|
Post by Blues Pertti on Feb 25, 2008 7:56:29 GMT
Hi Michael, When are those Blues ones available..... I have to calculate my money and negotiate with my lovely wife. Regards Pertti
|
|
|
Post by Lewis Cohen on Feb 25, 2008 12:20:00 GMT
Hi Michael,
Great to see this moving ahead. I was bowled over by the prototype, so with the additional changes you've specified these are going to be very special guitars at any price.
There's a MM Blues with my name on it.
Well...technically it's got your name on it but you know what I mean! ;D
LC
|
|
|
Post by martin w on Feb 25, 2008 12:49:38 GMT
Wow! Very exciting prospect. 2 questions if I may: 1. who makes the cones? 2. are there any plans for a wood bodied version?
Thanx,
M
|
|
|
Post by snakehips on Feb 25, 2008 13:16:53 GMT
Hi again !
Michael - I am very impressed with your dedication in trying to get a good National reproduction available to the masses (well, more people) - a guitar with good features without the boutique price-tag. Original National Duolians were never, I suspect, boutique items with price to match. HOWEVER, National did manage to come up with something truly magic - the Duolian, so surely it was always possible, given the manufacturers the right guidance (assuming someone would listen !!).
Your model may perhaps be the best reproduction Duolians ever ! Now, if only someone could come up with a finish, every bit as cool as the Duco finish !!!
I'm really excited to see the Lighnin' Bolt one too !
I take it, you prefer the aesthetics of the flat-cut F-holes ? Do you prefer the tone of the flat-cut f-holes too ?
|
|
|
Post by fredkinbom on Feb 25, 2008 13:16:58 GMT
This is exciting news! I have a sort of avoid-Chinese-products-if-you-can mentality, but this looks like such a good project that I may well be willing to make an exception! Michael, I guess a square neck Lightning will not be an option, or? Would the round neck be fine strung up with heavy Newtone MM National strings over a nut riser? (It's always good to have the option for both "Spanish" and lap style playing, especially with a biscuit single cone). Also, will these be available to "try before you buy" in shops - for instance in London - or it will be strictly a direct order thing? I am not doubting that these guitars developed and overseen by you will be top notch for the money, but I am not sure whether I am seduced by that lightning sand blasted design or whether I could really incorporate a buscuit reso sound into my quite "soft" approach to playing. Would it be possible to order one, try it out, and return if it "ain't my thing"? All the best, Fred
|
|
|
Post by snakehips on Feb 25, 2008 13:19:30 GMT
Another question !!! Will the Lighnin' Bolt one have exact copy etchings ? Will it have the etching on the sides too, as the side etchings are really cool
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2008 13:48:02 GMT
These guitars sound like a great idea. The spec sounds good and the price is reasonable, a step up from the usual budget reso but nowhere near an NRP. The design features revealed so far look great, I’m particularly impressed with the headstock – most budget makers get this completely wrong. I hope the necks are nice and wide (minimum 1.75”) and authentically chunky.
I’m sure that I’ll get one, they sound like the perfect next step after my Johnson. The only dilemma is which one to go for – the Blues or the Lightning.
I don’t know what other options and models might appear in the future. It might be nice to have the option to upgrade to one of those new NRP Hot Rod cones, I’m sure many people would do that upgrade eventually anyway (perhaps the standard cones are good enough though). A painted duco style finish option would be the icing on the cake.
Any plans for a Tricone model? I might be persuaded to wait for a Tricone.
|
|
fran
MM Forum Member
Posts: 3
|
Post by fran on Feb 25, 2008 14:24:00 GMT
hi it's so a great news i hope we could find them in france
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Feb 26, 2008 10:44:00 GMT
Hi everyone and thank you for your enquiries. I have replied to all the recent questions in one post. Pertti, The BLUES and LIGHTNING guitars will be in the UK in four or five weeks. As soon as I know an actual delivery date I will post it on this thread. Growler, Thank you for your very kind offer. I am not sure what we will do about dealership in France. Pascal is a close friend of mine, if you would like to meet him I can put you two in touch. Lewis, Thank you for your support. The prototype MM guitar is sounding great. I was impressed that day you played it at my house. Martin, Thanks. There are no plans at this time for wooden MM guitars, but if it goes well with these two, we will expand the range. The cones are 'Continental' and I think they are easily the best budget priced cones to date. They are proper spun cones. Snakehips, The Lightning Bolt design is pretty darn close to the real thing. And it does have the design on the sides too! F holes - I prefer the look of flat cut F holes. It makes the MM different in appearance to the others. Do I prefer the sound of flat or rolled? I have never quite made my mind up on that issue. I have played great and not-so-great versions of both. Fred, Thanks for your support. There will not be a square-neck LIGHTNING, but I can certainly ask the factory for you. As a one-off there may be an additional charge, but I will ask. If not, I see no reason why a round neck with a nut raiser won't do the job. Some of my favourite lap steel players use converted round necks. Brother Oswald springs to mind. I have a possible order from a friend who is a Casey Bill Weldon fanatic. He played the prototype lap style at my house and loved it. Regarding trying a guitar before you buy it. We are currently in discussion with a store in Denmark Street, so I will keep you posted on that. Meanwhile, if that doesn't happen we will work something out for you. Blisters, Thanks for your comments. There are no plans for a Tricone yet, but as I have mentioned earlier in this thread, if it goes well with the first two models then we will expand the range. Fran, thank you for your message. We will make you can get one in France! I think I have replied to everyone and answered your questions!!!!! It's hard work this guitar business Thank you for all your support and enquiries.
Shine On & keep in touch Michael
|
|
|
Post by snakehips on Feb 26, 2008 13:22:02 GMT
Hi again !!!
One last question !
You said you have made some changes to body depth - is that to copy a 12 fret body dimensions - ie. narrower at the neck end (by around 1/4") ? Repros (including NRP) have the body depth as per 14 fret Nationals (as deep at the neck end as the tailpiece end).
I love the 12 fret original Nationals, how the body depth tapers in a little towards the neck. They just feel "right" in the playing position - so comfortable. Copies (including NRP) feel too bulky.
Many thanks for your time responding to all the questions !
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Feb 26, 2008 13:30:12 GMT
Hi Snakehips,
Yes the body narrows towards the neck in a similar way to an original 12 fret Duolian/Triolian does. It gives a better 'feel' to the whole thing.
Shine On Michael
|
|
|
Post by 1928triolian on Feb 28, 2008 14:46:08 GMT
Hi Michael, no questions here just my best wishes for this fascinating adventure! All in all it's just such a simple and bright idea to produce resophonic National style guitars patterned after the original, early 1929/1931 specifications ( scale included, isn't it?) Also the mid-range price tag seems totally proper and reliable. Original Nationals were actually not so cheap guitars, that's why Stellas (wonderful, loud instruments, too) were the choice of so many bluesmen. In the '30s you could get a Stella for $7 to $14. A Duolian was $32, a Triolian $45, letting alone brass bodies and Tricones. I mean, the price of the MM resonators just sound right for factory produced instruments as these are. I'm sure these guitars will have and deserve a great success! 1928
|
|
|
Post by finoday on Feb 28, 2008 17:31:00 GMT
Hi Michael,
Good luck with your exciting project.
In my experience of manufacturing, getting the specification and processes right is one thing, the trick to satisfying the customer is to get the product right, first time, every time: How will consistent quality be assured - entirely at the factory, or will there be some final inspection/set up in the UK?
It would be great to actually hear these guitars being played: do you have any plans to post any sound clips?
barry
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Feb 28, 2008 18:04:25 GMT
Hi Barry,
Thank you for your encouagement. To answer your questions; the quality control aspect is all under control. A> every guitar will be checked & re-strung with Messer National Newtone strings before being shipped to the customer or shops. So far we have seen quite a few prototypes and other instruments produced by this factory, and their quality control is excellent.
Regarding sound clips - yes I do plan to put mp3s on the website as soon as I can. By the time the first shipment of MMs arrive in the UK everything will be in place. This thread was put up as a news item to start spreading the word. I had no idea it would get 1000 hits in a couple of days.
I think it is a good sign for MM guitars, and a very good demo for prospective advertizers.
In addition; I also intend to remove the 'Ads by Google' that appear at the top of every forum page.
Shine On Michael.
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Feb 28, 2008 18:06:41 GMT
Hi 1928 Triolian,
Thank you for your words! Your point about price and vintage Nationals is very interesting and is exactly what I was aiming for all along. I will write something and post it here tomorrow. I don't have the time this evening to write it.
Shine On, Michael
|
|