Description
Beater acoustic! Early 80s MIJ Morris MD-525, missing one inlay. $199!
The Morris MD-525 is a high-quality acoustic guitar from the early 1980s, crafted by Morris Guitars, a Japanese company known for producing well-made instruments that often rivaled their American counterparts in terms of craftsmanship and tonal quality. The MD-525 model is part of Morris’s Dreadnought series, which is known for its robust sound and solid construction, making it a popular choice among players looking for a reliable and resonant acoustic guitar.
Key Features
Body and Construction
- Body Shape: The MD-525 features a classic Dreadnought body shape, which is known for its large size and bold sound. The Dreadnought design provides excellent projection and a balanced tonal output, making it suitable for a wide range of playing styles, including strumming and fingerpicking.
- Top Material: The guitar typically has a solid spruce top, which contributes to its bright, clear tone and strong projection. Spruce is a popular choice for acoustic guitar tops due to its strength-to-weight ratio and tonal characteristics.
- Back and Sides: The back and sides are usually made from mahogany, a wood known for its warmth and resonance. Mahogany adds depth to the guitar’s tone, emphasizing the midrange frequencies and providing a rich, full-bodied sound.
Neck and Fingerboard
- Neck Material: The neck is typically made from mahogany, providing stability and a smooth playing experience. The neck’s construction ensures durability and helps maintain consistent tuning.
- Fingerboard: The fingerboard is usually made from rosewood, which offers a smooth surface for playing and adds a slightly warmer tone to the overall sound. Rosewood is favored for its durability and comfortable feel under the fingers.
- Scale Length: The MD-525 generally features a standard scale length of 25.5 inches, providing a balanced string tension and contributing to the guitar’s overall tonal clarity.
- Frets: The guitar comes with 20 frets, providing a wide range of notes for both lead and rhythm playing. The frets are usually medium-sized, offering a good balance between playability and durability.
- Nut Width: The nut width is typically around 1.69 inches (43mm), offering a comfortable spacing for most players, making it suitable for various playing styles.
Hardware
- Bridge: The MD-525 is equipped with a rosewood bridge, which complements the fingerboard and helps to transfer the string vibrations effectively to the guitar’s top, enhancing sustain and resonance.
- Tuners: The guitar usually features chrome or nickel-plated tuning machines, providing reliable tuning stability and smooth operation. The tuners are generally enclosed, which helps protect them from dust and corrosion.
Sound Characteristics
- Balanced Tone: The combination of a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides gives the MD-525 a well-balanced tone that is rich in the midrange, with clear highs and a solid low end. This makes the guitar versatile, suitable for a variety of musical styles.
- Projection: The Dreadnought body shape ensures that the guitar projects well, making it an excellent choice for both live performances and studio recordings.
- Warmth and Clarity: The mahogany back and sides contribute to the guitar’s warm, resonant sound, while the spruce top ensures that the notes remain clear and articulate.
Playability
- Comfortable Neck Profile: The neck is typically shaped in a comfortable “C” profile, making it easy to play for extended periods, whether you’re strumming chords or playing intricate fingerstyle passages.
- Action and Setup: The guitar is usually set up with a low to medium action, making it easy to play without sacrificing tone or volume. The setup is suitable for both beginners and experienced players.
- Durability: Built with high-quality materials and excellent craftsmanship, the MD-525 is known for its durability, making it a reliable choice for gigging musicians.
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