Is this MM Steve Morse Genuine?

[nickguitar]

I purchased a MM Steve Morse from guitar center since the price was too good to pass up. After taking it home, I noticed some of the switches were in the wrong location. Can anyone help me identify whether the instrument is a replica or a real Music Man?

Thanks!

 

[beej]

It's legit. And the serial number checks out (you can barely make it out in the pics). Circa 2003, prior to the compensated nut. Really nice looking neck.

Looks like the previous owner has added an extra toggle switch near the lever. Perhaps to split the humbuckers? Everything else looks stock.

If you don't like the switch you can always remove and plug it, or get a replacement guard. But you might find it useful, depending on what they've done.

Congrats!

 

[tbonesullivan]

Looks like the previous owner has added an extra toggle switch near the lever. Perhaps to split the humbuckers? Everything else looks stock.

The "bridge on" switch is missing. Maybe they just relocated it? I can see how it might be in the way for some people.

 

[beej]

D'oh. Yes that makes the most sense.

 

[fbecir]

Hello

Looks genuine. The knobs were also "relocated", normally the volume knob is exactly under the screw of the bridge humbucker, and the tone knob is under the bridge.

 

[tbonesullivan]

Oh yeah! I missed that too. The controls are all in that corner, which definitely keeps them out of the way.

 

[banjoplayer]

looks legit except it looks like someone made a new pickguard with other positions of the controls.
Would be interesting to look under the pickguard, if there are the correct pickups and parts

 

[nickguitar]

looks legit except it looks like someone made a new pickguard with other positions of the controls.
Would be interesting to look under the pickguard, if there are the correct pickups and parts

Could be interesting. I have not taken it apart, but I did measure the pickups through the jack. From neck to bridge: 21k, 5.9k, 11.9k, 9.9k. After measuring the switch positions, it at least looks like the pickup switching is consistent with the music man store page.

 

[tbonesullivan]

Could be interesting. I have not taken it apart, but I did measure the pickups through the jack. From neck to bridge: 21k, 5.9k, 11.9k, 9.9k. After measuring the switch positions, it at least looks like the pickup switching is consistent with the music man store page.

The humbuckers have the correct black hex head pole pieces. The angled single coil should have the "regular" strat style staggered police pieces, with the B string being quite low. The single coil by the bridge pickup should have a nice radiused stagger to the pole pieces. This really just looks like someone wanted a lot more real estate year the strings.

Steve Morse uses the volume knob a LOT for swells, so that's why it's really close to the strings normally.