Help! I need help with guitar choice AL HH or Yd2 Floyd?

[Chad Gladstone]

I just recently was introduced to EBMM and bought an blue quilt Axis, then a 25th and a Reflex. I have the choice between a Albert Lee HH trem rosewood or a SM Yd2 de-purple Floyd trem rosewood. I know the choice seems quite esoteric, but that what I have decided for my next acquisition. I ordered a gamechanger rosewood piezo trem, but I decided I have enough axis style guitars for now. Albert LEE HH or SM Yd2 Floyd?

 

[Chad Gladstone]

As you can see from my signature, I have some strat style, single coil and more recently, EBMM HH models, I thought the YD2, might be a change of pace and add versatility, but that all rosewood neck on the Albert Lee is a beauty to behold, as well. I have never played a SM before and although I prefer the looks of the AL, but may be time to try something that is out of my comfort zone.

In time, I will get a JP and a Luke III roasted, but for now, only the SM Y2D and the AL HH are up for consideration. Thanks for any suggestions. I would like to make a decision, by tomorrow (if I have sufficient input), from those here "in the know," who appear be extremely well educated, on all things EBMM. I am not well versed enough to make purely methodical decision. The most I can add is that I love the finish of the "de-purple," but the Al would assimilate nicely into my collection. I play mostly pentatonic major, minor, modes and diminished (lead guitar), al a Robben Ford, SRV and EC, but occasionally play a wide range of music from classical to jazz. Previously, I generally gravitated around more vintage tones and have a healthy stable of tube heads, combos and cabs, but only minimal guitar effects that I utilize (I have a fender mustang floor, EH tube zipper and a Butler bias tube driver), if that helps in assessing which guitar would be a better acquisition. In years past, I played mostly "clean" with only a Fender RD or a twin, but lately, I have added a few boutique heads, vintage reverb, celestion gold alnico and ceramic blue speakers to add texture to my tone.

Please help!

I love the necks on these guitars! Where have they been all my life? I feel cheated, wasting a decade playing the pedestrian G&L's and Fender necks, by comparison. I am not trying to debate those guitars or rag on them, but the EBMM necks are in an entirely different league. I can't stop playing or building to my collection. I thought one or two would be enough to satisfy the obsession. I couldn't have been more naïve...

 

[DrKev]

Welcome to the forum, Chad!

Such a difficult decision. Personally, I'd go with the AL HH, because the Floyd is definitely not my thing. If the Y2D came with a standard Music Man trem like the AL, I'd have a very hard time choosing.

 

[mroth90]

I can't say anything about y2d, never had a chance to play one. I recently got a ALHH and it's now my #1

 

[joe web]

the AL HH is a cool guitar, had the chance to play one a few weeks ago.
but i would go with a Y2D first, it´s a different rock-sound as the axis guitars and get an AL later.

 

[Gio_Force_One]

I know for me it's y2d all the way since I have had mine it's all I play I now have three and love them all.
Only thing for me is I don't care for the pickups and changed them for a lower output pickups.
I personally just am not a fan of ceramic pickups or dimarzio pickups but that's my tastes.
The neck and playability of the y2d are amazing and they look amazing its one guitar that definetly improved my playing dramatically.
So there's my two cents hope it helps. Goodluck

 

[lock-ny]

Im not a Floyd guy so I would go with the AL, love the AL HH, also I like the forearm contour on the AL, comfy, the Morse is cool and a hardtail might be interesting but the countours are really sweet on the AL, plus its a badass looking guitar!

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I would go ALHH, simply because I am not a fan of wobbler sticks!

 

[Chad Gladstone]

Well, I think I am going to try the SM Y2D de-purpl. I am on the fence about the Floyd. I have never had a hardtail. I am not a big "dive bomber," but I seem to gravitate towards tremolos, as a matter of preference. My axis with Floyd is really stable and a joy to play, but it is a pain to change strings. I do love the AL's appearance but having so many strat style guitars, the SM looks to be something completely different, for a change. I have never been one to return anything, or have buyer remorse, so I will make my bed and lay in it. I have also decided that my first AL will be a M90 or an SSS, since I have too many HH EBMM guitars, already. Thanks for all the help. I will have to say that the reflex and 25th pups sounds so much better than my axis. I have A/B'd them and it is not a close call to my ears. I don't know if it is the chambered design or pickups, but the reflex/25th are like playing on glass. Clean or dirty, they just sound sublime. You can pry my axis from my cold dead hands, but if compelled, I would take the reflex/25th. My 25th is too nice to play, as an everyday player, but the reflex is the nicest axe I have ever played. I only keep my strats/G&L's because they represent milestones, but the Reflex can emulate most of their tones and more. After all, there is no such thing as having too many guitars.

There always seems to be AL's for sale, but I rarely see any SM's for sale. Thanks again.

I know for me it's y2d all the way since I have had mine it's all I play I now have three and love them all.
Only thing for me is I don't care for the pickups and changed them for a lower output pickups.
I personally just am not a fan of ceramic pickups or dimarzio pickups but that's my tastes.
The neck and playability of the y2d are amazing and they look amazing its one guitar that definetly improved my playing dramatically.
So there's my two cents hope it helps. Goodluck

 

[Chad Gladstone]

Thanks all. I picked up the SM Floyd. Can't wait to put it through the paces.

 

[joe web]

congrats to the Y2D!
BUT:
pictures!!! we need to see some pictures!
no pictures no guitar!