|
Post by Blues Pertti on Feb 24, 2008 9:11:11 GMT
Hi Michael,
Is it like Duolian?
Regards Pertti
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Feb 24, 2008 10:46:03 GMT
Hi Pertti,
There are two models. One is like a Duolian and the other is like a Style O.
They really are different to any other budget priced National type of guitar that I have seen. The factory is very small and their build quality is fantastic.
I have been reviewing resonator guitars ever since the new wave of cheap instruments started back in the mid 1990s and I have commented so many times about comparisons between a National Duolian and modern cheap resonator guitars and why nobody has managed to get close to those originals. Well when I saw what this factory was capable of doing, I decided it was time to try a produce high quality budget priced resonator guitars that actually do play, sound and feel like the real thing.
The prototype I have at home (the one in the photo) is not quite the same as the BLUES will be, but even without those changes, I believe it is the best budget priced National style of guitar that I have seen. The neck profile and feel of the guitar in the player's hands is really close to a National Duolian.
I have already sold three to friends who have been at my home and played this guitar.
Shine On, Michael
|
|
|
Post by OldBluesfella on Feb 24, 2008 11:25:45 GMT
Fantastic Michael,can't wait to see more pic's,the headstocks look really close to the originals,is there a truss-rod?
Maybe someday soon I can leave my old-girls at home!
Kenny,
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Feb 24, 2008 11:50:43 GMT
Hi Kenny,
Thanks for your message & welcome to our forum.
These guitars really are close to the originals and to answer your question - There is a trussrod in the neck.
Keep in touch,
Shine On Michael
|
|
|
Post by pascal on Feb 24, 2008 12:53:29 GMT
Bonjour Michael! One of the rarest and most expensive resonator guitar in the world (the" Lightning Bolt") is going back for collectors at a very attractive price! Players will be proud to own these too on the stage.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2008 14:44:21 GMT
Hey, great stuff. Good luck with these guitars, they look great and this factory does seem to be 'doin' the business'. ;D
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Feb 24, 2008 15:04:44 GMT
Thanks Charlie. Yes the factory is excellent. It is only very small, more of a workshop than a factory. I am quality controlling design & finish in a similar way to how Marks & Spencer does with its own branded products. These guitars have my name splattered all over them, so everything has to be as right as we can get it, without turning them into expensive guitars. So far I am knocked out with these instruments. Otherwise I would not have put my name to them.
Shine On Michael
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2008 16:31:54 GMT
Congratulations & great good luck, Michael. A line of affordable resos couldn't come with a better recommendation than yours.
None of my business, but are your instruments to be produced by the same outfit that produces Buskers & Republics?
Edit: Having noticed (finally) that you mentioned Busker as a source for MM's, I assume my question didn't need asking. (Ahem.)
|
|
|
Post by snakehips on Feb 24, 2008 17:10:50 GMT
Hi there ! Lusting after a Lightnin' Bolt reso !!!!! Can we see yet what this will look like ?? Close-up photos ? Is it proper etching/blasting then nickel-plating Or is it that "engraving" type stamping seen on cheap Style "O" copies ? A mate of mine just got a steel bodied (hammerite-type finish) tricone from Republic - great guitar for the money. Circa £2k less than my NRP style 1.5 tricone !!!!!! Are the necks made in the UK then ? Different person making the neck and installing them in the bodies than Republic ? Or the same as the Texas guy (Republic) ? I was quite impressed with the feel and overall shape of the Republic ones - so done by the same people would not be a bad thing. The headstocks do look miles more authentic on this new guitar than the Republic ones - MILES more !! (The Republic ones are good enough, considering they do bother to do slotted headstocks rather than solid, like all the other budget brands). Aaargh !! Baby on the way - due in early June - maybe I shouldn't be looking at buying any more guitars !!!
|
|
|
Post by BigBadDom on Feb 24, 2008 17:48:16 GMT
Hey Michael - they look really cool and no doubt sound as good as they look! I'm looking to replace my no-name reso later this year. Will they only be available the 'wrong-way' round or will you cater for us lefties too? Dom
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Feb 24, 2008 17:51:14 GMT
Hi ch & Snakehips,
Thank you ch for your encouraging words.
The MM guitars are being produced in the same workshop as Busker & Republic, but the MM ones are different. MM guitars are quality controlled and designed by me. Well, me and John Dopyera & his merry gang. The factory are producing these instruments exclusively for me.
The Lightning Bolt is properly sandblasted on the nickel plated finish. The neck, body and cones are all produced at the workshop. But as I have stated a couple of times - all under my supervision & with my approval. So the neck feels and plays like the real thing.
There is no way I would put my name on a resonator guitar unless it really is an exceptional instrument for the price. The whole idea of this is to create a REALLY GOOD affordable National style of guitar and I believe we have done exactly that.
The whole budget resophonic guitar market is swamped with instruments that are branded with different names by importers who have no interest or care about what they are selling. Just read my reviews of various brands over the years and look at peoples' comments on this forum.
I really do believe in these two guitars, otherwise I would not have done it.
Thanks for asking those questions. The more you ask, the more I can tell you!
Shine On Michael.
|
|
|
Post by snakehips on Feb 24, 2008 20:41:33 GMT
Hi again !
I totally agree that the budget guitars have been pretty variable up till recently. They have got a bit better in the last year or so, but I have been impressed with this Republic guitar my mate has. A guitar built by them to your specifications must surely be miles forward in the right direction - well done Michael !! I take it perhaps, you have guided them in the black arts of getting a good neck attachment for proper maximum tone ? I'd expect so.
At the ehnd of the day, if the original National company managed to churn out Duolians for the price they did, then surely it is possible now, with modern techniques to come up with something as good as the original quality for modern equivalent costs ? About time !
|
|
|
Post by snakehips on Feb 24, 2008 20:44:40 GMT
Hi again !
More questions !!
The steel and brass bodies - how do the sheet metal thicknesses compare to original Nationals - will the finished result have more similar weight (compared to, for example, NRP guitars, which I find heavy, especially the tricones) ?
Are they 2 or 3 piece bodies ?
Thanks
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Feb 25, 2008 0:36:06 GMT
Hi Snakehips,
More questions......!!!!!!!
They are three piece bodies. The gauge of metal on the bodies is slightly thicker than an original National, but not too thick to have some movement and resonance.
To get MM guitars up and running, I have made a lot of changes to the designs that the factory is producing for its other distributors. MM guitars are not Republics or Busker Guitars. They are different instruments. Changes we have made include ...body depth, F holes, neck, headstock, coverplate, bridge, finish, sandblasting and more. I could keep going and maybe I will over time, but to get these guitars into musicians hands for under 500 quid, which has always been my intention, I had to back off!
I believe these are amazing guitars for the price. As far as I know they're as close as you can get to the real thing for under £500.
Shine On Michael
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Feb 25, 2008 0:59:55 GMT
Hi Dom, There will have to be a special order of two upside down MM guitars, one for you and one for Michael Roach Shine On Michael
|
|