This is the place to ask Michael Messer and other forum members questions relating to National, Dobro and other resophonic musical instruments. Also questions and comments relating to National, Dobro, Supro, Valco amplifiers. No commercial advertising. To ask Mark Makin questions about anything in the Palm Trees, Senoritas & Rocket Ships thread, start a new thread in National Avenue
Vintage n Rare in Bath have a 2019 Mule. Thought it was worth a mention if anyone has an interest in one as they are pretty hard to come by here in the UK.
I am a sucker for an aged finish and it really looked the part. Also like the Chicken foot cover This one has a mini Humbucker fitted. I’m far from educated on Resonator pickups but it sounded ok. Seemed like a completely unfinished mahogany neck which felt nice in the hand Unplugged it was quite mellow and well behaved sounding. My recollection of playing a couple of National Resophonics is they are more shrill and cutting in the treble
All in all the Mule was a decent guitar. I personally wouldn’t stretch to that price for it but it was a nice 20 mins spent none the less
I had a go with one at the London guitar show in 2018, nice guitars but the industrial finish is not for me. I have not seen the one in Bath but it probably will not be cheap as it is not a thrift store and to keep it going they need to make a profit.
I've played three different Mule Resonator Guitars thanks to former U.K stockist James Gascoigne's "Home Of Tone" shop being just around the corner from our workshop.
In my own personal opinion the neck shape and feel was very nice indeed (although I'm not a big fan of the flat fingerboard option) ~ but that 'industrial finish' body really does nothing for me.....
Post by washboardchris on Feb 5, 2020 14:11:12 GMT
If you are looking for a 12fret single cone I think that Steve Evans has a 12 fret brass Beitona wich he played himself (you wont find a much better guitar )
I just got on the waiting list for a Mule tricone. I played one of their singlecones at a local shop and was absolutely floored. I'll let you know how the tricone sounds in about eight months!
I like the industrial look personally! In the videos I’ve seen of mules I have loved the tone, they sound quite dark with a good bark!
I hear Mules are very heavy compared to Nationals. Is this true for the tricones or the single cones too? Being a 7.5 stone human I wouldn’t want to have to call out a crane and the fire brigade to get out from under my guitar!! I’ve been tempted by Mules for a while now but the weight was a concern.
Post by Michael Messer on Feb 11, 2020 14:21:34 GMT
The extreme weight is due to the way they are constructed with very thick gauge steel. I picked up a tricone a while ago and thought it had been screwed to the floor. It was the heaviest resonator guitar I have ever seen.