1993 Albert Lee For Sale

[PugNinjas]

Glenn,

Great tale about that gorgeous sparkled AL.

Man, it sounds like all GC's are the same no matter where you live

Just think, we could add another chapter if you send it to me until my AL gets here. I'm sure I could arrange for a UPS mixup when I returned it

This wait is killing me and it's barely been over a week

PugNinjas

 

[GWDavis28]

Pug, thanx it's a story I don't think I'll ever forget. As for the AL, sorry man again! Yah that babies staying right here safe and protected at home.

Yah I mean GC is GC, that's the first real dealings that I've had with them and it worked out in the end, but they made me work for it too.

Would I buy from them again, maybe, but I'd talk to Pete first though that's for sure.

Hang in there man you'll make it, just keep saying to yourself, it'll be here in no time, it'll be here in no time. Dude it's your new mantra. Hahahahahahahahaha

Glenn |B)

 

[PugNinjas]

Check it out

 

[GWDavis28]

+1 I's like it!!!

Glenn |B)

 

[kai54]

Glenn, what a story! "Good on ya" (As the Aussies say) for sticking to your guns and not backing down to the GC machine. Pug, I agree. It seems like all GCs are alike. Once in a while you encounter a cool employee there and begin to build a workable relationship but then he's gone to another store or out of the business!
The UPS part of the story gets me a bit worried though. So far they say mine package is on time and scheduled to arrive tomorrow.

Glenn, you stated that the bridge was pitted. Did MM replace it or fix that too? You also mentioned that the guitar had been sitting for (I believe) 2-3 years there at the GC - was the maple stained or blackened from perhaps hundreds of people playing it? I'm sure GC didn't bother to oil/wax it! Can a stained neck be cleaned up and restored to its original beauty? (No offense to the vintage buffs) By the way, what are these neck fretted with? Vintage (Like an old Fender)? Medium jumbo (Dunlap 6105)? Jumbo? Great story and not long winded at all! Thanks for sharing it! Mitch

 

[GWDavis28]

Mitch, the pitting was only minor and was basically because it had been sitting for so long. Yup it started out in Hollywood as an order for someone and they either changed their mind or just never came back for it. Keith (Kbaim) played it at the Hollywood GC. Then it was sent to Arizonia because someone was interested in it there and changed their mind as well. Thanx heavens. Yah the neck was nasty, Jon cleaned it up nice. That's probably the reason it looks a bit darker than most. I don't think that it can be restored to as new condition, but let me tell you Jon sure make it look (close enough for me) and feel like it was a new neck. See that's the great thing about EBMM, they take pride in what they do. There are people behind ever instrument and those people take pride in their work. That's the craftsmanship that you don't see a great deal of these days.

I'm pretty sure the fret wire is vintage, so a forum search on it, this ? has been as ked before, I'm pretty sure.

Glenn |B)

 

[Dr Stankface]

That's a mighty fine geetar.

Andrew

 

[GWDavis28]

Andrew, which one is a mighty fine guitar??

Glenn |B)

 

[kai54]

Glenn, yikes...the Hollywood GC?! This gem was in So Cal? I could have scored if I had only been more aware of these great guitars! All jokes aside, you really deserve her. Considering the total story, all the "potential" buyers, and sheer distance this instrument has traveled...it just seems like you were meant for this guitar.

Tried to find out - via Search - the fret size used on an Albert Lee but luck. I may try to contact MM today. I hope they are fretted with a little bigger sized frets than vintage. I'm used to something bigger.

Glenn, you've mention a guy named Jon a few times. Being so new to the forum - what position does he hold at MM? Today is "D Day"! Well, lets call it "A" Day...the "pinkburst" arrives! UPS don't fail me now. Have a good day man!

 

[GWDavis28]

Dude thanx yah I really love this guitar, as a matter of fact I'll have to take it out tonight for a little bonding, as long as my wife doesn't have plans for us. It's a good thing that you weren't into them for me as well otherwise I'd still be searching the web for a sparkley one.

Try this http://www.ernieball.com/forums/search.php?searchid=259193 I used fret+wire as the search criteria and chose only Music Man Guitars to search.

Jon, yah he goes by "jongitarz" he's one of the tech, assemblers, super wizards, mastercraftsman at EBMM (Sorry Jon I for get what your offical title really is). I got the chance to meet him at the Open House, super guy.

Excellent, you'll have to give us your take. Yours doesn't have the silent circuit like the newer models. Enjoy it man, it's the best. It reminds me of something that you'd see on the Jetsons cartoon.

Glenn |B)

 

[Spudmurphy]

Thanks Glenn. Whoa! beautiful AL! Very classy lookin' and definitely worth considering as a color choice if Mr Tax Man is gracious to me this year.
Thanks also for the info on the 2 jack system MM uses - this, however, is very different from other piezo-equipped electrics I've played. They all had a single jack and the players (for the most part) used stereo Y cords to send the signal to diferent locations (amp/board).
It "appears" that the AL's piezo signal can't be blended with the magnetic signal of the pickups - but I definitely could be wrong here. The Fishman Power Bridge offers several ways to incorporate their piezo bridge with one's guitar. Of course, each option cost more $ as one upgrades his set up.
kai54

Hi, it's kinda ironic because today I took my AL to the dealer to try out an AER acoustic amp. The piezo through the AER sounds AWESOME.
The AL has two jack outs and as far as I know you can have a stereo lead split vai a splitter box. Piezo to the AER and the mags to my Marshall amp. I had every intention of trying out this set up today, but didn't have a stereo lead to try it!!!
The Piezo does blend with the mags as there is a third knob on the guitar - volume pot for the piezo.
For pictures please see:-
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d41/bluesplottboy/Pietzosocket.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d41/bluesplottboy/Pietzodescipt.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d41/bluesplottboy/front02.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d41/bluesplottboy/front12closeup.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d41/bluesplottboy/front10.jpg

Cheers

Spud

 

[kai54]

Glenn, thanks for info on Jon & trying to sort out the fret wire question on the Albert Lee. I didn't get a chance to contact MM due to work. Will try next week. Spudmurohy, thank you for photos and input about the piezo equipped models. Is there a color that doesn't look good on an AL?!! Between both Glenn and you the colors of your respective ALs give them both a unique look. If I ever get the extra cash for another AL I'm going to struggle when it comes to choosing a color!

Spudmurphy, have you experienced piezo "quack"?
If so, how do you plan to combat it?
How do you plan to give the piezo bridge a bit more "air" or acoustic-like quality?

I'm sure the AER acoustic amp will help - they've gotten very good reviews - at least in the British guitar mags I've read. I'm trying to get ideas for splitting the signal of a piezo equipped MM - (1) piezo signal through the sound board and (2) mag signal to an amp. Any ideas you could provide will be greatly appreciated.

Do you happen to know if the piezo bridge on your AL is a Fishman? Or does MM build them in house? The overall set up (2 separate jacks) is different compared to other piezo equipped electrics I've seen. Thanks to both of you.

 

[kai54]

Glenn...guys...the "pinkburst" has arrived! I could not get home until 10:00 at night due to commitments, was dead tired from a long day, but had to lose some sleep just to eye ball it and play it (though I couldn't use an amp at that point...I need a Carr Mercury!). Will give my impressions (sound-wise) at a later point. However, I can tell you all that from a construction point, the guitar is fantastic! Great quality and still solid as a rock after all these years - thank you to the previous owner! Thank you MM! And the neck....well, I don't have to get into that with all you MM vets out there! Though the seller provided me with several great shots, the "pinkburst" is more beautiful in person than I anticipated.

Due to the overall distractions of the NAMM Show and time constraints, I only got to establish a basic feel for the AL but was immediately hooked on its ergonomics (hope I spelled that right). Everything is right there - it just seemed to fit me like a glove. One thing I noticed (for me at least) the MM headstock shape/size makes the guitar "appear" to be smaller or more compact. It doesn't bother me but there a slight optical illusion with that smaller headstock. It throws me off for a second or two when I first pick up the guitar...!

Several times I tried to get back and play the AL displayed at the EB booth but someone always had it first (understandably) and I had to move on to the next booth. My searching for an AL after the NAMM Show proved unsuccessful then...the rest is history when I discover you great folks!

Sometimes I just don't understand why there aren't more ALs readily available for the general public to try compared to other MM models? GC has always told me they end up sitting in the store - I did not get to contact Wild West Guitars here in So Cal.

Glenn, it does have a futuristic "Jetson" look which I love!

 

[Spudmurphy]

Glenn, thanks for info on Jon & trying to sort out the fret wire question on the Albert Lee. I didn't get a chance to contact MM due to work. Will try next week. Spudmurohy, thank you for photos and input about the piezo equipped models. Is there a color that doesn't look good on an AL?!! Between both Glenn and you the colors of your respective ALs give them both a unique look. If I ever get the extra cash for another AL I'm going to struggle when it comes to choosing a color!

Spudmurphy, have you experienced piezo "quack"?
If so, how do you plan to combat it?
How do you plan to give the piezo bridge a bit more "air" or acoustic-like quality?

I'm sure the AER acoustic amp will help - they've gotten very good reviews - at least in the British guitar mags I've read. I'm trying to get ideas for splitting the signal of a piezo equipped MM - (1) piezo signal through the sound board and (2) mag signal to an amp. Any ideas you could provide will be greatly appreciated.

Do you happen to know if the piezo bridge on your AL is a Fishman? Or does MM build them in house? The overall set up (2 separate jacks) is different compared to other piezo equipped electrics I've seen. Thanks to both of you.

I know exactly how you feel. When it came to choosing a colour I was torn between the Honeyburst (after seeing Lucinda Williams guitarist on dvd) and the Blackcherryburst which is the first photo on the EBMM photo thread.
I already have two guitars with "hot" pickups so I decided on the SSS config rather than the MM90 (man I love P90's so MM90's should be just as good)

I don't know the make of the piezo but $hit it sounds sooooooooooo good through the AER - you wont need anything else to model your acoustic sound).

I'm not sure what you mean by "piezo quack" - the piezo sounds great by itself and boy what it difference it makes to the magnetic pick ups when you mix them.
Definately a choice I'm glad that I made when I got the piezo in my set up. I have to be careful when I use the tremelo with the Piezo - if you want to "tap" the trem it becomes microphonic - as if you were tapping a microphone. Yes the guitar does give the impression of being a 3/4 size guitar some times - all down to the headstock. The guitar is very comfortable and I have won over a lot of people who didn't like the AL. Mine is too pretty LOL!

Due to the high cost of new EBMM in this country I'll be on the look out for a second hand MM90 AL in the USA and I'll dismantle it and ship it back in.

Lets see some more photos of yours - any queries just keep asking.
Spud

 

[kai54]

Hi Spud,
Thanks for getting back to me. I think what I mean by "quack" is the nature of the piezo essentially sensing vibration/pressure on the string. Over the years, all the acoustics I've played using piezo exclusively definitely handled louder volumes (within reason) but lacked that acoustic airyness like one would get from miking an acoustic. But then...mikes can't handle the higher volumes. Its an age old challenge. Hence the development of dual source systems (piezo & mike) - I personally use an LR Baggs system in my Bourgeois Slope D. But I was wondering - and again I have not tested one out - on how "natura"l the piezo in the AL sounded. I am definitely with you in having the piezo blend with the mag signal. I am also in strong agreement - and a bit of envy - about P-90s...I love them! (Though very excitied about the older AL I've been blessed with. I will definitely seek out an AER amp and perhaps have the luck to locate/test a piezo-equipped MM with it. Thank you so much again.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Hi Kai
Hope your enjoying it!!
I have just had a blast on a semi Tanglewood with a resonator cone - a lovely guitar for the money but alas not mine.

I have never really bothered with miking up acoustics nor have I previous experience of Piezo but it does sound so good. I can't really say how natural it sounds because of my lack of "acoustic" experience - but "people in the know" have commented on how good it sounds. I'm half way to saving up for the AER and should have the money by the end of March. Next I'll be saving for the "second hand Albert".
I hope to go and see Albert play in a small pub in North Wales and will take my guitar with me and try and get him to sign the headstock.
Cheers

Spud

 

[kai54]

Spud, lucky man. I would love to see Albert Lee live. I kept hoping that he'd be at the NAMM Show, demonstrate the AL model, and perhaps perform at a small show in the evening. Alas, no such luck. Having him sign your guitar would be a great treasure. I have a pickguard that I typically take to the show and have been blessed to obtain autographs from many a Tele player (current & formal) I enjoy - Jerry Donahue, Will Ray, James Burton...would love to have Albert's sig.

Does Albert live exclusively in England now? I heard that he jumps back and forth between the U.S. and the U.K. but that came from a source I don't totally trust. Here's a question for AL fans (beyond the guitar) - Spud, Glenn, Pug, GWD, etc. help me out here. "What Albert Lee recordings would you recommend"?

I only have "Lone Hill" (I believe that's the title) and a VHS concert recording of Albert, Danny Gatton, and Vince Gil. Much too short of a show! I'm interested more in his recordings using a MM but I know some of his best stuff was recorded earlier with a Tele.

Question 2: Guys, "do you feel his overall sound (tone) has changed from earlier works"? Slightly? Very much? The forum has been helpful to inform me that his basic equipment set up seems to be unchanged and I realize that the AL differs greatly from a Tele but I'm curious to hear your opinions. Thanks in advance!

 

[kai54]

Oh oh! I meant "Heartbreak Hill" for that AL recording. Sorry!

 

[kbaim]

Can't speak to Alberts cd's as I don't have any, but his HIGHLIGHTS DVD is a very cool find. He plays about 5 or 6 tunes with his MM and 1 with a tele. also there's an interview segment.

Also Sterling Ball (ernie's son, Big Poppa on this forum, yada yada yada) is playing bass on all the tunes...which includes COUNTRY BOY. Probably worth it for that tune alone.

BTW Glenn, when I played your white sparkle, I don't remember the neck being in bad shape. But that was a cool few hours. Noodling away on the Albert, then seeing the Steve Morse clinic. Then calling Norm on the drive home and telling him "I got Steve Morse here and he wants to say hi", and Norm going, "Are you s.h.t.t.i.n.g. me?"

And I go, "Yes. Yes I am."

 

[Spudmurphy]

Spud, lucky man. I would love to see Albert Lee live. I kept hoping that he'd be at the NAMM Show, demonstrate the AL model, and perhaps perform at a small show in the evening. Alas, no such luck. Having him sign your guitar would be a great treasure. I have a pickguard that I typically take to the show and have been blessed to obtain autographs from many a Tele player (current & formal) I enjoy - Jerry Donahue, Will Ray, James Burton...would love to have Albert's sig.

Does Albert live exclusively in England now? I heard that he jumps back and forth between the U.S. and the U.K. but that came from a source I don't totally trust. Here's a question for AL fans (beyond the guitar) - Spud, Glenn, Pug, GWD, etc. help me out here. "What Albert Lee recordings would you recommend"?

I only have "Lone Hill" (I believe that's the title) and a VHS concert recording of Albert, Danny Gatton, and Vince Gil. Much too short of a show! I'm interested more in his recordings using a MM but I know some of his best stuff was recorded earlier with a Tele.

Question 2: Guys, "do you feel his overall sound (tone) has changed from earlier works"? Slightly? Very much? The forum has been helpful to inform me that his basic equipment set up seems to be unchanged and I realize that the AL differs greatly from a Tele but I'm curious to hear your opinions. Thanks in advance!

I think that Albert still lives in the USA and just spends a couple of months back in the UK gigging (for tax reasons I guess).
The story of the North Wales gig is that Albert is playing gigs in Ireland and is playing Wales on a stopover.
I believe that the venue is a pub with a largish upstairs room, and that is where he is playing - April 17 I think !!

I have only got into Albert in the last couple of years - we have a guitarist in Cardiff, Wales called Mickey Gee who plays just like Albert and has gigged with Dave Edmunds and played on Bill Wymanns solo album. It was reputed that Mickey whilst playing with Joe Cocker was the instigator of the "with a little help from my friends riff" - but was blown out by Joe just as fame called.
Mickey is like Danny Gatton and shies away - probably one of the finest guitarists in the UK - but not many people know of him.
My brother is a TV designer and designs sets for TV productions.
A few years ago he designed a set for a BBC Wales show called "Still Rockin'"
The line up was
Pino Palladino - Bass
Dave Edmunds, Mickey Gee, Andy Fairweather Low - guitars
Gerraint Watkins - keyboards, squeeze Box
Arran Amoun Percussion
Henry Spinetti - drums
All welsh musicians.
Man that show did rock. Edmunds and Mickey played a duet of Chet Atkins stuff which blew me away but was left on the cutting room floor.
I had a drink with all the Musos after as I had played before with Pino and Arran.
I'm in the process of transferring the Television Broadcast from tape to DVD, and I'm pestering my brother to get the uncut version of the show. Maybe we could swop for that Danny Gatton gig you have?
- $hit, how did I get onto that !!!!

The only AL stuff I have are his DVD's
AL Master Session
AL Highlights
AL Live from Mars.

He does play a Tele on the early DVD but plays his MM on all others.
My mate met AL after a gig in Cardiff and my mate asked him about his guitar.
Albert talked VERY highly of his instrument.

I'm going through a Marshall at the moment and the Pod can thin the sound down to make it sound more like a Fender - but I guess I'll have to get a MM amp or a Rivera - I'll wait and see what Albert uses on the night.
Anyway gotta go.
Catch up with you again.
Spud