Let me introduce myself. (and ask a question)

[VIBROLUX]

Hey guys I am a long time EB/MM Albert Lee fan. I have always loved the look of that guitar and the pseudo Strat meets Tele kinda theme it has going. I have actually never played one until this weekend, but even before playing it I loved the look of it as well as a few of the problems it solved for me. It seems that every Tele I have ever owned has ended up with a middle Strat pickup route. I hate doing that to a Tele for some reason, but love having that extra pickup. Another thing is that I have always wanted a forearm contour on a Tele, but have never had that done either. You might say, why not just get a Strat? Well....number 1 I dont like the looks of Strats and 2 I have never found a Strat that feels right. Plus I like the look and feel of teles better.

The AL has the contours I want, a look that is killer and different, it is twangy, Stratty and feels right in my hands. It is amazing.

So here is my question. How have the AL's changed throughout the years? I played a brand new one Saturday and now have a chance to buy one thats several years old for a great price. It is in excellent condition too. I am curious if it would be much different if at all.

Any ideas?

 

[Butch Snyder]

Hey Greg,

Nice to see you here and welcome....

Guys, Greg is a friend of mine from the Seymour Duncan forum. He's a very nice guy and I'm glad he finally made it over here. I'll defer to the experts to answer your question Greg.

 

[58super]

One change is that the first ones didn't have the Silent Circuit.

I don't believe they have changed very much other than P90's and Piezos being added as options.

ALs are great guitars used by a great player.

 

[travs]

I bought mine sight unseen & without playing one... I spent 6 months hanging out on the forum and driving guys like fogman, spudsmurf and rob crazy with my questions and concerns and what color to get. I found it. bought it. fell in love with it.

 

[VIBROLUX]

Hey Greg,

Nice to see you here and welcome....

Guys, Greg is a friend of mine from the Seymour Duncan forum. He's a very nice guy and I'm glad he finally made it over here. I'll defer to the experts to answer your question Greg.

Thanks Butch! I am glad you once owned one and are very familiar with Teles. That helped continue my lust for one.

 

[Ripper]

Honestly - the look caught my eyes first, and I dont even know who Mr AL is! Then - its the TONE!!! You will be surprised at how good it sounds, and will fall in love with it.

By the way, I'm like Trav - I bought one without seeing the real thing.

Now why dont you search for robelinda and check out his vids on his ALs?

 

[mbgreene]

The Albert Lee was released as a production instrument in 1993, and was originally offered only in the trans-pink finish of Albert's original, but I believe you could get it in a hardtail or tremolo model right from the start. Locking tuners were added late 90's I believe but, I'm not sure. The originals had non-locking.

The Silent Circuit wasn't added until 2001, though it had been available on other models for some time prior to that. I'm not certain when the MM90 model was introduced, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was around the same time as the Silent Circuit was added to the original design.

In late 2005 the compensated nut was added. That covers most of the evolution of the Albert.

Get one .....You know you want it

Edit....

Almost forgot about the BFR - introduced this year. Similar to the other BFR models, rater than just ash - the body is composed of a combination of tonewoods including a mahogany center toneblock and a maple cap - and that is only available in the pinkburst.

 

[GWDavis28]

The Albert Lee is a great guitar and you'll never regret getting one. Sweet choice for your first EBMM. Let me tell you that the MM90's are just sweet and magical!!!!

Glenn |B)

 

[travs]

^ Glenn, I love your Al. its in the top 10 in my book.

 

[GWDavis28]

^ Glenn, I love your Al. its in the top 10 in my book.

Travs man thanx, yah it's tops with me too. Glad I was able to snag it and get a really good deal on it. Jon's pimping it out made the whole thing complete.

Glenn |B)

 

[fogman]

Hey Greg!

Welcome to the forum where it's the beginning of the end!
You can't go wrong with the Al or any other EBMM for that matter.
Great feel, killer sound and awesome looks are just the start!

I bought mine sight unseen & without playing one... I spent 6 months hanging out on the forum and driving guys like fogman, spudsmurf and rob crazy with my questions and concerns and what color to get. I found it. bought it. fell in love with it.

You didn't drive me crazy, and I'm sure not the others as well.
We all love to help and want others to experience the same bliss that we do!

 

[aníbalsantander]

hi
ebmm's are pretty consistent through the years, you just got to find the one that has the better sound and feel

 

[Blind Lemon]

I've had Als for years and they are still as great as they always were and will be

 

[VIBROLUX]

Well guys I am pleased to announce that yesterday I paid for the guitar below. It is a 2004 model. It isn't my favorite color, but I got it for a fair price. It ships from California today. I cant wait until this baby lands here in Atlanta!

 

[travs]

Right on! welcome to the ALOC. I like that color..classic
its going to age well and the maple looks tasty. black knobs and a funky pickguard are a click away.
Pickguard Heaven: Materials

Enjoy the Albert!

 

[VIBROLUX]

Right on! welcome to the ALOC. I like that color..classic
its going to age well and the maple looks tasty. black knobs and a funky pickguard are a click away.
Pickguard Heaven: Materials

Enjoy the Albert!

Thanks bro. It gets here Tuesday and I am stoked! I think the only change it will get is a small tweak to the switching to allow the bridge and neck PUP to operate together while in position 3 (instead of the mid PUP by itself).

Also I have some of those $50 Tele knobs with the ridiculous amount of knurl that'll go on this bad boy. After that I am done. I mean....what else is there to do?