Emmons v Day v both

[Tony Russell Davis]

After decades of playing "Emmons" I've just got hold of an old ZB that's set up "Day". Although the kneelevers are very poorly placed (but I'll get that sorted out) I'm finding the transition is nowhere near as tricky as I expected and am considering leaving them that way although it means having one of each to deal with. Anybody else got thoughts on this?

[Basil Henriques]

I have no problem.

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Its not a big deal, some things I can play a little better with an Emmons set up and some thing are better with the Huntley set up , you can get used to either or both if you play both for a while

[STEDDIE EDDIE]

When i went to Chicago 2 years ago, doing 5 gigs, i borrowed an MSA CLASSIC, it was set up 'DAY' as opposed to my usual 'EMMONS' i neither possesed the time or the skills to change it over, but i kinda got into the change fairly quickly out of neccessity, there are virtues to both set ups, although i wouldn't/couldn't have two guitars side by side with the different set ups,
ps. i really do wish the campaign to promote the 'huntley' set up, in favour of the world wide established 'day' was knocked on the head, it doesn't half confuse a lot of players, particulary 'newbies' who the offender professes to 'help along the way' think about it please!

[Basil Henriques]

Well Eddie you've raised a point there, If there is such a thing as a "Huntley" set up the there must also be a "BJ Cole" Setup and for that matter a "Rod King" one also, maybe even a "Roland Peachey" one..But you wont find much instructional material for any of them UNDER THOSE DESIGNATIONS, even though about 99% of Steelies play one or more them.
Personally I think that even the Emmons vs. Day discussion is somewhat of a waste of time and also confusing, considering the lack of instructional material for the "Day" copedent.

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Well I guess the least I can do in response is explain it......
I had this conversation with Gordon many years ago before I started trying to play myself so that must be about 40 years ago. I asked him about what got him into it and why he had his guitar set up that way, he told me, "It was listening to Hank Thompson on the radio and the great steel players that worked with him" with regard to the set up he said "when I built my first steel I could hear the changes being made by the pedals but could not see which pedal did what" so it was pure chance that he positioned his pedals that way, He was not copying Emmons or Day he was just clever enough to build something to make "that sound", so, why do the Americans have to have all the credit for everything? Gordon taught me everything I can play so I play the Huntley/Day set up, you guys can call it what you like
And while we are having a moan heres one of mine.......... I don`t like being railroaded into anything so I keep away from a certain "student" guitar with welded axles to bellcranks that you can`t change the copedant without rebuilding it! were they trying to standardise it to the point that individual preferance is gone forever?

[Donny Johnston]

John, could you tell us what is a Huntley/Day set up? The Blanton is very easy to change over,I would love to try it. Post up your copedant, unless of course it's your well kept secret.

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

'newbies' who the offender professes to 'help along the way'

I find that a little harsh Eddie, I don`t profess anything but I think my record shows I have tried to help people who wanted to play, of the 1000`s that have viewed my simple help video`s you can be the first to leave a negative comment if you so desire? I have organised numerous steel players meetings over the last 10 years that have put players of the calibre of David Hartley next to total beginners ( I think that helped and inspired the beginners don`t you!?) I have put people who wanted to buy a steel in touch with people who wanted to sell.... I have brought the price of Buddy Emmons S.I.T. strings down to the point where we can all afford to change`em now and then.

What have you done apart from being confrontational to people here on this forum?

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

One and the same Donny, but why credit the yanks with everything? we had our own pioneers over here

[rayellis]

I had not played steel for 30 years but when I did it was Emmons set up.When I got my steel off JD I was worried that it had the Day/Huntley set up.Within 3 hours I had adapted and I find it easier.
The knee levers are much more intuitive.Left for flat .Right for sharp.Simples!!

Lets have this forum more like the American one.
Keep em coming.
Regards
Ray