The MJ Discussion page has been added due to quite a few requests, many of our customers are eager to discuss their MJ's while others would like to know what the true player really thinks.
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| MJ Mirage I purchased an MJ Mirage(96) and it is the most amazing playing guitar I have EVER laid my hands on. The neck feels like it was custom made for my smaller sized hands. Since I bought it a couple months back, I must say that I only remember tuning it once or twice--and I am quite the note bender and have had tuning problems in the past. These guitars are incredibly made and just feel like care. However, and it's a rather large however, the first time I took it into the shop to have the neck adjusted and possibly put in a bone nut, my "guitar guy," whose opinion and knowledge I highly respect, said I couldn't put in the desired bone nut without possibly damaging the finish etc. He continued to say that this is just NOT the way guitars should be made. I am still happy with the guitar, just alittle baffled/disappointed about not being able to put the bone nut in. An otherwise stellar guitar though. Peace, Aaron |
| RESPONSE:MJ Mirage Aaron, Thank you for your review of our Mirage. All of our instruments do come with a lifetime warranty and is transferable between owners. We realize that some repairs needing to be done may be out of the realm of your average repairman's ability. We have been building guitars for over 30 years and we have had no problems replacing the nuts on our instruments and we would be more then happy to replace yours. We pride ourselves on the quality and craftsmanship of our instruments and will stand by our techniques. Please let us know if there is anything we can help you out with. MJ Guitar Engineering |
| Mirage Standard MJ Guitar Engineering has just completed, what I consider in my 30 years as a guitarist, the best looking and sounding instrument on the planet. Just take a look at the custom shop section to view the newly completed "Fire Engine" themed guitar. It sounds more beautiful than it looks. My Gibson collection now takes up space in my closet. Why ? The Mirage. To Mark, Deirdre and Joan, all I can say is ....THANK YOU....THANK YOU....THANK YOU !!!!! This instrument and the friendship that has developed during it's construction mean more to me than words can express. Eternally Grateful, Herb Genelly III |
| High prices! I hope for those prices these guitars can actually play them selves! For crying out loud I just want to play em not pay for them. I don't care how much thought and craftsmanship it took to design and build these git fiddles, to me they are not worth the money! But if you want to try and change my mind, I will accept one of your guitars for free to play for a few months so that I can feel the money's worth and I will send it back if I can not feel it or buy if I truley like it. O.K.? Sincerely Rick Stair of Rick Stair Band. Send any Model for a free trial, Thanks. |
| RESPONSE:High prices! Rick Rick Rick, What can I say, these instruments don't play themselves but they don't make themselves either. I can completely relate to how you feel, they are expensive but so is a Les Paul and PRS just to name a few. We are a small family owned and operated company and believe me when I say its not the most profitable business. We have worked hard to keep the cost down which have included selling them direct and we have made our design simpler and more functional. These are not mass produced and are made right here in our Rohnert Park factory by HAND. Unfortunately this may not be the guitar for everyone but if you read our reviews on our web site and other related site everyone has stated that their instrument has surpassed their expectations in quality and sound. I would love to give you one but that just won't be possible. Anyway I hope this helps you understand why they cost so much. I wish you all the best. If you have any other comments or questions feel free to contact us anytime. Thank you for your time. MJ Guitar Engineering |
| SUBJECT: Mirage GT, Great Guitar I have had my Mirage GT almost a year now and I must say it’s an amazing guitar!! Fat sounding but still with a Tele vibe in it. I found my Mirage in a guitar shop in Stockholm, Sweden and fell in love with the look, since I seems to be the only one in Sweden who like blue hot rod guitars the price was set down since it had been hanging an the wall for quite a while, lucky for me. When I tried the Guitar I liked the way it fattened up with distortion. The sound is pretty unique thanks to the hollowed out poplar body with maple top, a cross between LesPaul, strat and Tele. The neck pickup can be VERY stratish, check out my sound clips and you will hear it. With both pickups you get a fat almost LesPaulish sound and the bridge pickup is bright but pleasant. It also has a Peizo bridge and it can fake acoustic sound quite well, it sound as good as most real acoustics sound with peizo’s. The look is really special as well, mine is Lake Palcid Blue with birds eye maple neck, Hot Rod look...KOOL. I have done two quick sound clips of this axe, one is neck piuckup with my Skrydstrup OD50 set for clean sound, the other one is the same amp set for a more overdriven sound. The overdriven clip alternates between both pickups and bridge pickup. http://www.ultimateguitargear.com/s...rs/Clean_GT.MP3 http://www.ultimateguitargear.com/s...ers/GT_gain.MP3 Best Regards to Everyone, Anders Bergdahl, Stockholm Sweden Please Check out http://www.ultimateguitargear.com |
| SUBJECT: First, let me tell you that the service and people at MJ Guitars are wonderful. A gentleman had two MJ Custom Mirage Guitars for Sale and they were very nice looking...which I go into in a minute....so I called MJ Guitars, and low and behold Mark Johnson Answered the Phone. Long story short, we talked for about an hour about The guitars in question, MJ's History and other guitars, it was truly an enlightening experience, and he allowed me to feel like family. I Was Hooked, I mean can you imagine this happening at a larger Guitar Manufacturer? Now to the guitars, I could go on and on about them, but heres a link to the pictures and information: http://www.luciaproperties.com/mj_mirage_customs.htm They are even more impressive in person, truly artwork. As you can see, they have never been played, and I am sorry to say I just couldn't resist so I plugged them in and played one tune with each. Its truly amazing the tones that can come out of these guitars. I have 4 Les Pauls, including a Custom Shop Birdseye, 6 BC Riches, Including a Bernie Rico Sr. Signed Guitar and a couple of Fenders and a Bossa and let me tell you, these two Mirages (Sorry Gibson and Bernie) beat all the tones and playability of my collection. Enjoy the pictures...and buy yourself a True Piece of Living Art Soon Best Regards to Everyone, Layne Lucia Flint Michigan |
| SUBJECT: Dear MJ Crew My name is Dylan Bullinger, I am a 20 year old U.S.Marine currently residing in camp Pendelton Ca. About 4 years ago when I was sixteen and working part time at a guitar shop I came across a small ad in the recient issue of guitar player. The ad was for a guitar that I had never seen or heard of. I loged on to the web site and got a contact number. I then proceded to call and the phone was picked up by a girl who I personally thought wouldn't know the answers to the questions I had. I was amazed. Never before did I find an assosicate for a company who cared so much for the customer. I explained that I was only sixteen and finding the money for something this extravagant would be tough. (Normally at that point, the person at the other line would quit listening and find a reason to get off the phone, so to help others with questions on their product.) The repersenitive on the other hand, went on to explain more about this guitar, that can only be described as "a work of art". From that moment on I was determined to one day have a Mirage. I got a call a few weeks later from my boss who was up state and found one for $500. I quickly called someone to take my shift and drove as fast as I could to Lansing Mi. to grab that guitar. I knew from the moment I saw it I had to have it. I didn't even sit down to play it. I just grabbed it and said I'll take it. From that time on I have never regretted making that decision. I have used that guitar in every style of music from metal to ska and it always sounds exactly like it should (perfect). So all I have to say to all of the crew at Mark Johnston Guitars is Thank You for producing such an awesome product. I only have one Mirage right now which happens to be #22 but I am sure in the future my collection will grow. Your guitar inspired me to really start playing seriously and well. Thank you again, Dylan Bullinger |
| SUBJECT: Even More WOW!.... I wanted to drop you all a line after a few hours with my Mirage.. Whats to say..I took a chance on a Mirage Standard last week. Never played or even saw one before. My other testimonial tells you what I think of the Standard. (the upshot is I am now selling all my other guitars). Well, what was it 2 days later ?... I called you up to get that custom Mirage you had. I've been playing that custom for a few hours straight now. Wow.... that about sums it up. Both guitars are incredible, simply incredible. The Standard will be my new Strat (sort of) usage axe. The Mirage Custom my LP/PRS killer. Your MJ "true" handmade quality just stomps anything else I have seen even at twice the cost. Mark you must have the patience of a saint to hand carve those tops...amazing. The tone out of these guitars amazes me. Plus the Mirage Custom got shipped cross country and WAS IN TUNE out of the box !!..whoaa! If anyone out there reads this...do yourself a HUGE favor. Take the chance, call these guys and get an MJ in your hands...you'll never go back...trust me. You have no idea how fine a guitar they are and they look so cool, classy and fine you'll want to sleep with it. I've been looking for a year for a new guitar...I bought 2 MJ's in 2 days....that ought to tell you something. I am now wanting a Roadster and the all-mighty Catalina....I dont think I am going to sleep tonight. Thank God I dont have to go to anymore guitar stores seeking new axes...whew. Kirk Neal - AMPMAN Audio |
| SUBJECT: I wanted to drop you all a line after a few hours with my Mirage.. WOW!!....should about sum it up. This guitar is amazing!! My only problem is now what to do with the rest of my guitars...no kidding, the Mirage absolutely smokes them all... Cant wait to get my Mirage Custom.... Use me anytime for a reference....or this email. I must have played at least 100 guitars at many stores in the past 6 months...absolutely nothing comes close to this Mirage even at twice the price. I am also extremely impressed by your service..I feel a member of the family !!! Kirk Neal - AMPMAN Audio |
| SUBJECT: Hey guys remember me? Eric Colman. You built me one of the first Mirages ever to be produced, perhaps the first one you ever sold back in 1994. I’ve been playing that Mirage all this time and have a record coming out in the fall. I have been using the guitar on much of the album and just wanted to let you know that is still the sweetest guitar ever. I’ve played around the US and in Europe and people everywhere ask me about that guitar. It not only sounds incredible but looks better than anything out there. So after nearly eight years I want to thank you once again for building me the best instrument I will ever own. Sincerely, Eric J. Colman |
| SUBJECT: These are truly great guitars I stumbled upon Mark Johson's designs about 6 years ago, when I spotted a Mirage Custom...Hawaiian sunburst at a major guitar show. I fell in love with the design, played it....and promptly bought it. I also picked up a catalog flyer, that indicated they had some more available at their shop. Lucky me...they were only 25 miles from my house...so raced on down, after chatting with Deirdre...and picked up 2 more Mirage Customs...all sounded as good as the first....and met Mark, Ethan and Deirdre. They are really nice people, personable and hard working....the kind that put quality, honesty, and customer service above profits. They can, and will build you anything you want....Mark, a world class builder, having had years in the business. His designs and quality are above Paul Reed Smith, McInturfs, and McNaught. I was so happy with the 3 I had, that I wanted another, and asked them to build me a custom one....my choice of woods and hardware. That last Mirage they built for me, was a masterpiece....and has ambered nicely over the years. And sounds great! Every so often, I think about selling one, as I can't play them all regularly....but then, as I pull them out of the cases....I am struck with their beauty...and once played again, realize I can't sell them. With my other guitars, it has never been hard to sell and play the guitar rotation game, but with these...breaking up is hard to do. I love my Mirages. Thanks Mark, Ethan, and Deirdre....for building my killer Mirages...and putting up with my perfectionist personality. Robert Verhaeg, San Francisco, CA |
| SUBJECT: Great Mirage I'm very, very happy with this guitar. The quality and attention to detail, fit and finish - all superb. Playability and tone is excellent. I've used this guitar on a number of recordings and through several amps and the results are always great. Everyone at MJ Guitars was enthusiastic and helpful in addressing any questions or needs regarding my guitar, and the integrity and pride in their work is evident in the product. Lyle Workman, Los Angeles, CA |
| SUBJECT: Why buy a Strat! I recently had a Roadster made by Ethan and Mark,the owners and brains behind MJ Guitars.For the price you would pay for a strat(american),and of course the custom stuff done afterwards,you are better off going with these folks.All work is personal and profesional.These guys are also very honest.My guitar is featured in the custom shop part of the website.The photo is good,but I'll tell you it is Waaay more nicer in person.Plays great too.My brother,who has been playing for about 30yrs,has given this guitar great raves and also says it's a very "nice piece of lumber".Quality wood! These guys also did great work on my Epiphone ES-295.I will standby Mark and Ethan and their product.Great people and very competitive pricing.Why get a Fender when you can have your own custom made"Your Way".Even the entry level Roadster is better priced. Vince Sanfilippo P.S. Was great to see them build it from a little sapling to this great piece.Only a few miles from their shop.Geppetto would have been proud of these guys! |
| SUBJECT: a unique GT Custom A couple or three years ago I ordered a Mirage from Mark. I'm a Tele player and I was looking for a more versatile version--when I found out MJ was making Mirages with Tele-style bridges and pickups, I decided to check 'em out. After perusing Mark's stash of spectacular bird's-eye maple, I figured II'd better go for it. What I wound up with was a poplar body, bird's-eye top, bird's-eye neck with ebony fretboard (hence the "Custom" designation), a Fishman Tele-style Powerbridge, and the unusual (some might say "odd") pickup layout of a Duncan Alnico II humbucker in the neck position, a Duncan Vintage Rail Strat in the middle, and currently, a Duncan Tele Hot Stack at the bridge. I might stick a Don Lace T-100 in there in place of the Hot Stack, or maybe a Kinman (where do I find those?). Anyway, it's as close as I've ever found to that mythical guitar that does everything well--I can get everything from fat jazz to quacky Strat to Tele twang to screaming rock to a pretty creditable electric-acoustic to... well, you get the idea. This is the guitar I take to gigs where I don't know what style(s) of music I'll be playing and I have to be ready for anything. The workmanship is impeccable and the finish is killer--and the neck is huge! Mark says it's one of the biggest necks he's made--hey, it works for me! (Just one of the advantages of dealing with a relatively low-production luthier.) It was a bit pricey, although not out of line compared to other top-quality guitars, and wll worth every penny. Plus, it looks cool--I get reactions ranging from "What the heck is that thing?" to "Wow, cool--a Mirage!" Thanks, y'all! Jon Fine, Vallejo, CA |
| SUBJECT: Incredible Tone I have owned many top quality professional guitars. When I purchased my first Mirage I was absolutely blown away. I knew that they sounded incredible because of several of my favorite artist play them but I never expected tone like this. I now own two and I will be buying my third in the next couple of weeks or so. Never before in my opinion has a guitar company offered a more "complete" guitar, built around the player for such great affordability. They will build anything. With an MJ, I can expect to buy a guitar with the finish I want, the setup and electronics I want and the craftsmanship that still is amazing to me. Its simple, when you buy a mirage you are buying a guitar that describes "you" in every way whether it be tone, flashyness or whatever. With so many other guitar companies you have to sacrifice or settle for equipment, tone or a finish that isn't exactly what you want and you have to pay 6 to 10 thousand for a private stock or custom shop that you want. With an MJ you get everything you dream about in an electric guitar. Brantley Cowan - Edmond, OK |
| SUBJECT: MJ Roadster "i own an mj roadster as of very recently. as soon as i saw the guitar i fell in love with it. it's unique design was what got my attention at first but then when i plugged it in i was sold on the roadster. as a person with varying tastes in music ,it's versatility makes it the perfect guitar for me. a variety of tones can be achieved with the roadster;from sharp piercing metal tones to soft jazzy tones. there are no limits as to what a musician can play with the roadster. it is certainly not a guitar to be without! it's a keeper!" Neill - Ontario, CANADA |
| SUBJECT: Mirage Owner I'd like to let you know that I'm delighted with my Mirage Custom. I've been lucky to have had opportunity to play and sometimes own some very nice instruments from well-known makers, and I can surely say that my Custom is a unique and wonderful guitar. When people ask me if I'd buy another, well the answer is "I did!" As sweet as my Custom is, that goldtop Classic you built for me is just a honkin', rowdy, and fun rock'n'roll ax! Joel - CA |
| SUBJECT: Quality I own a Mirage and it is just one of the most incredible guitars I've ever played. I'm a guitar luthier and after recently reading the specifications of a few of your guitars, I noticed you changed from alder bodies to poplar on a few of your guitars. Poplar is a cheaper and to me less of a tone wood than alder. I'm not saying the quality has went down on your guitars, but I feel you'd be better off keeping those guitar bodies alder. Logan - Enid, OK |
| RESPONSE: Quality Your right, Alder is a good wood but so is Poplar. They are both real close in density so the tone is relatively the same, although Poplar being a tad bit brighter. The problem with Alder is when the trees get big and start to sway the wood starts to crack and then fills up with sap, this is called wind checking. As a result of this, when you put a quality finish over the wood the finish usually shrinks where the sap pocket was formed and this looks terrible, we call this Alderosis. And so that why we use poplar. MJ Guitar Engineering |
| SUBJECT: MJ Mirage "The mirage is an amazing guitar--If the gutsiest Gibson Les Paul and the feistiest Fender Strat were having an affair, the mirage would be their astoundly gifted love child!" Judah Gold - Berkeley, CA |
| SUBJECT: Awesome Guitars I just want to express my thanks to all of you at MJ Guitars! The service has been outstanding! Deirdre answered all of my questions. The craftsmanship of the guitar is amazing as is the sound! I just wanted you all to know how personally impressed I am! I will always recommend MJ Guitars and I am looking forward to owning a plethora of MJ Guitars as time and money permit! Thanks again so much and keep up the awesome job! Jeremy Schleiden, Rob Soule band - Sterling, VA |
| SUBJECT: Awesome Guitars Just thought I'd let you know (warn you) that I now have 9 guitars for sale and hope to replace at least 4 or 5 w/ Mirages. This guitar really does sit in a class by itself. I kind of thought guitars were all the same and only looked different, but this Mirage plays, looks and sounds superior to anything else I've tried. Jeff Krisel - Grand Rapids, MI |
MJ Guitar Engineering |