Fessenden or Mullen or MSA?

[Brian Tong]

I'm in the market for a D-10 and because I don't have any stores around me with many of these guitars, can any one tell me the tone differences. I own an MSA, like the tone but it's awfully heavy but love the sound of Mickey Adams G2 Mullen on You Tube (but its more than I can afford right now) but have heard Fessenden is great for the money.

I like the deeper, bassier tones with a warm mid...not the super crispy high stuff.

Also, anyone with any mp3's or video (other than the couple on You Tube) of a Fessenden? I don't know much about them is why.

Thanks in advance.

[Donny Hinson]

I like the deeper, bassier tones with a warm mid...not the super crispy high stuff.

First of all, because all steels have the pickup quite close to the bridge, getting really solid bass tones requires a good amp. If you don't already have one, getting one will do more for you in this department than anything else.

Secondly, if you own an old MSA, you've already got as close to "deep, bassier tones" as you're going to get. (I'd guess Curly Chalker played an MSA most of the time for this very reason.) Perhaps, you might also be happy with a Mullen, a BSG, a Fulawka, or a Jackson, as they're the only new ones I know of that don't try to copy the (high-end dominant) Emmons sound.

[Jim Park]

I have a two tone brown/blonde D-10 Fessy that is a Dick Miller era guitar that I think is a really great guitar. It plays easily, stays in tune, doesnt break .011's, looks great..... and Jerry's service is outstanding!!! I'm glad I'm not a beginner trying to figure out which guitar to buy ..........there are SOOOOO many quality guitars being built these days, PLUS the many quality restorers that put older guitars in primo shape, that the choices really are overwhelming. AND with all the choices available, the INEVITABLE G.A.S. will surely set in. Anyway if your willing to drive to Carson City, you can play mine and see for yourself.If not then a trip to Steel Guitars of North County in Oceanside is MANDATORY....he he

Jim

[Brian Tong]

Thanks, Jim.

I have been to Jim Palenscar's shop and in fact took my first two lessons with him. He didn't have a Mullen or Fessenden but he did rebuild my MSA. He's a fine gent.

I have a chance to by a nice Fessy from a board member but having not heard one, I'm trying to get some perspective. Is $2K a good price for a late 90's D-10 Fessy? Seems like it.

I need something that is 'easy' to play (pedals and levers wise). My MSA, although sounds great, is a bit of a beast to play compared to others I've tried.

Oh, trust me...G.A.S. is in full effect. I see pics on this board and I drool. Thank God, it isn't like going to the local store to try these out...I'd long since been divorced.

[Jerry Overstreet]

Sometimes difficult to put into words the sound you like. Judging from your statements, I'd say the Mullen would fit your requirements nicely, and I'm not saying that just because I am selling one.
They are powerful, full, rich, warm and mellow sounding guitars without sounding muddy or loaded down. At least that is the case with the 2 I have owned. I currently have a mica/alum neck and compared to the Zum I'm working on and the Derby I used to play, the Mullen are not nearly so bright.

Best to attend the St. Louis convention and play the models you have interest in if possible.

So many features vary from maker to maker. You need to find the one that's most comfortable for you physically as well as tonewise. Fit and feel are very important characteristics also.

JIC you haven't seen my ad in the classifieds, I am letting go of my '95 mica Mullen against my better judgment to help cover some expenses.

I wish you the best in your search and with your steel guitar progress.

[Mike Mantey]

Careful, once to try one you get hooked. (Mullen that is).
I would recommend the Royal Precision model if you can find one, it will provide more the tone your looking for. They were designed to cut some of the extreme highs that you find on the guitars of yesteryear while also boosting the lows.

Love the sound.

[Brian Tong]

Thanks, Jim.

I have been to Jim Palenscar's shop and in fact took my first two lessons with him. He didn't have a Mullen or Fessenden but he did rebuild my MSA. He's a fine gent.

I have a chance to by a nice Fessy from a board member but having not heard one, I'm trying to get some perspective. Is $2K a good price for a late 90's D-10 Fessy? Seems like it.

I need something that is 'easy' to play (pedals and levers wise). My MSA, although sounds great, is a bit of a beast to play compared to others I've tried.

Oh, trust me...G.A.S. is in full effect. I see pics on this board and I drool. Thank God, it isn't like going to the local store to try these out...I'd long since been divorced.

[Jim Cohen]

Brian, if your MSA is an older model (pre-Millenium), then it is surely a heavy guitar, though very well-built and a fine instrument. In my opinion, the smoothest-playing guitars I have ever owned are the Mullen (mine was a Royal Precision, not to say the G2 and others are any different on that score), three Fessendens, and my MSA Millenium. All sounded great and were smooth puppies to play.

If you want to compare the sound I was getting on my Fessendens with the sound from my MSA Millenium, you could visit my website, www.JimCohen.com, and check out the mp3s from my various CDs. All clips from "Finally Here", "Four to the Bar" and "Home, James" were recorded on one of my Fessies (Finally Here was on a mica-body Fessy, the other 2 on a lacquer-body guitar). My CD, "Cohen Goin' Country" was split, with 3 tunes on the Millenium ("Shuffle Off to Tupelo", "Mansion on the Hill" and "Neverending Song of Love"). All the other 7 songs were recorded on my lacquer-body Fessy.

Hope this helps (but I have a sneaking feeling that it won't, cuz I think I sound like me regardless of which guitar I play. But see if you agree.)

[Roy Dick]

$2000.00 for a late 90's D10 fessy sounds about right. opinions opinions opinions, even I have one. I have a fessy with a george L dual coil and the bass is fantastic. think somebody might have already said it but what sounds good to me may not be what you are looking for. So hard to choose without playing and hearing.

[Peter Nylund]

Here is a Fessenden clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr2OYPL_aQ4&NR=1

I just wish I could play like that

[Al Udeen]

I have 2 great Mullen guitars! I wouldn't trade them for anything else!