NGD: Music Man Albert Lee 70th Birthday Limited Edition Model

[grayn]

After selling some gear, a couple of weeks ago, I decided to get another "surf" guitar.
Previously I'd played my surf on Burns Marvin 64s and Fender Jazzmasters.
Then, whilst checking the website for a fairly local guitar shop, I noticed they had a Music Man Albert Lee 70th Birthday Limited Edition Model, in. Now I've had a hankering for an Albert Lee (not necessarily the 70th anniv. model), for years. Never actually played one, though.

So, off I went, to investigate. Walked in the shop, located the Albert, picked it up and thought straight away, I want this. Somehow they look so much cooler, in person. More compact and stylish, than in pics. Of course, I had to plug it in and have a session. But being a Music Man, I kind of knew what to expect and wasn't disappointed. Total pro gear. Beautiful woods, top hardware, great build quality and design. The single coil pickups are the same as on the Silhouette, I'd had. Seymour Duncans, with a bit of snarl, to go with the sparkle and chime. Their "vintage" tremolo is the smoothest in the business, as far as I'm concerned. What more could a surf guitarist want?

I have never seen a surf, lead guitarist, with any Music Man, let alone an Albert. But I reckon, like Fender's Jaguar, the Albert Lee is a little off the wall. Not crazy looking but a little wacky, nonetheless. So, in my view, the MM Albert Lee 70th, not only plays and sounds, just right for surf, aesthetically it fits the bill too. Stylish in a slightly rebellious fashion.

Got it home and wacked it through some lovely spring reverb and a little echo. Mmmmmm..........surftastic. Probably put some heavier strings on and then I'm set. Totally love this guitar.

 

[Tollywood]

I absolutely love your Albert Lee. The natural finish looks so nice.

 

[grayn]

Thanks Tollie.
This is my 4th EBMM (2, Lukes & a Silo before) though I've never owned more than one at a time.
This has to be my favourite, though that's purely, personal taste. The other 3 were top class.
Always fancied the Albert Lee, with 3 MM90s. One day, perhaps.

 

[straycat113]

Congrats! I love the AL and it has my favorite neck profile of any EB I own. I never even heard a peep that there was a 70th AL in production. If you are big on surf music I couldn't think of a better modern model to play, as it just has that killer 60's retro vibe to the design and looks like it has been around as long as Surf.

 

[GuyOnraet]

Very special. Happy new guitar day!

 

[xjbebop]

Congrats! I love the AL and it has my favorite neck profile of any EB I own. I never even heard a peep that there was a 70th AL in production. If you are big on surf music I couldn't think of a better modern model to play, as it just has that killer 60's retro vibe to the design and looks like it has been around as long as Surf.

This^^^^

Congrats!!

...I want one now too.....

 

[jzeijen]

Very nice AL, congrats!

 

[banjoplayer]

finished neck? very nice!!

 

[grayn]

Congrats! I love the AL and it has my favorite neck profile of any EB I own. I never even heard a peep that there was a 70th AL in production. If you are big on surf music I couldn't think of a better modern model to play, as it just has that killer 60's retro vibe to the design and looks like it has been around as long as Surf.

Couldn't agree more, with you.

The 70th AL has been out a while. I read somewhere that there are only 25, made.
Seems to be quite a few, in the UK. And at a very reasonable price.
So glad I got this guitar.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Congrats grayn on getting that fabulous looking Al.
Welcome to the UK faction of the ALOC.

 

[L2A3]

Beautiful 70th!
It is interesting I had been looking for one of those and the only ones I ever came across were in the UK.

Edit: just found a video that says the 70th was a special run requested by the UK importer so makes sense that they are all over there.

 

[grayn]

Beautiful 70th!
It is interesting I had been looking for one of those and the only ones I ever came across were in the UK.

I wonder if it's to do with him signing them, personally, on the back plate. I'm guessing he lives in the UK?
Also, I think it was the UK Distributors who asked for a 70th anniv. model.

 

[paranoid70]

I could totally see using an Albert Lee for surf guitar music. I'm sure it would sound great!

 

[Spudmurphy]

I wonder if it's to do with him signing them, personally, on the back plate. I'm guessing he lives in the UK?
Also, I think it was the UK Distributors who asked for a 70th anniv. model.

Yeah I bleeb S & T had a run of these guitars made up. Albert lives in the States.

 

[Spudmurphy]

found this thread started by Good ol' Ming and he got me to post photos in post 15/16 on the following thread.

http://forums.ernieball.com/music-man-guitars/55634-calling-all-albert-lee-fans.html

 

[straycat113]

I would figure that Albert lived in the States as it would be a hell of a lot of traveling flying from the UK to Nashville and LA, then again I wouldn't be surprised if he had a house in both countries. I didn't know Albert was born in England until about 20 years ago and it blew my mind! But something was definitely in the water with so many iconic players being born in a small area from each other and all being around the same age.But the fact that he became one of the biggest legends of country guitar is pretty astonishing because I never really heard of country music being big in the UK. I have only seen him perform live once and that was during The Everly Brothers reunion tour. But he definitely makes you want to get your guitars and make furniture out of them lol. He also seems like one of the nicest and most humble guys you could ever meet.

Being a huge Everly Brothers fan (If you can think of two voices that harmonized better let me know)Gibson had made custom J-200 Acoustics for Phil and Don as well as an Everly Brothers model. heir manager wanted to donate the guitars to the Country Music HOF and Don told him "Guitars like that were meant to be played and not kept sitting behind a glass case". Don presented it to Lee along with his Everly Brothers model!=Very cool.

 

[mike46]

After selling some gear, a couple of weeks ago, I decided to get another "surf" guitar.
Previously I'd played my surf on Burns Marvin 64s and Fender Jazzmasters.
Then, whilst checking the website for a fairly local guitar shop, I noticed they had a Music Man Albert Lee 70th Birthday Limited Edition Model, in. Now I've had a hankering for an Albert Lee (not necessarily the 70th anniv. model), for years. Never actually played one, though.

So, off I went, to investigate. Walked in the shop, located the Albert, picked it up and thought straight away, I want this. Somehow they look so much cooler, in person. More compact and stylish, than in pics. Of course, I had to plug it in and have a session. But being a Music Man, I kind of knew what to expect and wasn't disappointed. Total pro gear. Beautiful woods, top hardware, great build quality and design. The single coil pickups are the same as on the Silhouette, I'd had. Seymour Duncans, with a bit of snarl, to go with the sparkle and chime. Their "vintage" tremolo is the smoothest in the business, as far as I'm concerned. What more could a surf guitarist want?

I have never seen a surf, lead guitarist, with any Music Man, let alone an Albert. But I reckon, like Fender's Jaguar, the Albert Lee is a little off the wall. Not crazy looking but a little wacky, nonetheless. So, in my view, the MM Albert Lee 70th, not only plays and sounds, just right for surf, aesthetically it fits the bill too. Stylish in a slightly rebellious fashion.

Got it home and wacked it through some lovely spring reverb and a little echo. Mmmmmm..........surftastic. Probably put some heavier strings on and then I'm set. Totally love this guitar.
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Hi,I've just purchased this guitar your posting about from sound affects! Can I ask did you buy it new? Any more info?