al mm90 vs. as mm90

[luv]

Would anyone that has experience with these two guitars care to elaborate on the tonal differences between the two?

I have an Axis Sport MM90, but I'm seriously considering picking up an Al MM90. I could only keep one of the two, so I'm guessing the AS would have to go. I can't find one locally for the life of me, so I'd be going into the Al blind.

Is it me, or is the natural progression here to "mature" to an Al? It just looks like such a sexy guitar.

I tried searching for previous threads, but ran out of patience.

Thanks!

 

[beej]

I've found them quite similar (with the same trems and maple neck).

With the AS you have the option of RW neck as well.

Big difference is really the neck shape/body style. I have (and love) my AL (SSS) and AS (MM90). But they play and feel different. Pick the one that feels best, I'd say.

 

[robelinda2]

I would say completely different. The range of tones on the MM90 AL make it way more versatile than the ASS, 3 MM90's + 5 way switch, you get all the usual stratty tones which the ASS lacks.

 

[Sweat]

Have to agree with Rob, while the pups are the same the tones are not to me, never got along with my ASS MM-90 but the AL well diferent story, love my trans orange MM-90 AL

 

[TonyEVH5150]

I'll make it a third. I've had my AL for a total of 2 hours and 49 minutes, and it is by far the best sounding, playing and looking guitar I've ever owned. The MM90's really do sound awesome in combination with the swamp ash. I'm getting everything from humbucker-like growl to stratty quack, and everything in between.

I've yet to try a ASS with the same pickups, but with the AL, I don't think I'll ever have to.

 

[Astrofreq]

I loved my ASS with MM90s, but it definitely wasn't a strat sound at all. More tele-ish if anything. Think of the tones on the first album by The Police. That about nailed it. Gritty and tight.

 

[Lance Romance]

I've owned an Axis SS HH, played a few great Axis MM90s (including one we hopped-up with Fralin P90s and RS electronics), and currently play an Albert Ltd. '06 with the rosewood board and MM90s. The Albert rules. I can play it in a country band, then a rock gig the next night, and often do. The Axis likes the rock gigs better, the Albert does the rock stuff, but covers strat really well too. Aside from versatility, the balance and ergo fit of the Albert get huge marks in my book.
Just waiting for a Pearl White Albert with rosewood neck, the three Duncan singles and a trem. I'm very interested in seeing how they compare. I'm always amazed at how much guitar your money buys with Musicman. I've owned and/or critically played pretty much everything out there, build and repair guitars as my day gig, and I can't make a guitar as good as a Musicman for the same money.
Just get the Albert.-Eric
P.S. Girls like 'em!

 

[beej]

Yep, the AL certainly has the quack sounds from that third pickup (my bad for not mentioning that ...). I do love the bridge & neck sound from the AS, though. (So much so that I wired up my SSS AL for that in position 3.)

But tonally I found the bridge & neck pickups on their own to sound quite similar in the two guitars. Same woods, pickups, etc. I'm honestly surprised you guys found them to be so different sounding!

Ah well ... they're both great guitars. Get one of each I say

 

[threeminutesboy]

I'm the proud owner of both ass mm90 and AL mm90 both with rosewood fretboard

I must say that they are really different beast, both fantastic guitars, but i understand beej as he is comparing an axis sport with ash body while the ass got a Mapple top that add to the tone.

 

[Lance Romance]

Beej, my guitars have Schaller Megaswitches which give you neck+bridge in pos. 3. The middle only comes on in 2 and 4. I never use middle alone. Very intuitive live, and you're so right about needing that combination.-Eric