Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2015 11:40:14 GMT
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2015 12:59:49 GMT
This is a new-generation "National"-branded guitar. The NRP stands for National Reso-Phonic, and is used to distinguish these guitars from the original, mythical Nationals, which, obviously haven't been made in a long time. The NRP guitars are made by the "new" National -- which is a company that acquired the license to the National name in 1989. The MM guitars, just like at least some of the NRP guitars, are copies of the original Nationals, which is why they look alike. The NRP guitars are manufactured in the US, which is enough to account for the big difference in price (the MM guitars being made in China). Add in the cost of shipping the guitars to the UK and the dealer's markup, and, of course, the added-value of the National name on the headstock, and you reach a pretty pricey guitar. At this point, I'm skeptical US-built guitars are inherently superior in quality. The use of CNC technology has eliminated 99 percent of the variations in instruments. The main difference between Chinese and US guitars is quality control -- but that's where Michael Messer comes in. He simply can't afford to release a sub-quality guitar, because HE very much is his brand. (The same goes for National NRP. They only produce 1,000 guitars a year. Any rumors of quality issues would be disastrous for their brand.) Part of the appeal of both National NRP and MM guitars is they are both after a certain authenticity. NRP has the edge, naturally, since they own the National brand. But Michael's passion for National's heritage is what drove him to create his own brand -- the idea behind the MM brand is that the guitars reproduce as exactly as possible the legendary National models they're based on (I'm not shilling for him, I just admire his commitment . Also, anyone can buy a National cone and bridge these days and pop them into their guitars, in case you're not happy with the sound of yours.
|
|
|
Post by obrienp on Sept 2, 2015 11:34:23 GMT
I agree with mickeyz regarding National NRP pricing. Although, based on the new Nationals I have played, the materials used in the construction are slightly superior to those used in my MM guitars; e.g. Ebony fretboards compared to Rosewood. The finish is marginally better as well. Whether those differences warrant the huge difference in price (when bought in the UK) depends on the individual I guess.
Sound and playability should be the real determinants in my view and this is where you start getting into apples and pears comparisons. I don't think Michael has set out to produce guitars that sound like new Nationals. Please correct me if I am wrong Michael but as I understand it, the aim is to recreate vintage National guitars in the various MM models. My MM Blues 28 does sound different from my National Radiotone (also wood bodied). I wouldn't say it is better or worse than the National; just different and if anything, possibly more versatile. Playability wise, they are pretty similar from my standpoint but a lot of that is down to personal preference and the way they are set up.
What is absolutely evident IMO, is that MMs are much superior to any other similarly priced resonators on the market at the moment.
Slide on, Pat
|
|
|
Post by Wailing on Sept 2, 2015 17:10:26 GMT
This is my MM Blues. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My MM Blues is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. My MM Blues, without me, is useless. Without my MM Blues, I am useless. I must play my MM Blues true. My MM Blues is human, even as I, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weaknesses, its strength, its parts, its accessories, its strings and cone. I will keep my MM Blues clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready. We will become part of each other.
|
|
|
Post by Wailing on Sept 2, 2015 17:11:12 GMT
Sorry... couldn't help but quote the Rifleman's creed with a twist... No offence intended
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Sept 2, 2015 20:07:11 GMT
Brilliant!
Shine On Michael
|
|