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  Mci ,emci,mci Waco

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Author Topic:   Mci ,emci,mci Waco
Daniel J. Cormier
Member

From: Lake Charles, LA, USA

posted 11 April 2002 03:15 PM     profile     
Pardon my ignorance,Being this my frist time trying this part of the SGF,whats all the "hoopla" about on this subject.I have had my Super Racing Waco MCI D-10 for sale on the Forum now 3 weeks. I keep getting e-mails wanting to know if it is a MCI , EMCI or WAco MCI model. I want to ask the stupid question whats the difference. I have had all 3 of them ,both with and without alum. necks and to be honest the Waco model plays better & has a warmer tone.
confused in Louisiana
Daniel J. Cormier

[This message was edited by Daniel J. Cormier on 11 April 2002 at 03:24 PM.]

louie hallford
Member

From: denison tx

posted 11 April 2002 04:31 PM     profile     
Daniel ,I am certainly not an expert regarding your question but will share the street talk I have heard regarding the difference.

It has always been my understanding that the original design of the MCI did not include a welded frame and tended to have some frame movement.Later versions I am told had a welded frame which made the guitar much tighter.

All I have heard on later models whether,MCI or EMCI is good,
.

The expert on this would be none other than Bud Carter as he was one of the originals involved with its development and construction.

Stephen O'Brien
Member

From: Cortlandt Manor, NY, USA

posted 12 April 2002 04:06 AM     profile     
Check out the following post on the forum:
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum5/HTML/002143.html

This pretty much tells the story. I have an MCI RangeExpander, which is the MCI model with the welded frame. The EMCI is the same guitar, so the real difference is the waco model (earlier) and the arlington model (later). I've never seen a waco model, so I can't comment on them, but I can tell you that the arlington model is a super guitar.

Stephen O'Brien
Member

From: Cortlandt Manor, NY, USA

posted 12 April 2002 04:11 AM     profile     
p.s., I saw your listing on the buy and sell and it looks good. Try selling the items separately. Also, you might help yourself if you had better quality pictures, though.

[This message was edited by Stephen O'Brien on 12 April 2002 at 04:12 AM.]

Daniel J. Cormier
Member

From: Lake Charles, LA, USA

posted 12 April 2002 06:48 AM     profile     
Please Explain RangeExpander. I've had that question asked also.
Stephen thanks, I'll try and have some new pics next day or two

Dumb as dirt but still learning

Daniel

[This message was edited by Daniel J. Cormier on 12 April 2002 at 06:48 AM.]

Stephen O'Brien
Member

From: Cortlandt Manor, NY, USA

posted 12 April 2002 07:37 AM     profile     
I asked Bud Carter the same question. He said that RangeExpander meant that you could add cross-shafts (for new pedals and knee levers) to the guitar without removing the aprons. Thus, it was easier to "expand" the "range" of the guitar.

Is it important? Not really. The big difference between this and the earlier model was the welded endplates which added a lot of strength.

Daniel J. Cormier
Member

From: Lake Charles, LA, USA

posted 12 April 2002 08:36 AM     profile     
Cool As can be.
Iam now seeing the light at end of the tunnel. This MCI has no welded body.This was why I bought this model. Had the airport luggage apes drop my EMCI in DC & broke two Welds. My MCI S-10 had same problem ( My mistake this time). Both times it happen temp. was below 20o F.This Guitar has RangeExpander & Has no to very little cabinet drop.
Daniel
Stephen O'Brien
Member

From: Cortlandt Manor, NY, USA

posted 12 April 2002 09:45 AM     profile     
that's an interesting perspective on the potential downside of welded end plates. I always figured they were superior in every respect no non-welded ones, but your experience shows otherwise.

Try and get some good, clear pictures to put on your post -- pretty pictures do a lot to sell anything, including steel guitars.

Jim Smith
Member

From: Plano, TX, USA

posted 12 April 2002 10:11 AM     profile     
Gene Fields and I came up with the idea of the welded frame when we worked together at MCI. I showed him how we screwed and pinned the endplates at Dekley, and he's the one who worked out the physical application, and continues to have his GFI frames welded.

Perhaps you should talk to Gene about the welds. He could very well have changed the welding process since he started building his own guitars, and may be able to get your MCI re-welded such that you won't have to worry about them breaking again.

------------------
Jim Smith jimsmith94@charter.net
-=Dekley D-12 10&12=-
-=Fessenden Ext. E9/U-13 8&8=-

Daniel J. Cormier
Member

From: Lake Charles, LA, USA

posted 12 April 2002 04:32 PM     profile     
Hey Jim
Loved My Dekley,Sold it to by frist MCI. Just to heavy to fly with. Thanks to everyone for the info.

much smarter now
Daniel

John Lazarus
Member

From: Tucson, AZ.

posted 16 April 2002 03:02 PM     profile     
Bobbe Seymour turned me on to EMCI's when I was in his shop a few years back. I have owned many guitars and played many more and I have never played anything that sounds better or sustains as well. The harmonics are amazing. It is the best kept "secret" in the steel guitar world! I personally know of four other players who have made the switch to the welded frame MCI/EMCI after hearing them. Best bit of information I have received in over 30 years being around steel guitars. Thanks, Bobbe.
As a point of interest, the welded MCI is essentially identical to the later EMCI, but the EMCI has an additional weld holding the changer in place. I don't know what effect this had on tone or sustain, if any, although the EMCI's have all sounded somewhat better than the MCI's I have tried.
I have no experience with a Waco model MCI.
Mike Perlowin
Member

From: Los Angeles CA

posted 17 April 2002 07:47 AM     profile     
My friend Frank who played a Zum for years, recently sold it and bought an EMCI. He says it's a better guitar.

Since I am unfamiliar with the guitar, I can't comment on this, but Frank is an excellent player and it's reasonable to assume he knows what he's talking about.

Jay Jessup
Member

From: Charlottesville, VA, USA

posted 22 April 2002 06:59 AM     profile     
Hi Mike,
I currently have a few samples of both in my playing stable and I wouldn't really go as far as saying the EMCI is better than a Zum but it is a nice guitar and it's currently what I am playing. They have 24" scales and the narrower MSA like spacing at the roller nuts which for some odd reason makes my playing sound better to me. Biggest downside is that they haven't been made for more than ten years and what little supply of spares that might be out there is drying up quickly so if anyone is looking for one make sure it already has all the knee levers you want.

All times are Pacific (US)

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