Need help! AL or ASS

Orange Adam · Aug 9, 2006

Hey guys,

maybe you could guide me through this one.

For a long time I ve been searching and looking, investigating ...
I ve also been saving up money to buy the right thing.
Along the way in my search Ive gone in loops, always fascinated with various instruments, to be limited with only the models offered at the local music-shop scene.

One thing was re occouring as an option in my search....Music Man.
Ive owned MM before, so I know what i am into. To b more precise, Ive had a hardtail Sihouette Honeyburst w/maple neck.
Was a lovely guitar, but a bit to small for my taste and the Paf Pro was never my cup of tea.
So I got rid of it.Sold it. It was such a nice instrument I did not want to butcher it.

The reason I am looking into MM is ...quality control and consistency!I am a strat player. But to find/order a strat...the one is such a pain in the butt is undescribable.I mean you know it....right?
I went to my local MM dealer today and I tried out 2 SUB's one Axis and a Sillhouette.

What I cant decide between is the Albert Lee model (never in stock) and the Axis SS .
Both with MM90's!!!
I liked the Axis neck.
I like beefysh necks altho i am not sure I'll be getting the same profile on the super sport w/MM90's. Will I?

Also I dig the Albert Lee body shape tho I never played it so I cant tell about the neck. How different is the neck from SS?
Thicker?

The dealer told me the AL neck is a true V shape, wich I dont know what to make of since everyones oppinions are different.

I dig AL because the body is contoured and I could do the mod with the bridge neck combo and get close to the SS combo, but I would love to have a rosewood neck.

Also, a bit about my musical background. I play blues. At least I like to think I can play and sing it. I dont like polished guitars sounds, I am NOT into Lukhater/Morse/Petrucci/SRV type of playing. I am into Hooker/Cooder/Buddy Guy/RL Burnside/Aise Payton/dirty sloppy open tuned - slide kinda blues. I also play for a living so I need a versatile instrument. I do a lot of studio work where I have to cover a lot of ground. Style wise I can cover a lot of ground....even if it takes to play progressive type of thing.Is Music Man my type of instrument at all?

My only option is to go thru the local dealer, and he'll give me a nice price/we go back a long way.
So what would you reccomend?
I know both r fine instruments but regarding this post......wich one?

Thanx a lot.
Do try to have a listen at my music by hittin the link below and helping me out.ž
Much thnx!!!

Adam

SteveB · Aug 9, 2006

In my opinion, the AL neck is "C" shaped, not "V" shaped.

I'd take an AL with MM90's.. you won't get that kind of tone from any other guitar. Great for soulful playing.

fsmith · Aug 9, 2006

I have to agree with Steve-O on both counts. I think the AL will be the axe of choice on this one.

The neck is definitely not a V shape. It's closer to the Silhouette than the Luke.

tommyindelaware · Aug 9, 2006

if your acoustom to strats....an al is where ya wanna go...........& the y are not v shaped......they are c shaped at the nut. 1-5/8".

Norrin Radd · Aug 9, 2006

AL - all the way.

mbgreene · Aug 9, 2006

I'd go with both, and did as you can see below

Making a choice I would go with the AL, particularly if you are a str*t player. It provides you the in between settings taht you would be used to.

With respect to the necks, although all individual the AL is probaly the closest to the Axis (yes, the ASS has the same profile) in feel than any other of the MM necks. Its a bit thicker thumb side to finger side than the than the Silo, but not as fat feeling as a tele. They are both 1-5/8 at the nut, 2-1/4 at the body with a 10" radius. And Steve is right, it's more of a C shape than a V without the Axis offset. I have no problems going back an forth between the SS and the AL.

The AL is also ergonomically more comfortable and balanced. Not a knock on the ASS but a plus to the AL. It just feels right. The 90's also get an ash body on the ASS rather than basswod that comes with the humbucker version

The MM90's are well balanced and great on both guitars. The are not as agressive as traditional P90's. They can growl if you want them to, but they also smooth out very nicely. They have a wide range of tones and are very versatile. You might get a bit more jangle out of the Duncan singles if you need that. I guess the analogy could be if singles get you tones 1-7 and buckers get you 4-10 the mm90's can do 2-9.

Orange Adam · Aug 9, 2006

well, I forgot to say that, lately, I got a bit tired of the strat sound thing. Makes me play the same. So A bridge/neck combo would be great.
Too bad u cant have AL with a rosewood board.
I still cant beileve no one made clips with their MM90's!!!

Orange Adam · Aug 9, 2006

Would you say that the AL neck is thicker in comparison to a Silo neck?

robelinda2 · Aug 9, 2006

save up and get both, saves a lot of heartache! i would love to get an AL, but my ASS w/MM90's is pretty darn sweet, so i think you'd be happy that, or either really.

Orange Adam · Aug 9, 2006

ha ha ha i wish i could
I think AL might be the solution. Still, Id like to know whats the neck like.
If it's thicker than a Silo, then It would be great!

robelinda2 · Aug 9, 2006

well i think its slightly thicker than a silo, but not as thick as an Axis SS. but then again a friend of mine has a Silo Special with a neck fatter than my Axis SS's, so i dont know what goes on.....

koogie2k · Aug 9, 2006

SteveB · Aug 9, 2006

you CAN get an AL with a rosewood fingerboard if you ordered a Dargie Delight. I think Steve "Dude" Barr has one on order that might not be sold as yet.

Also, look around for koogie's pic of the 2006 limited edition black & gold Albert Lee.. I can't remember if it had a rosewood board or not. You are correct that the 'normal' AL model does not offer a rosewood fingerboard.

mbgreene · Aug 9, 2006

SteveB said:
you CAN get an AL with a rosewood fingerboard if you ordered a Dargie Delight. I think Steve "Dude" Barr has one on order that might not be sold as yet.

Also, look around for koogie's pic of the 2006 limited edition black & gold Albert Lee.. I can't remember if it had a rosewood board or not. You are correct that the 'normal' AL model does not offer a rosewood fingerboard.

Steve's right the Dargie and the 2006 LE are the only AL's w/ rosewood.

You can't order either new any more but some dealers may have ordered for stock and you might be able to check w/ CS to see if they know who may have. I think Dude ordered a Dargie Al for stock you can also check with Pete or Doug (bassplyr).

Orange Adam · Aug 10, 2006

if someone would be so kind and maybe post a side shot photo of the AL neck.I believe i could tell how thick it is.

thanx

mbgreene · Aug 10, 2006

Spudmurphy started a thread a while back and provided measurements for the AL at the 1st, 5th and 12th fret. You can do a search for it

Here is his drawing

Orange Adam · Aug 10, 2006

just did a search and i cant seem to locate it.....
heeelp......; )

mbgreene · Aug 10, 2006

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15656

Orange Adam · Aug 10, 2006

thanx so much

Spudmurphy · Aug 12, 2006

Thanks to fellow "AL club" member - MBgreene.

I would not say that the AL is a fat neck -It's not a fat neck at all.

You would love the SSS config (Symour Duncan pickups) but there again you may wish to get the slightly hotter MM90's.

When I get an MM90 AL in my hands I'll post sound clips as a comparison - don't hold yer breath though, 'cos I don't envisage me getting one until about Jan / Feb/ Mar next year

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