BFR Albert Lee-Different Tone than Standard AL?

[jholcomb]

I'm considering purchasing an Albert Lee model. My question is, does the maple top on the BFR models give it a different tone than the standard ash body?

 

[mb99zz]

I'm sure you can get a good answer from FingBeagles or Rob. Both are AL fans and they both own standard and BFR verisons of the AL. From a materials stand point, the BFR AL has the mahogany tone block and the standard AL does not. Per your post, the BFR also has the maple top. So, the combo of the maple top and tone block should definitely give the BFR a different tone from a standard AL.

Now, if you really want to change the tone....add the new BFR Rosewood Neck option to the BFR AL and you'd have one sweet sounding guitar.

 

[Sweat]

First welcome to the forum, and at least to me the BFR AL does have a different tone, the mahogany tone block and maple cap give it a warmer fuller tone, and the standard ash body is brighter to me, either way if you get an AL you will be happy, but if you have the funds definetly go BFR

 

[jholcomb]

Thanks for the welcome and for the info. I'm fluent in discussing Fenders, Gibsons, and Martins, but definitely a newbie when it comes to Music Man.

I notice AL himself usually plays a regular ash bodied model. What I'd really like to find is an ash bodied pink burst (yes, I know that color is "retired" except for the BFR) with a trem.

To me it seems difficult to find ANY ash bodied AL with trems...maybe I'm looking at the wrong dealers?

 

[Sweat]

Thanks for the welcome and for the info. I'm fluent in discussing Fenders, Gibsons, and Martins, but definitely a newbie when it comes to Music Man.

I notice AL himself usually plays a regular ash bodied model. What I'd really like to find is an ash bodied pink burst (yes, I know that color is "retired" except for the BFR) with a trem.

To me it seems difficult to find ANY ash bodied AL with trems...maybe I'm looking at the wrong dealers?

Actually all the recent pics I have seen of AL he is playing a BFR, once in awhile an old pinkburst shows up on ebay, as far as dealers there are a few that frequent the forum, my main dealer is DuBaldo Music, Pete and Nick are forum members and great to deal with, checkout thier website I think they have a few Al's instock, also The Perfect Guitar, not sure if they have any instock and there is always Musicians Friend

 

[balance]

OK, I couldn't resist posting this one:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjbR_Os9GWE]YouTube - Albert Lee Masterclass[/ame]

I'm amazed at how he pulls off the Tele and Strat tone at the same time out of the AL...

 

[jamminjim]

there's a black cherry burst ash-bodied Al with piezo on ebay currently, and it is very nice looking.. bet it sounds like a million too.

Blackcherry Burst Al w/Piezo

 

[jholcomb]

I've seen recent pics of him with a pinkburst, but it always seems to be a ash bodied model.

Of course, he makes them ALL sound good!

I've always been more of a Tele man than a Strat man. I have a Clapton Strat right now but I think I would like the AL more.

 

[Headstock]

Yep lately he has been playing his BFR's
Of note though is that not all of his have the BFR logo from what I understand.
The blue burst in the video above is a BFR from what I understand.

I have one of each and will echo what Fing states. My BFR is physically heavier and I attribute this to the wood.
I like them both equally. You cant go wrong, I like them more and more each day I spend with them.

 

[Smellybum]

I'm considering purchasing an Albert Lee model. My question is, does the maple top on the BFR models give it a different tone than the standard ash body?

Hi
I did a write up back in July - Phatty said it was useful, have a read (welcome by the way!)

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/mus...ll-family-reserve-al-dave-b-good-part-ii.html

 

[robelinda2]

I find the BFR AL to be fuller in terms of midrange, but less stratty as a result. My standard AL's are more darker sounding, especially at gig volumes you can really hear the differences, kinda hard to really hear it at low bedroom levels. Of course trem or hardtail makes a difference too, Ive found the hardtails in general to kickass, but the trem does give you that extra stratty twang. Overall my BFR AL is pretty awesome, it has a wide open sound when tirned up, the pickups come into their own, really cuts through and isnt thin.