kestrou
Well-known member
My first Music Man was a Steve Morse (1999 model) and loved it - tonal range is just incredible.
Recently had the opportunity to pick up a REAL collectors item through Pete DuBaldo though and couldn't pass it up.
As I'm sure many here know, the very first run of these back in 1987 was 50 guitars - hand numbered & signed by THE MAN himself. Steve still plays #1 extensively (heard it was recently refretted for the 11th time), and rumour has it he also has #2. I'm not sure where #3 is, but here's #4!
Here's a closeup of the body, original run has a black tailpiece, my 1999 has chrome.
Original run had regular tuners, my 1999 has locking
Of course the original run was a 6-bolt neck - which Steve famously ground his down in his garage after he broke his left hand in the late 80s and had them "set" it so he could play - but he couldn't reach the higher frets. Took a little more than a dremel tool, but he made it work and thus they changed to 5-bolt necks even in production. Also, EBMM started paying more attention to having birdseye maple on the necks.
Original color was lighter, but not as transparent (can see woodgrain peeking through on new model).
Any info on the original run of 50 appreciated - so please chime in!
kestrou
Recently had the opportunity to pick up a REAL collectors item through Pete DuBaldo though and couldn't pass it up.
As I'm sure many here know, the very first run of these back in 1987 was 50 guitars - hand numbered & signed by THE MAN himself. Steve still plays #1 extensively (heard it was recently refretted for the 11th time), and rumour has it he also has #2. I'm not sure where #3 is, but here's #4!
Here's a closeup of the body, original run has a black tailpiece, my 1999 has chrome.
Original run had regular tuners, my 1999 has locking
Of course the original run was a 6-bolt neck - which Steve famously ground his down in his garage after he broke his left hand in the late 80s and had them "set" it so he could play - but he couldn't reach the higher frets. Took a little more than a dremel tool, but he made it work and thus they changed to 5-bolt necks even in production. Also, EBMM started paying more attention to having birdseye maple on the necks.
Original color was lighter, but not as transparent (can see woodgrain peeking through on new model).
Any info on the original run of 50 appreciated - so please chime in!
kestrou
