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Post by frank64f on Nov 6, 2009 16:58:15 GMT
Hi Michael, just out of curiosity,( and for the benefit of collectors in 50 years time), could you tell me how the serial numbers of MM guitars run? For example, my Blues is no MMB 0096 09; Is this the 96th MM guitar, including Lightning, or the 96th Blues? Do the numbers run from 0001, or do they re-set each year? Thanks Frank
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Post by Michael Messer on Nov 6, 2009 18:05:36 GMT
Hi Frank,
Your MMB 0096 09 is the 96th MM BLUES that we sold. The 09 is the year.
We started both MMB & MML at 0001 08. So there is a MML 0096 09 too. We do not reset every year, that is why we put so many zeros!
There are some prototypes that have various numbers, but they are all obviously prototypes as they are for example MMB 001 TEST 08
The only other numbering system at present is with our Australian dealer. All our European & USA guitars are number in the UK by us, but the Australian ones go direct from China to Australia and are numbered as above, but with AU on the end...eg; MML 0001 08 AU
So far that is all I can tell you about our serial numbering system. We try to keep it as simple as possible and to make them easy for future collectors to identify.
In addition: every MM guitar that I have had in my possession and opened for some reason is signed and dated by me somewhere on the inside. This is just a personal thing I do that will I guess make it fun for future collectors to work out why I signed it.
Shine On Michael.
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Post by frank64f on Nov 6, 2009 20:19:03 GMT
Thanks Michael, if I was braver, I would open mine up to see if you have signed it, but its staying as it is.
Incidentally,I know that wooden guitars open up after a while and sound better, (I have owned enough of them), but I don't see how it works with a metal guitar, BUT...... my blues sounded great straight out of the box, but after 5 months of playing, it is sounding even better. My wife insists it has also got louder!!! My son has no interest in acoustic guitars, he plays those plugged in things; he has heard me play Blind Boy Fuller's Untrue Blues for the last 30 years, without the slightest comment. I gave the Blues a brief outing in Standard Tuning the other day, played the introduction to Untrue Blues, and he said 'That Sounds just like that old guitar that old boy played'.
Praise for the MM Blues from an unexpected source.!!!!!!!
Frank
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Post by Michael Messer on Nov 6, 2009 22:23:29 GMT
Hi Frank,
Don't open your MM guitar unless you have to. The changes that take place as the guitar gets played and as it ages, are because of two things; Some kind of reaction happens to the cone due to vibration from being played. The other thing that happens and is the reason for never removing all the strings, just changing them one at a time, is that everything beds in, settles down and all the various components become one component. Everything literally beds in and resonates as one. Over time these changes make the guitar louder and more resonant. The tone also improves and changes over time. The more you play your guitar and the less you open it, the better it will get.
It sounds to me like your son will be borrowing your MM guitar!!!
I don't think I have had your guitar in my hands - 0096 09 is not a number I recall seeing. I could be wrong as I don't keep a record of the guitars I have set up, but I don't think I have worked on your guitar. I don't work on many. Just occasionally a few end up at my house that are going out to customers, and rather than send them to Wales to be set up by Ron, our set-up & repair man, I do them myself. I enjoy doing it.
Keep in touch,
Shine On Michael
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Post by thebluesbear( al) on Nov 7, 2009 8:41:28 GMT
Michael
Lol your tempting me since i read that you have signed some of your guitars on the inside im wondering .....MMB 150 09 and MML 118 09.........
As i dont have to open them i wont but.....the temptation.....oh the temptaion ......
but yes my two have got louder and really opened up ....i cant wait to hear what they will be like in years to come....
al
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Post by Michael Messer on Nov 7, 2009 10:09:01 GMT
Hi Al,
I have not been inside your guitars. The guitars I have been in are mostly the ones sold through our London dealer, Wunjo Guitars. Apart from those mentioned, just a handful of others.
The worst thing one can do to a resophonic guitar is to open it for no good reason. Once the tension is off the strings, you have to start again letting the cone bed in.
IF IT AIN'T BROKE >DON'T FIX IT
Shine On Michael
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Post by thebluesbear( al) on Nov 7, 2009 10:26:16 GMT
Michael
My guitars as sure as hell aint broke they are wonderfull ........im still blown away
al
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Post by Michael Messer on Nov 7, 2009 10:44:24 GMT
;D
Shine On Michael
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Post by jreading on Dec 10, 2013 13:19:11 GMT
Randomly come across this thread and I'm glad I did... My MM Blues is serial number MMB0037 Any info at hand about this particular intrument? Year of manufacture? Is it the 37th one made? I know it's 'B' stock which is what I originally thought the B in the serial number indicated, I know know it simply means Blues (D'oh!) How are 'B' stock indentified, purely in a register held by Busker? I never thought I'd become so engrossed in the history of any of my guitars the way I have over my newly acquired resonator. I love my Strat as it was the first decent guitar I bought but do I care who made it or when? Not really it is was it is a good Fender, it's Mexican but that don't bother me in fact I rather like the fact I choose that instead of pining for US made. But my Blues, was instant love at first sight online.......
I think I need to get out more.....
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Post by Michael Messer on Dec 10, 2013 14:08:04 GMT
Hi jreading,
Your MM guitar, MMB 0037, should have another number indicating the year of manufacture (08), which with yours is 2008? As one of the first B stock guitars Robin may have numbered it differently, but the 'B' usually stands for Blues, not for B stock. 0037 wasn't the 37th MM Blues to be built, it was the 37th MM Blues to be numbered in what I believe was the second batch of MM guitars to be shipped to us.
Our serial numbering system (much like National & Dobro in the old days) is not an exact science, but it does give us a record of each guitar for our books and it personalises and dates each instrument for posterity.
Shine On Michael
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Post by mitchfit on Dec 10, 2013 14:32:30 GMT
Michael,
perhaps you should make this thread a "sticky", or relabel it as an "official" MM guitar serial # thread. [of some sort]
thinking based on all of the variations, twists and turns that are out there with other brands, even long established companies.
make that especially long established companies. how much nicer for owners would it be if a single [authoritative] source had been set up, and adhered to from the get-go?
$0.02, mitchfit
PS--feel free to delete this posting should you decide to do same.
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Post by jreading on Dec 10, 2013 15:10:17 GMT
Just had a look at a photo of my guitar I keep on my work computer, it only says MMB0037. Must be a lucky rare one, do I win a prize?!!
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Post by Michael Messer on Dec 10, 2013 15:17:41 GMT
Hi jreading,
You definitely win a prize!
Next time I speak to Robin I will see if we can check the exact date. If you can post a photo I may be able to tell you more. Looking at my records I can be clearer than in my previous post. The first shipment, which was 25 of each model, arrived in August 2008. So it is possible that the second shipment was early 2009.
Shine On Michael
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Post by Michael Messer on Dec 10, 2013 15:18:38 GMT
Hi Mitchfit,
I am happy to make this an official MM serial numbers thread....
Shine On Michael
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Post by jreading on Dec 10, 2013 15:34:41 GMT
I shall endeavor to get a photo to you soon. Off topic I recently asked Robin about getting one of the owners manuals which my 2nd hand Blues didn't have and he very promtly winged one to me in the post. It's been said before and I'll say it again the personel touch and service yourself and Robin offer is absolutely brilliant. Keep up the the good work.
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