question for Mullen owners

John Davis · From: Cambridge, U.K.

Hi, I`m thinking about ordering a Mullen (if I can raise the mortgage) I am a lazy player and tend to rest my feet on the pedals when I`m not using them, this I can do on the Emmons or the ZB with no bad effect. But I once had a steel with a Sho-Bud type mechanism and the slightest touch on the pedal resulted in raised tones.I can see an argument for this "quick response" but it does not suit my way of playing. As I have never yet seen a Mullen guitar(apart from pictures)can you guys tell me, how light is the pedal action?? and is it adjustable?

Bill Fulbright · From: Atlanta, GA

I have a Mullen D-10. It is terrific.

You can set the pedal tension by choosing which bell crank hole to set your pull rods in. The closer to the underside of the guitar, the more tension there will be.

I would not ever take the chance, however of resting my feet on the pedals unless I expect to use them pretty quick. But that is just me.

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Bill Fulbright
Mullen D-10 8x7; Gibson ES-165; Yamaha SY-77; Peavey Vegas 400;
ICQ# 2251620 My Music Site

C Dixon · From: Duluth, GA USA

I can equate 100% with the author of this thread. And I have had this problem on some PSG's, and not others.

After studying it for a long time, here is what I have come up with.

The pedals and pedal rods combined weight is a negative when it comes to a PSG.

"What do you mean negative?"

Ok, if not accounted for, this weight when the guitar is right side up, can actually pull on a given changer finger and cause a string or strings to go sharp.

Now, to alleviate this, most builders install pedal return springs at the pedal cranks on the end of the crossrods. But here is where a problem comes in.

IF these springs are NOT strong enough to overcome the combined weight of the pedal and pedal rod; OR if they are not strong enough to overcome a player's light foot pressure; the problem you speak of will always occur.

This is why IMO, you have this problem on some PSG's and not others. The late Ron Lashly was THE most brilliant man I have ever known, and this is why he designed the pedal return springs the way he did.

In other words, Ron thought about things EVEN before the rest of us new there was a problem. His remedies are often priceless and reflect the genious of his incredible mind.

May Jesus rest his precious soul,

carl

Damir Besic · From: Nashville,TN.

John, if that is the way you play I wouldn`t recomand a Mullen.I don`t like the way they sound but oh boy is that pedal action fast and easy.I love the technical part on Mullen.If I could only have a push pull tone and Mullen pedal action I would call that a perfect steel guitar.If you like resting your feet on the pedals don`t get a Mullen or Sho~Bud get a guitar with a stifer pedal action like a push pull or something like that.When I first started playing Sho~Buds I tought I was playing out of tune until I found out that I was actualy pushing on the pedals without knowing it.Sho~Buds are great guitars but you can`t even touch the pedals ,they are so fast and smooth.

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Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

I owned two Mullens and sold them both partly for this reason. The action for me was TOO light and responsive. I prefer a guitar with some slack and firmer action in it which is why I play a ZB Custom. You will be dissapointed if you this is your concern. Mullen is a quick action guitar.

Gary Walker · From: Morro Bay, CA

I have a '76 P/P that Tommy used to own and a Mullen D-11 and I get great tone from both and I'm using a Webb 614E. The pedal action of my Mullen is great. A known player that plays another brand sat at mine and he was impressed with the action as opposed to his. As for the Mullen tone, Check Herby Wallace. Most comments I've heard is that he gets as good a sound as a P/P.

John Davis · From: Cambridge, U.K.

Thank you guys for your help and advice,I wont write the idea off at this stage, but I will make sure I at least get a look and feel of one before I jump in!!!some of you mention tone, but my question was about pedal action,I already have tone in my lovely old ZB but the knee lever mechanics are not up to much on the ZB compared to the Emmons p/p.
So what I now have is 1. a dull looking plain ol mica p/p Emmons (that looks like its been up the hill and over the mountain) But the mechanics are still incredable, reliable,never goes out of tune !!!
and 2.prettiest ZB in the world has tone fantastic!! It dont break strings,It breaks knees!!
Is it too much to ask that someone builds a guitar that combines all these good qualities? and leaves out the negative?

Allan Thompson · From: Scotland.

Hi John,
Talk to Ted Nesbitt of Rainbow Music in Northern Ireland, Ted plays a Mullen as well as being an agent for Mullen guitars.

John Borchard · From: Athens, OH 45701

John, as a long-time ZB player (1971 to present) and a relatively new Mullen player (for the last two years or so), maybe I can give you some useful info. I know exactly what you're talking about. When I got the Mullen, I tended to rest (lightly) my left foot on the A&B pedals, as I did with the ZB. This is probably a bad habit to begin with, but hey, I still have my day job. It did knock the guitar out of tune due to the light pedal action. However, I have adjusted to it and it is not a problem.

One caveat -- My ZB is with Greg Jones being restored so I have been playing the Mullen exclusively. It might have been a different story if I could go back and forth from the ZB to the Mullen. In fact, maybe Greg will weigh in here. He's a long-time ZB and Mullen player and much more knowledgeable about the technological aspects of both guitars than I am. Good luck!

John Borchard

[This message was edited by John Borchard on 16 September 2003 at 01:41 PM.]

Bill Moran · From: Virginia, USA

I have owned several pedal guitars. Sho Bud, Marlin , Sierra , the great Franklin and the D10 Mullin. The Mullin is not to sleep on. Rest your feet on the floor not the pedals.

By far the best playing guitar and tone as good ,if not better, than most.
Sorry I sold my Mullin !!!!!!

Kenny Dail · From: Kinston, N.C. R.I.P.

I play a Mullen D10. The pedal action is as smooth as silk. If you lay your foot on the pedal, something happens and the sound is clean and clear and as good as it gets. I also play an Emmons P/P, and a Fender Custom Triple 8, and a couple of Rick prewar Bakelites, and a Rick Frypan '33 to '35 vintage. The P/P and the Mullen have different tones but as my friend Jim cohen would say, a very "acceptable tone."

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kd...and the beat goes on...

John Davis · From: Cambridge, U.K.

One of my Ex-wives once said " you can get used to hang`in, if you hang long enough!"

Michael Wilson · From: Willard, Ohio, USA

I have Mullen D-10 and love the action on it. As far as tone goes, I don't think it sounds much different than an Emmons p/p that I used to play. Not good for resting your feet on the pedals while you play though. Has a tendency to sound out of tune....lol

john buffington · From: Owasso OK - USA

I have 2 Mullen Guitars and for me and me alone, I prefer the softer - faster pedal action. I have played p/p's for years and my only complaint was the one's I owned (6) were stiffer and I didn't care for that - which is the reason I no longer own p/p's. There again, it is personal preference. As far as tone, my Mullen guitars keep me employed, and am very pleased with the tone we produce!
John Buffington

John Davis · From: Cambridge, U.K.

What about a Carter then?? can you`all tell me what the pedal action is like on them? and is it adjustable?
I am now at the point of throwing another shit load of money at the old ZB again!! I know I will never find a prettier guitar!and I do love it to bits, but it will probably end up costing more than buying new!!

ZB or not ZB that is the question?
( did Bill Shakespeare say this?)

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