Photo Request and AL Qusetions

[Spudmurphy]

Jim - Make sure you ask as many questions as you like and we'll do our best here to answer them.
I was in the same position myself when i joined this forum.

My thread on neck profile that out Esteemed Leader MbGreen of the ALOC (Albert Lee Owners Club) mentioned is here. Oh btw for further info on what some may say isthe mythical ALOC can be found via the search facillity. So go to this thread for info on the neck profile.
http://www.ernieball.com/forums/musi...k-profile.html

So let me give my 2pence worth on your questions.

Can the piezo and electric signals be blended?
The AL when equipped with Piezo will have two output jackplugslike this

You can run one lead to say an acoustic amp and just have the piezo coming out of that amp.

Your second lead for the magnetic MM90's would then run to a separate amp.

The better way of doing it is to run one stereo cable (it'll be marked on the guitar) into a splitter box and then split the mags and piezo that way.
You can also just run one cable and get the mags and piezo comming out of the one amp, controling the volume of the two sets of pickups via the volume knobs on the guitar.

The normal (non piezo) AL has one tone and one volume control.
The AL with Piezo has one tone and two volume knobs like Fogmans excellent picture
Do ya see what I'm saying ? - please dont confuse the set up with the ridiculous (IMO) set up on the strat.
Take a look again at Fogmans pic - three knobs means that baby has piezo.

OK What's next.
Can AL owners describe the neck feel.
The neck has a great feel to it from the factory. This can change if you become overzealous with the wax when you reach the stage when you want to look after the neck by cleaning it. We can offer great advice on this on the forum when you get to this stage. The AL for me is the best neck I have EVER played and I have a couple of other nice guitars too! I have also now (thanks DaveB) played all the other EB necks and the AL (For me) is the best.
Look at the plaudits for the AL neck from Robelinda and he's got SOME BALLS !!!

Another fact - the guitar designer at EB Dudley Gimple makes no bones out of the fact that he loves playing his AL. I have heard it say that it's his favourite.

I'd like to add a switch to include either the neck pup in any switch position, This would allow all three pups on, and the neck/bridge combo. Anyone done this yet?

I think it can be done but I'd love it if "the Prince of Darkness" Beej would step in on this.
(Sorry Beej - it's a name given to an electrician guy on a UK TV DIY prog)

Pearloid guards ?
They cost more but look great!!
They are difficult to photograph, I think a photo of mine has come out ok viz:-




Sorry for the long answer but the questions you asked were all those that I needed answers to.
Get the AL get it with Piezo and get it with a trem too!
YOU WILL NOT BE SORRY!!

[fogman]

That thing is just beautiful!!!!

[g_man]

Not that the AL needs to be talked up any more...but...

It changed my life

A sensational guitar.

[PugNinjas]

I have an AL with the unbelievable MM90's in it. It is easily the best sounding guitar I have ever owned. The MM90's almost come across as "our little secret" here in EBMM land. I've talked to several cats at local music stores and the reaction is always "I didn't know EBMM offers P90's?" The MM90's sound amazing regardless of distortion or clean tones.

I don't have the Piezo option by Spudmurphy handled all of your questions about it so you should be fine.

As for the neck, it all depends on personal preference, when mine arrived it literally felt like an old friend. Incredibly comfortable and the finish will leave you speechless.

There was a forum member who did some mods to his AL's and I believe one was the MM90 model, it's worth a search or one of the maniacs here will point you in the right direction.

[Spudmurphy]

As for the neck, it all depends on personal preference, when mine arrived it literally felt like an old friend. Incredibly comfortable and the finish will leave you speechless.

There was a forum member who did some mods to his AL's and I believe one was the MM90 model, it's worth a search or one of the maniacs here will point you in the right direction.

Pug
Is that the one on the January Knuckleheads Calendar with 2 pickups?
When I talked to him a long time ago, he was having a b bender installed.

Oh I shouldn't be talking to you!! meagre attempt at P shop huh !!!!

I think Smellybum deserves the Photo Shop Award for that AL he designed the other week!!!

[Jim7895]

Wow, thanks for all the responses!!

I do like the options the piezo has. The reason I as about "mixing" the piezo and electric outputs is for clean playing, it would be nice to mix in a touch of the 2 or 4 electric positions with the acoustic sound.

As far as P-90s, I'm already sold on their versatiliy. Great cleans when rolled back, and nice sizzle when distorted.

I'd really like to buy a USA made guitar, and from what I'm hearing, the customer service of EBMM sounds good.

I'd like to try one out. Anybody know if their is a stocking distributor in or around the Minneapolis / St. Paul area? I know Dave's Guitar in LaCrosse, WI is a distributor, but they don't stock any AL's.

Thanks again for all the help, folks!

[PugNinjas]

Pug
Is that the one on the January Knuckleheads Calendar with 2 pickups?
When I talked to him a long time ago, he was having a b bender installed.

Oh I shouldn't be talking to you!! meagre attempt at P shop huh !!!!

I think Smellybum deserves the Photo Shop Award for that AL he designed the other week!!!

I remember someone linked me to an older post where the guy removed the middle MM90 and is looked great.

Ha ha, I think I was more shocked that the owner of such a tasty looking AL was actually thinking about ruining it !!!

We probably have to give Smelly a pass on his p-shop skills, after all he is naked all the time

[fogman]

I think Smellybum deserves the Photo Shop Award for that AL he designed the other week!!!

The photoshopping sucks! However, the concept is quite cool!!!
Including the altered pickguard shape!

[beej]

Prince of Darkness here ... no problem whatsoever adding a switch to do all 3 p'ups or neck + bridge

[Norrin Radd]

I'd like to try one out. Anybody know if their is a stocking distributor in or around the Minneapolis / St. Paul area? I know Dave's Guitar in LaCrosse, WI is a distributor, but they don't stock any AL's.

Thanks again for all the help, folks!

I live in Saint Paul. I've got an AL with single coils. And I'm 15 minutes away from just about every music store in town, depending on what type of amp you want to play through. Let me know. You won't find an AL in a music store here in the Twin Cities.

EDIT: I don't have piezo or trem though, sorry.

[Jim7895]

Hey Norrin, thanks for the offer. I'll let you know.

I'm waiting on a price quote from Dave's. Gotta see what price range this will fall in.

Incidentally, here's a nice photo from a different thread. I presume this on is a Pacific Blueburst. (or just Blue). Quite the knckout, in any case



Thanks for all the replies, nice friendly, helpful neighborhood you've got here!

[brentrocks]

Hey Jim!

i had a honeyburst Al w/ M90s and a trem and it was awesome, you will not regret getting one!!!

[robelinda2]

that was a beautiful guitar Brent, i wish i bought it!!!!! i love honeyburst on an AL.

[Colin]

I presume this on is a Pacific Blueburst. (or just Blue). Quite the knckout, in any case

Jim you do know the quilt top is not available on these just yet?

[Jim7895]

Jim you do know the quilt top is not available on these just yet?

I guess I hadn't really even considered a figured top. I was primarily referring to the color.

If there are going to be figured tops, I'd certainly consider waiting to get one. A nice mild flame top would be great!