MM Lightning neck mishap

[applegrovebard]

The other day my MM Lightning was resting against my coffee table and reaching for it clumsily it slid sideways and banged on to the carpeted floor. A wooden guitar probably wouldn't have suffered damage but I really should have been aware that the great weight of the metal guitar makes such a mishap more significant. The result was that under string tension the heel of the neck is coming a few mm away from the body and the action is now very high. With strings slackened you can just slide a fingernail between the heel and the body. I'm wondering exactly what has gone amiss here and what is the countervailing force that normally resists the string tension pulling the heel of the neck away from flush with the body. I have removed the cone- can I solve this problem by shifting the wooden shims?

If I can't fix this myself, does anybody know of a guitar repairer in the London/Essex area who has competence with resonator guitars?


Thanks

Steve

[pete1951]

This could be damage to the neck/neckstick joint. If you shine a light through the F hole you may be able to see the joint ( on older Lightning’s it’s about an inch from the heal) .
Pete

[Michael Messer]

Hi Steve

Pete is correct. The neck has separated from the neck stick. That is the worst angle to hit the headstock, as you have experienced, it does the most damage. Older Lightnings have a different neck to neck stick joint than newer ones. How old is yours and what is its serial number?

Unless you know and can trust someone near to you that has a lot of experience repairing National guitars, my advice is to send or take it to Dave King as he knows those guitars inside out and will repair it for you. Dave's workshop is near Newbury in Berkshire.

If you can box it up, you might as well send it because it is already damaged. If you do it through me it is better because Dave invoices me and I box it up and return it to you.
I reckon we are looking at £150 for the repair and £35 to ship it back to you. Dave is a busy person and it would probably be away for a month or so.

Don't worry, because in the right hands it will come back as good as new.

I hope that is helpful.

Shine On
Michael

[applegrovebard]

Thanks for your quick reply pete1951.

And thanks for your advice Michael. I'm still trying to locate the serial number but I ordered my guitar from you in June 2021 (name Stephen Hall). I'll do as you suggest. When you say 'do it through me' do you mean send it to Dave King or to you? I'll source a box in the nest few days. Is it worth also putting it in the case it came with for extra protection (although it's damaged)?

Thanks for your prompt help.

best wishes
Steve

[applegrovebard]

Hi Michael- I just visited Dave king's website and it says he's not taking any more repair work for the foreseeable future...

Steve

[Michael Messer]

Hi Stephen,

I remember our communications about the guitar and that you were and hopefully still are very happy with it.

The serial number of your guitar is - #MML210702 and it will be stamped into the end of the headstock.

Dave King only does repairs for a few people, but he looks after and does all setups and repairs on MM Guitars. So I will speak to Dave about your guitar and then you can send it to him. I will invoice you for payment and I will pay Dave.

I will email you when I have been in touch with Dave. Is it still the btinternet address?

Shine On
Michael.

[applegrovebard]

Hi Michael

Yes- that's the serial number and my email is the same as on your records. I've been very happy with the guitar- just the sound, so distinctive, resonant and soulful, always grabs me.

Thanks for your help here. I'll prepare the guitar for despatch.

Steve

[Michael Messer]

Hi Steve

I have spoken with Dave and sent you an email

Shine On
Michael

[leeophonic]

Dave King or Steve Evans have done fantastic work for me over the years.


In the Essex Suffolk area there is also conrendell.com/ who has done great restoration on a vintage guitar or two for myself and Washboard Chris put a few Dobro's through his workshop over the years.

Nice guy with years of experience, ex Selmer craftsman who knows, guitars Banjo's and many stringed wonders.

Regards

Lee