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History of the Albert Lee model...???

xjbebop

xjbebop

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I seem to recall a few years back finding a few stories/videos about the origins of the Albert Lee model guitar, but striking out now...:confused:

If anyone can provide links and/or first hand -accurate- information (BP???) about the true story behind this amazing guitar, it would be greatly appreciated!


...might even make a good sticky..... ;)
 
Stratty316

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xjbebop said:
I seem to recall a few years back finding a few stories/videos about the origins of the Albert Lee model guitar, but striking out now...:confused:

If anyone can provide links and/or first hand -accurate- information (BP???) about the true story behind this amazing guitar, it would be greatly appreciated!


...might even make a good sticky..... ;)
Click to expand...

Why don't you just watch the video Albert Lee made on the Music Man website for the AL guitar. It basically tells you how it came about. He saw it as a prototype, Sterling made one for his personal use, Albert liked it and Sterling gave it to him and it became his #1 guitar.
 
Sweat

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If I am not mistaken the AL started out its life as the Axis, and when AL got one and loved it it became his sig model and then the Axis became what it is today.
 
J

John C

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Sweat said:
Very cool, which reminds me of REO Speedwagon guitarist having an early version of the AL when it was an Axis, seen a video somewhere:)
Click to expand...

I kind of remember that video/concert video; it was Kevin Cronin, their singer (who also plays rhythm), who had the AL/Axis. I think it was yellow.
 
Magic Jason

Magic Jason

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Here is the story :

One day,

MM launched the AL model. Looks, playability, sounds, mojo were second to none. Every other guitar became crap.

The end.
 
xjbebop

xjbebop

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Very cool...thanks all for your contributions.
So here's what we've got so far:

The first 'reveal' was 1987 when an early prototype was presented to Sterling (intended to be called the Axis).
Albert was present, was smitten with it and promptly took it for his own. :p
It went into production in 1993 as the Albert Lee model.

A couple of things I'm still curious about are who actually conceived of it originally (Dudley?? Sterling??), and what was the inspiration for such a forward / futuristic design back then??

I know there's more acurate information out there, I'm trying to gather it all up in this one thread.

Keep 'em coming!
 
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xjbebop

xjbebop

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So here's the links I've got in one spot:

Albert Lee demos his Ernie Ball Music Man Albert Lee SSS - YouTube

**go to 4:26...
Ernie Ball Music Man - From the Vault Guitars: EVH, Albert Lee, Spinal Tap, Steve Morse Prototypes - YouTube

Albert Lee Signature Music Man(R) Guitar - Turn It Up! (cutting room) - YouTube

Al's "go-to" sound...
Albert Lee and his "Go-To Sound" TonePrint - YouTube

Some great stories here...
Albert Lee talks about his Music Man Signature Guitar - YouTube

And this...looks like a Dargie II with 3 BUCKERS!! What!?!?


I know there's lot's more....
 
xjbebop

xjbebop

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I'm a bit surprised and disappointed there wasn't more interest in a thread like this... *sniff...:(

Oh well, I suppose most folks are more interested in the 'new kids in town'...

Long Live the Albert Lee!!!!:D
 
Big Poppa

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It was not the axis at first it was a christmas present. It was after a lunch that Dudley and I had (sushi, we are californians) where we wanted strat balance points but not a strat....wanted a retro "jetsons" shape

the first one is made of the lightest flame maple body Heavily figured but paper light...

Albert and I were playing for the EB Music man Xmas party I showed it to Albert and he said "Oh dear" so I gave it to him
 
GWDavis28

GWDavis28

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xjbebop said:
Very cool!
I was under the impression Blues Saraceno got the first ones...
Click to expand...

Yah man, your right. brain cramp on my part, but I believe the AL HH came out a little while after Nick got his.

Glenn |B)
 
Spudmurphy

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I'll play :)

Before 2006, maple neck/fingerboards were only available - unless you were an endorsee.
In 2006 the Limited Edition Albert Lee (aka LEAL - black with gold plated accoutrements) offered the sought after rosewood board.
I bought one and still have it - love it! Jeez, it's 10 years old already!
 
Spudmurphy

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Ha ha - couldn't resist - I love em. From 2005 they had the compensated nut. The next step in their evolution was the BFR.
Albert.

I remember being at a guitar clinic in London helping out strings n Things. albert was stumped when somebody asked him when the Albert Lee model came out? Ha, I had to prompt him.

I won the guitar restringing competition that night - strings n things would have the range of EB guitars on display - we used to wipe em down, polish them and restring 'em - I won, but I understand that Albert does a quick "string change" too - shame I never "competed" against Albert.

Of course a lot of people (not us knuckleheads) think that the signature guitars used by the artist are special! Nah ... I had to go back to the exhibition centre from the hotel where the knucklehead bash party was - I had a "shopping list" .... something like :-
3 guitar stands
a pack of microphone leads
packs of strings
mike stand
ohhh and an Albert for Albert.

He had the one on display and loved it!

I have to admit that it was a big thing for me to accept the shape but (I'm sure like Albert) once I played one - I had to have one....... then I heard the piezo through an AER - amazing!!! I just had to have one - saved hard and got my first Albert, the Black Cherry burst trem and Piezo - wow!!
I play the LEAL a lot and although I don't play live as much as I used to the LEAL is my go to Albert ...but that Black Cherry burst is fantastic. My hardtail is soooooo light - the lightest of the 3.
I've played a HH and if I was extending my arsenal of guitars I'd get one like a shot.
 
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