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Mark Farner's Messenger Guitar


UFOScorpion

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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

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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.

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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?"....:)

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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

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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.

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  • 2 years later...
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:cool: 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!!!!!!!!!

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