If cabinet drop is somewhat of a problem but you "can" live with it, but would maybe like to have no cabinet drop, then consider it but consider the price also. The III is not cheap, counterforce about $300 per neck.

If, you are among some, who cabinet drop is a serious problem to ya, the price should not even enter the picture, III is for you. Buy it and never look back and enjoy!

Along this line, I am reminded of the night I first saw Buck Owens in person (I had gone purposely to see Tom Brumley since "I tune the singer out ). When Buck introduced his band members, it was obvious that Don Rich was his right arm and he could not do without him. Willy Cantou and Doyle Holly were hmmmm should I say necessary evils; all in of course.

Then he paused for a moment, walked over to Tom Brumley and said to the audience, "you know people who don't know nuthin?" Then he pointed to Tom, and said,

"He don't e'em suspect nuthun!!!!! "

So for those that have cabinet drop and "don't even suspect nuthun", get that II and pick the far outa that thang! And as my dear friend Herb Steiner said,

"Forgedaboutit!"

Note: in my own personal case, NOTHING less than the III would even be considered (IF, I was buying and Emmons. I simply abhor cabinet drop. (Or raise). Sadly I know of no nothing that will stop cabinet raise.

carl

[This message was edited by C Dixon on 30 June 2004 at 09:23 AM.]

You can tune any steel straight up 440. But that is not the purpose for the III counterforce mod.

Rather, its purpose is to prevent non pulled strings from lowering, when other strings are raised such as the 6th string (usually the most severe one) when the A or C Pedal is pressed. Or the 4th string when the A and/or B pedals are pressed.

Many who purchase the III, tune JI (just intonation). The only one that I know of that tunes Straight up 440 (or extremely close to it) which is called ET tuning on the LeGrande III, is Buddy Emmons.

Thanks Paul and Jeff for your kind offer to test drive your Emmons III steels.

Thanks Pee Wee Charles for all the years of great steel playing -- especially with Gordon Lightfoot!

[This message was edited by Bill Simmons on 04 July 2004 at 10:35 AM.]

On the other side of the coin, there are a number of players who are more than bothered by it. This is IMO, why Buddy bought two III's instead of II's.

In my case, IF I had any idea Ron Sr was coming out with the III and its intrinsic counterforce mod, I would have waited. Since they won't retrofit them, I am stuck. I hate the drop on string 6 when the A pedal is engaged. Drives me crazy; particularly 3 frets up using the A pedal and F lever.

I get so frustrated with it, I sometimes will NOT use that inversion simply because of the drop on the 6th string. So in my case ONLY the III would be satisfactory. If the counterforce mod caused a slight stiffness to the pedals, then it would be more than worth the sacrifice.

But Reggie, I would give all the III's and every steel guitar ever built if I could play just one note as beautiful as you play it dear friend.

Jesus truly blessed you with an awesome musical talent precious friend,

it don't bother a tone deaf Legrand player either.

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84 SKH Emmons Legrand D10
session 400'rd Steelin for my Lord.