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Post by Matt on Aug 19, 2010 18:19:38 GMT
After months of agonising and finding funds, I've decided I'm set on a MM resonator. Having played both the Blues and the Lightning in the shop (Dave Mann Music in Nottingham if anyone's interested), I decided I prefer the Lightning. I am, however, a bit nervous about having a guitar with 12 frets to the body, as I don't know how much my playing will be limited.
So, I was wondering, as there's a 14-fret model of the blues, would it be possible to have a 14-fret neck fitted to the Lightning? More generally, does the difference in neck length have any noticeable effect on the sound of the instrument?
Cheers
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 19, 2010 18:41:37 GMT
Hello Greedyostrich,
Welcome to our forum.
Thank you for your enquiry and for your interest in MM guitars.
There is not a 14 fret Lightning and it is not possible to fit a 14 fret neck onto a 12 fret body.
I think your worries about a 12 fret neck join to the body are due to lack of experience with resonator guitars. There are no limitations at all, it just takes a little getting used to. I have played 12 fret guitars for 35 years and I actually prefer them to 14s. I like the bigger sound and the shape is very comfortable for me. The 12 fret body is how John Dopyera and the gang at National designed them and if you look back through history at all the 12 fret players, it did not and does not, limit their style at all.
Don't just take my word on this, there are many happy MM Lightning owners out there who I am sure would say the same.
It makes a lot of difference to the tone of a resonator guitar, and you might find that if there were such a thing as a 14 fret Lightning that you may not like it as much as the 12 fret model. The guitar you played and like is a 12 fretter.
I hope that helps, and please feel free to ask any questions. If I can answer them I will.
Please say 'hello' to Dave, Rachel and Walter for me.
Thanks,
Shine On, Michael
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Post by Matt on Aug 19, 2010 18:57:49 GMT
Hi Michael, thanks for the reply.
To be honest, that was pretty much what I was expecting to hear, but the reassurance is very helpful nonetheless. As I said, I played the Lightning and the blues a while back when they were out of my budget range, but I've not been able to forget how lovely the Lightning in particular was to play, and now I think I'm going to have to invest in one!
I'll be dropping into the shop sometime in early September to make my purchase (if they have on in stock), and I'll be sure to pass on your 'hello'.
I'd just like to say that despite the possible wait for an instrument because of your UK checks etc, it gives me a lot of confidence as a first time reso-buyer that the instrument will be up to scratch, as I've heard that a lot of other guitar models can vary in quality from instrument to instrument of the same model.
Cheers
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Post by Stevie on Aug 19, 2010 20:00:12 GMT
Hi GreedyOstrich! I had exactly the same reservations when I set out on this trail. See this thread; michaelmesser.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=tin&thread=1833&page=1How helpful everybody is on this forum? I read between the lines and chose a 12 fret despite being used to 14 frets. I don't think that I would welcome a 14 fret design now. Andys has a 14'er and loves it. For me though, they look and feel just right as a 12 fretter. I do think that you'll be very happy with whatever you choose. Whatever it turns out to be, just play it!!!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2010 20:35:10 GMT
Hi greedyostrich. I was asking exactly the same question when I first started looking at buying a quality reso. I have a Busker Delta steel body 12 fret which is permanently parked in open D. Every so often I like to play open E in which case I capo the 2nd. To start with I couldn't see how I was going to get on with sliding cleanly up to the 14th, which is well inside the body. Took me a while to get the hang of it, but it works fine now, I wouldn't swap it for a 14 fret.
Depends on your physical size and shape to some extent I suppose, but I agree with Michael, in that the size and shape of a 12 fret is perfect.
I'm confident that you will be happy with a 12 fret Lightning. Go for it and make it work for you!
Rich.
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Post by Matt on Aug 19, 2010 21:29:16 GMT
Thanks everyone,
as I said above, I sort of expected this to be the response, but it is immeasurably helpful and reassuring to hear it from people who've been in the same boat. While it is certainly a good investment, it's still a fairly big one, so reassurance is good. My only problem with the Lightning is that it is too nice. I walked into a shop earlier this year just casually browsing and asked about resonators, and after trying the MM guitars (they stock no other resos, on account of the unbeatable price/quality combination of MMs, they told me) I had to have one. Now for a long 3 weeks wait until I've got the money and am in the right place, and i can't wait! Knowing my luck there'll be a wait to get a Lightning (the shop's currently sold their one), but I'm sure he lifetime with the guitar will be worth the wait!
As an aside, can anyone recommend any good books of music suited to resonators (slide or otherwise)? And on an even more tenuously linked point, is fairly frequently changing the tuning of my current (acoustic) guitar likely to cause undue wear/damage to the instrument? I know it'll wear the strings out faster, but that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make...
Cheers
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 20, 2010 9:51:47 GMT
Hi Greedyostrich,
You can tune and retune an MM resonator guitar, in fact any 'good' resonator guitar (apart from Tricones), in as many tunings as you like, as often as you like. Properly built resonator guitars are the Volvos and Land Rovers of the guitar world. Original 1920s and 30s Nationals are still going strong, many of them with all original factory-fitted parts. Only Yesterday a friend of mine took delivery of a 1928 National with original cone, frets and tuners. All it needed was a set of strings and a tune up, and it plays perfectly.
I can't recommend any books that are aimed solely at resonator guitar players, but there are many great books around for learning guitar. For open tuned and slide guitar the best teaching devices (IMO), apart from your ears, are DVDs. There are numerous tutorial DVDs available these days, some are excellent and some.....well, not so excellent. I guess this is my moment to jump in and suggest you get hold of my 'Introduction to Blues Slide Guitar' DVD released on Euro Blues Promotions. I think you would find it very helpful and a good introduction to the style.
Shine On Michael.
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Post by Steverb on Aug 20, 2010 19:16:31 GMT
Hi Greedyostrich, Michael's DVD is highly recommended by lots of this forum's members, me included. It is an excellent way of learning the core techniques for slide playing, thereby avoiding the bad habits that most of us self taught sliders are otherwise inclined to fall into. There are squillions of books and DVDs on the market to extend repertoire. Anything by Stefan Grossman or Bob Brozman is good. If you like tab (as I do) then try this: www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Country-Guitar-Grossmans-Workshop/dp/0786651261/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1282330888&sr=8-3Gerry Cooper recommended this book to me. It is almost a "greatest hits" of country blues guitar, with all the obvious suspects covered. Some of it is pretty easy, some moderate and some is very hard but it's all great stuff and the last section is devoted to bottleneck pieces. IMHO it's an absolute steal. Steve
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2010 18:27:09 GMT
I can happily, and confidently back Steve up on the subject of Michaels DVD. It has set me straight a quite a few things. My wife bought it for me for my last birthday in February this year.
Best damn thing she ever bought me!!!!!!!
Rich.
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 22, 2010 9:37:58 GMT
;D > Thanks Steve & Rich, your kind words are very much appreciated.
Shine On Michael
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Post by Matt on Aug 22, 2010 16:23:58 GMT
Just out of curiosity, about what serial number are you up to with the Lightnings these days? Have you made any/many minor changes since you shipped the first one?
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 23, 2010 14:02:01 GMT
Hi Greedyostrich,
I am not where we are with serial numbers, that is not my department.
As for changes; very little has changed since our first Lightnings came in. Tuners have been improved and we now use maple bridges, rather than rosewood capped, which I prefer. We have also had some shipments with mahogany necks, rather than the original nato necks, and some with bound fretboards. These are not really what I would call improvements, just variations to keep everything fresh and interesting.
Shine On Michael
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Post by thebluesbear( al) on Aug 26, 2010 19:28:08 GMT
Hi
im adding this to support what others have said about 12 frets versus 14 frets ....well my first decent reso was and as i still have it is a amistar 14 fret .......about 14 months ago i got my MM lightning and well i can honestly say that i couldnt put it down the difference i got used to quickly ....i have a house full of guitars and its My lightning i reach for often enough
you wont regret it
al
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Post by oldmanblue on Aug 27, 2010 9:08:17 GMT
you can add my vote to michael dvd a real good learning tool.omb
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Post by pete1951 on Aug 27, 2010 16:42:48 GMT
My Lightning has 13 frets to the body. I have put a 27" scale neck on it but thats the only change I`ve made [the origonal neck was busted in transit ] A 14freter would have almost a 30" scale so standard strings wouldn`t fit .
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