Members UFOScorpion Posted July 16, 2005 Members Share Posted July 16, 2005 After seeing Grand Funk Railroad several times since the 60s, I always wondered what kind of guitar he was playing. I finally found this information. It was an MIA Messenger. Here's some pics and info: http://ttbiz.ms11.net/images/mf01.jpg http://www009.upp.so-net.ne.jp/GrandFunkManiac/images/Messenger.jpg http://www009.upp.so-net.ne.jp/GrandFunkManiac/Messenger.htm http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data4/Messenger/Unknown-01.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fretmonster Posted July 16, 2005 Members Share Posted July 16, 2005 Thanks for the info UFO, I always wondered myself. Sounds like a kick ass guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ibobunot Posted July 16, 2005 Members Share Posted July 16, 2005 http://www.veleno.net/veleno_guitar_1.htm Mark Farner with a Veleno aluminum guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tedster Posted July 16, 2005 Members Share Posted July 16, 2005 Farner also used a Microfrets... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members UFOScorpion Posted July 18, 2005 Author Members Share Posted July 18, 2005 He did use other guitars later - but I saw them before their first album came out, and even after that. He always had the green one, which I now have identified as a Messenger. He is using a custom Parker Fly now according to recent pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ZenFly Posted July 18, 2005 Members Share Posted July 18, 2005 Nice bit of research! I never knew what the hell he played..always thought it was some cheap japanese axe like a Kent or something. I never knew it was American made or had an aluminum neck. Who would've known? He eventually went to Valeno, Gibson L5S, Microfrets and now Parker. Brings back HiSchool memories..."Are you Ready?".... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members I'm A Coal Man Posted July 18, 2005 Members Share Posted July 18, 2005 You missed the Peavey Impact II in the '80s. He played it on a Nashville Now show and is in the picture on the cover of his Closer to Home Gospel tape.I keep the tape in my Impact II case with the identical guitar as on the cover:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members PaulSter Posted July 18, 2005 Members Share Posted July 18, 2005 That's pretty cool stuff. I never knew what those marks (no pun intended) were on the front. I've got the live album (along with several others) and just assumed it was some random design. I never realized that it was just duct tape covering sound holes. I saw them in Atlanta in '97--the original lineup. He was, as I guess he still is, playing a Parker Fly. Too bad, I would love to have seen him playing that Messenger. Very distincitive tone indeed. PaulS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Kid Klash Posted July 18, 2005 Members Share Posted July 18, 2005 I had a red Messenger guitar back in the day. It had stereo outputs (two 1/4" jacks), and was neck-heavy. The neck was also slightly longer than a standard neck. It was thin-sounding and very prone to feedback, which was why I sold it. They were built in Oregon as I recall... somewhere up the Columbia river gorge... Hood River I think. They also made these huge (solid state) guitar amps. I wound up selling it to the guitarist in a "girl band" for $200, including the original hardshell case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members funkygunner Posted January 30, 2008 Members Share Posted January 30, 2008 i can dig all Mark`s guitar exept PARKER FLY i know he needs this because the injury dammage ......but anyway sounds like a WEDDING BAND and MARK FARNER can KICK ass i know with fguitar (messenger) back now no more weeding sound:cop:NRG 0 old grand funk sound pronto!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mike003 Posted January 30, 2008 Members Share Posted January 30, 2008 That's what I love about this forum. I wondered what that guitar was since High School. And I'm 52!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Squier Fat Telecaster Posted January 31, 2008 Members Share Posted January 31, 2008 I love Grand Funk!!!!! I miss all that Fuzztone, not into the doom metal sludge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RUExp? Posted January 31, 2008 Members Share Posted January 31, 2008 There was a feature in Guitar Player about it within the last year or two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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