Help me choose which MusicMan to order

[jonahstepro]

This is my first post on here, so hello everyone


I am looking into buying a new guitar for my bad cat black cat and have decided to order a new Musicman but can't decide which one to get (I live in San Luis Obispo so gotta keep it local)

I currently own a Strat that I love and am wanting something that will give me some different sounds. I am pretty set on either Humbuckers or mm90's.

What I have looked at are the Reflex, game changer, Albert Lee hh our an Albert Lee mm90.

I play mostly at church, the occasional blues band and sometimes a wedding cover band.

The amp I own are a Bad Cat Black Cat and a Bad Cat Bobcat.

I really like a les Paul special I played with p90's, and if there's a MusicMan that sounds like that, that would be great.

well I have blabbered on long enough, so thanks in advance for the help!

 

[musikarero]

Welcome to the forum......you will get lots of suggestions but for me based on what you described an Albert Lee MM90 would fit nicely. Good luck!

 

[jzeijen]

Welcome!
If you already have a strat and you really want different sounds I would say either the AL HH or Reflex. If you really like the strat ergonomically, then go for the AL. But that is just my opinion..

 

[mtrejo]

You must try an AL with MM90's. very versatile sounding guitar. Cleans up well and the over-driven tones are fantastic while still maintaining clarity.

Haven't tried the HH version but the owners seems to rave about them as well.

The Luke III is also great, however, the soft V neck profile isn't for everyone. Personally, I find it very comfortable and allows me to really "dig in" using the v as a fulcrum point. Also sits nicely when chording.

Tough choice as MM makes some of the best guitars out there, quality/looks/feel & sound.

It'd be nice to add another member to the ALOC though.

Keep us updated with the shortlist…and welcome to the forum.

 

[koogie2k]

Either the ALHH or the ALMM90's. Both are killer. The Gamechanger is too as you can really open up the tonal palet.

 

[jonahstepro]

I have a buddy coming over tomorrow with an AL HH and an AL SSS for be to try out.

Right now I am leaning towards the AL mm90, the shape is amazing, I love the options in colors is great too.

Since this will probably be my only guitar purchase for at least the next few years, I want to make sure I get the most versatile guitar I canBoth are killer. The Gamechanger is too as you can really open up the tonal palet.[/QUOTE]

 

[Spudmurphy]

Let me know what you think about the SSS AL - I love mine!!

 

[TNT]

lots of choices, but you mentioned a LP (was it becuase of the neck or the pickups??).

 

[coldsummer]

I have both AL MM90 and AL HH and the HH swings it for me as far as versatility goes, so many different tones from the switching options. Having said that I love the MM90 too, but mainly for cleans and slightly overdriven tones.

I'd be interested to know how you get on.

 

[jonahstepro]

I have both AL MM90 and AL HH and the HH swings it for me as far as versatility goes, so many different tones from the switching options. Having said that I love the MM90 too, but mainly for cleans and slightly overdriven tones.

I'd be interested to know how you get on.

So after an awesome weekend of playing a ton of gear, I have definitely made my choice, sadly for my wife's sake though, it is on me buying two guitars

Right now, I am definitely going to order a Reflex. Great guitar, super versitile and just sounds good. Within the next couple of years I am going to order an Albert Lee with MM90's. Because I have my dream strat, I think this should cover most all my bases.

Any thoughts on if I should go Game Changer, or if the reflex is good enough for me?

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Hey Jonah,

I also play in church and have been for a few years. I have an Axis Supersport with MM90s plus a dozen other guitars. When the songs are somewhat difficult to choose a definitive guitar for (not really hums and not really single coils) or I need both, the MM90's really come through. It is my "do everything" choice or for leaders who change their mind 6 times during rehersals. I just used it last Sunday, actually.

I have an Al SSS and it's my favorite guitar. I think the Al MM90 would be a great choice for you. The SSS can do what either a strat or tele would do. The Al HH (my next guitar) is sort of like a LP with the ability to go full EVH. Extremely versitile. I love the Al shape. It certainly is a bipolar guitar....people seem to love it or hate it.

The Reflex is an awesome guitar as well. I've taken friends into my local guitar center and sat them down with a Reflex and every one of them play for about 5 seconds and open their eyes like "is this a magic guitar or something?". I love the neck and the comfortable rolled fingerboard edges.

 

[Tollywood]

Welcome to the forum, Jonah...

 

[jonahstepro]

Hey Jonah,

I also play in church and have been for a few years. I have an Axis Supersport with MM90s plus a dozen other guitars. When the songs are somewhat difficult to choose a definitive guitar for (not really hums and not really single coils) or I need both, the MM90's really come through. It is my "do everything" choice or for leaders who change their mind 6 times during rehersals. I just used it last Sunday, actually.

I have an Al SSS and it's my favorite guitar. I think the Al MM90 would be a great choice for you. The SSS can do what either a strat or tele would do. The Al HH (my next guitar) is sort of like a LP with the ability to go full EVH. Extremely versitile. I love the Al shape. It certainly is a bipolar guitar....people seem to love it or hate it.

The Reflex is an awesome guitar as well. I've taken friends into my local guitar center and sat them down with a Reflex and every one of them play for about 5 seconds and open their eyes like "is this a magic guitar or something?". I love the neck and the comfortable rolled fingerboard edges.

It took a bit for me to reply because I have been on Musicman overload. I am borrowing from two separate friends, a Reflex and an Albert Lee SSS without the Silent Circuit.

After spending some time with the Reflex (I have been borrowing it for a couple weeks now) I am not entirely sold on it, at least for my playing style. It sounds GREAT when it comes to harder rock sort of stuff, but am having a hard time with it when it comes to clean tones. Not that they are bad, just sound a bit sterile I guess compared to my Strat.

The AL SSS is great, and if I didn't own a strat I would be all over it. Curious though, does anyone know if a replacement pickguard can be ordered with the silent circuit installed?

I have yet to try an AL MM90, but my hope is that I can still get some of the magic clean tones I have found in my strat, but allow it to push my amp harder for some better break up.

 

[GWDavis28]

I prefer the Al MM90's over the AL SSS, but that's just me, the MM90's are really nice and handle cleans (for me) really well. They are over wound single coils. As for the extra PG assembly, you'll need to contact CS about whether or not the silent circuit can be purchased or not.

Good luck. Glenn |B)

 

[Dr.Strangenote]

welcome to the forum. being that you are a local fella to where the EBMM headquarters is, perhaps there is a way that you could make friends with the factory staff and demo some balls? I hear that they like to smoke meat, maybe that's the ticket in. good luck on your quest.