side, which show where the extrusions join up. EMCI was later sold to Fred Gretsch, around '86(?).

Reportedly, some of the EMCI's that Buddy played (Christmas Album ?) were Arlington MCI's with the EMCI logo, but you'd certainly want to check with him to verify this information!
<--- End --->

quote:

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[Most of the above information between the <--- Begin ---> and <--- End ---> marks was derived from material that is copyrighted by World Class Steels, Inc. (c) 1992-1998]

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I heard somewhere that Jim Flynn, he builds Lone Star Steel Guitars, bought-up the remaining stock of MCI/EMCI parts. Here's a link to the Lone Star Steels web-site...
Lone Star Steel Guitars

Hope this helps.

Mike O'Driscoll
Waunakee, WI

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::: '85 MCI S10/E9 & '77 Peavey LTD 400 :::

[This message was edited by Michael ODriscoll on 11-02-99]