Submitted by member65504-deleted (see all reviews from this person) on 5/7/2025

Where Purchased: Mule Resophonic Guitars/Saginaw, Michigan

Year Purchased: 2020
Price Paid: N/A historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

Musical styles played? Blues, spirituals, and jam band genre.

Amplifier/Effects used? None.

Acoustic Sound? Rich, full, warm sound. The dynamics are outstanding, able to go from a whisper to a roar. From bell like tones to wooly dirty tones, it has them all.

To my ears a Mule has more than enough volume on tap for any kind of unamplified music session. However, Mule guitars tend to not be as loud or bright sounding as National NPR guitars. Both are great sounds, I happen to prefer the warmer, more intimate tricone sound of Mule.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

Setup?
D’Addario EFT13 .016-.056 gauge phosphor bronze strings
Ebony Nut
Hard(red) maple bridge
12 fret
Jescar 6105 fretwire
Fingerboard/Bridge radius 20”
25” scale length
1.75” nut width

String height @ 12th fret. Low E is 2mm and High E is 1.75mm

@ 18th fret. Low E is 2.5mm and High E is 2.25mm

Relief: less than 0.508mm

Neck is reinforced with two vertical titanium rods. No truss rod.

Set-Up Change(s)? None
The string height is comfortable for both slide and fingerstyle playing.
Set-up measurements have not moved in over five years.

Conclusion: Setup very well

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

Easy on the eyes? Yes.

Matt Eich/Mule Resophonic Guitars use their own finishing methods. You can request how much of their finishing process/patina you would like.


Wood/Finish/Inlay?
The neck is terrified quarter-sawn flame hard maple with a very smooth and attractive varnish/wax finish.
Fingerboard and nut are both natural (undyed) ebony
Mother of Pearl dot position markers @ the fifth, seventh, and ninth frets

Bridge/Saddle? Hard (red) maple

Fit and finish? Flawless

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

Durability of hardware? Hardware is all made in house with the finest materials.

Durability of finish? Very durable, long lasting.

Can you depend on it? Yes

Use on a gig w/o a backup? Yes.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

Warranty: Lifetime warranty.
Repairs: Has not needed repairs.

I have communicated with Matt Eich and his crew at Mule throughout the past five years. They always respond back quickly, ready and willing to answer all questions.

Customer Service: 10

Components

Materials used and workmanship are outstanding, as is the attention to detail. The neck is the most comfortable neck I have played.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

Disclaimer: other than having ordered and being the original owner of my Mule tricone, I am not affiliated with Mule Resophonic Guitars in any way.

After having owned and played my Mule tricone almost every day for over five years. I waited a few years before reviewing to be able to make a more informed assessment, rather than a hasty one right after delivery.

My conclusion is that Mule Resophonic Guitars make fine instruments.

 

Overall Rating: 10