Post by albatross on Aug 6, 2022 0:44:38 GMT
Hi, I've played both the 12 and 14 fret models and through a series of weird but fortunate circumstances became an owner of two new Raw Brass
12 fretters end of 2021. Like to share my thoughts and start a new thread because the one by phillip (aug 2020) kinda went off on a tangent.
First to respond about him not liking the neck finish or shape. Not sure why - but the neck on the 14 fretter does look different then the 12 fretters.
It appears almost painted and at least on the one I played you couldn't see any grain? not my favorite either.
On the 12 fretters its a light stain and you can see the grain. NRP's website says the neck is maple, it looks more like mahogany to me
but either way I'm fine with it. Also I would call the neck a modified "C" with a V up near the headstock. Seems normal to me, maybe if you're
used to a Taylor it's be an adjustment but its feels like an older Martin neck. I don't like binding on the neck so thats also a plus.
I love the sound of the brass body with no plating, (my granddaughter calls it the gold guitar). It's sweet with fat mids and tons of sustain. Maybe
not as loud as a steel one but depending on how hard you play that's really subjective.
Also, so far really like the wax finish approach. I had a style "N" that would get that black tarnish on it if you looked at it cross-eyed even after spending
10 minutes wiping it down. This one does slowly tarnish in the normal places but took a year to build up before I got tired of that and steel wooled the entire body.
After I had waxed it down and polished it, (maybe 2 hours) looks like new. You do have to be real careful on the cover plate so not to get a steel wool fur ball on the cone.
All in all my opinion is they're a good deal on new National at a slightly better price point then some of their more fancy models. I haven't read much about them on
this forum, was thinking maybe they're not that prevalent outside of the United States? That would make sense as I've been wanted to play a M&M guitar for
years now but haven't seen any locally and only a couple on Ebay. regards, pt
12 fretters end of 2021. Like to share my thoughts and start a new thread because the one by phillip (aug 2020) kinda went off on a tangent.
First to respond about him not liking the neck finish or shape. Not sure why - but the neck on the 14 fretter does look different then the 12 fretters.
It appears almost painted and at least on the one I played you couldn't see any grain? not my favorite either.
On the 12 fretters its a light stain and you can see the grain. NRP's website says the neck is maple, it looks more like mahogany to me
but either way I'm fine with it. Also I would call the neck a modified "C" with a V up near the headstock. Seems normal to me, maybe if you're
used to a Taylor it's be an adjustment but its feels like an older Martin neck. I don't like binding on the neck so thats also a plus.
I love the sound of the brass body with no plating, (my granddaughter calls it the gold guitar). It's sweet with fat mids and tons of sustain. Maybe
not as loud as a steel one but depending on how hard you play that's really subjective.
Also, so far really like the wax finish approach. I had a style "N" that would get that black tarnish on it if you looked at it cross-eyed even after spending
10 minutes wiping it down. This one does slowly tarnish in the normal places but took a year to build up before I got tired of that and steel wooled the entire body.
After I had waxed it down and polished it, (maybe 2 hours) looks like new. You do have to be real careful on the cover plate so not to get a steel wool fur ball on the cone.
All in all my opinion is they're a good deal on new National at a slightly better price point then some of their more fancy models. I haven't read much about them on
this forum, was thinking maybe they're not that prevalent outside of the United States? That would make sense as I've been wanted to play a M&M guitar for
years now but haven't seen any locally and only a couple on Ebay. regards, pt