• Ernie Ball
  • MusicMan
  • Sterling by MusicMan

vilkai

Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2008
Messages
8
Hi all!

Been lurking in the forums for a bit, de-cloaking now that I've got an EBMM guitar and some questions, too!

I'm a recent EB-ite as far as guitars are concerned, got my first StingRay in 2001 and since I've been of the opinion that given price policies in Finland, EBMM are THE factory-built instruments to get. I've since sold both my SR's but I recently acquired a used Steve Morse model (with the stoptail, of course!) which I've wanted since 2004 or so.

And it's all I hoped for, but there are four questions which puzzle me:

firstly, the bridge humbucker tilts back-to-front AND rotates in the plane of the guitar's top with the lightest touch - almost from turning the guitar around even! It's not completely loose and didn't give me an impression of being microphonic, but still it's disconcerting. The neck HB behaves as they are supposed to - i.e. you can nudge it but it's firmly mounted.

So, should I get a piece of foam or some other non-conducive material, remove the pick-guard, unmount the bridge HB and stuff the foam under the pick-up? Or is it a more serious matter, calling for a professional luthier?

Secondly, the intonation adjustment screw ends with the screwdriver slot are facing the neck, not the string stop piece - is this as per the specifications?

Thirdly, I'm running out of usable intonation adjustment range with a set of .10 strings - is the guitar designed to only take .9s or .8s even? I read somewhere that Steve uses a .8 e4?

Fourth, the magnet under b string on the slanted single coil pickup is very much depressed from it's apparent specified position - the magnet's top is under the surface of the pickup casing. Any way to coax the pole piece upwards so it'd be where it's supposed to be?

I'd very much appreciate any advice!

with best regards,

Ville
 

Sweat

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 31, 2006
Messages
7,333
Location
Texas Finally!
Welcome and nice guitar, do a dearch and you will find the factory string gauges for all MM guitars, I believe SM model uses a special set that can only be bought in individual strings, as far as the other issues, hopfully Beej will read your post and chime in he is great with those questions.
 

fbecir

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 3, 2005
Messages
2,995
Location
Paris, FRANCE
Hello

First welcome aboard.
I own a EBMM Steve Morse (I bought it new), thus I will try to answer to some of your questions.

firstly, the bridge humbucker tilts back-to-front AND rotates in the plane of the guitar's top with the lightest touch - almost from turning the guitar around even! It's not completely loose and didn't give me an impression of being microphonic, but still it's disconcerting. The neck HB behaves as they are supposed to - i.e. you can nudge it but it's firmly mounted.


So, should I get a piece of foam or some other non-conducive material, remove the pick-guard, unmount the bridge HB and stuff the foam under the pick-up? Or is it a more serious matter, calling for a professional luthier?
Normally, the pickups on a Morse are low (that means far away from the strings). Perhaps, the previous owner made some adjustments. Perhaps, try to lower the pickup.


Secondly, the intonation adjustment screw ends with the screwdriver slot are facing the neck, not the string stop piece - is this as per the specifications?

It's normal. If you look at my Morse :
ZOOMORAMA
You will see it's the same (for instance, zoom on the images on the right of my cat !)

Thirdly, I'm running out of usable intonation adjustment range with a set of .10 strings - is the guitar designed to only take .9s or .8s even? I read somewhere that Steve uses a .8 e4?
Steve uses a mix of 10-46 and 9-42 (10 - 46 for the high strings, and 9-42 for the low). Normally, you should not have problem for the intonation.
The exact gauges are : 10 - 13 - 16 - 26 - 32 - 42
Perhaps try again with new strings and a good tuner.

Fourth, the magnet under b string on the slanted single coil pickup is very much depressed from it's apparent specified position - the magnet's top is under the surface of the pickup casing. Any way to coax the pole piece upwards so it'd be where it's supposed to be?
Again it's normal. If you look again at my Morse :
ZOOMORAMA
On the same photos (especially the one on the left of the Highland Wedding video), you will see that the pole of the B string is very low (under the plastic).

I hope that helps !
 

Spudmurphy

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 23, 2005
Messages
12,037
Location
Cardiff, United Kingdom
Welcome on board!

The first rule here is "that the guitar doesn't exist without pictures!" ;)

There are a few Morse owners on the forum who know their stuff.
Two spring to mind
Beej
and
Tommyindelaware.

I'm sure that they will chime in soon enough.
 

travs

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 16, 2007
Messages
729
Location
sea.wa
^ And when you need Albert lee advice Spuds and Rob will be there for you.

Welcome to the Club!
 

Spudmurphy

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 23, 2005
Messages
12,037
Location
Cardiff, United Kingdom
^ Ha! Nice one Travs

Sorry to post ot

Travs I've cut two wine bottle necks - let me know the diameter of ya pinky and I'll post one on

Still no pics I notice!!
 
Top Bottom