Question New Member / Potential Morse Owner with some ?s

[Sosomething]

Hi all,

I was directed this way by Butch Snyder and B2D from the Seymour Duncan forums because I was asking questions about the original Steve Morse model. This looks like a cool board!

I've been offered a mint Steve Morse model as part of a trade deal and am very strongly considering taking it. My only hesitation comes from the fact that I don't think I've ever even seen one in person! I'd really like to get the impressions of Morse players and owners so I can make a somewhat-informed decision.

I like the idea of a modern, high-utility guitar. All of my other guitars are pretty traditional (SG Classic, ES-339, USA Tele, Republic Tri-cone), and I've definitely set my sights on an EBMM filling that role. I owned a Blue Dawn AL with MM90s for a while that was a killer player, but just a bit too thin-sounding in the bridge pos. for me to keep it.

So in short - what makes the Steve Morse great? Any drawbacks? It's been around for 20 years but very few people use one - why? - because it's not carried in stores and only associated with Morse, or because it's just not very useful to anyone who isn't Steve Morse?

Lastly - if I do get it and for whatever reason don't bond with it, would there be any interest (hypothetically - I'm not trying to sell a guitar I do not own and this ISN'T a for-sale thread so I'm not looking for offers) from EB forumites in a trade for a different EBMM like a nice Silo, Reflex, or JP6?

Here is the potential instrument in question:

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[straycat113]

Well you wont have to worry about the guitar sounding thin as you can see you have a double set of humbuckers. You can pull a vast aray of tones out of this guitar and if you feel the single coils are in your way when you pick you can sink them flush as that is how Steve has his set up. If you like a Tele neck then you should be fine with the neck on this. And lastly I have never seen that color before, not even by anyone on this forum and I am waiting for someone to explain that to me as it is wild and yes if you stick around the forum for sometime you will gain access to the sale room. Well it seems you are up on EBMM guitars as you mentioned the Reflex which just came out this year besides mentioning the Silo and JP which I would figure you to know. I will wait for someone who has an original Morse as I have a Y2D to offer more info.But again the bottom line is to checkout any guitar personally before you buy it.

 

[lovechick]

My Morse is my go-to guitar. I also like the idea of a versatile "all arounder" and wanted one for years before finally making the buy. For the record, I also own an Axis, an AL with 3 singles, and a Les, all of which are great. However, the Morse works best for me in terms of sonic versatility, overall tone, and comfort. The humbuckers are fat and creamy while the singles are chimey and beautifully suited to clean work. I remember being concerned with the slab body design, but that was gone after about a minute of hands-on playing time. Truthfully, the guitar itself (and the musically territory it covers) is well-documented on any recording he's done in the last 15-20 years. As an interesting aside, one of my bands is opening for Kansas on Saturday night. One of the guitar players (I'm on keys) has a questionable back-up, so I offered up one of mine. His response: "Can you bring that blue one?" That seems appropriate as I believe Morse was with Kansas when he started playing that guitar.

 

[ScoobySteve]

I share your problem, I've never seen a SM model in real life except for the one SM was actually playing.....

But that axe looks dead mint there! Looks like a dark photo of Orange firemist, but can't tell!

 

[bazxkr]

Wow, not seen that std Morse colour either. I love it. Be quick or I might try & get there first haha.

Anyone know what colour that is ? Is it orange firemist in a trick of the light ?? Great pg too

There is so much of SM on youtube playing the Blueburst on so many countless styles from rock to country shows that you can get a huge array of different styles and sounds. If you think of the variety of music SM plays from Purple to the Dregs etc this has to be one of the most versatile guitars about. Altho SM could play seasick steves guitar with one string and make that sound great I guess

My original or my Y2D don't sound much like SM when I play them... strange that.

Must be the guitars rather than me surely

Anyway, Go for it & splash the cash. Whereabouts are you ? Is there someone close with one you can try ? An SM may answer all yr sound requirements but if it don't feel right when you are wearing it you gotta look elsewhere. Remember no contours etc.
And assuming price is not stupid don't think you would have much trouble shifting it.
Look forward to more pics of that beauty when you bring it home
Cheers Baz

 

[Sosomething]

THANK you guys (and gal?) for the info! I really appreciate it.

I've decided to move ahead with the deal. The slab body ain't gonna bother me because I'm used to playing a Tele, so I won't miss the contours. The thought that, should it not be a fit for me, it could be passed to someone here who will love it makes me feel confident about the whole thing. I'm getting it from a guy who's had it sitting in its case for so long it took him two days to even find it to photograph.

I'm definitely NOT sold on that pickguard, though. Coupled with the orange, all the pickups and switches, it just hits my eyeballs as waaaaay too much. Expect to see that pop up on the for sale thread once I've earned the privilege.

Once it's here, pics will abound. Who doesn't love guitar porn??

Thanks again!

-Adam

 

[Slingy]

Transition from Tele to Morse is really easy. I've done it too. So did Steve. You'll want to learn the switching it is much easier than it sounds.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbM4iqYDKgc]YouTube - ‪Steve Morse talks about his Music Man Signature Model‬‎[/ame]

 

[B2D]

Hey Adam!

You can get a new pickguard made out of almost anything you want from Chandler: Pickguard Heaven: Prices - Music Man

 

[Sosomething]

Hey Adam!

You can get a new pickguard made out of almost anything you want from Chandler: Pickguard Heaven: Prices - Music Man

Thanks Brendan! Probably gonna go with the standard B/W/B or W/B/W. Just need to make up my mind on that one...

 

[browndog]

WTH did Steve say? That switching still freaks me out.

I’ve only played a Y2D and I really liked it. Almost chose it instead of my Axis 6 weeks ago. It was close.

That orange w/black ice is killer!

 

[Slav123]

That orange w/black ice is killer!

+1! and discontinued...

 

[zombywoof]

+1! And discontinued...

+2

 

[guitfiddle]

You made the right choice Adam. My Morse is definitely the most versatile guitar I have. It offers up an incredible range of tones, and the switching system is great. You'll have no trouble shifting it if it doesn't fit you. I'd keep the black ice guard though, because I think most of us here (myself included) that would want to buy that guitar if you don't keep it will want the black ice guard. Its a beautiful axe.

 

[bazxkr]

Way to go Adam, you won't regret it.

Keep the pipckguard. Remember you only get to look at the top sides anyway whilst you are playing it. I got an orange albert lee SSS. To me it looks a dog with plain black pg but comes alive with one with more character. Would not have given the guitar a second glance with plian black yet change a pg and I was in love & it just had to be mine.

The guys are right, shifting the pg would be a problem. But for me its a deal clincher. If you can't get on with a morse you know where to find me
I loe this.

I got no doubt you will like the sounds just a question of whether the wood fits you like a glove or not.

How long we gotta wait for pics I want to see more

Cheers Baz

 

[Colin]

You won't be disappointed with the Morse, it's a great guitar.

 

[Funky Chicken]

My $.02 on why the Morse stays under the radar-

People get intimidated by the switching until they try it, and you can't really try it because historically dealers don't order them in any sort of quantity.

Remember that EBMM does not build a guitar unless a dealer requests it be built-no dealer ends up with a guitar they didn't specifically spec out. You won't see one on the wall at most GCs, and even the smaller dealers who "get it" don't go deep with the Morse. Vicious cycle-you won't buy it without playing one, but you can't find one to try out.

It is also an instrument that looks far better in just about any finish other than the most common one (Blueburst).

If you don't bond with it PM me.

 

[Stratty316]

+1! And discontinued...

+3

 

[Sosomething]

Wow! Thanks everyone.

Now I'm even more eager to get my hands on this thing!

Very nice to know I won't be "stuck" with it in the unlikely event that just it's not for me. One thing - I wasn't aware that it was sporting the original pickguard. The seller (2nd owner) alluded to it being aftermarket based on what the original owner told him... But you guys are the experts so I shall defer to you all.

If I do change the guard, I'll be sure to heed your advice and keep the black ice one in a safe place for if and when I decide to sell it.

I do have a few more pics:

 

[Slingy]

If you can get the serial number and post in the serial number thread, they can tell you exactly the day it was completed and with what options were on it.

 

[Slav123]

Man, that SM looks like it came from the future! Very cool!