View Full Version : EM-150 questions
So this just came across my bench. Just looking for some validation on the year and some pickup questions. After enough searches it seems they didn't come with labels, haven't put a mirror inside yet, and the only numeric markings through the treble hole are: 24.6. C 9.
The '9' being written in pencil. I'm guessing around 39' ? Back seam and tail block separations ,so I'm getting ready to 'bag it' for a while to see how much closure I can get on the seam.
Also, the pickup is woefully low down in it's cavity, ant the adjuster screw are fully tight.
Has anyone ever removed one ? I'm sure it can be done, but if there's a trick or anything I should be aware of it would be appreciated. Seems as if the mount got bend down somehow.
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Thanks !
Cheers.
Dobe
Bill McCall
Oct-28-2019, 4:58pm
I don't think it left any factory that way. For an em-150, the pickup is wrong, the knobs are in the wrong location, we won't even talk about the screws through the top.
Might have started life as a Gibson A, but was 'modified' somewhere along the way.
John Rosett
Oct-28-2019, 7:46pm
No, that's a pretty stock looking Em-150, made between 1936 and 1940. The screws in the top hold the "Charlie Christian" pickup in place, and the knobs were on the opposite sides during this period.
Sorry, but I don't know how to adjust the pickup height. Maybe if the loosened the screw closest to the bridge, it would cause the pickup to tilt up a little bit?
John Rosett
Oct-28-2019, 7:48pm
Here's a picture of another pre-1940 EM-150:180838
I think that the mandolin in question is an earlier one, because the pickup isn't bound, while later examples had the binding like this one.
The letter "C" in a factory order number indicates 1937 as the date of manufacture.
It appears that the tailblock has come loose on that mandolin. I can't see it at all.
It will need to be repaired by a highly experienced repair person.
It looks like the pickup is wedged in the wrong position-- the hexagonal part should project through the cut-out in the body. You might try loosening all three screws a little bit, and see if you can wiggle the pickup into position.
j. condino
Oct-28-2019, 10:16pm
Can we see some photos of that sweet pinstriped Geib case??????????:grin:
Bill McCall
Oct-28-2019, 11:50pm
No, that's a pretty stock looking Em-150, made between 1936 and 1940. The screws in the top hold the "Charlie Christian" pickup in place, and the knobs were on the opposite sides during this period.
Sorry, but I don't know how to adjust the pickup height. Maybe if the loosened the screw closest to the bridge, it would cause the pickup to tilt up a little bit?
Hadn’t seen one that early, just the 50’s and newer.
Jim Garber
Oct-29-2019, 11:35am
Mine is from about 1937. Looks very similar to the OP.
180851
For Mr. Condino, here's my case:
180852 180853 180854
jim simpson
Oct-29-2019, 11:36am
Mine is from about 1937. Looks very similar to the OP.
180851
For Mr. Condino, here's my case:
180852 180853 180854
Love this case!
Jim Garber
Oct-29-2019, 11:50am
Dobe: I will look at mine when I am home and let you know any further info.
j. condino
Oct-29-2019, 10:37pm
"Mr. Condino"????? Is my father on the mandolin cafe??????
Case love x1000!
I've been looking for one of those for about a decade to match my guitar cases:
William Smith
Oct-30-2019, 1:01am
Nice! Its a 1937. no doubt!
Jim Garber
Oct-30-2019, 1:58pm
Ok. I looked into treble side F-hole and looks like the number there is 703 C 6 (6 is in pencil, others are stamped).
My pickup has been "compensated." Yours looks like it was cut down uniformly. I assume that with these early pickups Gibson changed to height to balance the volume and strength under each string set. So the pickup probably doesn't got much higher but someone may have cut the blades down. Not sure how you correct for that.
At one point I owned an ES-150 (6 string) and an EST-150 (tenor). I kiseed getting an EG-150 (lap steel) and borrowed a ETB-150 (electric tenor banjo) all from the same era and all with these Charlie Christian pickups. Photo below.
Attached are some pics of the pickup on my EM-150.
I just plugged it into my little 1980s Champ and it sounds pretty cool. Treble-side knob is volume and bass-side is tone. These pickups are not the cleanest but they have a great bluesy sound if you EQ them right.