A really great morning!

[melp]

Hi All,

Thought you would like to here about a really good meeting with Bluesbear. When the weather allows we meet in a park in Antwerp, the other week I had a really great morning. Thanks a lot Al had a great time and look forward to the next time.

Let me paint you a picture...

A good nights sleep, a good breakfast then a 200m stroll to the park. Its warm, sunny lazy and comfortable.

Al showed up with two really great guitars. First, and really exciting for me as I don't often get to play original Nationals, a National Trojan.





I just love this guitar, its got a bucket full of mojo, and a really great sound. The tone is quite delicate and complex. I could go on, and on, but suffice to say it just works wonderfully well.

Then the MM Blues special 14 fret. I just felt really at home from the start, the neck is the same as my Busker Deco. It also had quite light strings, I think 13-50 something. With the slightly smaller body and light strings it has a really great sound.

Not the loudest or gruntiest MM Blues, but great overtones and, once again, quite a complex sound, and effortless balance.

This is a guitar for all seasons, you could play anything on this and it would sound good. Just such a pleasure to play.

Here's a snap of the owner jamming away in the park.



I rather like this version, just seems to fit better for me...



Anyway I just had a blast, its great to meet up with a really great player, play a couple of great guitars swap some licks.

Saturday mornings just don't get any better than this.

cheers

Mel

[Deleted]

Sounds like you had fun. Nice way to spend a morning.

[garrysmith]

Jun 17, 2010 20:49:01 GMT melp said:

Hi All,

we meet in a park in Antwerp,
Mel

Sounds like an episode of "Smiley's People"!

[Michael Messer]

Nice to see you both working so hard!

A very enjoyable way to spend a morning

Shine On
Michael

[thebluesbear( al)]

Hi
I have just seen this thread !!! well let me fill in a few blanks .....
1. I use 13 to 56 strings on my Trojan "Miss Fairbrown"
2.. My MM Blues special ....is a 12 fret not a 14 fret ....one of my students wanted a reso and i intially got this one in Jan at the slide fest drove home played it the next day and said no way Ill have that ....this Reso has 14 to 56 strings

antwerp is a cool city ive lived here for 10 years now it was cool last year to find out i live about a 10 min walk from mels base over here , i encourage any one who wants to join us at anytime if possible please do so

and Garry shhhhhhh Smileys people ....

Al

[oldmanblue]

Jun 18, 2010 14:32:00 GMT thebluesbear( al) said:

Hi
I have just seen this thread !!! well let me fill in a few blanks .....
1. I use 13 to 56 strings on my Trojan "Miss Fairbrown"
2.. My MM Blues special ....is a 12 fret not a 14 fret ....one of my students wanted a reso and i intially got this one in Jan at the slide fest drove home played it the next day and said no way Ill have that ....this Reso has 14 to 56 strings

antwerp is a cool city ive lived here for 10 years now it was cool last year to find out i live about a 10 min walk from mels base over here , i encourage any one who wants to join us at anytime if possible please do so

and Garry shhhhhhh Smileys people ....

Al

what a great way to spend the morning , i would love to join you but london is a bit far .omb

[melp]

Hi Al,

I was sure I played something with 14 frets, but it was the Trojan not the MM Blues. Anyway, two great guitars.

cheers

Mel

[Deleted]

Well, I am going there in Mid July to take Al his Hiscox case and also give my Delta some European international travel. No doubt I'll get jamming in the same park....poor citizens of Antwerp.

[ianz]

No Barry, see it as promoting diplomatic relations between the UK and Belgium - don't forget to drink their beer to help their balance of trade....