New here, looking for recommendation

[7enderbender]

Hello everyone,

I came here to see if one of the Music Man guitars might be the perfect allround instrument for the days where you want to only bring one guitar. I usually play both Les Pauls and Strats and sometimes bring along a Floyd Rose equipped guitar as well such as my old Charvel or my Washburn N4.

I've been thinking about adding a HSS equipped strat type with a Lukather EMG set (both because I love his sound in general and it would be good to have a strat type that doesn't buzz for certain things). So the Luke I or II might be a good choice - however, I want a maple neck and really like the feel of the Axis better. I prefer fatter necks and don't like V necks. Also, despite being a Lukather fan I try to stay away from very obvious "artist models".

So with that in mind what would be an option? Axis type neck, maple, compact feel, HSS (I can switch them to EMGs later), fixed bridge or decked trem (I switch to dropped D a lot).

 

[agt]

Welcome!

Based on what you have listed, and assuming you want a HSS configuration, I would suggest looking into a Silhouette Special. The neck is chunkier than the Lukes and not v-shaped. Not exactly like the Axis, but close.

Unless the specs have changed since I bought mine, they come with a Molex connector equipped pickguard that can be swapped out, so you could purchase a second blank pickguard and a Molex connector and experiment with the EMGs and then always revert back to stock later if you wished.

The vintage trem is not locking but it can be set flush against the body.

 

[BrickGlass]

Silhouette Special or find a way to get along with the Luke v neck.

 

[kestrou]

Ahhhh, yes, the search for the bring-only-one-guitar guitar...

Don't go for HSS - go for HSSH and get the standard Morse - it truly DOES do it all!

Kevin

 

[Gio_Force_One]

I say go with a Morse its the only one I ever bring and it does it all

 

[Razzle]

The neck of the Morse isn't as chunky as the Axis though. I love the tone variet you get with the Morse, but I think the neck on it is in between the Axis and the Luke (the Lukes to me are kinda small).

What about an Axis sport. Perfect!

 

[kestrou]

You want a chunky neck Morse? Go for a Dark Lord!

Kevin

 

[Stratty316]

I think the closest neck to an Axis would be the Albert Lee. I feel like my silo spec has a much thinner neck and at first go around felt a little funny. You can also wait to see what NAMM brings... It looks like the Hunter Hayes Model due at NAMM is HSS. Hopefully it will be all maple as well.

 

[sanderhermans]

My albert lee hh with push/pull can do it all! Luke III is verry versatile too but it is much more agressive. If i had to choose 1 i'd go for the luke but my al can do more music styles.

 

[7enderbender]

The neck of the Morse isn't as chunky as the Axis though. I love the tone variet you get with the Morse, but I think the neck on it is in between the Axis and the Luke (the Lukes to me are kinda small).

What about an Axis sport. Perfect!

Yes! This looks as if it might fit the bill. They are rare are they? I've only seen HH models so far.

How much room is there on the inside to fit the battery for the EMG set? Woulld be a shame to route the thing.

I'm kind of ruling out the Silhouette at this point. I don't like the look honestly. That pickguard shape - yikes.

Does Musicman have a Custom Shop model where they would make you a one-off?

Thanks for all the input so far.

 

[kestrou]

Does Musicman have a Custom Shop model where they would make you a one-off?

Oh... 7enderbender... You're new around here and don't know... If only they did... I'd have the elves in Sterling's workshop working on five guitars right now!

But... They don't...

Kevin

 

[bhull]

Ahhhh, yes, the search for the bring-only-one-guitar guitar...

Don't go for HSS - go for HSSH and get the standard Morse - it truly DOES do it all!

Kevin

Agreed. It is the swiss army knife of guitars.

Here's Steve himself talking about it in an interview with Premier Guitar.

Good luck on your search.

 

[Tollywood]

Welcome to the forum.

I had a feeling our advice would be all over the place. That's because we have a lot of excellent choices. That being said, I will also agree that the Morse is the swiss army knife of the bunch.

 

[Razzle]

Yes! This looks as if it might fit the bill. They are rare are they? I've only seen HH models so far.

Does Musicman have a Custom Shop model where they would make you a one-off?

Thanks for all the input so far.

Nope, EBMM doesn't have a custom shop, but there's lots of options you can get the guitars with, and then once a year or so they do one-off designs only through their dealer network (PDN) and those are unusual and normally very nice.

Great. These Sports get a great tone too because of the ash body. I have a sport and love it. They're not that rare, they're out there, but definately not very common. But you can find 'em. I looked for less than a year before I found mine. I took the pickguard off, I think it shows the wood a lot better.

Good luck with your search!

 

[7enderbender]

Oh... 7enderbender... You're new around here and don't know... If only they did... I'd have the elves in Sterling's workshop working on five guitars right now!

But... They don't...

Kevin

Too bad. It wouldn't even be too complicated. Just a Luke with an Axis neck. Done. I think I'll explore smaller guitar builders next. Or try it myself with Warmoth parts.

 

[Stratty316]

Love the sports but prefer them with a pick guard