Help me decide on my second EBMM guitar purchase!

[menvafaan]

Hello,

I've been lurking around here for a while, and felt it was time to get out of the closet and sign up.

I'm thinking of buying another EBMM guitar, and I need your help! I have a transculent gold, hardtail, regular Axis Super Sport that I love to death!

Right now I'm in a soul/funk band, so I need something for that strat-/tele-kinda twang, but versatile enough to allow me to use it for blues, country and (classic) rock that aswell. I just want a crisp, clear and sparkling clean sound, that allows me to get into crunch territory aswell.

These are the ones I'm thinking of:
* Albert Lee SSS
* Albert Lee MM90
* Silo Special
* Axis Super Sport MM90

Which one should I aim for, and why? I would love some sound clips of EBMM guitars in action in a clean sound context, and especially the MM90's! And I'm also wondering what the pros and cons are when getting a EBMM-guitar instead of a Strat or Tele, since I'm actually looking for those classic Fender-tones.

On a side note, I'm also looking for an axe for 80's rock. Not like 80's heavy metal, but rather like... Alex Lifeson, Steve Lukather style. A heavily processed semi-distorted sound, with lots of whammybar. I figured the Luke would be ideal for that purpose?

I hope some of you EBMM-nerds can shed some light upon this.

 

[Ripper]

Silo Spec, no doubt my fren. A versatile beast able to conquer both the clean, classic and rock territory. And WELCOME to the FAMILY!!

 

[menvafaan]

Silo Spec, no doubt my fren. A versatile beast able to conquer both the clean, classic and rock territory. And WELCOME to the FAMILY!!

I like the look of the Albert Lee more though... How does it measure up?

 

[whitestrat]

Hello,

I've been lurking around here for a while, and felt it was time to get out of the closet and sign up.

I'm thinking of buying another EBMM guitar, and I need your help! I have a transculent gold, hardtail, regular Axis Super Sport that I love to death!

Right now I'm in a soul/funk band, so I need something for that strat-/tele-kinda twang, but versatile enough to allow me to use it for blues, country and (classic) rock that aswell. I just want a crisp, clear and sparkling clean sound, that allows me to get into crunch territory aswell.

These are the ones I'm thinking of:
* Albert Lee SSS
* Albert Lee MM90
* Silo Special
* Axis Super Sport MM90

Which one should I aim for, and why? I would love some sound clips of EBMM guitars in action in a clean sound context, and especially the MM90's! And I'm also wondering what the pros and cons are when getting a EBMM-guitar instead of a Strat or Tele, since I'm actually looking for those classic Fender-tones.

On a side note, I'm also looking for an axe for 80's rock. Not like 80's heavy metal, but rather like... Alex Lifeson, Steve Lukather style. A heavily processed semi-distorted sound, with lots of whammybar. I figured the Luke would be ideal for that purpose?

I hope some of you EBMM-nerds can shed some light upon this.

Whatever you do, make sure you get the LE08 version!!!!! But what you're looking for actually sounds like either an ASS or a Silo spec to me.

 

[menvafaan]

Whatever you do, make sure you get the LE08 version!!!!! But what you're looking for actually sounds like either an ASS or a Silo spec to me.

The ASS MM90?

 

[whitestrat]

The ASS MM90?

no. the ASS HH version. not my cup of tea, because for some reason, I find the axis has dead tones. Maybe that's because all the testing I did on ASS or Axis guitars were compared to the Silo 20th I bought instead...

 

[menvafaan]

no. the ASS HH version. not my cup of tea, because for some reason, I find the axis has dead tones. Maybe that's because all the testing I did on ASS or Axis guitars were compared to the Silo 20th I bought instead...

I already have a ASS HH, as I mentioned in my first post. I love it, but it doesn't really take me into strat-/tele-territory.

 

[TNT]

Silo Spec & Luke!!

You won't be happy unless you have the genuine article(s)!!

 

[robelinda2]

Get the Albert Lee MM90!!!!!!!!

 

[Ripper]

Get the Albert Lee MM90!!!!!!!!

Plus 1. MM90s on the AL. The SSS bridge may not be powerful enuff for heavier stuff (I may be wrong..). But for a strat/tele vibe, go the SSS way. oH, you will LUV the AL's body .

 

[Thew Ebow]

the styling of the AL with MM90's is too die for !! IMHO!!

 

[robelinda2]

I have to fully agree that everything about the MM90 AL is to die for, especially the pickups, their tone is tremendous. Really its an amazing tone, for the life of me I cant figure out why Albert Lee himself isnt having orgasms over the MM90s' tone, they are perfect for him. They are indeed orgasmic.

Yes i'm nuts.

 

[fogman]

welcome!

I think you can close your eyes and randomly choose a guitar and will be fine.
They'll all take care of you well.

 

[menvafaan]

The Albert Lee MM90 currently available at Musician's Friend and other big online stores... Has anyone ordered one of those? It doesn't say what color it is...

 

[Ripper]

Why doo you need to go to Musicianfriends or the likes? Do check here, many friendly and helpful dealers are here in the forum itself!

 

[leftyguitarblue]

I have to fully agree that everything about the MM90 AL is to die for, especially the pickups, their tone is tremendous. Really its an amazing tone, for the life of me I cant figure out why Albert Lee himself isnt having orgasms over the MM90s' tone, they are perfect for him. They are indeed orgasmic.

Yes i'm nuts.

I'm trying to eat breakfast here!

 

[Slingy]

I believe the unofficial name for the Luke model is "Strat Killer". Or was that the Silo Special?

 

[mbgreene]

The saying is the Albert Lee is what a strat only dreams it could be.

My first inclination, and part of my official oath of office as CIC ALOC, is to tell everyone to get an AL - They are great guitars. But either way you cannot go wrong. If you feel you need the humbucker in the bridge the Silo Special rocks. I don't have experience with the Luke myself as I'm not into the floating trem or emg's and the neck is not for me - but that is individual choice as it is a great all around cover any base guitar.

I'd also check out the forum based dealers - Pete Dubaldo, JeffreyB etc. if your looking for a purchase with great prices and service. And Pete has a cople of AL's in stock now.

 

[DavidOfOz]

Buy the Luke.
Buy the Luke.
Buy the Luke.
Buy the Luke.
Buy the Luke.

Seriously, though, you probably can't go wrong with and AL or a Silo Spec. I guess it's a matter of which feels better to you.

I have to fully agree that everything about the MM90 AL is to die for, especially the pickups, their tone is tremendous. Really its an amazing tone, for the life of me I cant figure out why Albert Lee himself isnt having orgasms over the MM90s' tone, they are perfect for him. They are indeed orgasmic.

Yes i'm nuts.

He he...we wouldn't have it any other way, Rob!

 

[Sweat]

Get an AL SSS repalce the bridge pickup with a mini hum and you will have what your looking for