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Post by tomgiemza on Aug 1, 2022 15:58:17 GMT
Hi, Today I got an used MM Blues 12. I was reading this forum for a while and I didn't hesitate when I found MM Blues for a very good price. It look good and sound nice, but it's hard to say anything else until I'll set it up properly. I bought it from a store and I have no idea about it's history. There are a few little problems: - Intonation is completely off. String action is extremely high, >25mm on the first fret. Maybe previous owner play it like a squareneck and made a new nut? Or every MM has a very high nut? - Between 12 and 13 fret the fingerboard don't touch the body, you can see through it (attached picture). Should I worry? Could it be a sign of a wrong neck relief? - I don't like the look and feel of the neck finish. It's just the finish, the neck shape feels fine. I saw many photos of MM with satin neck, also different shape at the end near the headstock, but I guess the necks on MM varies from shipment to shipment. No big deal. And here comes the big question. Should I patiently work on this guitar to set it to my liking or give it back and maybe get a brand new MM? I got my first resonator last winter and from this moment I play reso more often than any other guitar. I had a chance to play a few single-cones, I was lucky to try 2 vintage Nationals, currently I own a chinese-made steel body fitted with National cone and 1930 bakelite neck. It has a magical sound and it's the loudest guitar I ever heard. But, because of an old bakelite neck, I don't like to travel with it and play it in front of a campfire with my rowdy friends  So I got the MM Blues to be a sturdy, traveling guitar. If I'll bond with it, I may consider selling my bakelite neck resonator for a financial reasons. |
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 1, 2022 16:41:21 GMT
Hello Tom,
Where did you get this guitar, are you in Europe, or USA, Canada?
That is not an original nut and the fretboard lifting is something to do with being mistreated.
The necks on MM guitars do not vary from shipment to shipment, especially with a guitar as new as that one. They are made exactly to my specifications and I am strict about quality control. These blue MM Blues were only produced once, I think it was 2019. All guitars bought direct from me in recent years have polished necks.
Let me know more about your guitar and hopefully I will be able to tell you more about it.
Shine On
Michael
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Post by tomgiemza on Aug 1, 2022 16:43:19 GMT
In Europe. I'm from Poland, bought it online from italian store "Musicash" on reverb.com
The serial number is 07297
Thank You, Mr Messer!
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 1, 2022 17:54:15 GMT
In Europe. I'm from Poland, bought it online from italian store "Musicash" on reverb.com The serial number is 07297 Thank You, Mr Messer! Hi Tom, My pleasure, I am happy to help and advise in any way I can. Where is the serial number, is it stamped into the headstock? Does it have MM with the serial number...MM07297? Shine On Michael |
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Post by pete1951 on Aug 1, 2022 17:54:52 GMT
25mm at the first fret! 2.5 perhaps? To check if the intonation will be ok when the nut adjusted to standard playing hight, put on a capo on the first fret, retune, and check intonation at the 13th.
The gap under the finger board needs more thought
Pete
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Post by tomgiemza on Aug 1, 2022 18:00:39 GMT
Where is the serial number, is it stamped into the headstock? Does it have MM with the serial number...MM07297? On the top of the headstock. Without "MM", just 07297. 25mm at the first fret! 2.5 perhaps? To check if the intonation will be ok when the nut adjusted to standard playing hight, put on a capo on the first fret, retune, and check intonation at the 13th. The gap under the finger board needs more thought Pete Yes, 2.5mm, stupid mistake But it's too high anyway  |
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 1, 2022 18:07:52 GMT
Can I see a photo of the serial number please?
Thanks
Shine On
Michael
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Post by tomgiemza on Aug 1, 2022 18:13:20 GMT
Can I see a photo of the serial number please? Thanks Shine On Michael Here it is. Attachments:
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 1, 2022 19:52:21 GMT
That is not my numbering stamp and it does not have my MM / MMB prefix. I think this was stamped by the manufacturer and may have come from my dealer in Canada. If so it is a well travelled guitar, it has gone from Shanghai to Toronto to Italy to Poland!
Do You know Jędrzej Kubiak in your country? Jed is an expert and is the person to take your guitar to in Poland. He will make it play well, Jed knows about National guitars.
Also, ask Jed to polish the neck. No, not Polish the neck, polish the neck :-)
I am also Polish, my grandfather on my father's side was Polish. My name, as you know is a Polish name.
Shine On
Michael
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Post by tomgiemza on Aug 1, 2022 20:22:29 GMT
That is not my numbering stamp and it does not have my MM / MMB prefix. I think this was stamped by the manufacturer and may have come from my dealer in Canada. If so it is a well travelled guitar, it has gone from Shanghai to Toronto to Italy to Poland! Do You know Jędrzej Kubiak in your country? Jed is an expert and is the person to take your guitar to in Poland. He will make it play well, Jed knows about National guitars. Also, ask Jed to polish the neck. No, not Polish the neck, polish the neck :-) I am also Polish, my grandfather on my father's side was Polish. My name, as you know is a Polish name. Shine On Michael I know Jędrzej, he was the one who put together the bakelite neck guitar I have He lives a long way from me, but someday I'll visit him for sure and take my resonators with me Oh, I didn't know about your polish origins, since You mentioned it, your name sounds different in my mind, now with the polish accent I have two options. Take it to Jędrzej or send it back to Italy and save for a brand new MM I'll sleep on it. By the way, since UK is not the part of EU, would I pay taxes if I'll buy a guitar from UK? |
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 2, 2022 8:50:16 GMT
Hi Tom,
I thought you would know Jędrzej and I kind of had an idea that he put the bakelite neck in your guitar.
You would have to pay import taxes and customs handling fees if you buy a guitar from me. This would add approximately 22% to the price of the guitar and shipping.
I have to bite my lip and run away from my computer when this comes up, because we only discuss music on here, never politics.
Shine On
Michael
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Post by tomgiemza on Aug 3, 2022 8:33:07 GMT
I decided to return this guitar, too many things to fix and not a good time for me to spend more money. But I might get MM guitar someday |
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 3, 2022 10:47:21 GMT
I think you made a wise decision, it does need a lot of work to make it really good.
I am not quite sure what had happened to it in its short life, but not treated well. It might sound crazy when you consider how many MM Guitars are in the world, but I do care about every one of them and don't like to see them in bad condition. They have my name on the headstock and they are like family to me. I know I'm a little crazy, but that's how it is!
Shine On
Michael
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