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Author
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Topic: Emmons PP vs: Mullen RP
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Jim Saunders
Member From: Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
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posted 17 August 2006 12:59 PM
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At our last steel club meeting in Katy, Texas, Jody Cameron started the program playing his Emmons PP. He sounded great, as usual. But, then he disconnected the Emmons and hooked up a Mullen D-10 RP. The same amp and settings. And, I was amazed that I couldn't tell any difference! I know the mistique of the PP and I was expecting a different result. Yes, I own a Mullen and maybe I'm prejudiced.------------------
Mullen, Royal Precision, D10, Peavey Nashville 112, DD3, Peavey Session 2000, Goodrich L120 VP. |
Kevin Hatton
Member From: Amherst, N.Y.
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posted 17 August 2006 01:10 PM
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There's a huge difference in sound. Opposite ends if the spectrum. I've owned both. |
Lee Baucum
Member From: McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) - The Final Frontier
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posted 17 August 2006 01:44 PM
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I would like to know what Jody's thoughts are. What about others who were present?While there may be a "huge difference in sound" to one set of ears, another set of ears may hear things differently. So who's right? To me, there's a huge difference between the taste of my Mom's pinto beans and my wife's pinto beans. Everybody else in the family thinks they taste the same. Are they wrong? [This message was edited by Lee Baucum on 17 August 2006 at 01:45 PM.] |
Donny Hinson
Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A.
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posted 17 August 2006 02:09 PM
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It depends largely on the player, IMHO. At one of our steel jams, a player was using a p/p, and it sounded decidedly un-pushpullish. The next player up used a Mullen, and I remarked to good friend (and great player) Curry Coster, that the Mullen sounded a lot more like a p/p than the previously played p/p did! He agreed, and he ought know...he owns three of em! I only own one. But even Buddy (yes, THE Buddy) said once here on the Forum that he'd have a hard time picking out the sound of his p/p (over his LeGrande). That speaks volumes.  IMHO, the p/p is a great sounding guitar. It was once the "benchmark" for steel sound. Now, though, there's a lot more "benchmark sounds" out there! Not taking anything away from the Emmons, but yes...I think quite a few steel manufacturers have caught-up, tonewise. Besides, isn't tone in the hands???  |
John Coffman
Member From: Sealy,Texas USA
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posted 17 August 2006 05:30 PM
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Hey Jim How's Herb's new course coming. I agree with you Jim the Mullen sounded the same if not better. Doc Bowmans really stood out once he got it tweaked. MTCW ------------------
Thomas SD10 3/4,Thomas D10 8/5 and Desert Rose S10 3/4. Beginner |
Gary Carriger
Member From: Corpus Christi, Texas, USA
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posted 17 August 2006 06:07 PM
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Lee,
That comment on the pinto beans could easily get you in trouble....for the sake of longevity don't say which are best.
Gary |
Lee Baucum
Member From: McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) - The Final Frontier
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posted 17 August 2006 08:50 PM
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Gary - I would have to say that Mary's are the best. Of course, both my wife and my mom are named Mary! (Hmmm. What would Freud think about that?)Lee |
Mike Vallandigham
Member From: Concord, CA
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posted 18 August 2006 08:37 AM
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I own a '75 PP and an '04 RP, I think they sound very different. But I think that could easily be different factoring in manufacturing variations...
They both sound good, but the PP takes the cake.. I play the PP for a few weeks, then want to have the smooth quiet action of the Mullen, and I switch, for a few weeks, then usually, when I go back to the PP, the tone smacks me upside the head, I just sounds special. I cant really explain it. |
T. C. Furlong
Member From: Vernon Hills, Illinois, USA
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posted 18 August 2006 09:00 AM
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I really think that it depends on which push-pull you are comparing to another brand. I have more than my fair share of push pulls and they all sound different. Some sound way more "push-pully" than others. I have all-pull guitars to compare tonally and I do love the smooth pedal action and lighter weight of the all pulls, but when I come back to the '65 wraparound...as Mike V. reports...the tone smacks me upside the head.
TC |
Jody Cameron
Member From: Angleton, TX,, USA
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posted 18 August 2006 09:28 AM
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I've owned so many guitars of every brand over the years, and I've studied this question mighty hard. It's been an ongoing "research project" for the last 25 years or so, you could say for me. Here are my conclusions - so far:1. At least 75%, if not more like 90% of what we perceive as "tone" comes from the player himself (hands, heart however you want to subjectively define it...this cannot be objectively measured). You can either play, or you can't...AND other people will either like it or not...that simple. HOWEVER... 2. The other 10 - 25% of "tone" IS affected by the type of guitar/gear one uses. Every guitar is a bit different; even ones that are made by the same manufacturer. For example, I've owned seven (7) different Emmons guitars in my career, and they ALL sounded a bit different, but still retained some basic element that defined them to my ears as Emmons'. That includes 5 push/pulls and 1 Legrande, & one LG II. I've also owned Deckley, MCI, MSA, Carter, Sho-Bud, GFI, Mullen, Zum, and I may be leaving something else out...bottom line is, I think I know from where I speak. I still own three different steels, a vintage Sho-Bud, a Carter and a Mullen. I use them for different situations and applications, although I could be pretty happy with just one of any good guitar. Furthermore, I think that most all guitars made today are truly good, quality instruments, and in the right hands, they will ALL sound pretty good. So it basically comes down to what an individual prefers in that other elusive 10-25% of "tone", coupled with playability, etc. BUT, I can almost GAURANTEE this: John Q. Public will not be able to discern the difference between a Carter Starter and a Mullen or a '65 wraparound when all are played by the same person in a live band situation. And that friends...is my opinion. JC |
Barry Blackwood
Member From: elk grove, CA
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posted 18 August 2006 10:24 AM
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Lee, regarding the pinto beans, any difference in the (final) fragrance? |
Justin Griffith
Member From: Taylor, Texas, USA
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posted 18 August 2006 11:23 AM
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Jody,
I'm glad you put that to rest. What are we gonna talk about now.  Great thread gang. Keep em commin'
Justin------------------
Justin Griffith
D-10 Sho-Bud Professional,Blanton SD-10 4X2,Fender Steel King,Nashville 400,Matchbox 7-A,Hilton Dig Sustain,Goodrich L-120's,Emmons seat. |
Jerry Lee Newberry
Member From: Van Buren, AR, USA
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posted 18 August 2006 12:57 PM
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Well, Jerry doesn't do the computer, but I did hear him telling Mike the other day that he played the Emmons PP and then the new Mullen steel thru the same equipment and he couldn't tell the difference. If you can't tell the difference then why not play the Mullen. It's a lot easier to play. I know no one cares, but that's my opinion!!!!!!!!! Donna |
Roger Edgington
Member From: San Antonio, Texas USA
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posted 18 August 2006 02:01 PM
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Jody is absolutely right. A few months back I was at one of the Katy meetings and watched Jody move from his guitar to one across the room and his sound went with him to a different brand guitar. He simply sat down and played and the tone was there as if he was playing his own. He is a very talented player. Roger |
T. C. Furlong
Member From: Vernon Hills, Illinois, USA
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posted 18 August 2006 08:02 PM
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I agree with Jody that John Q. Public is not likely to discern differences between a P/P and a modern guitar. My quest for good tone is mostly for me and not so much for JQ Public. I figure that if I am hearing what I like, I will play better than if I am struggling with getting the tone that I like. It takes time and effort to get a tone that you are truly happy with. Maybe it's all in one's head, or hands. Maybe it's a curse when you know what's possible and because of any of a variety of reasons, it's not happening.Last night at a gig I was really enjoying the sound that was coming out of my rig. The expeience of getting in the "tone zone" is something very special. For me, at this point in time, the zone is easier to get to with a P/P guitar.
TC |
Willis Vanderberg
Member From: Bradenton, FL, USA
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posted 21 August 2006 02:04 PM
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I think it is mostly in the hands and heart. I used to jam with Earl Williams at his studio. He played a Mullen and I was playing my LeGrande lll. I sat down at his Mullen while he was in the kitchen and when he came back he said " How come that Mullen
don't sound like that when I play it, I can almost hear them bells.
I just sent a 1996 Mullen out to Roger Rettig. This guitar sounded great to me,Using the same settings I use for my LeGrande lll.Maybe it was because it was black.
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Ward Skinner
Member From: Mission, TX
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posted 22 August 2006 08:40 AM
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I was with Lee last Saturday, and judging by his post pinto passings I'd say the beans were lacking in both onions and cilantro. Lee, pass that on to Mary..either one. And Freud would tell you that you marry a woman similar to your mother. I didn't, and she gets meaner and uglier every day. Lee, I'm going to lend you Jody's CD next time we meet, he is a superb player. |
James Dasinger
Member From: Houston Tx.
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posted 24 August 2006 04:22 AM
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Jody
Is the Mullen working out for you? Do you have it set up for the pulls ? Sonny
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