Mickey Adams & Mullen G2 Guitar

Jim Lindsey (Louisiana) · From: Greenwell Springs, Louisiana (deceased)

Last evening, I had the privilege of finally meeting Mickey Adams as well as checking out his Mullen G2. The most fitting word I can find at the moment to describe my visit with him (as well as playing his Mullen G2) is ... WOW!

First of all, Mickey is one of the nicest guys I've met in decades. A man of integrity, sincerity and excellent humor, he has a cordial personality that makes you feel not only welcomed, but as though you've known him all your life even though you've just met.

And his enthusiasm in steel is nothing short of truly inspiring. I brought my best friend, Daniel, with me on my visit with Mickey and all the way home (after our visit) all we could talk about is how impressed we were.

I'd taken my guitars with me (my 1983 Mullen D-10 and my old, and I do mean old, Emmons 8-string lap steel).

I'd told Mickey over the phone that my guitar had nine years worth of grime and dirt on it from my long layoff of playing steel ... as soon as Mickey saw my guitar, he dived right into it and began enthusiastically cleaning it ...

... not only cleaning, but tightening my tuning keys and lubricating key points ... and as I watched him working on my guitar, I couldn't help but notice that this wasn't just someone going through motions ... this was someone who really and genuinely cared about the guitar he was working on ... basically, a labor of love is the most accurate way to describe it. Not since witnessing Del Mullen working on a guitar have I seen someone who displayed such an enthusiasm on the instrument that he was working on.

Here's a quick photo of my steel right after Mickey had gone over the E9th portion ...

... and, your eyes are not deceiving you; my Mullen does indeed have Emmons fret boards on it (which, of course, doesn't make it any less a Mullen guitar).

When we first arrived, Mickey had been working on a couple of other Mullen guitars and we watched as we talked and it was the same care and enthusiasm on those guitars that I had witnessed when he started working on mine.

I was so impressed with his knowledge of the guitar. Mickey understands a Mullen guitar the way some men understand thoroughbred horses. He knows all the ins and outs of the guitar and I know that if I ever need any work done on my guitar, I'm definitely going to entrust it to Mickey's care and expertise with full confidence.

Mickey strung up my E9th neck with Jagwire strings that I'd seen talked about here on the forum ... and I have to say that I've been converted after playing on them for only a few moments. Actually, after I got home, I set up my guitar and finally went to bed around 5:30AM this morning.

After we'd concentrated on my guitar for a while, we finally went into another room where Mickey had his Mullen G2 set up ...

... Mickey watched the color drain from my face as I first began to play his guitar. WOW! What an axe! Even though I'm not accustomed to twelve string guitars, I couldn't believe how comfortable it felt. I've never played a guitar with pedal and knee lever action like this. Although my old Mullen plays like a dream and I love it more than any guitar I've ever owned, this new G2 of Mickey's is like something straight from Heaven.

I tell you honestly that if I were in the financial position to afford a new guitar, I'd have placed an immediate order for one! The G2 would have literally knocked my socks of if I'd been wearing any (had my sandals on at the time). This is honestly the best playing guitar I've ever had the privilege to sit down at.

I can see right now that I'm doomed to drool over the thought of a new Mullen G2 until the day comes that I can buy one.

Daniel and I were at Mickey's house for some 3 to 3 1/2 hours, but it seemed like only 30 minutes. We had a blast and I have to render to Mickey my most sincerest thanks for having us over. Mickey, you're great, man, and I can't wait for the day we can set our guitars up to do some "mad scientist" twin steeling. And, thanks for turning me onto Jagwires!

There's so much more to tell, but I don't want my post to be too large a book! Laughing

Mickey, thanks again, and please let Del know that he's knocked my lights out again with the G2 guitar ... just when I thought Mullen couldn't get any better, I see now that the best has become the best of the best! Smile

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1986 Mullen D-10 with 8 & 7 (Dual Bill Lawrence 705 pickups each neck)
Two Peavey Nashville 400 Amps (with a Session 500 in reserve) - Yamaha SPX-90 II
Peavey ProFex II - Yamaha R-1000 Digital Reverb - Ross Time Machine Digital Delay - BBE Sonic Maximizer 422A
ProCo RAT R2DU Dual Distortion - Korg DT-1 Pro Tuner (Rack Mounted) - Furman PL-8 Power Bay
Goodrich Match-Bro by Buddy Emmons - BJS Steel Bar (Dunlop Finger Picks / Golden Gate Thumb Picks)

Larry Baker · From: Columbia, Mo. U.S.A.

Jim, I am also a Mullen G-2 owner and player. Just got it at the 2009 St. Louis show. Had it custom built by Del and the gang. And to add to your comments about Mickey, He graciously helped me set mine up and go over it with me, and I had just met him that morning. I am a fairly new player, but I think it is a great guitar. If I can figure out how, I will post a picture of it. SD10 G2 3 & 5 Red, and known as the Eagle Landing (Eagle done in Pearl inlay. Larry from Missouri
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Mullen G2 SD10 3 & 5 The Eagle
NV112 amp===Earnie Ball V.P.

Billy Carr · From: Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)

Is there a story that comes with the D-10 Mullen with dual pickups on each neck? Wondering if it was one of Gary Hogues guitars? Thanks.

Mickey Adams · From: Bandera Texas

I am the one that should be singing the praises of Jim Lindsey..I enjoyed every minute of our visit, and I thank you for taking the time to bring your guitars as well. Jim, thank you so much for the positive words in your post her. I am really flattered. I will touch base with you at the beginning of the week, and we will get started on REALLY cleaning up that beautiful Mullen..

As for the Gary Hogue question Billy...Yes this was Gary's Main guitar, and has his name on the pedal bar. Jim and he were quite close, and he's very attached to this guitar for obvious reasons.
There have been several guitars built with the 2/4 pickup config. I have put in a bid on another D12 just like this one that is setup the same way..Multitudes of tonal variances!! Im hoping to hear this week if I will acquire it for my collection
The new G2 has a wide-mount pickup and there isn't enough neck space to accommodate this configuration at the moment, but who knows what the future might bring, given Del's tinkering obsession..
If you have a Mullen in the closet...Lets get it out and get it cleaned up!!>..Call for a quote!!!>..

Peace all!...Mickey in NYC today..
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ARTIST RELATIONS: MSA GUITARS
2017 MSA LEGEND XL D10, S10, Studio Pro S12 EXE9
Mullen G2, Rittenberry S10, Infinity D10, Zumsteel 8+9
Anderson, Buscarino, Fender, Roman Guitars, Sarno Octal, Revelation Preamps, BJS BARS, Lots of Blackface Fenders!

Jim Lindsey (Louisiana) · From: Greenwell Springs, Louisiana (deceased)

Larry, that would be great to see a photo of your G2 with the inlaid eagle. I bet it's a stunningly beautiful guitar. Smile

Billy, there's quite a bit of "heritage" behind this particular Mullen guitar. As Mickey confirmed, this was Gary's guitar (it was Gary's first Mullen) and it was definitely his main guitar for many years (Gary's albums "A Brand New Me" and "Night Train" were both recorded on this guitar).

A while back, I posted some videos of Gary & Junior playing at Charlie Norris Family Music (circa 1984) and Gary was playing this guitar (wish I could make it sound like he did). Here's a link to one of the videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_evof2zApM

It's also the guitar that turned me into a Mullen player. Right after Gary got it, he called me up to tell me about it and I drove from Alexandria LA up to Dallas TX to visit Gary and see this new "marvel" of his. As soon as I saw the guitar I was totally taken with it and the instant I played it, I knew at that moment that I had to have a Mullen guitar. I've been a faithful Mullen player since. Smile

_________________
1986 Mullen D-10 with 8 & 7 (Dual Bill Lawrence 705 pickups each neck)
Two Peavey Nashville 400 Amps (with a Session 500 in reserve) - Yamaha SPX-90 II
Peavey ProFex II - Yamaha R-1000 Digital Reverb - Ross Time Machine Digital Delay - BBE Sonic Maximizer 422A
ProCo RAT R2DU Dual Distortion - Korg DT-1 Pro Tuner (Rack Mounted) - Furman PL-8 Power Bay
Goodrich Match-Bro by Buddy Emmons - BJS Steel Bar (Dunlop Finger Picks / Golden Gate Thumb Picks)

Jim Lindsey (Louisiana) · From: Greenwell Springs, Louisiana (deceased)

Mickey, you're way too kind. Thank you so much for your post. Very Happy

It was a great evening and the time flew by too quickly.

You know, there's actually a story behind the pedal bar you mentioned. This pedal bar that has Gary's name on it actually came from his second Mullen (a black mica D-10 that Gary had specially made for him). It was rigged with a stereo jack so that (if memory serves me correct) when you used a stereo cable in a stereo volume pedal and turned both pickups on, one pickup went to the right amp while the other went to the left amp (making for a very unique sound). Del would be able to best confirm if that's how the stereo pickup rig worked on that particular guitar.

As Fate (and Gary's habit selling, trading and buying guitars) would happen, Gary got itchy feet for a new guitar and used the black mica D-10 to acquire another guitar, but didn't want to lose the pedal bar that had his name on it, so he switched pedal bars. So, that black mica guitar (wherever it is) actually has the original pedal bar from the guitar I have now.

Man, I love that D-12 guitar you found, Mickey, and I'm hoping it finds its way into your collection. The photos of it look great and it has exactly the same trim on it that my guitar has. By the way, the pedals on that guitar are the same kind that were on my guitar's original pedal bar before Gary switched them out.

Talk about revitalizing a guitar, I can imagine how great that guitar will look and play when you've done your magic on it.

(I've seen with my own eyes now, the "before" and "after" of some guitars that Mickey's worked on and, guys, he does a fantastic job on them)
_________________
1986 Mullen D-10 with 8 & 7 (Dual Bill Lawrence 705 pickups each neck)
Two Peavey Nashville 400 Amps (with a Session 500 in reserve) - Yamaha SPX-90 II
Peavey ProFex II - Yamaha R-1000 Digital Reverb - Ross Time Machine Digital Delay - BBE Sonic Maximizer 422A
ProCo RAT R2DU Dual Distortion - Korg DT-1 Pro Tuner (Rack Mounted) - Furman PL-8 Power Bay
Goodrich Match-Bro by Buddy Emmons - BJS Steel Bar (Dunlop Finger Picks / Golden Gate Thumb Picks)

Larry Baker · From: Columbia, Mo. U.S.A.

Jim, and anyone else who might be interested. The RED G2 SD10 Eagle Landing is now on the Mullen Custom Creations page of their web site. Take a Look. Thanks, Larry B.
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Mullen G2 SD10 3 & 5 The Eagle
NV112 amp===Earnie Ball V.P.

Bill Lowe · From: Connecticut

ttt for Mickey Adams

Mike Mantey.....you are off my buddylist Winking

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JCH D10, 71 D10 P/p fat back, Telonics TCA 500C--12-,Fender JBL Twin, Josh Swift signature.

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

Mickey is cool. He was in L.A. a year or so ago, and 5 or 6 of us brought our guitars and had a little jam session and equipment shoot out. I played Mickey's G2, and he played my Millennium. John McClung (who set it up) had his older Mullen, and there was a Zum and a couple of Emmons Push Pulls.

It was a very enjoyable evening.
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Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin

Paul Foster · From: Arizona, USA

What can you say that has'nt already been said, I first met Mickey in Phoenix at our steel convention in 09, we are both pilots so we immediately had something in common, and I agree, Mickey is one of the nicest guys that you would ever meet, I am a newbie actually a Bass player but have wanted to play steel for years and the instruction that mickey does for beginners is totally awesome, thanks again buddy!! Bump Bump for a great guy!!! Paul Foster

Jim Lindsey (Louisiana) · From: Greenwell Springs, Louisiana (deceased)

Thanks, Larry ... Wow, that's a beautiful guitar ... here's a quick link to the photo of it: http://www.mullenguitars.com/g2_custom_creations.htm

Mike, I'd love to have been there for that jam session. Sounds like it was a really great time.

Paul, I agree ... we could sit all day singing Mickey's accolades and it really wouldn't be enough to cover it all ... I fully admire all that he's doing for the steel guitar community and my respect for him both musically and as a person is through the roof. Smile

_________________
1986 Mullen D-10 with 8 & 7 (Dual Bill Lawrence 705 pickups each neck)
Two Peavey Nashville 400 Amps (with a Session 500 in reserve) - Yamaha SPX-90 II
Peavey ProFex II - Yamaha R-1000 Digital Reverb - Ross Time Machine Digital Delay - BBE Sonic Maximizer 422A
ProCo RAT R2DU Dual Distortion - Korg DT-1 Pro Tuner (Rack Mounted) - Furman PL-8 Power Bay
Goodrich Match-Bro by Buddy Emmons - BJS Steel Bar (Dunlop Finger Picks / Golden Gate Thumb Picks)

Mickey Adams · From: Bandera Texas

Im getting some really interesting guitars for refurb...heres the latest...#2263
She came in as a U12. Very dirty, marred fretboard..Now look at that baby!..And she sounds WONDERFUL...I really have a newfound love for the older Mullen guitars!!!

_________________
ARTIST RELATIONS: MSA GUITARS
2017 MSA LEGEND XL D10, S10, Studio Pro S12 EXE9
Mullen G2, Rittenberry S10, Infinity D10, Zumsteel 8+9
Anderson, Buscarino, Fender, Roman Guitars, Sarno Octal, Revelation Preamps, BJS BARS, Lots of Blackface Fenders!

Larry Baker · From: Columbia, Mo. U.S.A.

Thanks for the Link Jim, and Mickey, that is almost as pretty as the Red Eagle landing. Larry
_________________
Mullen G2 SD10 3 & 5 The Eagle
NV112 amp===Earnie Ball V.P.

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