Mullen Discovery vs Stage One

[Phillip Leggett]

Hi all, I currently have a Zumsteel Stage One and although it’s a fantastic instrument I was thinking of upgrading to a Mullen Discovery.

Would you say this is a worthy upgrade?
I feel mechanically the Stage One could be a lot smoother and I’m more after the Sho-Bud sound which I believe the Mullen sort of has?

Any advice would be great thanks!

[Kevin Fix]

They are both great guitars. There tones are very similar. I would keep what you have. Tone is all in the hands!!!

[Richard Sinkler]

Both are great guitars. The biggest difference I see is that the Stage One has a pull-release changer and the Discovery has an all pull changer. I have never seen a Stage One in person, but I have a friend who upgraded from a Carter Starter to a Discovery that he bought used. It was in great shape but he wanted the knee levers to match the Carter and add a different pull to a lever. I taught him how to work on the undercarraige, and it was pretty easy to work on. I don't know if the Stage One is easy to change things in the undercarraige.

[Larry Dering]

The Stage One had welded bellcranks so mods or changes require some additional work. I have one and it plays great but its 3x4 and that's all you get. I only use it for easy carry gigs. Otherwise I have several pro guitars.

[Jerry Overstreet]

I believe the Mullen Discovery is more akin to the upgraded Zum Encore than the Stage One.

[Joseph Carlson]

I owned a Discovery and have played a friend's Stage One. I would say they are completely different animals.

The Discovery is a completely pro guitar that in engineered to be lightweight and portable. I didn't get the feeling that they cut any corners and it certainly didn't feel like a student guitar.

The Stage One is a fine guitar, light years ahead of a Carter Starter, but it is essentially intended to be a student or beginner guitar.

[Tucker Jackson]

And if you really want the Sho-Bud tone, a used S-10 Pro 1 or SD-10 LDG might be in your budget... buy one from a known entity here on the Forum (if you can't find one locally) and it will probably scratch that itch.

[Phillip Leggett]

That’s awesome advice and thanks for the encouragement everyone. I really appreciate your input! It looks like I can’t really go wrong with the Discovery

[Bob Carlucci]

I like the Stage One..
Fine little guitar-
However, the Discovery is a more advanced instrument.. More along the lines of a "pro level" guitar with less bling, polish, fancy wood work. Its upgradable, and in my opinion would be considered a step or two up from a Stage One...it was designed to be light weight and low cost and lots of advanced players bought them as flight/gigging guitars.. To my eyes, the Discovery also looks more "pro level" on stage... if that makes any sense...