Gear

Current Endorsement Relationships

Updated: January 1, 2025

GODIN Electric & Acoustic Guitars

REDPLATE studio combo tube amp

“The latest recordings on TEN TELECASTER TALES were played on a custom-made Telecaster-style LOUCIN guitar (nicknamed ‘Babs’), built by Garren Dakessian, and curated by Mike ‘Smitty’ Smyth. GODIN guitars is planning to follow up with a Rik Emmett 247 model based on that design, merged with their Stadium ’59 design, which will be named ‘Le Conteur’.

My favourite electric guitars now feature the latest version of the MJS Hum Zero pickups – which provide the articulation of Filtertrons combined with the smooth powerful response of a PAF.”

Stage Gear

Updated: January 2025

MAIN ELECTRIC GUITARS:

2023 Loucin custom Telly with two humbuckers, tunomatic bridge height and a 24.75 scale length.

2014 Godin Supreme, vintage sunburst, modded with MJS pickups, nicknamed “Soupy”.

MAIN ACOUSTIC-ELECTRIC FOR LIVE PERFORMANCES:

Godin A6 Ultra, in cognacburst. (“Connie”)

Yamaha LSX36C – handmade in Hamamatsu Japan by Hiroshi Sakurai

D’Addario strings on all. On electrics, XS 10 to 52: on the Godin A6 acoustic-electric, EJ21 [jazz light, 12 to 52]. On the LSX36C – D’Addario Phosphor Bronze EJ-16.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM RIK’S GUITAR COLLECTION INCLUDES:

GIBSON: 3 Les Pauls, chambered Classics from 2007, 2008: CS-356, cherry flame (nicknamed “Ruby”): CS 6/12 doubleneck, in arctic white.
a collection of GODIN acoustic-electrics: 3 nylon string models, including the Grand Concert, and a Motif QIT: an A12 12 string, and 3 different 5th Avenue archtops – a blonde one with a floating Bartolini neck pickup; a tobacco burst with a full-size top-loaded humbucker; and a red one with two humbuckers and a Bigsby.
YAMAHA: (in addition to his favourite LSX36C): non-cutaway L-36, and 1981 L-55 6 and 12 dreadnought acoustics: archtops – custom AEX 1500, AES-1500, and AES2000: a solidbody Pacifica USA-1: GCX-31C classical nylon string with electronics: Nathan east 5 string bass: Weddington custom shop solid body LP style guitar highly stylized by builder Leo Knapp: SLG Silent Guitar.
Martin OMCPA 1 [stock]
a Hawaiian ukelele, a Baby Sitar guitar, a Yamaha Pacifica USA-1 electric [custom shop]
a 1979 Laskin handmade classical, a and a 1971 Yairi classical
a customized Esquire Japanese reissue with a chambered MJT body and two MJS humbuckers
a 2016 American Fender Telecaster in a trans white finish, with MJS pickups (named “Annabella”).

Pedalboards: Line 6 Pod Go: Tech 21 acoustic Fly Rig: Hotone Ampero

AMPS: custom handwired RedPlate Magica 1×12 combo; Roland Cube 80; Fender Hot Rod Deluxe III; Fender Blues Junior IV; Yamaha THR10; Boss Dual Cube LX.

favourite overdrive pedal is a Friedman BE-OD

This and that…

Updated: January 2025

In his collection, Rik also has an Alcivar dobro; a National Lap Steel from the 50’s; a Fender Jazz bass; and an antique Hall & Sons parlour guitar built by James Ashton in Connecticut around 1860.

Rik uses a regular-size heavy celluloid pick, and also gets acrylic nails applied to his right-hand fingers.

Rik’s luthier / repairman is Mike ‘Smitty’ Smith of MJS Pickups