Comparing a MM Lightning to the new NRP's?

[stevensguitars]

Hi there,

I'm just about to order a Lightning and would be interested to hear from anyone who has compared one to the new NRP's. I've played a few of the latter but have no way of playing the Lightning.

What are the differences, pros and cons, between the two.

I'm not asking about Vintage Nationals as I have no experience of them.

The Lightning certainly looks the part and from what I can tell from a few videos sounds good but how well does it emulate the sound of a Style 0 and how does the volume compare? Does it have the bark and the nice echoey sustain?

Do people swap the cones or are you happy with the Chinese spun ones?

Any opinions, would be welcomed.

[thebluesbear( al)]

Hi

Let me try and offer an opnion ....i have a NRP style o 14 fret and two MM lightnings ( among others)... to be honest im quite sure i prefer them ...the cone well i have heard many arguments on whats best etc . my opnion is just to leave it alone and enjoy it

Im into style o resonators it just that simple you will not regret it ...

Yes they bark mine barks like you would not believe hey ill keep it short just get one.........

al

[Deleted]

I'm sure Al means he prefers lightnings to NRPs.
Apologies for interjecting...
TT

[thebluesbear( al)]

Hi

Sorry new baby in house still not firing on all four cylinders here ......YES !!!!! thats exactly what i mean , i prefer my MML s to my NRP .

When i used the word style o i was refering to a general style only, i should have said style o type guitars .. ;D

and TT there is no need for apologies thanks for pointing that out

al

[gouranga]

I'm with Al on this one.

Great guitars. Lightning and Blues. You can get one of each for the price of one NRP and be left with enough cash to keep you going in strings for a long time.
I also prefer MM's to NRP. I have owned new NRP's and vintage Nationals. But would still go for MM, in fact, still have MM and NRP and Nationals are gone .

All the best.

Gouranga

[SoloBill]

Hi,

'How does the volume compare? Does it have the bark and the nice echoey sustain?

Do people swap the cones or are you happy with the Chinese spun ones?'

I can't compare with an 'equivalent' NRP but my MML has noticeable volume. Yes, it does have the bark and the nice echoey sustain.

No, I haven't swapped the cone. I haven't touched it. I am happy with it as supplied.

Bill

[Michael Messer]

Hi Stevensguitars,

Thank you for your interest in MM guitars.

I am not going to comment on the differences between the brands, but I am very grateful for the kind words on this thread and extremely proud of my MM guitars.

What I will say is that the cones that are spun for us in China are superb quality and are spun by an expert metal spinner. There are differences in the two brands of cones you have mentioned, but neither is better than the other, just a little different, as each spinner has their own touch.

Shine On
Michael

[stevensguitars]

Thanks everyone, it's great to hear things like this and thanks Michael for the reassurance about the cone.

Robin was kind enough to e-mail me some hi-res photos of the current stock, which looks very nice indeed and to be honest captures the look of what I want more than the NRP's, particularly the neck.

Anyway to get to the point, I've just ordered a Lightning! I get the impression that Robin is snowed under so it'll be a month or so before I get one. Which is fine and gives me a chance to sell my Banjo to finance it.

As a guitar builder myself, I'm a fussy old sod so I'll just have to hope/trust that the fit and finish is good.

Thanks all for taking the time to post.

Cheers

Dave

[Michael Messer]

Thanks Dave. I am sure you will be pleased with your Lightning. Let me know when it arrives.