You brought up Great points The weight being a big factor and the volume especially for folks who live in an apartment. I play a National Raw Steel body 12 fret with a Ric Besser Deuco finish (a Modern Duolian ) with a maple neck, Loud growling beautiful tone BUT, I am 65 and each year it gets heavier to play I think about getting a wood body a lot. I love the sound of a tricone but honestly Like you, I prefer the single cone cover plate . This Mule is one to consider ... THANK YOU for this great review
I actually put my deposit down without seeing this video, this was sure a nice surprise though and reinforced my decision to buy (and honestly would’ve put me over the edge with the decision had I not already made it 😊). Interestingly, the main points you brought up were exactly the reason I pulled the trigger. First and foremost was the weight as I own a steel mule which I dig, but in general, I have a decided preference for lighter guitars these days. Second, the volume. I don’t always want all of that volume, and this will help with that as well. You are also right about the necks, they are amazing. I have both a Reso and a Mulecaster and I love the necks! Thanks for this video and I really enjoy all of your lesson and performance content. Have a great weekend! 🤠
Hi Tom, great review, thanks ! I have put a deposit but I am still hesitating between the 3 and the 3.5 inches version. And thought on that ? Won’t the 3.5 bring a much richer sound and that volume you are talking about ? David
@@DavidP-e8l I have not played the 3.5…that was not an option at the time. I would have gone with the 3.5 over the 3 as it’s really not much bigger feeling and yes will probably be punchier.
Nice tone w/no picks - a big plus for me. The heavier versions always seem to need picks to hammer the strings to get their best tone. Thanks for posting.
There are frames that support the weight of a guitar so you don't have to hold it with your body - Steve Howe (Yes) used one for years, so he could play two guitars (usually acoustic and electric) for different sections in the same song.
Way out of my price range, but I do think that having both - a metal body and a wooden body reso - is the best solution personally. I have a Gretsch (wood) and a Royall (metal) and I love having that choice and range. Disclosure - I am in the "older" category but I can still manage the weight factor.
Just wondering if it would be possible to make a resonator with interchangeable cones that just snap in , like on some electric guitars with their pickups? Hmmmm…
Sound well where the cones sit is different for single vs tricone. You would need an apparatus that screwed in to the body that would house the tricones…which could be taken out and a single cone would fit. If that could be doable, adjusting for the bridge/string height would probably be the bigger issue.
Thank you for this video Tom. I've heard that the playability of the Mule is without par, that it plays like a regular acoustic guitar. Is that the case?
@@PlayCountryBlues Thanks Tom. The regular set-up from the factory is higher for a NRP guitar than a Mule, at least that's what I've heard. I whish they built single cone guitars!
You brought up Great points The weight being a big factor and the volume especially for folks who live in an apartment. I play a National Raw Steel body 12 fret with a Ric Besser Deuco finish (a Modern Duolian ) with a maple neck, Loud growling beautiful tone BUT, I am 65 and each year it gets heavier to play I think about getting a wood body a lot. I love the sound of a tricone but honestly Like you, I prefer the single cone cover plate . This Mule is one to consider ... THANK YOU for this great review
I actually put my deposit down without seeing this video, this was sure a nice surprise though and reinforced my decision to buy (and honestly would’ve put me over the edge with the decision had I not already made it 😊).
Interestingly, the main points you brought up were exactly the reason I pulled the trigger.
First and foremost was the weight as I own a steel mule which I dig, but in general, I have a decided preference for lighter guitars these days.
Second, the volume. I don’t always want all of that volume, and this will help with that as well.
You are also right about the necks, they are amazing. I have both a Reso and a Mulecaster and I love the necks!
Thanks for this video and I really enjoy all of your lesson and performance content. Have a great weekend! 🤠
I represent those “older people!” 🤔👍😎✌️ Nice playing of course, however I’m sticking with my National Resophonics…
Sounds amazing, as all their guitars do, and looks fantastic.
Very nice sounding and looking guitar accompanied with great playing.
Hi Tom, great review, thanks ! I have put a deposit but I am still hesitating between the 3 and the 3.5 inches version. And thought on that ? Won’t the 3.5 bring a much richer sound and that volume you are talking about ?
David
@@DavidP-e8l I have not played the 3.5…that was not an option at the time. I would have gone with the 3.5 over the 3 as it’s really not much bigger feeling and yes will probably be punchier.
Thanks ! This is helpful
Have you tried the Mavis Mule? Not necessarily acoustic, but it is single cone and has beautiful workmanship.
I have a Mavis. Was one of the first to get one:)
ua-cam.com/video/cnUE9TfWs0o/v-deo.html
@@PlayCountryBlues I've been having a great time with my Mavis. BTW, thanks for your lessons. I especially enjoy your MIssissippi Hill Country stuff.
Nice tone w/no picks - a big plus for me. The heavier versions always seem to need picks to hammer the strings to get their best tone. Thanks for posting.
Oh, I meant to ask is yours the thinner body version? I saw there’s a choice between 3 1/2 inch body depth, and 3 inch body depth. Thanks.
There are frames that support the weight of a guitar so you don't have to hold it with your body - Steve Howe (Yes) used one for years, so he could play two guitars (usually acoustic and electric) for different sections in the same song.
Such a cool idea!
Way out of my price range, but I do think that having both - a metal body and a wooden body reso - is the best solution personally. I have a Gretsch (wood) and a Royall (metal) and I love having that choice and range. Disclosure - I am in the "older" category but I can still manage the weight factor.
Just wondering if it would be possible to make a resonator with interchangeable cones that just snap in , like on some electric guitars with their pickups? Hmmmm…
Sound well where the cones sit is different for single vs tricone. You would need an apparatus that screwed in to the body that would house the tricones…which could be taken out and a single cone would fit.
If that could be doable, adjusting for the bridge/string height would probably be the bigger issue.
nice! I like and prefer this mellow tone :)
Love your talk/review!
What kind of strings are you using?
I really wish I could hear that guitar played with nails and/or fingerpicks.
Mediums. I don’t use nails or picks. Charlie Parr has videos and he uses picks. Check out muleresophonic.com for his clips
What’s the last song that you play in standard tuning on it? Sounds like BBF? Do you teach that one?? Thank you Tom!
Black and Tan would be the closest resemblance. I teach Black and Tan by BBF at playcountryblues.com
@@PlayCountryBluesThank you Tom, I’d like to learn that one! Happy Thanksgiving!
Sounds and looks great.
What was the last song you played? I'm pretty sure it's by Blind Boy Fuller.
Black and Tan would be the closest resemblance.
@PlayCountryBlues Thanks
Thank you for this video Tom. I've heard that the playability of the Mule is without par, that it plays like a regular acoustic guitar. Is that the case?
yes
I find very little difference in the playability of a Mule and acoustic. That has more to do with your choice of action/string tension.
@@PlayCountryBlues Thanks Tom. The regular set-up from the factory is higher for a NRP guitar than a Mule, at least that's what I've heard. I whish they built single cone guitars!
@@10mey Me too. I've requested a single cone for years.
Very good brother!
Any thoughts on what the tone would be like if mahogany or rosewood options were picked?
You could ask Mule. I’m not sure how different it would sound.
I think that the tone of differing woods is less relevant with a resonator (compared to a straight-up acoustic).
How much does it cost?
base is 3 boyz
Definitely sounds thinner/softer than steel, kinda muffled (to me), was hoping for a more El Trovador (single cone) sound.
If it were a single cone I think it would be more like the El Trovador.
@@PlayCountryBlues And what would be wrong with an El Trovador that made you get this ?
@ Nothing wrong with an El Trovador. I had one years back. ua-cam.com/video/r8u6yLClF7U/v-deo.htmlsi=p3NOGBPz0hQ6Ptg9
Without the slide, these mahogany resonators sound too much like my J45 to justify getting one.
Get a Mavis
Got one. Thanks.