Al/ASS Users..

[assMan]

Hi all,

As a follow up to recent posts, I'm thinking about picking up an Al HH. Here's one more Q for the sages.. It looks like both the Al HH and my ASS (rosewood fingerboard) sport the same DiMarzio pups. Can anyone out there tell me if there is a major difference in sound/tone? I'd love to hear that the HH can approximate a Tele sound, but I'l settle for the truth. I'd hate to plunk down only to find out they sound the same. Unfortunately I there's no dealer within 800 miles that has an HH for me to try.

Thanks most sincerely,
assMan

 

[Sweat]

Dude,

First if you are in CT there are plenty of places closer than 800 to check them out. DuBaldo Music is in Manchester as is a GC and well GC all over.

Now to answer your question, I have had both and love both. The pups may be the same/ similar but sound totally diffent to me. The body woods etc. make a dfifference alone as well as spacing covers etc.

Now go see if you can try one of the GC special HH AL's with the second coil split on the bridge pup, awesome and well I dont like Tele's but you get a killer twangy tone from it.

Hope you find one to try.

 

[Eilif]

Keith's right, there is quite a bit of difference between the Axis Super Sport and the HH Albert Lee, even though the pickups are the same.

If anything, the Axis SS will give you more of a Tele twang than will the AL.

 

[davetcan]

I have both and agree with this. The AL HH is a much "creamier" guitar, if that's even a word At least it is IMHO. I love them both.

Keith's right, there is quite a bit of difference between the Axis Super Sport and the HH Albert Lee, even though the pickups are the same.

If anything, the Axis SS will give you more of a Tele twang than will the AL.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

I have a super sport, but it's MM90 pickups. I did have a SBMM AX20, which is closer, but still, it had zero Tele tones (I had a Tele at the same time). If you want something that would come closest to a Tele, get an Al SSS. Mine isn't quite the Tele, but when I need a countryish Tele tone (played last week to a Taylor Swift song), I use the Al every time.

I think of the Al HH (my next Music Man, by the way) as an LP killer. It'll growl and punch and clean up nicely....but it does NOT twang.

As mentioned, drive up to Manchester. Maybe an hour and a half from you. Near the town center is Beller Music, one of the DuBaldo stores. Ask Pete here to have a couple Als for you to try. HH and SSS. Even if he doesn't have one in stock, he likely still has one.

If for any reason he doesn't have both, the Guitar Center in Manchester just on the other side of 84 has the best selection of Music Man guitars I've seen. They usually have an Al HH. I'm sure you could call and ask.

 

[Norrin Radd]

I have a super sport, but it's MM90 pickups. I did have a SBMM AX20, which is closer, but still, it had zero Tele tones (I had a Tele at the same time). If you want something that would come closest to a Tele, get an Al SSS. Mine isn't quite the Tele, but when I need a countryish Tele tone (played last week to a Taylor Swift song), I use the Al every time.

I think of the Al HH (my next Music Man, by the way) as an LP killer. It'll growl and punch and clean up nicely....but it does NOT twang.

Good info above. I have an HH AL. With the original pickups, it was not very Tele like. I currently have a Seymour Duncan Twang Banger in the bridge of hat HH AL. It twangs - but not like a Tele.

Your best bet is an SSS Albert. For most people that's a very convincing Tele sounding guitar in the bridge position. Still not Tele enough? Try a Twang Banger in the bridge. If that ain't "Tele" enough for you, you will never be pleased until you're playing an actual Tele. If you buy an HH AL hoping to cop Tele tones - well, IMO, that's a mistake. But the choice is yours. Good luck!

Although, now that I think about it, this is probably your best EBMM option.

 

[assMan]

Thanks for the responses guys..
Sounds like everyone is just about in agreement.. the wood/pup combo on the HH is not conducive to a twangier sound (more like an LP), the SSS gives a good twang, and Pete DuBaldo is the man. Sadly, no HH's in his, or nearby GC shops now, or any time soon (must be the economy).
Many thanks for the input,
assMan

 

[LawDaddy]

I have a rosewood ASS that I put 36th PAFs in, it can get into Tele territory. Not traditional country '50s twang, but a pretty good '60s sound that would be perfect for "modern" country. The middle position can twang and do funky rhythm chicka-chicka style sounds.