Best for slide

[longdog]

Hi everyone. I am in the early stages of trying to decide which MM resonator would suit me best . I am into delta blues stuff etc. I am sort of thinking the lightning model. Any advice would be welcome .. most websites seem to favour a tri cone for slide. I do like the fact that MM resonators are set up over here., rather than taking a chance on a off the shelf model from abroad . Thank you .

[Pickers Ditch]

Welcome Dog!

The decision is simple - any MM guitar will do the job for you with more quality and phenomenal value/service/sound for the money.

I have two - a Blues'28 wooden body with a biscuit cone and a Fiddle Edge with a spider cone - both of which are great for country blues.

No, I would not part with them.

[stevie2sticks]

Longdog.

I’ve Lightning & Blues 28, both good.
Lightning awesome on stage/pub/home if sat down,
Blues 28 still awesome.

Big difference in strings, MM all have Newtones strings tuned 15-56 Open D/G or 16-59s (these won’t tune up to E).

Big difference in bottlenecks, Diamond Bottlenecks by Ian McWee are very good.

MM Guitars, Newtone Strings, Diamond Bottlenecks are a great combination.
Members of this group are friendly ask to try out local to you, or pop around to see me.
Steve
Isle of Man

[longdog]

Thanks for the info so far guys. So what is the loudness and resonance like with the lightening compared to the others and to the spider cone of the fiddle edge. Sorry for the stupid questions . Regards

[pete1951]

As Steve says, if you live close to a forum member they are likely to invite you to try one. The forum has a load of MM guitar owners but many have several others of different makes and specs. So you may be able to see one before you choose.
Pete


I don’t think I would buy any instrument without trying it but Michael has his guitars setup by experts and they are great straight from the box

[leeophonic]

1st Guitar I would go for a single cone, blues or whatever the painted variants are, the Lightening is also a good shout, If you have the budget the fiddle edge is a one shot at the moon bargain and it has the either or option with the cone from spider to single cone (start with spider cone).
I am fortunate enough to pop into Dave Kings workshop on an irregular basis so see the quality 1st hand with regards the guitars and the setup process so you have a good support network under pinning the guitar, Michael is also not just flogging guitars en mass each one is off on it's journey and there is a concern and reputation to ensure everyone is happy, that is how you grow a customer base with trust quality at every price point whatever you choose, good luck on your quest but be careful these things are addictive.....

Lee

[longdog]

Great advice Lee , thank you ! If anyone else got a view or advice please send it . Thank you .

[bonzo]

Hi longdog and welcome to the forum. As sed earlier all MM guitars are top notch as well as being excellent value for money.
I have or have had all of the models except for the fiddle edge and all are fantastic guitars, value for money with excellent backup from MM. The lightning would be my choice, lots of projection and great to look at 🤩! Personally I would stick with the metal body ones if you are just starting off, really get into the reso vibe. Nice choices to have to make, but you've made a good start by zeroing in on MM guitars.
Good luck with your search, let us know how you get on. Best wishes to you all, John

[stevie2sticks]

Longdog

Look under the first section ‘National Avenue” to the post about 15-16s strings in Open C, scroll down and Michael has posted a clip of him playing his Fiddle Edge, Open C. 👍
I think that answers your question.

Regards
Steve

[pete1951]

Most ( ?) of the forum members prefer a resonator guitar for slide, I am in that group and have several. Resos are the most dynamic of (acoustic) guitars and can go from sweet to brashness in an instant.
You don’t need a resonator for slide, but it helps. They are louder then most and slide can be on the quiet side.

That said there are some very respectable players who rarely use one. Ry Cooder springs to mind ( or to go back a lifetime, Robert Johnson).

There is something magical about the sound of a well setup resonator but you can do it on any guitar ( ok, it sounds a bit weedy on a classical but still just about works)

Then there is the ‘look’ of a big shiny tin can , they are impressive beasts and may give you confidence and even lift your playing. Good luck with your search
Pete