interest in MM Lightning

[slide496]

Noticed an interest as to GCooper's resonator, the MM Lightning, I believe,on another message forum. How are the US arrangements coming on your resonators? Actually one of GCooper postings alerted me to your tuition DVD, his excellence as a musician prompted a follow up from me.

I've had good luck maintaining the basics on current budget resonator due to a professional set up, it stays in tune and is somewhat balanced bass and treble, but your product has a distinctive proprietory tone and sound that is consistent from what I heard, not just due to one player's expertise, which I like alot. They sound good to my ear. I am not sure if I would consider another metal bodied resonator other than a MM product.

Peace,
Harriet

[Deleted]

Come again?
TT

[slide496]

Hi Deuce, if you were referring to the last paragraph in my post - I clarified it. Thanks for pointing that out if so.

Peace,
Harriet

[Deleted]

Hi Harriet
That clears it up a bit.
Right now, my MM blues sounds better than my collegian (which also sounds great BTW). I would be nuts to sell it to get another MM though, wouldn't I???
TT

[Michael Messer]

Hi Harriet,

I would very much like you to have an MM guitar....

We are still in negotiation with our manufacturers about US distribution - whether it is possible and how to manage it, so at this point I don't have any news, good or bad.

We have shipped MM guitars to the US, and it is not a particularly expensive thing to do. I think the last one we sent cost the customer approximately 100 GBP in shipping & taxes.

Thanks,

Shine On
Michael

[slide496]

Hi Michael,

Thank you, it would be nice to have a resonator that sounds like a musical instrument !-

I think there is duty involved on my end and of course if the unforseen happens in transit. On the other hand losing having it set up by Robin might be a mistake. I will investigate further about duty.

Thanks,
Harriet

Also to Deuce - thanks again for alerting me-

[Michael Messer]

Hi Harriet,

I will check with Robin for you, because he knows the exact cost of shipping and duty.

Shine On
Michael

[slide496]

Thank you for your trouble. I am in NY so there's definitely import Duty - none in CA though.

Peace,
Harriet

[Michael Messer]

Hi Harriet,

I just spoke with Robin.

The price of an MM Lightning is currently 588 GBP, including VAT (sales tax) @ 20%. For export, we remove the 20% VAT from the price, so a Lightning would cost you 490 GBP. In addition, it would cost 75 GBP to ship to New York, so the total price would be 565 GBP. So far, to date, Robin said that none of our US customers have had to pay sales tax, or import duty. However, to be absolutely sure and to help others who read this thread, could you call the NY sales tax office and get the definitive word from them about how much sales tax, if any, you would pay on an imported guitar costing 490 GBP? I hope you don't mind me asking, but it would clarify this once and for all.

Thank you....

Shine On
Michael.

[slide496]

Hi Michael,
Heres an international import duty calculator - good for interested parties to get an idea of costs, I am checking into sales tax- I don't think there's any.

IMPORT DUTY CALCULATOR:
www.dutycalculator.com/new-import-duty-and-tax-calculation/

Adding the shipping and price of a MM Lightning in pounds I get US customs value of about $876. Duty is is in the range of $42

SALES TAX:
According to the customs website, its not collected. and there is no information on the New York government sites.

POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL COSTS:
Insurance
Transportation of resonator home if its not delivered direct.

Peace,
Harriet

[slide496]

Well good to know more about import expenses, see above. So its either save for a bit or sell the Nick Lucas Reissuewhich I can to Elderly Instrumenmts or on Ebay - I understand there is usually a preorder/wait in any case.

The only question I have on the Blues which is the one I am interested in, is the neck construction as to whether it's one piece like the pix I saw on one of the websites - that hasn't changed at all, has it.? I play my resonator strung 16-56 tuned down.

If that checks out then it would be get the financials together and contact Robin and ask to be put in cue!

Peace,
Harriet

[mickey]

Hi

Don't know if this would be of interest but there is a 'B' grade MM Blues on ebay uk at the moment.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230806532991?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_709wt_1396

Good luck!

Mickey

[Michael Messer]

Hi Harriet,

Thank you, very much appreciated That is really good information for US forum members and visitors.

You asked about the MM necks. None of them to my knowledge have one piece necks. The necks are constructed with three pieces - headstock, neck and heel. In addition, is the neck stick, which is now jointed into the heel in the same way as Nationals were and are still built. When I first started MM guitars, I was concerned about the three piece necks, but as soon as I got one in my hands I realised that if well constructed, they are excellent. This is in fact one of the major cost-saving factors of having guitars built. A one piece neck is much more expensive to produce and I really do not see the need to improve what we are having built at present. Robin and I speak regularly with the guys in China about ways to improve our guitars and get them as close as possible, within a certain price, to real old Nationals, and making a one piece neck is not something we are even considering.

I realise that ordering an MM guitar when you live so far away is a bit of a leap of faith. If you let me know when you have placed your order, I will make sure that you will be very happy with your guitar.

Shine On
Michael

[slide496]

Hi,

The import calculator is international so I hope if people can find it in the forum, then its useful.

Thank you Michael and also MIckey - I forgot about B grade so I will throw that into my brain soup.


Peace,
Harriet