AL HH: regular vs. roasted

[jzeijen]

I absolutely love my AL HH, great sound. I'm also very impressed by the look of an AL HH in black sugar/roasted maple. But I'm wondering what the difference in sound/tone will be? Since they have completely different neck and fretboard woods, you would say there should be a distinct sound difference.
Any experiences?

 

[Spudmurphy]

Hi, I played the very guitar you are enquiring about and it sounded absolutely fantastic. It is so much different to my SSS and MM90 AL's. It has great sustain and clarity and it really sang.We agreed in the shop that the roasted neck combination certainly brings something new to the table.

 

[Miqueas92]

I just got the Reflex in that combo.
I can not even begin to

 

[brokenvail]

There will be differences but it won't be night and day. The tone will feel a bit more immediate. It will have a little more top end some might call it sparkle. You really can't go wrong with either and if you could get a roasted I'd say get it. They were limited and once gone are gone but the regular HHAL is here to stay

 

[jzeijen]

Hi, I played the very guitar you are enquiring about and it sounded absolutely fantastic. It is so much different to my SSS and MM90 AL's. It has great sustain and clarity and it really sang.We agreed in the shop that the roasted neck combination certainly brings something new to the table.

I've seen one in the UK at Knighton Music, could that be the same guitar? It's absolutely beautiful! How does it compare to the regular AL HH?

 

[Barny]

I have both and they are very different tonally.

How do I describe the tonal difference without sounding like a wine taster???

All I can say is I play mainly blues, the AL HH is very warm and thick sounding, with a hint of that glassy tone in the in-between positions. The Roasted has more what I like to call "spank" meaning its slightly brighter, has a bit more of an edge, also both my roasted neck guitars are the most resonant MM's I own (all of my MM guitars are resonant but these are ridiculous) whether that is pure chance or a result of the roasting I have no idea (I played a roasted JP, Luke, AL MM90, Silo Special in the shop and they were equally as resonant).

I couldn't live without either of them to be honest. My first MM was a Axis super sport with a rosewood neck and rosewood top, it was the guitar that made me fall in love with MM's and I will never buy another brand now. However, once I got a few MM guitars I started to find that I wasn't loving the tone of the Super Sport wood combination with all the rosewood, I personally found it to "middley", but the neck was the nicest feeling neck I have ever played and when I saw the AL HH in my local guitar shop I wanted to try it with the Mahogany body and for me it is a perfect combination and perfectly balances with the Rosewood neck (and damn its light).

I did find with the Roasted Al HH that I had to set my pickup height slightly lower than the regular AL HH as the thing is so resonant, the pickups seemed considerably louder, few turns of a screwdriver and it was perfect.

If the finished neck is a potential concern for you, I would say do not worry about it, on the Roasted Reflex I lightly rubbed the finish with some very light polishing pads and took the edge off the gloss, however on the Roasted AL I haven't bothered and love the neck equally (my point I think is that I THOUGHT the gloss finish would bother me, but it didn't).

I hope this helps, let me know if you want to know anything specific!

 

[jzeijen]

Thanks Barny, for that elaborate post! Finished neck won't be a problem for me. The only problem is that you convinced me that it is justified to own both models..

 

[Spudmurphy]

I've seen one in the UK at Knighton Music, could that be the same guitar? It's absolutely beautiful! How does it compare to the regular AL HH?

Yes that was the very one. Regretably I don't own a HH AL so can't really comment as such.

But yeah that one should find a good home.

 

[Barny]

Thanks Barny, for that elaborate post! Finished neck won't be a problem for me. The only problem is that you convinced me that it is justified to own both models..

LOL sorry about the long post, got a bit carried away!!

I personally believe there is a big tonal difference between the two guitars, personally I would say what Brokenvali is right, once these Roasted guitars are gone, who knows if there will ever be another chance to own one, whereas the regular model will hopefully be around for a very long time.

 

[jzeijen]

Little bump for this one. Really close on pulling the trigger on the roasted AL (if still available). Is the roasted AL more suitable for metal-oriented music then the regular AL HH. Not that it's à dealbreaker, but doesn't hurt to ask! Thanks all!

 

[GWDavis28]

The Roasted would only be available if a dealer has one, the order window closed for them last year.

Glenn |B)

 

[jzeijen]

The Roasted would only be available if a dealer has one, the order window closed for them last year.

Glenn |B)

I've already located one in the UK. And they ship to the Netherlands... So far that's the only one I've seen in Europe.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

From the descriptions, I'd think the roasted would suit metal more than the rosewood/mahog HH. I played the red prototype before the HH Al came out and it was extremely warm. With gaining it up, it would growl really nicely, but I would not say that it was at all metal. Hearing that there's more "spank" or brightness to the roasted, I'd say that it's more suited. I just sold a couple metal guitars and they had tons of spank and no warmth whatsoever (they were a trade for wheels.....I can't resist trading anything for guitars)

 

[straycat113]

jzeijen if you have the chance to grab a RM AL HH I would not hesitate! I own both an AL HH and Roller in RM/BS and Barny is pretty much spot on in his tone description. I own 8 EBMM guitars and agree 100% that the RM necked ones are more resonant. Forget how cool they look and do some research on the roasting process, which draws out most of the moisture in the wood leaving it about 30% lighter, as well as stronger. There is no doubt it plays a role in the tone department to my ears. If metal is what you play you will have no issues! I played finished necks long before I got into EBMM guitars so they are never an issue for me, but these have their own unique feel. I also think you will find the Ebony fretboard right up your alley as you can fly on them. I cannot speak for Barny but my two RM necked Balls fall into the -with me for life category!

 

[jzeijen]

The order has been made! Really excited! Sold a non EBMM guitar yesterday (has 3 letter, starts with a P) to fund this one, really glad that happened fast so I could grab the roasted AL. Now the wait starts, good thing work is busy at the moment...

 

[Spudmurphy]

which one is it - was it a UK supplier?

 

[jzeijen]

Spudmurphy: It's the one you played at Knighton Music.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Spudmurphy: It's the one you played at Knighton Music.

That is one hell of a guitar. When I played it there were some guys from the States representing Ernie Ball and we were amazed by this guitar. You really won't be disapointed with it!! Nice One!!

 

[jzeijen]

That is one hell of a guitar. When I played it there were some guys from the States representing Ernie Ball and we were amazed by this guitar. You really won't be disapointed with it!! Nice One!!

Thanks! The anticipation was already killing me, reading your post doesn't cure that
Can't wait to get this baby in my hands, it's a real looker also!

 

[Spudmurphy]

It has a stunning looking neck. It plays like a dream - it sounds just awesome - and its black!! - Game over!!