Blues guitar, insights, opinions please.

[Blues Alert]

I started electric Blues guitar four years ago with a MIM Strat tuned in E flat, two years after I bought a Telecaster HW1, and last year, a Grestch 5120 both in standard tuning. I felt that I needed the versatility of different guitar styles to start this journey in Blues guitar playing. My local guitar center had this odd looking black AL with MM90 hanging on the wall for like two years and the need to try it didn't grow fast enough on me because two weeks ago a guy came in and bought it. I am still kicking myself in the butt for not even trying it while it was there. The other EBMM in the store are all variations of the Silouhette with different sets of pickups. Now maybe it is just me or the fact that I live in a small town but I don't see a lot of guys playing the Blues with EBMM guitars, why is that so? Since the AL is gone, I tried the few Silouhettes that are at my guitar center and I like the feel of the guitar but I would have prefered to acquire a different guitar style like the AL to complete the three that I already own.

So I'm not asking questions, I just feel that I lost an opportunity to try a good quality instrument and it might be a long time before my guitar center takes the risk of ordering another AL with MM90 to see it collect dust by hanging on the wall for months or years. Feel free to post comments, maybe I just need a little help to make me take the risk of ordering one for myself. I went on youtube to look for the AL that are posted there. I saw the single coils, humbuckers and the MM90. I could go on and try google, wikipedia or whatever. I think that what i need is to hear the stories of regular guys playing the Blues with Silouhettes and/or AL.
So Blues, anyone? See ya.
Blues Alert.

 

[Voo]

I find that my SMY2D is absolutely amazing for blues. I love the sound of the SMY2D into my Rivera Quiana its just this mid rangy raw tone that i cannot get away from

just my 2cents

 

[walleye]

i think blues is fairly achievable on many different guitars, i think you should acutally be more specific, tell us what you like in a guitar, what sort of pickups do you use, do you use a centre pickup a lot? etc etc

 

[Dante]

Blues, johnny winter played the firebird, albert king the V. a normal looking guitar is not required to play the blues. it's ALL in the fingers. having said that, a guitar with mm90s would rock the blues. you can ask robelinda, our local mm90 AL crusader.
the normal AL is closer to a Strat than the Silhouette, says Sterling Ball himself. the Silhouette is more aimed at versatility. a silhouette special us also very close to a strat(i mention the strat because it was the first guitar you mentioned).

i would say you should do your best to play them beforehand and if possible, try an axis super sport with MM90s, which i think, has the most beautiful in between tone ever, super vocal, awesome.

 

[ScoobySteve]

25th Hardtail, or Reflex Hardtail, that's my recommendation. Tons of people are saying wonderful things about the HH AL too, but I haven't played one yet. Blues is my MAIN playing style.

It also really depends on the type of blues you want to play. Chicago City Blues ala BB King, super FAT Austin Blues, blues/rock hybrid, etc.

They all implement different guitar ideas, gear etc.

If you wanted to get that fat strat like twang the AL SSS or AL MM90 would be a great way to steer. Even the Silo Spec afterwards. You can get that nice quack too if country or bluegrass is up your alley as well.

For the more city blues style, I'd recommend any of the EBMM's that offer vintage output pick ups.

I LOVE my 25th hardtail for blues. Powerful sustain for those overdrive and distorted lead sounds. Tons of clarity and punch as well. Not to mention the variety I have access to thanks to the parallel/series switching options.

 

[robelinda2]

Well there's basically humbucker or single coil blues guys- get the axe that gives you the tones you like. Gary Moore/Johnny Winter- one of the humbucker axes. Robery Cray/ Clapton/SRV- AL/Silo Special.

 

[ScoobySteve]

Just wanted to say a lot of Clapton's work with Cream, he used a ES 335!

But yeah, there's the distinctive humbucker blues and single coil.

Joe Bonamassa is a great represenation of a the Blues on the bucker side, with a flare of Rock in there. And he loves his 25th and Reflex. The SMY2D also!

 

[threeminutesboy]

I would say that you can basically play any style with any guitar

it's just a matter of preference and choices. When you play blues it's all about expressing emotions, so too me as long as the guitar can express my emotions I'm fine whatever the guitar.

Sometimes, its my Luke, my ASS, my EVH or the AL it all depends on my mood the day I decide to play a blues

Sometimes it's just a Jam between songs during a gig and I play what I have in my hand at this moment. It can even be my Bongo

 

[Abraxas]

Dear Bliue Alert, although the Blues is not my main thing, if you like have a listen to the following:

http://www.box.net/shared/zrp70y30zj

It is a one-take impro on a backing track and was done primarily for testing purposes.

Please forgive the sometimes sloppy playing.

For my taste this is a good blues tone, YMMV of course... But, can you identify the guitar playing on this track?

 

[D.K.]

20-th silo all the way.

And yeah, blues is 99,99999% in Your hands and Your heart, anyway

 

[GWDavis28]

Blues_Alert, have your locate GC, do a look up to see if there are any other AL with MM90's. If so, ask them to have it moved to your local GC and try it out. That's how I got my AL with MM90's. Great guitar and it oozes blues man.

Glenn |B)

 

[tornandfrayed]

thank god for guys like joe bonamassa,he does it his own way and doesn't look back!

 

[gtrman66]

IMHO if it boils down to one guitar to cover alot of bases a Hum single single p/up setup is the most versatile.Try a luke or a silo special....especially if you prefer the feel of a strat/strat-style guitar like myself.Your results may vary

 

[GWDavis28]

I was gonna recommend the Silo Special after my post, I was thinking and that will cover a lot of ground as well. Gtrman66 right, the SSH gives you some choices.

Glenn |B)

 

[paranoid70]

I definitely use the Albert Lee guitar for blues. I have the standard 3 single coil, but I find it perfect for playing blues.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Yah, it really depends what sound you're trying to get. A "blues" sound is almost like saying a "guitar" sound. I play a lot of blues and tend to model the sound from Billy Gibbons more than anyone with single coils. If I want a creamier "traditional" blues sound, I'm going to be using a semi-hollow guitar. That's just me.

For what you're talking about, though, you really have to try the Al HH!

 

[fogman]

First off, welcome to the forum!

I do think any of the Music Man guitars are capable for blues playing. I do think most of the 'blues thing' would be coming more from your fingers and amp.
With that said though, I do think there are a few EBMM guitars what would be slightly better suited for blues playing.
I do think you missed out big, as many here have confirmed the Albert Lee with MM90s to be a blues machine.
Added to that, I would put the 25th Anniversary model and the new Albert Lee HH and the tried and true Albert Lee SSS on the list.
Some will say the Silo SSS or SSH would fit the bill as well.

What blues style is your playing???

 

[Spudmurphy]

Yeah welcome.
I love playing blues guitar on my Albert Lee and switch between the SSS and MM90.
I really like the SSS.

The blues sounds great on my EVH and JP6 too, but for me the AL takes it.

 

[Spudmurphy]

... another thing - if you play slide then get a cheapo guitar and set it with a higher action.
My Als are set too low for the (Landreth) style of slide that I play. - I miss playing Native Stepson

 

[Sweat]

Blues or any genre would work on any guitar, its in the player that makes it, not real big on this guitar is for this style thing, honetly find what works for you, try them out, i just signed up for lessons with a master teacher finally and the focus is blues and classic rock, i am taking my Axis and AL HH for the first blues lessons.

Just try them all