MJ Guitar Engineering Standard

1999 MJ Mirage Standard. Handmade by Mark Johnson in North Central California. Guitar has 22 frets hand picked Maple Top w/ Semi Hollow Poplar Body and Maple neck. Two Seymour Duncan JB / '59's in the bridge and neck position. Three way selector with volume and tone knobs. Glassy hand painted optional color shifting finish. Very very unique design. When you see a mirage you'll know it. I wouldn't compare to anything I've seen. Beautiful design. Carved ridges and curves on the top with the most stunning headstock design on the market. Non locking Gotoh tuners...my Rally comes standard with locking Gotoh tuners. Came with a very sturdy and dependable locking hardshell case.

Sound....Thick creamy Les Paul type sound...but in my mind honestly better.(and it doesn't way 100 pounds!) Very light. Very full sounding. Unbelievable resonation and the thing is, almost impossible to knock out of tune. It will sit for a week and I will pick it up again and it will still be in tune. I sold a Paul Reed Smith to get it and haven't regreted one bit. Beleive me...its better. PRS guitars are great for wide variety, strat to LP...this tone wise is even better. Fuller than my MJ Rally probably because of the Duncan Humbuckers. Overall, very bluesy and sweet thick sounding. Suits my musical style nicely....Tonic, Matchbox 20, Collective Soul, 80's..Crowded House etc.

Action a little higher than my Rally but my Rally's is so low I still don't see how Mark got it that low. My Rally's action is the best I have ever seen on a guitar. No buzzing either. It's like the thing doesn't have strings on it its so low..pretty awesome. Anyway, the Standard is still in my range of action compared to others. Very smooth and comfortable. Pickup placement is very nice...perfect. I could write a book on how pretty the finish is. I don't know where Mark came up with these color shifting finishes but lets just say its truly beautiful. Nothing even close to this on the market. At one angle it looks green but as you changes angles the guitar's color shifts from green through blue to purple. It would be neat just to see how he does it. There is a glassy clear coat over it. People rave on and on about PRS perfect finishes. They have there place but I set my Mirages next to my friends PRS's and the Mirage blows it away. I was even a little surprised because I love PRS's too. He has a Gold Rainbow Sparkle PRS Standard that he was so proud of until I pulled my Gold Rainbow Sparkle MJ Rally out he just said, "Oh my gosh, that makes mine look dull!". It really did. Very nice bridge set up also. Very easy to string.

This guitar would stand live gigging. Its made for it. In fact, artist such as Kevin Cadagon (formerly 3eb, now BULLY), Ed Roland (Collective Soul), Daniel Johns (Silverchair) etc.... currently tour and record with Mirages. Very solid construction....Strap locks are standard on all Mirages. I wish someone would tell me why more people don't realize that strap locks are the way to go. There are guitars costing thousands of dollars that come with rediculously made strap buttons. PRS...wake up! If some pays 3000 for a guitar please make strap locks standard...nothing worse than being on stage and being paranoid about your strap coming off and losing the guitar. With mirages this is no problem. Very dependable....it wouldn't be an emergency if you couldn't take a backup guitar. If you do, be smart, take another Mirage.

Well, let me put it this way....these people are the best!!! Family owned business. Mark's daughter, Deirdre, has been wonderful to deal with. She keeps up with alot of sales, marketing and customer relations at MJ. What other company is there where you are only a phone call away from the family building your guitar? They are prompt, helpful, will do anything possible and are overall, extremely kind. Only guitar company I know that will do anything to help and even check in with you on occassion to make sure you and your Mirage are fine! Offer a lifetime warranty with your guitar. If you ever deal with them you'll learn to skip the multi million dollar companies with 3000 employees that don't know anything about customer loyality and service.

I love all types of guitars. I have owned over 13 different electrics..high end...all brands. I can truly say that MJ is the best package out there. The tone, finish, hardware, the company...everything is just great. These people really know how to create a fine product around the customers dreams and needs. Absolute best guitars on the market. Hand made in USA with care. I honestly tried to be very critical in this review but everything about the guitar is so sweet I honestly can say its nothing short of perfect. You can't go wrong with this guitar, they are the best. The price seemed a little steep at first but like always, you get what you pay for. If you want another factory stamped electric look elsewhere. If you want a carefully made piece of beauty that says you in the tone, feel and finish then buy a Mirage and I promise you'll never regret it!!!