Blues without binding

[larsl]

Hey Guys.
I have seen some MM Blues without neck binding. Are those early ones? And are they as good as the new ones?
How Big are the necks?
Any neck wood difference? Tuners?

Thanks

[Michael Messer]

Jan 5, 2023 18:43:04 GMT larsl said:

Hey Guys.
I have seen some MM Blues without neck binding. Are those early ones? And are they as good as the new ones?
How Big are the necks?
Any neck wood difference? Tuners?

Thanks

Hello Larsl,

Welcome to our forum.

MM Blues guitars without neck binding are from the first couple of years of production. There are differences in those and later models because I am constantly improving and tweaking the specs to make them better. Those early necks were three-piece nato wood, whereas the later ones went from three-piece to one-piece mahogany. The necks were and still are based on early National Triolians and Style O necks, so they are not small, but they are very comfortable to play, and are correct for this type of guitar. I have never tried to re-invent anything, just to produce guitars like they were in the 1920s and 30s for an affordable price.

Depending on when this one you have seen was made, the tuners went from really not very good, to good but not visually right Kluson copies, to Stumac Golden Age, to the ones we have used since around 2013. The biscuits and bridge saddles were rosewood, whereas they are now maple biscuit and box wood saddles, and so on. There have been too many changes in almost 15 years to list them all. However, having said all that, the early ones right from day one are great guitars, so you have nothing to worry about.

If you can tell me the serial number and show me some photos I can probably date it for you. If you need new parts for it, I am happy to help out.

Whether it is bought new or used, it is still an MM guitar.

I hope that is helpful information.

Shine On
Michael.

[larsl]

Looks like MMB 244 2NC or G

Thanks for the update. I like my necks big

[larsl]

Ahh. Its probably a 2nd as in second?

[Michael Messer]

Jan 5, 2023 19:26:07 GMT larsl said:

Looks like MMB 244 2NC or G

Thanks for the update. I like my necks big

This guitar was sold by my distributor at the time to Wunjo Guitars in Denmark Street, London, in 2010. It was one of two 12 fret MM Blues that went to Wunjo on that day - 244 2ND and 245 2ND. These were indeed seconds, or B-stock guitars. Back at that time I was not involved with the sale of the guitars, it was all handled by my distributor. We parted company in the spring of 2014 and I have run the company and handled all sales myself since then.

Shine On
Michael

[larsl]

Thanks again.
So this could be anything? 2nd means something wrong. Could be both small or Big issues?

[Michael Messer]

Jan 5, 2023 20:56:06 GMT larsl said:

Thanks again.
So this could be anything? 2nd means something wrong. Could be both small or Big issues?

My pleasure.

Nothing serious. Neither my distributor or me have or would never sell a guitar that wasn't a great instrument. 2nds or b-stocks are 99.9% of the time cosmetic issues, which back in the early days we experienced quite a lot of. Our manufacturer was not so experienced back then, so minor flaws and imperfections were quite common. If it has my name on the headstock and it was sold by Wunjo, and it is still in one piece thirteen years later, I am confident that it is fine. Can you show me or link me to a photo of it? If you don't want to post that on here, send it as a private message to me as I certainly have no interest in buying it.

Shine On
Michael

[obrienp]

For what it is worth, I had a B stock Blues 14 fret and I never really discovered the perceived fault. I think it was a slight uneven application of the paint but TBH it added a bit of character to the appearance. The guitar played and sounded fantastic. I have regretted moving it on for some time. Michael has very exacting QC and you can be confident that a B stock MM is a great guitar.