Albert Lee with or without Piezo? oh, and should I paint my head?

[Spudmurphy]

Just came back from the local guitar shop where I finalised a price for a new Albert Lee.

I told the owner that I would be placing the order in about 3 weeks after I have sold off some of my old (70's/80's) gear on ebay to raise the shortfall in my wallet.

My specs will be Black Cherry burst, with trem, white plate and Blackpickups & knobs, but do I have a piezo?

I've never played with one, so should I get one - hell it's only more money!!!
Piezo owners to the rescue please - what can it do for me ? How do you select it - via the 5 way toggle --help I'm getting out of my depth.

Also should I get the headstock painted or leave it natural maple?
- mmmm decisions, decisions, oh well time for the pub and some warm British beer!!

Murph

 

[fsmith]

Spud,
Opinions are like a$$holes, everybody has one.

I like the choice of color, BCB is a cool color, check out tvanveen's...

Piezo, I have one on my Petrucci and love it. If you can I'd go for it. You can get some beautiful tones out of the piezo pickups, alone and in combination with the magnetics. I think the Al's are blended in via a knob like the Silo's but don't quote me on that one.

Headstock? Given a choice I always go natural.

enjoy the guitar and hopefully the wait won't be torture for you.

fred

 

[J-Nick]

Hey Spud

Nice color choice... black cherry burst is absolutely gorgeous! I would however get a white pearloid pickguard, I find the white a little plain... I much prefer matching headstock so I would go with that but it's all a matter of personnal taste.

I've never heard of anybody regretting of getting the piezo... you should get it.

Later

 

[Axis Sport]

I didnt think I would like the matching headstock, but now that I have one, my other guitars seem like they are missing something. If it were me, I would go with the matching headstock.

 

[tvanveen]

I actually sold mine for the sole reason I didn't like the matching headstock.

Then again, I don't like figured tops either, so I'm definitely a bit of a weirdo around here.

tv

 

[jongitarz]

Get the piezo option..It is well worth it. The matching headstock is a personal thing...What looks good to you?

 

[Colin]

Natural headstock, why paint over that beautiful birdseye?

Colin

 

[SteveB]

Piezo good!

I have a piezo on my Petrucci and it's a cool thing to have. It just gives you that many more tonal options, y'know?

As for the matching headstock... go with what looks good to you. (Try the instrument builder and see if a pic is available with the options you're considering.) I like the matching on most colors, but not necessarily all of them. It's just great that we get the choice!

 

[Beth]

the matching headstock is a matter of your own personal taste, like jongitarz says, but my general rule of thumb has always been:

-if you have a maple neck on your instrument (which is the only option on an AL), you can basically take it or leave it
-if you have a rosewood neck, I'd suggest always getting a matching headstock. It tops it off real nice-like and then you don't have color on body, then rosewood neck then maple headstock. Ugh. It just doesn't match. Like, O MI GOD, what is she WEARING?!?!

 

[mbgreene]

I'm with Beth on this one. It's personal preference. With the AL maple neck I prefer the natural because of the clean line (even though mine came with a black headstock because of the LE color choice, I liked the color enough to go with it).

With a rosewood board I think matching coordinates a little better. Kinda like matching shoes and bag.

 

[Beth]

I'm with Beth on this one. It's personal preference. With the AL maple neck I prefer the natural because of the clean line (even though mine came with a black headstock because of the LE color choice, I liked the color enough to go with it).

With a rosewood board I think matching coordinates a little better. Kinda like matching shoes and bag.

I was going to ask you if you had the Radiance Red limited or the Envy Green limited and then I noticed your name and your signature...

 

[kbaim]

I've never heard of anybody regretting of getting the piezo... you should get it.

Gotta agree with this. May be a bit more expensive, but might help keep you from wanting to buy another guitar with one a year from now if you DON't get it on this one.

see if you can talk the place down a bit from whatever price they try to tack on to the piezo. You should be able to knock off at least $25-50

(Hoping it's okay to say that, mods)

 

[DaveB]

My Axis SS MM90 has the piezo and I love it!

Putting the output to 2 different amps gives a great sound.

In my case its mag side to a Fender SuperChamp via a few choice pedals - piezo goes straight to an AER Domino.

Its well worth the extra - seeing as you'd never part with an EBMM!

Dave

 

[fogman]

the matching headstock is a matter of your own personal taste, like jongitarz says, but my general rule of thumb has always been:

-if you have a maple neck on your instrument (which is the only option on an AL), you can basically take it or leave it
-if you have a rosewood neck, I'd suggest always getting a matching headstock. It tops it off real nice-like and then you don't have color on body, then rosewood neck then maple headstock. Ugh. It just doesn't match. Like, O MI GOD, what is she WEARING?!?!

I totally agree here!
The only way I'd want matching headstock, is if the fretboard is rosewood!
I love the looks of all maple.
Yes to piezo. It's a small price for more tone options!

 

[GWDavis28]

Spud, I'd get the Piezo just for the sake of having it and you never know you may just love it.

As far as the matching headstock thing goes, it's your call. I'm with Tom here, I personally don't like em painted, but that's me.

Good luck, Glenn |B)

 

[Spudmurphy]

Thanks for the posts everybody - keep em coming.

I must admit I'm leaning towards the natural maple headstock but yesterday I wanted the colour co- ordinated head!

I just can't make up my mind if I'm indecisive or not?

The piezo seems to be a lot of extra £££'s but I'll keep an open mind on that for now.



Spudmurf