GFI Ultra v Mullen RP

[Danny Mitchell]

Yes, Brad. When I ordered, I got a vertical lever and an extra pedal set up for 'Franklin', which Bob Adams (SSGW guru, Steel tech wizard and general polymath) has since changed to a 'Sigler' setup for me.
Promenade didn't fit the extra hardware, it was done 'over there', and I've found GFI to be an excellent company to deal with.

[bradsteel]

Thanks Danny. And thanks to everybody else who had some input too.

[Malcolm]

You can’t go wrong with either, I had a Mullen D10 pre RP, and it was a fantastic guitar, but back problems Meant looking for something lighter(MSA Millennium), have played many Mullens and GFI guitars at Dallas steel show, both excellent and the Mullen Crew And GFI guys were excellent.
All down to your personal preference, but I would advise you to try and sit behind both makes and try them out first. Speak to Ted Nesbitt for Mullens and the guys in Promenade for GFI.

[Willie Gamble]

For years I thought that GFI guitars were not great ( purely in a cosmetic sense ) then one day I ended up doing an impromptu gig with Danny's guitar, I learned a lesson that day, fantastic build quality, beautiful action, in fact, a joy to play.
But having said that, I'm afraid Uncle Roy got it right, Mullen for me all the way, best built guitars on the planet, end of rant.
Ooooooh, I can almost hear Mr Byng making his way to his computer or right now.

Asleep at the steel

[Jif]

For years I thought that GFI guitars were not great ( purely in a cosmetic sense ) then one day I ended up doing an impromptu gig with Danny's guitar, I learned a lesson that day, fantastic build quality, beautiful action, in fact, a joy to play.
But having said that, I'm afraid Uncle Roy got it right, Mullen for me all the way, best built guitars on the planet, end of rant.
Ooooooh, I can almost hear Mr Byng making his way to his computer or right now.

Asleep at the steel

Nah, that would be MSA Willie

Good to hear from you, hope you are keeping well

[Malcolm]

Agreed Geoff - MSA !!! ( that should annoy Gamble).

[Willie Gamble]

He said with nose in the air, " I refuse to rise to that fly McMaster." Are we talking about, best built, or most expensive, if it was the latter then you surely have won, if it is the former then the victory is mine.........mooowahaaaaaaa.
Mullen must be the best, uncle Roy has bought one for Gods sake, what better endorsement to you need man

Asleep at the steel

[Malcolm]

[Malcolm]

Check out the MSA Web Site, New MSA Tour Pro 10/6 new this year, E9th/ lap steel/ Dobro simulator.

[Ken Byng]

For years I thought that GFI guitars were not great ( purely in a cosmetic sense ) then one day I ended up doing an impromptu gig with Danny's guitar, I learned a lesson that day, fantastic build quality, beautiful action, in fact, a joy to play.
But having said that, I'm afraid Uncle Roy got it right, Mullen for me all the way, best built guitars on the planet, end of rant.
Ooooooh, I can almost hear Mr Byng making his way to his computer or right now.

Asleep at the steel

I don't like to get involved in 'the best in the west' Willie, when it comes to comparing steels. I had a Mullen RP for a year or two, and it was a great guitar from a cosmetic and engineering point of view. Tonally, it was a different matter, with sustain that died up in Hugheyland and a lack of body in the tone. Maybe it was a one off guitar, I don't know. I definitely don't like the fact that Mullen charge extra for what's known as a 'polished package' when it comes as standard on Show Pro and MSA guitars. I'll say this though in black and white - Willie Gamble has the best tone that I've heard anyone get on both sides of the pond from a Mullen. Full stop.

Whether we like it or not, there are variances in guitars from each manufacturers, and some can sound great and others maybe not so. My two favourite all pull guitars that I have owned over the years for consistency are the Show Pro and the MSA Legend Signature. I've had some banter with McMiser over the years about MSA guitars, but the uniform tolerances from using CNC machines means that their guitars will not have much variance. There are no dud MSA guitars in their range. Jeff Surratt (Show Pro) and Kyle Bennett (MSA) are exemplary when it comes to customer care and knowledge of steel guitar construction. Jeff sources incredible wood for his cabinets, and the MSA team have their ways and means of getting great timber. They are both great thinkers, and they keep coming up with new and creative ideas on their guitars.

Having said all of that, I've spent months working on my Emmons push pull during different spells over the past year. I have put all of the modern pulls on it, and polished it to within an inch of its life. It looks brand new, and the tone is phenomenal in my honest opinion. I put a pair of 705 Lawrence pickups on it, and I will say this. It's the best sounding guitar that I've ever owned. It hasn't always been, but after a few tweaks I am very, very happy with the way it sounds. I'm not saying it's the best out there, because that is always subjective. For me it's tone first and foremost, then playability and lastly cosmetic appearance. Whenever I see an Emmons push pull on stage, I always think that the player means business.