|
Author
|
Topic: emmons or a derby? lets hear from you
|
Randy Carson
Member From: Cedar Park, Texas, USA
|
posted 13 February 2004 12:11 AM
profile
I am curious about a Derby guitar knowing that they are extremly similiar to the Emmons.
what about action comparison
or tone comparison
which one stays in tune the best.
I really just want to hear from some guys that have owned both.
O K LET IT RIP!
RC |
Frank Parish
Member From: Nashville,Tn. USA
|
posted 13 February 2004 05:54 AM
profile
Owned them both. Sold the Derby after six months, kept the Emmons Legrande II two years. Really good guitar (Emmons) tone/solid/very playable. Both guitars were 98 models. Playing a 10 year old Carter now and it outplays either of the two hands down. Pedal action like a Franklin.
One other thing.
The Emmons to my ear was far better than the Derby for tone and both had single coil Emmons pups. The tone factor was why I got rid of the Derby. I'd say they were equal to staying in tune. The Emmons does have the 14 hole bellcranks which IMHO are far better than the 4 holers the Derby had. They both had tunable split on every string. The Emmons was smoother for pedal action. The Emmons was a formica guitar and the Derby was a wood body. I think it's just the one you get hold of as I've heard Derbys that sounded fine but the one had didn't do it for me. I eventually changed the pups in the Emmons to BL-710's and that was a major improvement for tone and it had zero hum with my foot to the floor. If I had my choice I'd take the Emmons but I'd want to play it first. I like the Emmons bellcranks, neck switch is more convenient and I like having the tone control.[This message was edited by Frank Parish on 13 February 2004 at 08:54 AM.] |
autry andress
Member From: Plano, Tx.
|
posted 13 February 2004 05:55 AM
profile
Well here goes I have a SD10 Derby & Fessy.
The Derby Plays well great pedal & knee action, how ever I did change out the E-66
to a L XR-16. The Derby is very high quality product & sounds really great It stays in tune really great. As to which one I like best they both sound different & great can't answer that as my mood changes from day to day. Bill Simmons may have a comment because we compared the Fessy, Derby & his Emmons PP threw his Webb, & what a Sound. If you would like to play the Derby I can bring it to TSGA, you are welcome to take it for a test drive. I just love them both, But I have never owned a Emmons. |
Rex Thomas
Member From: Thompson's Station, TN
|
posted 13 February 2004 06:35 AM
profile
Ok, to the point, I promise. 
I owned a push/pull Emmons for 23 yrs, sold it, tried various gtrs. then I tried the Derby. To me, the Derby's tone far surpassed anything I owned or tried. It has the tone I've been looking for for over 30 yrs.
So, the steel of my dreams sits just a little to my left. |
boppa
unregistered
|
posted 13 February 2004 06:41 AM
I had a Emmon,s (all 3 are D-10.s)a Derby and a Fessenden. I traded my Emmon,s for a Zum sd-10.I liked the sound of the Emmon,s but the Derby just sounded better for me.Pedal action is a little stiffer on the Derby. They are all fine guitar,s.I just got to figure out how to play all 3 at same time so the wife will be happy. God Bless==Jim-Peg Harper and 2 little Yorkie,s |
Bob Knight
Member From: Bowling Green KY
|
posted 13 February 2004 06:44 AM
profile
If I was in the market for a new guitar, The Derby would be at the top of my list. 
Bob |
Randy Carson
Member From: Cedar Park, Texas, USA
|
posted 13 February 2004 07:22 AM
profile
double thanks guys,
but just one perhaps non subjective question since i do own an emmons. and that is which one stays in tune the best.Randy |
Rex Thomas
Member From: Thompson's Station, TN
|
posted 13 February 2004 08:14 AM
profile
Ok, tuning wise, my Derb stays in tune hand over fist better than MY Emmons ever did, or any other steel I owned. It just feels more buttoned down to me & not necessarily heavier. My pedal action is easy & precise. Customer service is second to none. Although it did surprise me once early last year by breaking ONE 1st string (F# on E9, & that was here at the house), it hasn't broken one 3rd string or any others from that point on.
Mine's a babe. |
Randy Carson
Member From: Cedar Park, Texas, USA
|
posted 14 February 2004 02:57 PM
profile
^ |
Frank Estes
Member From: Huntsville, AL
|
posted 14 February 2004 05:04 PM
profile
It would not be on my list at all...------------------
Frank Estes - 1978 Emmons D-10 8+7 #2441D
|
Charlie Moore
Member From: Deville, Louisiana, USA
|
posted 14 February 2004 05:42 PM
profile
Well,i own a emmons p/p ser#2457 and a derby ser#0056 both are d-10's tone wise they are identical,they both STAY in tune the p/p pedal action is harder than the Derby of course, i bought a Lagrande II new in 1997 worst guitar i ever owned paid $2950 sold for $1900 three month's later,....
Charlie.......[This message was edited by Charlie Moore on 14 February 2004 at 05:45 PM.] |
Randy Carson
Member From: Cedar Park, Texas, USA
|
posted 21 February 2004 08:43 PM
profile
^ |
J D Sauser
Member From: Traveling, currently in Switzerland, soon to be either back in the States or on the Eastern part of Hispaniola Island
|
posted 22 February 2004 05:48 AM
profile
If Charlie Moore hadn't said what he just said, I would have said that, if these are the two brands you are looking at, why not take the original.. the Emmons.
Since BE stopped endorsing Derby, there's not much to be heard about them anymore.
Even Frank doesn't seem to want to recall his proud Derby days.
But then there are other brands...... J-D. |
Mark Krutke
Member From: Tomahawk, WI USA
|
posted 22 February 2004 06:59 AM
profile
Hi Randy,I've bought several guitars on faith, never hearing their tone/action performance, including Derby and Emmons'. I just made a decision on buying a steel after considering an Emmons, Derby, Sierra, MCI, Mullen, Sho-Bud, and Carter. IMO, if you're uncertain at this point (and if you have the patience), There are many of each of the brands you're interested in at the International Steel Guitar Convention in St. Louis - and the best thing is you can "test drive" them before buying! Consider buying a guitar that YOU feel comfortable with concerning tone, action, weight, color, copedant, etc. Remember that your right hand is a major tool in tone shaping. Wish you the best...Mark |
Johan Jansen
Member From: Europe
|
posted 22 February 2004 10:08 AM
profile
I am a proud Derbyowner, for 10 years now. That says it all!!------------------
 Click on the pic! |
Jerry Warner
Member From: Charleston, West Virginia, USA
|
posted 22 February 2004 08:47 PM
profile
I think steel guitars are alot like automobles some feel good when setting in the seat and some don't, just my 2 cents & the ears have alot to do with that. |
Damir Besic
Member From: La Vergne,TN
|
posted 24 February 2004 06:16 PM
profile
it is very hard to make a decision about a quality of the instrument without a playing it.You can set up five Derby`s side by side and they will all sound different and have a different feel and only one will be THE one for you.This especialy applies to acoustic instruments.I played some LG`s II that sounded so bad I would not play them if I can get them for free.In the other hand I played some that were great.I don`t care about Emmons guitars other then the old push pull models wich are the better sounding guitars (to me) than any other. |
The Steel Guitar Forum
