Mullen's Take

Mike Mantey · From: Eastern Colorado, USA

I have been receiving a great deal of emails regarding this mod offered by Tommy. He attests that it will make your Mullen sound better. Here is the problem with all this. It is causing a great deal of problems and heart ache. I have had so many emails from many stating they love their guitar and would not change a thing. Which is great. I agree. There are so many different things you can do to a guitar to effect the tone, and Tommy feels he has accomplished something. Which is fine, however we do not appreciate all the talk that all of a sudden our guitars have a tone problem and they need this mod. Well it has ruffled a lot of feathers and I ask you all to calm down a bit and ignore it, if you do not like the mod, there are others that do, maybe you will sound better, who knows. The mind is a great thing but can really fool you a lot. We have done so many sound test and ideas and mods and whatever else you want to call it, we have put in more hours doing this than you could think, and our guitars we offer are the final product we have come up with. Changes and improvements can always be made to any guitar to change the tone. It all works together. Now our new guitar has a different tone, and I would say this mod wouldn't help that guitar. Then again nobody really knows what is involved with the mod. So to wrap this up, hang in there guys, for all you Mullen owners that like your guitar don't take any offense to this, just let it go. For all those that don't, then maybe you need the mod, who knows. Once again I will add, this mod is not promoted or suggested by us and will void any and all warantee to the guitar. Again I don't know what is involved, but it is your guitar so you can choose what you would like to do.

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Mike Mantey
Sales & Production Manager
Mullen Guitar Co., Inc.
(970) 664-2518
www.mullenguitars.com

Duane Reese · Posted 2 Nov 2006 7:17 pm

To what modification are you referring?

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

"Once again I will add, this mod is not promoted or suggested by us and will void any and all warantee to the guitar."

How could you make this statement without knowing what the mod is (something NONE of us, save the "modder", know)? What if it's something as benign as torqueing screws to a particular ft/lb point, or sticking a sponge between the rods, or installing a removable sticker saying "'I'm actualy painted black"? ;-)

It seems a little harsh to say - make a mod, void your warranty. I mean, even to the point of something like installng electronics or changing pickups - if it doesn't alter the fundamental structure/mechanics of the guitar, why in the world would you kill the warranty?

If you install an aftermarket bug shield, or use a silicone lubricant on a door hinge, will Ford disallow your drive train warranty?

Chris LeDrew · From: Canada

http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum5/HTML/013751.html

Cliff Kane · From: the late great golden state

*

[This message was edited by Cliff Kane on 02 November 2006 at 09:41 PM.]

Robert Thomas · From: Mehama, Oregon, USA

I have been playing an HWP Mullen D-10 for 6 1/2 years now and I can't imagine there being any thing you could add to make it sound better other then a better steel player then me.
Before the Mullen I played a D-10 Sho-Bud Professional for 27 years and I wouldn't even consider going back to it, can't beat the Mullen, HWP that is.

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

A. J. Schobert · From: Cincinnati, Ohio,

Thanks Chris I read that thread and no one is saying what the mod is, what is it? I mean even the ones that had it won't say, so I would guess it is hidden?

Curt Langston · Posted 3 Nov 2006 5:11 am

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

"Doesn't seem harsh to me. Seems like a good practice. If I built a 2500.00 plus guitar, I would not want someone jacking down the screws."

That's ridiculous. your saying if your guitar had a screw come loose, you'd have to send it to the factory for tightening, then...or the warranty would be void. Or you couldn't adjust pedal height. Heck, changing string gages is a "mod, as is moving the hex nuts for a "mod" called "tuning"."

"Adjusting" parts is part of the setup process on ANY new...or old...guitar. Fine-tuning the setup to suit a player's needs is what EVERY good guitar tech does - on any type of guitar. The mods bein performed may the result of an incredible amount of research and testing, or they could be smoke-and-mirrors....but if they are non-invasive and consist of merely adjusting parts, voiding the warranty is not only a ludicrous policy, I doubt Mullen would last 2 minutes in court in a warranty dispute over "adjustments".

If any manufacturer told me, as a tech, I could not do non-invasive adjustments without voiding the warranty, I'd tell 'em where to insert their instruments.

I've NEVER hear of such a "warranty voiding". Well, until now. I that's truly Mullen's policy, I'd love to see the warranty language relating to that. My guess? There's no "written" warranty, just a handshake one. which is fine, except when "voiding" applies. Then as the manufacturer you 1) better have it spelled out in writing, and 2) better have one amazingly talented attorney. And lots of cash.

[This message was edited by Jim Sliff on 03 November 2006 at 06:56 AM.]

Curt Langston · Posted 3 Nov 2006 7:22 am

Kevin Mincke · From: Farmington, MN (Twin Cities-South Metro) USA

You guys have waaay too much time on your hands. Duane, do a search for this mod not so long ago as it's quite lengthy.
Just play the da&*$d things!
Oh Robert, you need to sell me that Professional

Fred Shannon · From: Rocking "S" Ranch, Comancheria, Texas, R.I.P.

Jim I'm sure you're really a hell of a nice guy and I already know you're very intelligent, and probably one of the most meticulous guitar owners I know. But dammit' isn't there anything in the world that you like? Why in the hell are you so damned negative about seemingly every single thing that is posted on this forum. You're getting a lot of folks to the point where they don't even bother to read your posts and that's a shame. You have so much to offer, and there are a lot of us that want to share your knowledge, but wading through all this negative BS from you is just not worth it any more. I, along with several others are sure sorry you don't realize what you're doing to these super topics. Level off some man and enjoy what we have here. Everything is not all bad and Mullen guitars along with any other builder can establish their conditions for waranty and you, being as intelligent as you are, surely know that. Not meant to flame on you but hell man, enuff is enuff, and yes I know I don't have to read your posts, but believe it or not I really enjoy those where you don't gut shot everything. I think I speak for a lot more people than you know or have the where withall to say what I just did.

Phred

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"From Truth, Justice is Born"--Quanah Parker-1904

Bobby Bowman · From: Cypress, Texas, USA, R.I.P.

Thanks Indian. All though it may be pouring water on the duck so to speak. I, like you and probably others, feel that Jim has a lot to offer. BUT, in my opinion, he's is just killing what good he could be to the community with his own persistence of negitivity (which he says he's not a negitive person) and his continual bashing of the various topics of discussion. I think it just may be his nature.
Given enough rope,,,,well, you know the rest.
I kinda' wish it would hurry up and happen.
The priviledge and pleasue of an "open forum" can and does have it's drawbacks from time to time.
BTW, how ya doin' with your "retirement"? Come visit us in the room. Hope all is well, good and happy for you. Take care Indian and God bless.
BB
www.bobbybowman.com

I dunno Phred,,, maybe he's found his "fifteen minutes". If so, good for him.

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If you play 'em, play 'em good!
If you build 'em, build 'em good!
http://www.bobbybowman.com

Mike Wheeler · From: Delaware, Ohio, USA

Let me add that I do not recommend any one try what I did...or anything else I may do. I am admittedly, a hopelessly addicted tinkerer...have been all my life.

Knowing that this can be a dangerous, costly and foolish path...I pursue it, nontheless.

P.S. Fred has a valid point, Jim. I'll admit I feel pretty much the same. Less negativity can't hurt anyone.

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Fred Jack · From: Bastrop, Texas 78602

Looks like a lot of loose screws to me.
Call a mechanic, a nuts loose!

Brian Henry · Posted 3 Nov 2006 9:23 am

I use to own a Mullen. It was a perfect guitar just as it came from the factory. If you are a poor player you can tighten and loosen screws all your life, but your playing will still remain poor. The only way to play better and achieve a professional tone is to practice playing your guitar. Tightening and loosening screws only makes you a better screwdriver operator!!

A. J. Schobert · From: Cincinnati, Ohio,

This may be a bad time to ask but what is mullens warranty now? I couldn't find it on there web, most companys have one year and that goes by quick!

Joe Smith · From: Charlotte, NC, USA

Well guys I decided to add my 2 cents worth here.
First of all, If you have some kind of mod done to any builder's guitar and it screws it up, you can't expect the builder, Mullen or anybody else to fix it back free of charge.
Also, I have a Mullen RP and It is a great guitar. Mine certainly dosen't any kind of mod. The guitar is perfect just like it is.
Well, I may not have used up my whole 2 cents. I'll save some for another post.

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My playing sounds more like it did before than it does now

Glen E. Lanning · From: La Grange, North Carolina, USA

Joe, I'll use the rest of your 2 cents. I have a Mullen U12 and couldn't be more happy with the sound. I am not a pro, but I like the full, clear sound I get from this steel with the stock pickup and no mods. Oops, i used more than the remaining 2 cents.

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Secretary, MASGA
New Mullen U12 (2004)
Dekley 8/4 (1984)
ShoBud Professional (1970)D10 8/4

[This message was edited by Glen E. Lanning on 03 November 2006 at 10:10 AM.]

Steve Waltz · From: USA

I too hope that Jim just lay out for a while. I have started to read less here because I am sick of having to read the negative posts over and over again on every topic. They can be mean and arrogant. An example is his reply to this topic. It has been pointed out that this mod is not specific to Mullen and so the Mullen people have had to step up to counter balance any negative perceptions about thier guitars. Jim then takes them on for thier warranty statements which may cause them more unneeded negative PR problems or decrease thier sales. That attack is not positve or productive and it could potentially hurt a company that dosen't deserve it.

It's all just getting very old. And yes I know all of the arguments for speaking your mind but it's just not being done right.

Steve

A. J. Schobert · From: Cincinnati, Ohio,

Steve the positive posts are flat boring, this is one post that has been interesting in a long time, Steve keep in mind the sales and production manager of mullen started this thread! and what I see is that they can change there warranty any time as they see fit how does that sit with you? well I will tell you, it sucks! I don't know why any one would mod there guitar but I am more upset that they will mod there warranty.

Paul Norman · From: Washington, North Carolina, USA

If anyone after reading this wants to tighten
screws in their guitar and wrings the head
off level with the wood, please tell me
how much fun it is getting the old screw
out. Sounds like a real mod.

Curt Langston · Posted 3 Nov 2006 12:48 pm

Instead of "Horse Whisperer" its "Steel Whisperer'..........

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