momose Modern Virtuoso series MC2-MV/M (NA) #19630

Momose Modern Virtuoso series

[Introduction]
The word "Virtuoso" in the series name is an English word meaning a master, virtuoso, great artist, or grandmaster of the arts (especially music).

The term "musical master" evokes a somewhat grandiose image, perhaps one with a portrait hanging in a music room. However, nowadays, with diverse platforms, primarily social media, allowing for various forms of expression, anyone can freely express and share themselves.

Momose Custom Craft Guitars' new "Modern Virtuoso series," produced at the Asuka Factory in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, pays homage to the history of traditional electric guitars while reviewing and updating the details of the specifications to create electric guitars that fit the modern music scene where every guitarist can become a master.

This is a valuable lineup crafted by the skilled craftsmen of Asuka Factory, who started production in 1977 and have steadily accumulated technology and experience while witnessing the changing times for over 40 years.


◆Straight-sawn maple neck: This neck is made from straight-sawn maple, which is more resistant to warping than typical electric guitar necks. When cutting timber from logs, this grain has a low yield and cannot be obtained in large quantities. However, when used for a neck, the grain direction is stronger against the tension of the strings, resulting in a strong neck that is less prone to forward and backward bowing, which are common issues with electric guitar necks.

◆Pickup
The Classic Strat pickups, designed to deliver a clean sound with a clear definition reminiscent of 1950s Stratocasters, are positioned in the front and center positions. The Classic Hot pickup, a Clone '59 model aiming to recreate the PAF sound, adds a modern touch, slightly emphasizing the bass and adjusting for longer sustain, and is positioned in the rear.

◆GOTOH Bridge: Equipped with a reliable GOTOH 2-point tremolo unit.
The 510T series prioritizes functionality as a tremolo system over adhering to traditional vintage styles. It features a unique arm system with minimal clearance. To ensure strength and wear resistance at the pivot point, the plate is made of high-hardness chrome-molybdenum steel, finished with precision machining and high-level heat treatment. The pivot point is a two-point support anchor nut type using stud locks (PAT.). Furthermore, by equipping a block with a uniquely shaped FST mechanism (PAT.) to prevent string interference between the saddle and ball end and the plate, the system dramatically improves tuning recovery after using the tremolo arm.

◆Hipshot pegs
These guitars feature locking tuners from Hipshot, a company founded in California in 1983. The combination of precisely cut 18:1 gears and nylon bearings ensures smooth operation and accurate tuning over long periods. The tuners have individually sized posts for each string, providing optimal tension at the nut. This mechanism eliminates the need for string guides.
For example, when performing extreme tremolo arming, the strings wrapped multiple times around the string guides and tuning pegs beyond the nut become a major factor in throwing the tuning out of whack when returning from a tremolo arm down position. By using Hipshot locking tuners, the strings are hardly wrapped around the pegs at all (about half a turn), and they don't get caught on the string guides. This dramatically improves tuning stability after using the tremolo arm.

◆Frets: This guitar uses JESCAR frets, which have become a standard in modern component guitars. Developed with the technical expertise gained from decades of work in the field of precision machinery, JESCAR frets not only look better but also offer superior uniformity and stability compared to existing frets.

◆Oil-soaked high-density buffalo bone nuts Generally, nuts and saddles are made from a variety of materials, including buffalo bone, tusk, ivory, brass, plastic, and carbon fiber, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. However, Momose products consistently use buffalo bone as the material.
We have now adopted nuts made from buffalo bone, which offers even higher density and ensures consistent quality compared to conventional materials.
Even within cow bone, there are areas with high and low bone density depending on the part of the cow and individual differences. In areas with low density, you can see voids even with the naked eye, and the texture will be hollow. For this project, we have set a specific gravity standard at the procurement stage and will only use buffalo bone with a specific gravity of 1.7 or higher. This standard means that the bone is denser and more compact than conventional cow bone, which we believe will be an advantage not only in terms of appearance and texture but also in terms of sound quality. Ivory has a specific gravity of 1.7 to 1.9, and one of its characteristics is that its material properties are similar to ivory.

Specification
Body: Ash 2P
Neck: Quartersawn Maple
Fingerboard: Maple
Nut: High Density Bone
Bridge: GOTOH/510T-FE1
Machineheads: Hipshot/Grip-Lock Open
Fret: JESCAR/9662NS
Pickups: Mojotone/Classic Strat x2 Classic Humbucker Hot
Controls: 1Vol, 2Tone, 5Way PU Selector
Scale: 648mm (25.5 inches)
Width at Nut: 42.0mm
Fingerboard Radius: 210R
Finish: Top Lacquer
Strings: Elixir NANOWEB Light(.010-.046)
Accessories: Protective case, hex wrench, warranty card

Approximately 3.40 kg