Albert Lee question

[[email protected]]

Hi folks-
Just picked up my first MM guitar, a translucent red Albert Lee, circa 1994 I believe (SN 94519). Has standard Schaller tuners, passive electronics, stop-tail.
My question is about the neck. There looks like there is a joint between the headstock and the neck. I saw looks because I can see a line there on the back of the neck under where the nut is. It could just be a line of finish since the headstock and the neck look like they are finished differently.
Any opinions would be appreciated!
Thanks

 

[jongitarz]

The headstock is finished in poly...The neck is finished with oil and wax...What you see is where the two meet.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[[email protected]]

Thanks, that is what Customer Service at MM said:
Thank you for playing Music Man.

I can assure you that the neck on the Albert Lee guitar is one piece of maple wood. The line you see is where the matte (satin) finish of the headstock meets the hand-rubbed oil and wax finish. we taped it off here at the factory before spraying it.

All Albert Lees have always had passive electronics. The batteries that are in some of them now are for the patented Silent Circuit we put in them now to kill 60 cycle hum, and possibly for a piezo bridge.

Serial number #94519 refers to a pinkburst Albert Lee (the only color it was available in those days) completed on 12/29/03

 

[brentrocks]

let's see some pics!!! welcome!!!

 

[SteveB]

robberns,

All Music Man guitars (except the SUB series) have unfinished necks, and they have that line where the headstock finish ends and the unfinished part begins.

The SUB guitars have necks that are painted black.

 

[GWDavis28]

Dude, welcome!!! Is that one that was on Craigslist in Boston???

You gotta post some pictures to the Picture Post sticky!!!!!

Glenn |B)

 

[koogie2k]

Welcome to the addiction!

Pics are a must here and enjoy the ride!

 

[kbaim]

The headstock is finished in poly...The neck is finished with oil and wax...What you see is where the two meet.

Welcome to the forum.

You guys still using poly on the HS?
My new luke doesn't seem to have it.
Feels the same as neck on this one.

 

[Philip]

You guys still using poly on the HS?
My new luke doesn't seem to have it.
Feels the same as neck on this one.

maybe because you've picked up your axe 6 weeks earlier and they've forgotten about something

 

[[email protected]]

Yes, this was the one on Craigslist in Boston.
I will take some pics this week and post for all to enjoy.
Guitar is in nice shape except for a few dings.

 

[kbaim]

maybe because you've picked up your axe 6 weeks earlier and they've forgotten about something

Yeah, that's what I was thinking.

 

[GWDavis28]

Yes, this was the one on Craigslist in Boston.
I will take some pics this week and post for all to enjoy.
Guitar is in nice shape except for a few dings.

Dude, where you at?? Are you in Mass?? Fill in your location, so others will know where your at.

I'm in Marlborough, you?

I got an AL, but with the MM90's very sweet!!!

Glenn |B)

 

[[email protected]]

Right next door in Framingham. Small world.
How does that AL with the P90's sound?
I just got my first P90 guitar (1993 Hamer Special with Rio Grande pickups) and dig the sound.
My other axes:
1978 Gibson Les Paul Standard (bought it new back in the day)
2004 Gibson Les Paul '59 Reissue
2003 Gibson CS-336
Hamer Studio Custom
Hamer Standard Custom
1993 Hamer Special w/P90's
2003 Fender American Deluxe Telecaster (Lollar pickups)
2003 Fender Custom Shop Deluxe Players Stratocaster (Kinman pickups)
2001 Fender "Designer Series" Stratocaster with maple top
2003 G&L Legacy
2004 G&L ASAT Classic
Taylor 710CE-L short-scale acoustic

 

[jongitarz]

I also have a CS 336. Great guitar.

 

[GWDavis28]

Nice I work in Sudbury, nice little 15 minute ride to work.

You have purchased one of the finest guitar you will ever own and you joined the BEST forum there is.

The AL with the MM90's sounds awesome!!! Though I only play (if you call what I do playing) at really low volumes. I'm so glad I bought this guitar, it's the best!!!!

WOW nice collection, I'm an EBMM man thru and thru!!!!

Check out my link below my name.

Later, Glenn |B)

 

[[email protected]]

Curious about the age of this guitar.
So MM Customer Service says:
"Serial number #94519 refers to a pinkburst Albert Lee (the only color it was available in those days) completed on 12/29/03"
Does this SN look like 2003 or 1993?
Seems odd that Pinkburst was the only color offered in 2003. Also the fact that the tuners are non-locking and there is no silent-circuit.
Any thoughts from the peanut gallery?

 

[Beth]

Hi Robberns!

Welcome to the forum!

That was a typo, it's actually 1993.

Keep on posting!
-Beth

 

[[email protected]]

Thanks Beth, I thought it might be a typo.
Any idea if I can retrofit locking tuners in the place of the standard Schallers without drilling any new holes?
I'd hate to disfigure such a fine example of early-Albert Lee.

 

[Derek]

Spoke with Jon Smith about this.


The capstan hole(shaft hole) is the same size. However the locking tuner mounting screw is located in a different spot. You would have to drill new holes to mount the tuner, and the old mounting screw hole from the original schallers would be visible.

Thanks

Derek

 

[beej]

Actually, I just did this to my Morse this past weekend. (Seeing Tommy's retrofit really sold me.) The new locking Schallers almost cover the old hole- it's about half covered, depending on your accuracy.

Though noticable, it's pretty minor and you have to really look at it to notice. Plus, it's on the back of the headstock- how often do you just sit and stare at it? For me, the tradeoff was worth it to have locking tuners- it stays in tune much better now.