Cones for the MM Blues model

[bdeivert]

Hi Michael,
I was wondering about the cones in your MM Blues model. I just traded a KayKraft guitar that needed some work for an MM Blues in Ireland that I had played while on tour there a couple of years ago. I have had 5 or 6 Nationals from the 20's and 30's and some NRP guitars as well. I liked the sound and feel of the MM Blues and the fun Blue color! :-) I have a new NRP hot rod cone laying around that I never used and wonder if you think it would be worth putting that in the guitar as opposed to keeping the original one in there now. The guitar had a little damage from shipping where the neck meets the body and is being glued so I don't have it at home right now, but I believe that it was shipped in 2018. I imagine there have been differences in cones from different years?
I am sure that the cones you have put in the guitars are good ones, but curious what you think about whether the hot rod cones would make a difference in some way. Maybe some of our forum members have done mods on their models. I do look forward to getting it back on Tuesday and taking it for a spin!
Thanks for the forum and making a space for resonator musicians to exchange ideas and music! I hope we will meet up at some music event in the future. I have met some of the folks here when I played in Dundee years ago.
Cheers, Bert in Sweden

[Michael Messer]

Hello Bert,

That's great to hear you have an MM Blues. Is it a 12 or 14 fret model?

I have been tweaking and improving various parts of MM Guitars ever since day one back in 2008, so along the way lots of things have been changed or adjusted. Regarding the cones, I have made changes along the way to get them as close as possible to early National cones and I am very happy with the way they are. If you fit an NRP Hot Rod you will notice a difference, but that may not be an improvement, just different. If it is a 2018 guitar it may still have a maple bridge saddle. If that is the case, let me know and I will send you a box wood one. In fact, PM me your address and I will do that so you have one. I will include a biscuit in there too.

With good components in a good guitar I believe that setup can achieve more than changing the cones. I have, as you can imagine, done many tests over the years and I am convinced that setup is so important to get these machines singing out as they should. My advice is to try the NRP cone and see what you think, but wait until you receive a new biscuit/bridge saddle from me because the two cones are not quite the same height.

What has amazed me over the years is how great our guy is at spinning cones. They are consistently good and I have rarely see a bad one, and I have seen hundreds of them. His Dobro/spider cones are equally as good. He is a treasure and I hope he is training someone to take over someday.

Let me know the serial number of your guitar and I am sure I will be able to find its original sale details.

I would very much like to meet you someday, either over here or in Sweden. I really should get over there and do some dates. My dear friend, Manish Pingle, is currently touring Sweden with kora player, Lamine Cissokho, and he is having a fantastic time, loving every moment! Pretty cool pairing, Mohan veena and kora.

Best wishes

Shine On
Michael

[bdeivert]

Hi Michael, it is a 12 fret model and was owned by my friend Richard King in Enniscorthy. I won't have it back here till tomorrow so I don't have the serial number. I will send you my details by email. Thanks for the offer of the biscuit and saddle. Very kind of you. I will definitely follow your advice about waiting to change the cone until I have played it awhile. The Cissokho family has some great kora players here in Sweden! I have listened to Lamine's playing on youtube clips, but not in person. I have seen and met Maher Cissokho who is amazing too. His Swedish father-in-law plays ngoni and helped me get one and gave me a lesson. Kora and Mohan veena sound like a very cool pairing of instruments. The audiences in Sweden are good but the venues for acoustic music are rather sparse, unfortunately. all the best, Bert

[Michael Messer]

Hi Bert,

I remember being in touch with Richard and I have found details of the sale. It was a B-stock MM Blues #15016 and it was in April 2017. It was a B-stock because of a flaw in the finish of the neck binding. I also sent Richard an MM Slim pickup a few years later.

I remember hearing from you when you were over in Ireland, I think you were with Richard at the time.

Shine On
Michael