Let's see some MAB Rockets!!!

[grief]

Hi all

I'm Sam.

This hopefully isn't too bad a first post!

I got into MAB and back into guitar this summer after listening to Nitro and watching videos of Michael's excellent clinics on youtube.

My main guitar at the moment is a MAB7x and I'm currently working my way slowly through the MAB instructional dvds. But I couldn't resist grabbing a Rocket.

Here it is along with some MAB vinyl:



This is one excellent looking guitar and I can't wait until I have the skills to get some serious shredding done on it.

Who else here has one of these?

[Cybersquatch]

I have to say welcome to the forum this is one of the greatest "First" posts I've ever seen congrats on your ownership of this magnificent AXE a lot of us here are now envious myself included of course! All the swag surrounding it is pretty nice as well! Can't wait for the video posts of you tearing it up on this beast of a guitar! Did I mention? I want one!

[Deleted]

I've been waiting for someone to post a picture of their "Rocket" guitar and your the first. What can I say? It looks awsome! I also love your album collection and I like your guitar strap! I have been doing Mabs instructional videos too and will be purchasing his new ones due to be released the end of this month. I tried to get a copy of the Holland album recently but only found I could purchase it on MP3 from Amazon. I'm still yet to hear the Nitro albums as well. I'm really well behind you guys! Anyway, welcome to the forum.

[grief]

Thanks to both of you for the welcome. The Holland LP is fairly easy to find on discogs and eBay. lots of promo stamped/cut out/holepunch copies floating about for some reason. I think mine was something like $12 with shipping.

The tough one to find is the Jim Gillette lp. I understand these originally were sold only by mail order direct from Jim himself back in the day. Mine has Jim's signature on the back.

[karo123]

[Maxxxwell]

Awesome guys! Thanks for the posting these! A Dean MAB Rocket is at the top of my list for new guitar acquisition!!

Any feedback on how they play/feel/sound, etc.?

[karo123]

Well, I didnt have the time to play it really, but as for now - I am having really hard time getting used to it, since im mostly playing sitting down theres a huge difference - i needed to change my position, else the guitar was "escaping" while playing, haha. To my surprise, the sound is way softer than my Dean Armorflame - but I think thats because of the strings. Its great for playing while standing up, I love this guitar for having the possibility to play over/under the neck even at the highest frets (although, getting my fingers used to something as small as frets 25-29 gonna take some time) as on regular guitars my hand would sometimes hit the guitar body instead, especially while playing fast. Overall, the guitar looks awesome. I really like all the details. I thought it would be a bit lighter though, but it weighs more or less just like average guitar.

[grief]

The neck is awesome quality and finish and of course the fret access is great. But the action is very low over the humbucker so I can only play over the neck pick up or between them which seems quite tight and restrictive compared to the mab7x i'm normally using. I think over all mine could do with a proper set up. That said I checked the speed kills clip on youtube and Michael is playing mainly over the neck pick up.

The weight and balance i found pretty good, better than my epiphone flying v. It's also not too bad for playing sitting down in the classical position.

[grief]

One thing I'd not spotted until now - the Speed Kills Rocket has a Black Floyd Rose with a chrome tremolo arm:

[SendHelp]

This is probably going to be the next guitar I'm going to buy. I'm gonna wait first because I need to get a new graphics card for my PC before I buy that guitar. But damn dude, and nice Vinyl collection. I have a few cassettes of Proud to be Loud but not the Vinyl. You should see if you can grab a copy of U.S. Metal Vol 2 - it is the first official record Mike played on, even before Holland! It has a solo on it called "The Haunted House"

[jacoby3mnk]

I hope to be able to add pics here within the next week. There has been a scheduled "Rocket" trip to my door. Just have to wait on the landing (delivery). This will be my only MAB signature guitar without his signature on it.

[jacoby3mnk]

The sleigh (UPS truck) stopped here today. The Rocket has Landed !!!

[Blue]

Awesome

Does anyone know if this guitar is made in the same factory as the other MAB signature guitars?

It seems to be a little bit cheaper than the other MAB signatures; I don't know why that is, maybe just because of thinner pickup configuaration or a cheaper tremolo, or both?

Also, another question to the owners of this guitar, how does the neck heel look, anyone have any pictures of it to share?

[jacoby3mnk]

Blue, I'm not sure about the factory, but I can say the pick ups are passives. The tremolo is the same I believe. To me the heel area seems to be a little thicker than the MAB1's but not by much. It may just be the shape of the body that makes it seem that way. Definitely a lot less body width than the MAB 1's. I thought the body would be close to the same size towards the tail of it but I was wrong. The case is about the width of the body of the others that I have. I like the tone from the pickups. Can tell a huge difference. To me it is well worth the money. The fact I was able to catch it on sale that ended up almost $150.00 off retail was a plus as well.