MULE

Following a long stint at Huss and Dalton guitars in Virginia, Matt Eich discovered a passion for crafting resonator guitars, and thus began the Mule line.  As Matt enthusiastically states on his website, there is something powerfully evocative about the tone of a resonator guitar, such that many songwriters find them to be a wellspring of inspiration or a silver-bullet-magic-elixir for a stubborn patch of writer’s block. As is true of many small production guitar companies, the Mule design pays homage to a well-established and respected vintage precedent while also addressing known issues with the original designs, all with the demands of modern players in mind.  Options like a cutaway (with its nifty halved f-hole on acoustic models), the addition of a magnetic pickup, cool distressed body finishes, and lighter-weight roasted solid body models, like this Modest Mavis, are all good examples of Matt Eich’s modernizing touches.  However, for those of us who have openly sworn at resonators while working on them, the less sexy enhancements are just as appreciated!  In particular, the elongated arms of the trapeze tailpiece create a better break angle for the strings as they pass over the bridge—yay!!!  But, other features like a removable bridge cover and a well-seated cone system that reduces rattle are also long-overdue improvements (of course one must concede that a little rattle is par for the course and part of the primitive charm with most resonators).  

This Modest Mavis clearly draws inspiration from the relatively obscure National 1133 of the Valco era (often associated with Chris Whitley), as well as the longer scale and electric capabilities of the modern National-Resophonic Resolectric.  Yet, as exciting and inspiring as those guitars are, Eich’s Mavis and Modest Mavis stand apart as highly functional and very tastefully considered designs.  Featuring a roasted solid body with a carved back, this Modest Mavis offers the compact comfort and physical balance of a good electric guitar.  Compared to the likes of the 1133, the combination of the Modest Mavis’ more resonant roasted body and longer scale produce an acoustic tone that is actually quite satisfying, even though the instrument is really intended to be amplified. Here, the broader and more percussive, primal nature of the single cone really compensates for the lack of a resonating chamber. Meanwhile, when amplified as intended, the Modest Mavis is far more feedback resistant and versatile than the typical pickup-equipped acoustic resonator—indeed, when plugged-in this Modest Mavis can take on just about any dimension the player might divine.  Finally, from the standpoint of playability, the neck has a modestly beefy V carve that is reminiscent of a modern National, while perhaps being a little more rounded—either of these modern necks channel old school V feel with less overall depth, making them much more comfortable for contemporary players. Taking all this into consideration, it is safe to say that Matt Eich is playing his part in elevating the design of the modern resonator, as models like the Modest Mavis broaden tonal horizons for resonator enthusiasts everywhere. 

Condition

Though generally well-kept, this guitar has seen some use over the past few years. As a result, it has a few points of cosmetic wear to note. Most significantly, there are some deeper indentations on the treble side near the waist that are likely the result of the infamous keys-in-the-pocket faux pas.  Otherwise, upon close inspection, we note the occasional scuff on the finish. But, considering the very light nature of the finish itself, this is not much of a surprise, as the finish is somewhat intended to readily pick up weathering/wear in the spirit of a worn-in blues-box aesthetic. We also note that the center seam of the2-piece roasted pickguard has also separated—the pickguard is well secured, so this is purely cosmetic. Otherwise, there are no structural issues to report.  VERY GOOD+ EXCELLENT Condition

• Solid Body Resonator
• Roasted Pine Body with Beveled Edges
• Mini Humbucker Neck Pickup with Aged Cover
• Single Cone with Biscuit Bridge
• Aged Brass Birdfoot Cone Cover with Removable Bridge Cover
• Raised 2-Piece Wooden Pickguard with Dark Finish
• Black Body Stain
• Hand-rubbed Osmo Oil Body Finish
• Quartersawn Maple Neck
• Maple Fingerboard
• Mother of Pearl Dot Fingerboard Inlay (Short Pattern)
• Black Stained Headstock Veneer
• Steel Mule Headstock Inlay
• Modified V Neck Carve
• Black Neck Stain
• Hand-rubbed Osmo Oil Neck Finish
• Steel Trapeze Tailpice with “M” Cut in Relief
• Relic 3-on-a-plate Golden Age Tuners with Black Oval Buttons
• Graphite Nut
• Maple Saddle
• 1 3/4” Nut Width
• 24.9” Scale Length
• Original Tweed Arched Top Hard Case