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Post by strummitcadders on May 6, 2024 11:04:50 GMT
Hello all,
I bought a lovely MM blues years back, pretty much when they first became available. Had a trip down to Wales to pick it up from the U.K. distributor. Sad to to say, I was daft enough to sell it a few years later. I have recently been given another one, albeit in a quite poor state, and WAS hoping to take it to Dave King for some loving attention and restoration, but his website states that he isn’t taking any work on for the foreseeable future.
Can anybody recommend a luthier who is really experienced in these types of instruments ….who is based in the south east U.K. ?? I’m in mid Kent, so I don’t really want to go north of Watford or west of Bournemouth . Without being too picky, I’m not looking for a general luthier who could “give it a go”…….. I want a guy who really knows his way around these things.
Any help greatly appreciated.
Thanks all.
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Post by bonzo on May 6, 2024 13:06:00 GMT
Photos and a description of wots wrong would enable fellow forum members to offer advice. These guitars are built like battleships, might need some tweaking you could possibly manage yourself. 👍
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Post by Michael Messer on May 6, 2024 13:11:09 GMT
Dave King does accept work on MM Guitars when it comes through me.
As Bonzo has said, let's see some photos and also tell me what is wrong with the guitar and we can go from there.
Oh and can you tell me what the serial number is too.
Shine On
Michael
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Post by strummitcadders on May 6, 2024 16:03:56 GMT
Hi, …..the serial number is MMB181 10. I haven’t fully made up my mind yet, but depending on advice and budget, I’m thinking of a possible refret ( I prefer bigger frets ) , or maybe a fret dress to sort out what sounds like a couple of dead spots, some vintage looking 1:16 gear machine heads, a proper string tailpiece if the break angle can be right, and getting rid of at least one set of electrics…..but most importantly …open to any other ideas that DK can offer to bring this old girl up to best possible spec. My logic is that no matter how much I spend on it, the cost will still be less than the cheapest 2nd hand National rgds and thanks. |
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Post by bonzo on May 6, 2024 16:26:28 GMT
Wow! That guitar has had quite a bit of work done to it and would be somebody's ideal electric reso!
(If it's all working of course)
Are you committed to remodeling this particular guitar? You may find one that is already nearer the spec you want. Just a thought...
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Post by Michael Messer on May 6, 2024 20:09:21 GMT
Hi, …..the serial number is MMB181 10. I haven’t fully made up my mind yet, but depending on advice and budget, I’m thinking of a possible refret ( I prefer bigger frets ) , or maybe a fret dress to sort out what sounds like a couple of dead spots, some vintage looking 1:16 gear machine heads, a proper string tailpiece if the break angle can be right, and getting rid of at least one set of electrics…..but most importantly …open to any other ideas that DK can offer to bring this old girl up to best possible spec. My logic is that no matter how much I spend on it, the cost will still be less than the cheapest 2nd hand National rgds and thanks. I have found your guitar in my records and it was originally sold to someone in Swansea. It looks to me like your guitar could do with a setup to get it all optimised again. It would be better with a new biscuit and saddle. The ones we use now are proper 1930s specs - maple biscuit & box wood saddle. It may need a new cone because playing without a handrest is the fastest way to damage a cone. But if it's fine, it's fine. The tuners don't look right on it at all, so a set of 30s looking tuners. I would lose that coverplate/pickup unit and fit a new coverplate with a handrest. It's a shame the previous owner cut the handrest off, but no worries I have coverplates. I am not sure what else it needs. Personally I wouldn't refret it because those frets look fine and after a setup they will all be level and working as they should. The fretboard could do with some treatment as it looks a bit dry and lifeless. The pickup that has been fitted should be wired up properly and a couple of nice volume and tone knobs fitted. Of course what we don't know is how much has been done to the inside, so it may require some new mushroom posts (pit-props) If you would like to move forward, let me know and I will talk to Dave about it and show him the pics. I hope that is helpful. Shine On Michael |
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delab
Serious MM Forum Member
Posts: 25
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Post by delab on May 7, 2024 10:24:07 GMT
Is that an NRP hot plate that’s fitted?
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Post by strummitcadders on May 7, 2024 15:58:55 GMT
Hi,
sadly not.... its sort of Chinese copy sold by a chap called "The Chickenbone Man".....who does a lot of stuff with cigar box guitars. I took it off another reso of mine to fit on this one. Its certainly not the most subtle tone you'll ever hear, but pretty good if youre after that gutsy, rough driven sound. The tone control offers very little variation in tone. I might upgrade the whole thing.?
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Post by strummitcadders on May 7, 2024 16:37:33 GMT
Hi Michael.
Thanks for your very interesting reply. I actually found the original instruction guide leaflet which is signed by you !!. This guitar was sold to me as a new instrument by a chap in Llanegryn.....someway up the coast from Swansea...said his company was Busker guitars.? I hope it wasnt actually a return from somebody in Swansea?
Your thoughts on removing the bridge cover are interesting. Ive done that to a few resos.....lucky for me, so far without problem. Sometimes, I like to strike and pick the strings closer to the bridge, to get more variation in tone compared to playing further up towards the neck. Also, like so many resos, the intonation on this guitar was not so good. I did rotate the biscuit very slightly, but any improvement was marginal at best. I then pinned and glued a standard acoustic bone saddle behind and onto the wooden bridge... thus slightly extending the scale length. To my ears, this has made a significant improvement in intonation, without sacrificing too much in tone and volume.
I would certainly like to take the guitar to DK and see what he thinks and suggests. If you can put me in touch, it would be greatly appreciated .
many thanks for all your help
rgds
TREVOR
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Post by jono1uk on May 7, 2024 16:38:31 GMT
Although not a Reso luthier per se ..i have used Andrew Warnock in Gravesend for a number of years and he set up my MM BLUES well enough for Ian Siegal to gig it without issues / grumbles.
Please P.M me if you would like his details.
Jono
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Post by Michael Messer on May 7, 2024 19:47:26 GMT
Hi Michael. Thanks for your very interesting reply. I actually found the original instruction guide leaflet which is signed by you !!. This guitar was sold to me as a new instrument by a chap in Llanegryn.....someway up the coast from Swansea...said his company was Busker guitars.? I hope it wasnt actually a return from somebody in Swansea? Your thoughts on removing the bridge cover are interesting. Ive done that to a few resos.....lucky for me, so far without problem. Sometimes, I like to strike and pick the strings closer to the bridge, to get more variation in tone compared to playing further up towards the neck. Also, like so many resos, the intonation on this guitar was not so good. I did rotate the biscuit very slightly, but any improvement was marginal at best. I then pinned and glued a standard acoustic bone saddle behind and onto the wooden bridge... thus slightly extending the scale length. To my ears, this has made a significant improvement in intonation, without sacrificing too much in tone and volume. I would certainly like to take the guitar to DK and see what he thinks and suggests. If you can put me in touch, it would be greatly appreciated . many thanks for all your help rgds TREVOR Hi Trevor, My apologies, I misread your post saying that you bought the guitar from Robin. Robin AKA Busker Guitars was my distributor when MM Guitars first started and he did a great job. I just checked the serial number list again and it was probably my mistake because it was MMB 0181 10, not 181 10, which incidentally I don't have a record of. This is because what I have from that early period are the shipping details and yours was not shipped, it was collected by you. We all have our own playing styles and as long as you are aware of the dangers of not having a handrest, then it's fine. Regarding the issue of intonation, it is best that we agree to disagree because I have played thousands of resonator guitars from all periods in their production, and I have never had a problem with intonation. Also on the issue of a bone saddle on a National-style resonator guitar, is really not something that I or any other knowledgeable resonator people would recommend, as to my ears it affects the tone and response of the guitar in a negative way. But...each to our own and it is your guitar. Now that I understand what your guitar is and what you have done to make it feel right for you, I am unsure about what you actually want done to it? I am happy to speak to Dave and ask if he would talk with you about your guitar. He really only takes on MM Guitars repairs when they come via me, but I will certainly ask him on your behalf. If he is happy to talk with you I will PM you with his contact details. I hope I have been helpful as I am always supportive of MM Guitars owners and I stand by my guitars no matter how long ago they were bought. Shine On Michael |
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Post by strummitcadders on May 9, 2024 8:39:02 GMT
Hi Michael.
Thank you for your reply. If Mr King would kindly help me out, I would be very grateful. As your trusted set up/repair man, I’m not sure I would be fully confident with other luthiers.
Regarding what I actually want done, there are a few specific things I would like… alongside a general wish to get this guitar back up to its former best. For the latter, I would hope to be guided by Mr Kings suggestions.
Specifically :
#. Either a refret using bigger frets ( my personal preference) or on his advice…. A fret dress and truss Rod tweak as required.
# install some vintage looking machine heads …. Preferably at least 1/16 ratio
# take out the hot plate copy and replace original.
# achieve the best possible intonation…by whatever means possible.
Beyond that, whatever DK thinks is a good idea.
Thanks again
TJC
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Post by Michael Messer on May 9, 2024 19:43:17 GMT
Hi Michael. Thank you for your reply. If Mr King would kindly help me out, I would be very grateful. As your trusted set up/repair man, I’m not sure I would be fully confident with other luthiers. Regarding what I actually want done, there are a few specific things I would like… alongside a general wish to get this guitar back up to its former best. For the latter, I would hope to be guided by Mr Kings suggestions. Specifically : #. Either a refret using bigger frets ( my personal preference) or on his advice…. A fret dress and truss Rod tweak as required. # install some vintage looking machine heads …. Preferably at least 1/16 ratio # take out the hot plate copy and replace original. # achieve the best possible intonation…by whatever means possible. Beyond that, whatever DK thinks is a good idea. Thanks again TJC Hi Trevor I will speak to Dave and let you know if he can do the work for you. Shine On Michael |
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