Where to buy the MK Strat?

[Jules]

I don't think jbaent is jealous, I just think he can't understand why somebody would buy 3 of the "same" guitar.

Just like "normal" people can't understand why we would go and see MK play the "same" show multiple times.

This has a very simple explanation. Its not the same show, specially this tour with the setlists changes, but really because attending multiple shows means travel, and means visiting different cities and meeting great people like Dmg and Dusty in Glasgow, Ingrid in Newcastle, Tunnel85, Dutchessy, Marijn etc in London. There are so many factors that makes every concert different that makes it impossible, for us, Knopfler fans, to compare it with the reason why someone buys three same guitars, which was explained to me by pm by someone from this Forum (see my previous post)

[Knopflerfan]

Don't keep on!! We all know you don't want three MK's - well I do and have.

This is for Jarle as he wants one!
My three are all different in their own little way!!

1st MK Strat: Made in the first batch, quite heavy, it has a 'three figure' serial number and plays beautifully (Fender dealers who serviced this have not seen a finer strat!) 9's fitted to this and it is used mainly for Hank Marvin/Shadows numbers.....

2nd MK Strat: Made two years later than 1st, still three figure serial number and is a lot lighter than the 1st MK, which indicates a difference in wood. (Has 10's fitted to this and used for MK/my own material)

3rd MK Strat: Made four years later than the 1st MK, and has a four figure serial number. again this strat is heavy but has such a solid/warm sound - 10s fitted to this one and my Bro looks after this one!!

[Jules]

The fact that I dont want three Mk guitars doesn't mean that its not interesting to me, which is what motivated my first post about it, why you bought the three. Funny that it took so many posts and fights to know.

Its also strange that some are lighter than the others. If the guitar was designed under Mk specifications, the woods etc has to be the same, if they change from one batch to the next of guitars, then they are not following the exact specifications from Mk, because well, Im ignorant but I guess that same pieces of the same wood must weight the same. Doesn't it?

[Knopflerfan]

I reckon it depends on the type of wood it is made of? Im wondering if the first two are made of different types only the original batch one is really heavy espeically compared to the year older one.....

[Jules]

Thats what I mean with the Mk specifications. As far as I.know, Mk chosed certain type of wood for the body, another one for the neck, and I think other wood for the headstock. That means that all guitars produced have to be made following that specifications. Unless they ran out of that woods and used others. I hope Mk approved that changes if the woods are not the same.

However if they changed the woods its not fair. Every person that buy a Mk signature, deserves to have the same guitar, made the same way, with the same specifications. Thats why the signature models are made (apart of make the fans to spend money that they wont if the signatures are not made)

[Jules]

Jarle, its in spanish but here you have one http://www.musicalalbeniz.es/product.php?id_product=1400

[3Strats]

All of the MK strats have an Ash body and a Maple neck with a Rosewood fingerboard. It is a known fact that different guitar bodies, cut to the same size, out of the same species of wood, can vary in weight. (and Ash comes in different varieties!) On some guitar forums ( specifically the Les Paul Forum) it is a major talking point as Les Pauls are comparatively heavy guitars and the lighter ones are valued by players with bad backs who have to stand & play them for extended periods. ( There is also another argument about whether the tone of lighter guitars is better or worse than heavier guitars!!)
You might think with an electric guitar it's all in the pickups, but some very knowledgeable people say that the wood the guitar is made of will also affect the sound it produces. Knopflerfan clearly can tell the differences between his 3 MK Strats. 
I have 3 quite different Strats: The MK sig model strung with 9's,  A late 1980's (Made in Japan) Fender Strat with a Basswood body & maple neck/fingerboard, strung with 9's, and a (Made in  Mexico) Fender Classic Player 50's Strat with an Alder body & Maple neck/fingerboard, strung with 10's and with the tremolo operational. the different pickups & wood combinations make them noticeably different flavours of "Strat"
- I use the MK model for solo material, the Japanese model with "Tonerider Pure vintage" pickups for early Dire Straits, & the Mexican model which has 50's "voiced" pickups for things which Mark has used his '54 Strat on or a tremolo is needed. ( Shangri La or So Far Away etc).       

[Jules]

Hmm, interesting. Despite not playing guitar, I like a lot all this things about woods, strings, pickups etc

[Knopflerfan]

Well put 3strats, yes they are Ash. They may all look the same but thanks mainly to the wood properties they all sound slightly different - some warmer than others if you know what I mean??! Oh, the tone on the MK strat is awesome!!! And I love em!!

[holaknopfler]

Well put 3strats, yes they are Ash. They may all look the same but thanks mainly to the wood properties they all sound slightly different - some warmer than others if you know what I mean??! Oh, the tone on the MK strat is awesome!!! And I love em!!

You should send me one, as a gift, I can send you my address

[dustyvalentino]

MK himself said when they came out that the weight can vary a lot (I think it was in the review in Guitarist magazine). Mine is a very early one (received Sept 03), had the wrong colour and is very light.

When they came out they said they were "swamp ash".

Another way to use three of them would be top have them set the same as MK.

1. Light strings, no tremolo arm, as used on Sultans, if we ever hear it again.
2. Heavy strings, tremors as used on Postcards.
3. Lipstick pickups, as used on Forever Young with Mr Bob.

[Jules]

The one with lipsticks pickups was also a Mk signature? I always thought it was a regular Strat, not the Mk nor the vintages ones...

[dustyvalentino]

http://www.mk-guitar.com/2012/01/24/mark-knopfler-signature-strat-with-lipstick-pickups-played-on-forever-young-duet-with-bob-dylan/

Sig according to Ingo, and he is usually correct!

[Jules]

http://www.mk-guitar.com/2012/01/24/mark-knopfler-signature-strat-with-lipstick-pickups-played-on-forever-young-duet-with-bob-dylan/

Sig according to Ingo, and he is usually correct!

If Ingo says that, no discussion then 

[shangri la 1]

Where to WIN a Fender Stratocaster signed by Mark Knopfler 
Good Luck all!

(U.S. addresses only, sorry) to avcontests@theonion.com for a chance to win. ARV of the guitar is $800, but the autograph is priceless. Contest ends Nov. 1, 2013; winner will be contacted by e-mail on or about Nov. 2, 2013.



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