Michael Messer - making 1930s style available to all
“Not many guitarists would be brave enough to step into guitar design on their own, but that's exactly what British slide expert Michael Messer is doing with the launch of two new resonator Guitars.” Guitarist Magazine UK-April 2008
Capturing the essence of those highly prized resonators from the 1930’s, the ‘Blues’ and ‘Lightning’ resonator guitars are a blues and roots player’s dream. These hand crafted guitars feature original dimensions, steel body (Blues) and nickel plated bell brass (Lightning), spun aluminium cone, 3 on a strip tuners, 12 frets to the body, rosewood fingerboard (bound on Lightning), bone nut and maple bridge. The Blues has a vintage ‘Greyburst’ finish and the Lightning has a 1930s’ sandblasted lightning bolt design. Each guitar is hand stamped with a unique serial number here in Australia. Both include custom fitted hard shell case.
Authentic is the word that immediately comes to mind when you first see one of these guitars and playing one not only confirms that thought, it underlines it. From anyone who has ever contemplated a resonator guitar through to the seasoned working musician these resonators have much to offer. At less than a third of the price of those at the high end of the resonator market, these guitars will ignite that emotional desire and fuel it with the reality that in a budget sense ‘it can happen!’
The Michael Messer philosophy, from the start, has been to make these guitars with integrity, in relation to design and within reach of everyone. Development has taken years to complete. Each guitar is hand crafted and subject to intense scrutiny for both quality and sound to guarantee satisfaction for even the finest of musicians.
The only dilemma faced with the Messer Guitars is the choice, will it be the ‘flash’ of the Lightning or the ‘cool vintage vibe’ of the Blues? Many will justify both, one for open G and one for open E. This is a guitar that will not only inspire the beginning of a journey it will take you as far as you want to go.
MICHAEL MESSER RESONATOR GUITARS
For further information and Australian distribution contact:
ReSo-tone Music
Musical Instrument Distribution
National Sales Manager – Stuart Knowles
Ph. 0407 720 931
ABN: 33 985 596 402
ReSo-tone is Australian owned and partner of Michael Messer UK, leader in the development, manufacture and supply of quality resonator guitars. Additional details can be found by visiting the Michael Messer website at www.michaelmesser.co.uk
Last updated 24th January, 2010
Busker Guitars www.buskerguitars.co.uk
……………………………...for more owner feedback on these exciting resonators go to www.michaelmesser.co.uk and follow the links to his forum. There is a thread called ‘Michael Messer Resonator Guitars’ ………………………….
Sollophonic Guitars Solid-Bodied Resonator Guitars. Electric Playability, Acoustic Volume, Resonator Tone.
By utilising a principle used in the 1920's that having a round central core rather than a more modern hexagonal equivalent, greater string life and easier playablity can be achieved. Michael Messer National guitar strings tune to pitch at lower tension than other guitar strings of the same gauge. The tensions across the sets of strings are engineered to be at an optimum feel when used in open tunings. This quality in the Michael Messer National strings breathe new life into the instrument and make it instantly more inspiring to play. The tone of both the Phosphor Bronze and the Nickel strings are first class with individual characteristics inherent in each type. The Phosphor Bronze have the crisp bright edge modern players are used to in an acoustic string whilst the Nickel string has an earthiness that the traditional player or a player looking back to an era when this type of string was the quintessential resonator setup will instantly feel at home with. There are three gauges to choose from. 13-56, 15-56 and 16-59. If you play in high tunings like E or A, it is advisable to use the lighter gauge set.
The unique combination of traditional string manufacture and first hand knowledge of today’s player demands gives Newtone Strings an edge in the tone and playability stakes. Newtone make an extensive range of Acoustic Strings in Phosphor Bronze and 80/20 Bronze , also Electric Strings in both Nickel and Stainless Steel, Bass strings all scale lengths 4,5,6,7,& 8 string sets ,also all traditional instrument strings Banjos, Mandolin , Bouzouki and Mandola. For more info click on the Newtone Strings logo...strings can be ordered through ReSo-tone Music...
Resonator players the world over often contemplate and compromise their string choices when looking for the strings that will not only sound great but also make their instrument play to it’s full potential. Newtone Strings from Derbyshire in England understand string technology and know how to apply it to make the whole experience of playing an instrument everything it should be and more.
Pricing
Lightning…….$1450.00AUD
Blues…………..$1395.00AUD
all prices incl pod style case and full set up to Michael Messer specs
Packing and shipping to many places within Australia FREE
shipping insurance strongly recommended
Email for more pricing info.
MM OWNERS
…….. “Hi Stuart. I received the Messer Lightning guitar yesterday and thought I'd let you know that I am very pleased with it. I must say I was expecting a little bit of the tinny sound that I have heard in other resos like johnsons etc but this is just beautiful, warm and sweet tone with plenty of volume and very good build quality. The only thing I have heard that comes close to it is a real national bell brass bodied guitar that a friend has. I'm seeing him on monday to have a jam and AB the two guitars, reckon he is going to be blown away!”
Thanks again.
Cheers Dave Taylor……...The Porongurups, Western Australia
Newtone Strings
Michael Messer National Guitar Strings
gauges13-56,15-56 and 16-59
$20.00 per set + post
$17.00 per set for 5 or more sets + post
Ultra Slim Acoustic Sensor™ for resonator and acoustic guitars.
The USA Sensor features an extreme low profile (.275" tall) for all resonator applications.
The additional features include a high quality cable with a Switchcraft brand 1/4" female jack. The jack also allows the player to have the USA Sensor permanently installed.
Featuring Duo-coil design, this full size humbucker is the slimmest pickup available today. Resonator players can now enjoy a more balanced and quiet operating sense without any interference from more higher profile pickups. A non-marring adhesive tape keeps the USA sensor in place.
The USA Sensor will fit most resonator guitars on the market today.
Currently available only with chrome cover. RRP: $319.00
This pick up and other Lace products can be ordered through ReSo-tone Music
Stuart,
just dropping you a line to give you some feedback on my new MM Blues Resonator guitar....I am really knocked out with the cutting , steel bodied tone it produces for that Delta Blues bottleneck slide guitar sound …….classic
Not only am I impressed with the volume and tone , aesthetically the MM Blues captures a similar feel and weight balance of the original Triolians from the 1930's, which apparently also used a lighter medium gauge steel like the MM Blues and was less weight than the old Duolians.
When I play a resonator guitar the authentic sound I'm looking for (and I've been looking a lot of years, ) is that classic booming resonance I can literally feel right in the solar plexus, this combined with the 46ml bone nut width, wide string spacing and correct set up give me that sound.
Looking forward to many years of playing the blues, now I do have a couple of Nationals, and The MM Blues sits well along side. Feel free to pass on my email if any one wants a chat about the MM.
Regards, Dean
Frankston , Victoria
……..Introducing Diamond Bottleneck glass slides. I am very excited to be stocking these authentic bottleneck slides. The guys at Diamond have taken the concept of a wine bottle neck as a slide to a new level. The delta musicians who started the tradition left us with a perfect concept for a slide….Diamond have managed to retain the mojo of the slide’s origin. Machined and polished to a jewellery standard the ‘Redhouse’ slide is the first available through ReSo-tone.
The ‘Redhouse’ comes in the traditional green glass, cobalt blue glass and clear glass. Each glass type displays it’s own tonal characteristics. Green gives a beautiful balance of tonal warmth and volume, blue has more volume with an ‘edge’ to the tone and clear is very warm but a little less volume. Each tonal quality of these slides is particularly accentuated on a resonator guitar and provides a great tonal ‘palette’ to choose from. Priced at $35 including postage, these are the ‘Rolls Royce’ of bottleneck slides. To buy one of these slides or for more info please send me an email info@resotone.com.au ……..find your mojo
The ‘ReSo-tone Redhouse Custom’ is the latest addition to the wonderful Diamond Bottleneck slides in our range. As with all Diamond Bottleneck slides the tone and quality is unsurpassed. The ReSo-tone Redhouse Custom slide is machined and polished with a ‘comfort contour’ where your finger bends….this adds functionality. The slide is less likely to ‘turn’ on your finger and this has the potential, depending on your style, for more control and precision. Normally these slides would retail at $45 including postage. We have a limited number currently available at $38 including postage. To buy one of these slides or more info please email info@resotone.com.au ……..find your mojo
Instruction DVD’s
Learn to play bottleneck slide and blues from some of the world’s best players including Bob Brozman, Rory Block and Michael Messer. The Michael Messer dvd is the best one I have seen for getting you started on acoustic blues slide guitar. These are just a few titles from the Hot Licks, Homespun and Euroblues catalogs. Prices start from $29.95. The featured titles are from $34.95 plus postage. To buy one of these dvd’s or more info please send me an email info@resotone.com.au …...find your mojo
PROPIK Finger & Thumb Picks
The most unique finger picks in the world are the Finger-Tone finger picks. With a large area of the finger tip exposed to the string you get a great blend of natural touch and pick ‘attack’. No other finger pick works this way and I would highly recommend them to anyone who has struggled with finger picks and wishes they could use them….these may just be the answer. The ProPik metal thumb picks are adjustable and comfortable...they allow for powerful rhythm playing and articulate bass runs. Finger-Tone pick (M or Lg) $5.95 and Thumb pick (M) $6.95
……...for more info please email info@resotone.com.au
Proudly Stocking
Michael Messer ‘Blues’
Michael Messer ‘Lightning’
Resonators
Diamond Bottleneck Slides
ProPik Finger & Thumb Picks
Newtone Strings, Instruction DVD’s
Pick up Solutions for your Resonator.
Email info@resotone.com.au
Valued ReSo-tone Links
All MM Resonator Blues and Lightning photos by Dave Underwood. Copyright 2009
Payment Options
Payment for items can be made by direct deposit bank transfer, money order, cheque or PayPal.
Payment by cheque requires normal bank clearance time of 5 working days.
PayPal payment has a 2% surcharge with a minimum transaction charge of $2.
Email info@resotone.com.au
Michael Messer National 16-59 strings $15/set + $3 post. 3 sets $39 + $5 post within Australia
Turn your resonator into a SlideTone Monster!
Essential Audio
The best site in Australia for all pro audio applications. Expert advice and great service. Guitarists and Harmonica players will find the best brand speakers to improve their tone...Eminence, Celestion and Jensen...