My review of my MM Blues 12
Apr 11, 2014 5:37:02 GMT
Michael Messer, Blues Pertti, and 3 more like this
Post by televiking on Apr 11, 2014 5:37:02 GMT
So, I got my MM blues a few days ago. In another thread I promised I'd write something abvout it, compared to my ´31 Duolian, so here goes.
Remember I'm not a professional reviewer, and all I write is just my opinion.
I changed the strings to 15-56 Newtones, the same ones I use on my Duolian. Tuned the thing to open G and started to play.
The Blues is amazing. I have played only one MM Blues besides this one and both sound excellent. The feel of the neck is great, the neck is a comfortable fat profile, that fits my hand and playing style very well. My ´31 Duolian's neck profile is not as fat, but the difference is minimal. The only thing that feels a bit strange to me is that the neck feels ....new. This is not a criticism of course. Just that it is NOT worn by over 80 years of playing
MM Blues is a beautiful guitar, and for some reason I have never seen a decent photograph of one. It seems that the paintwork looks a lot more beautiful and deep in real life than in photos. So, if you get one in your hands be prepared to be surprised. It's a gorgeous guitar.
Then, how about the sounds?
I have played many budget resos, and new Nationals. The MM Blues sounds much better. To my ears it sounds better than my friend´s '32 Duolian that has had its cone swapped to a Beard one.
I know all guitars are individuals. My own '31 Duolian is by far the best sounding guitar I have ever played, and the MM Blues does not fall that far behind.
The string-to-string balance is very good, and the MM Blues responds very wel to variations in attack and is capable of sounding like a howling beast or a medieval lute, depending on the attack of the player. Just like a very good resonator should.
The only noticeable diference to my Duolian is that on the lowest strings a little effort is needed to make deep growling tones (that my '31 Duolian seems to make without any effort). I assume this is due to the fact that the cone in this one is new, after it's been played for 82 years the cone probably will be as "open" and responsive as the one on my old Duolian.
To summarise, Id say that MM Blues is far better guitar than any of the currently available resonators. It also beats many old and good resonators too.
Highly recommended.
I'll try to make a video of me playing both the Duolian and the MM Blues during the weekend (if I can persuade my wife to film me that is )
Remember I'm not a professional reviewer, and all I write is just my opinion.
I changed the strings to 15-56 Newtones, the same ones I use on my Duolian. Tuned the thing to open G and started to play.
The Blues is amazing. I have played only one MM Blues besides this one and both sound excellent. The feel of the neck is great, the neck is a comfortable fat profile, that fits my hand and playing style very well. My ´31 Duolian's neck profile is not as fat, but the difference is minimal. The only thing that feels a bit strange to me is that the neck feels ....new. This is not a criticism of course. Just that it is NOT worn by over 80 years of playing
MM Blues is a beautiful guitar, and for some reason I have never seen a decent photograph of one. It seems that the paintwork looks a lot more beautiful and deep in real life than in photos. So, if you get one in your hands be prepared to be surprised. It's a gorgeous guitar.
Then, how about the sounds?
I have played many budget resos, and new Nationals. The MM Blues sounds much better. To my ears it sounds better than my friend´s '32 Duolian that has had its cone swapped to a Beard one.
I know all guitars are individuals. My own '31 Duolian is by far the best sounding guitar I have ever played, and the MM Blues does not fall that far behind.
The string-to-string balance is very good, and the MM Blues responds very wel to variations in attack and is capable of sounding like a howling beast or a medieval lute, depending on the attack of the player. Just like a very good resonator should.
The only noticeable diference to my Duolian is that on the lowest strings a little effort is needed to make deep growling tones (that my '31 Duolian seems to make without any effort). I assume this is due to the fact that the cone in this one is new, after it's been played for 82 years the cone probably will be as "open" and responsive as the one on my old Duolian.
To summarise, Id say that MM Blues is far better guitar than any of the currently available resonators. It also beats many old and good resonators too.
Highly recommended.
I'll try to make a video of me playing both the Duolian and the MM Blues during the weekend (if I can persuade my wife to film me that is
)
. It's absolutely great instrument. Enjoy!