Movielife
Well-known member
Hi all
Bear in mind I am primarily, (well up until a few months back) a bass player. I have always played Musicman basses.
I decided it was time to play more guitar. Why? Well why not! For one, it is quite fun learning a new-ish instrument although I’ve always played a bit of guitar when time allowed. Secondly, it is much easier to write on guitar. Thirdly, as much as I love bass, I do think pedals and effects are way more fun on a guitar. I love a bit of quality tube-like overdrive on bass, and some compression, but I really think most effects are a little bit more fun with guitar. Guitar players have a good market when it comes to effects and amps, and guitars themselves are much more varied.
I knew I had to order an Albert Lee HH. I didn’t want to invest in a LP-type because to be honest, their rising prices and QC problems are just crackers. I did want a nice HH guitar though, so why not get a Musicman!
What can I tell you after having 3 hours or so on it yesterday? Well, I’m not a guitar expert but the whole guitar just ‘works’…quality components and a very nice finish. The volume and tone controls are excellent, the 5 positions are fun to play with, and the pickups have that classic ‘dry’ full tone. There isn’t heaps of sparkle on the humbuckers and this is what I anticipated. There is more on the in-between positions though. The guitar is lightweight and balances well.
I went with a hard tail as I wanted a guitar that was fairly straightforward. Next will be a trem Musicman.
The killer feature is the rosewood neck. I love rosewood. I’ve never owned a rosewood neck and it feels smooth, quick and looks fabulous.
I am using an Orange Dual Terror with a PPC212 cabinet, and the Orange isn’t the cleanest of amps (there is still a little grit as character). The best way to get cleans is to lower the gain, use the 4 tubes output and full power or half power mode, and use volume for clean tones.
I do however have a new Fender amp on order for the cleaner shimmery tones I want. I’ve also invested in quality guitar pedals to get some nice overdrive/grit.
As expected the guitar was made to order and took around 4 months to get to the UK. Again, this is always how it works with Musicman and I like the fact they build to order.
With this in mind, I am anticipating ordering one more guitar. At the moment it is between:
Luke III – HH
Luke III – HSS
Albert Lee – SSS
Albert Lee – MM90 x 3
All of the above would be trem’d out. I want to see what these Musicman trem systems are like!
I think the Luke III would be killer. I really want that roasted neck and the organic humbuckers that have been described.
What would you guys recommend?
Bear in mind I am primarily, (well up until a few months back) a bass player. I have always played Musicman basses.
I decided it was time to play more guitar. Why? Well why not! For one, it is quite fun learning a new-ish instrument although I’ve always played a bit of guitar when time allowed. Secondly, it is much easier to write on guitar. Thirdly, as much as I love bass, I do think pedals and effects are way more fun on a guitar. I love a bit of quality tube-like overdrive on bass, and some compression, but I really think most effects are a little bit more fun with guitar. Guitar players have a good market when it comes to effects and amps, and guitars themselves are much more varied.
I knew I had to order an Albert Lee HH. I didn’t want to invest in a LP-type because to be honest, their rising prices and QC problems are just crackers. I did want a nice HH guitar though, so why not get a Musicman!
What can I tell you after having 3 hours or so on it yesterday? Well, I’m not a guitar expert but the whole guitar just ‘works’…quality components and a very nice finish. The volume and tone controls are excellent, the 5 positions are fun to play with, and the pickups have that classic ‘dry’ full tone. There isn’t heaps of sparkle on the humbuckers and this is what I anticipated. There is more on the in-between positions though. The guitar is lightweight and balances well.
I went with a hard tail as I wanted a guitar that was fairly straightforward. Next will be a trem Musicman.
The killer feature is the rosewood neck. I love rosewood. I’ve never owned a rosewood neck and it feels smooth, quick and looks fabulous.
I am using an Orange Dual Terror with a PPC212 cabinet, and the Orange isn’t the cleanest of amps (there is still a little grit as character). The best way to get cleans is to lower the gain, use the 4 tubes output and full power or half power mode, and use volume for clean tones.
I do however have a new Fender amp on order for the cleaner shimmery tones I want. I’ve also invested in quality guitar pedals to get some nice overdrive/grit.
As expected the guitar was made to order and took around 4 months to get to the UK. Again, this is always how it works with Musicman and I like the fact they build to order.
With this in mind, I am anticipating ordering one more guitar. At the moment it is between:
Luke III – HH
Luke III – HSS
Albert Lee – SSS
Albert Lee – MM90 x 3
All of the above would be trem’d out. I want to see what these Musicman trem systems are like!
I think the Luke III would be killer. I really want that roasted neck and the organic humbuckers that have been described.
What would you guys recommend?
