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 Joined: May 2006 Posts: 4236
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | I've been keeping my eyes peeled ever since I got my Book Mando for another MM-68. And especially after my 01C got damaged recently, I've felt the need for a more "everyday use" instrument. Then, low and behold, Craigs List comes through with the near perfect critter for the job.
Overall, it's condition is good. It's been on whatever counts as a starvation diet for mandos, so its ribs show, though I'm told by John Budny it's no big deal. When I stripped it down for cleaning I found the pick-up had been tampered with, so I got a replacement from New Hartford. Also, I'm not convinced it's the original bridge. I'll show you what I mean in the pictures.
It had apparently been upgraded to the OP-24+C pre-amp with the built-in tuner. But this turned out to be a red herring, as I can't get the tuner to work. (Anyone have any ideas?) However, with the new pick-up assembly installed, it sounds just like it should when plugged in.
I dropped the action a tad, so it plays nice and smooth. The intonation is good and the sound is excellent, being somehow a little brighter than its Bookly cousin.
So all around, it's just what I needed it to be and will get plenty of use. And since the original owner informed me about its issues in advance and priced the thing accordingly, I have zero complaints. An MM-68 in good shape for the price of a used Celebrity. Who can argue with that?
Some very unusual graining on the headstock....
I've always loved the engraving on the tuning machines of these instruments...
Doesn't this bridge looked re-glued to you?
This is why it got a new pick-up assembly.
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 Joined: December 2006 Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | Congrats Patch! It does look like the bridge was reglued |
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 Joined: May 2006 Posts: 4236
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Thanks Damon.
The black finish makes the repair look TOO obvious! I actually tried snaking an E-string underneath the bridge because it almost looks like it's separating. It isn't. The bridge seems solid.
Besides, if it comes off some day, all of you KNOW I'll just send it back to the factory and get creative.....
Here's the best part!
My three year old took it out of the case, put it on the floor and started to strum it as only a toddler-fast-approaching-childhood can. And I sat there watching without the slightest twinge of "AAAUGGHH! He's got one of my instruments!" It was almost cathartic in a way to not worry about it so much. :cool: |
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Joined: March 2010 Posts: 486
Location: Suisun City, Ca | Wow! I love that swirl on the headstock and those tuners. |
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Joined: April 2008 Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | Beautiful! Really nice pictures, Patch! |
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