Newbie who needs help on steve morse model

[route66north]

Hi,

Here's a bunch of questions for owners of the Steve Morse model with some general questions as well. All opinions welcome.

#1 Did anyone switch from a 2 humbucker setup to a Steve Morse and have any problems with the 2 single coil pickups getting in the way? I like to dig into my strings and like medium action. When I play on a 2 humbucker setup I usually strum over the bottom coil of the neck pickup when playing. So it looks like the one single coil is slanted which I think will work for me. No one in my town has a Steve morse to check out.

#2 As far as the neck getting 'dirty' from your hands is that merely a costmetic issue or does it actually cause problems?

#3 I'm so scared about getting an oiled neck. Are they easier to damage? I never damaged a back of a neck, but just wondering.

#4 How often is it recommended to oil and wax the neck?

#5 I don't gig and never take my guitar out so should the neck be pretty stable from temperature changes? I get nervous adjusting the neck.

#6 I'm considering a Gibson SG standard or LP...does anyone
know what kind of finish they have? I heard the finish is thin and prone to damage. I think I heard they use nitrocellulose, but not sure. I'm after a USA made guitar and sick of the import crap so I've narrowed it down to Gibson or this.

#7 I've seen alot of comments on harmony central and elsewhere stating that the neck on this is small. I'm not sure I understand what they mean? I heard it can shred, so I assume it's thin and fast. ...Is it also narrow or something towards the nut? Can someone who has this guitar elaborate for me? BTW I have long fingers.

#8 Anyone order it customized from a dealer??? If so how long did it take to get it? The one place I talked to say 2-3 weeks.

Thanks for you help
Jason.

 

[KungFu Grip]

I have a Morse, so let's begin:

#1: The Morse's pickups are designed to be set quite low. I've got mine about a nickel's height over the pickguard. With the coils set this low, it sounds great and never gets in the way of my picking or fingerpicking.

#2 - #3: All these pros who have signature models have been using the oil-finished necks for years with no issues. It's a piece of maple. It isn't going anywhere.

#4: Only when it starts to feel rough. I've never done my Albert Lee, and I redid the Morse when I bought it because the previous 2 owners never did it in the combined 7 years they owned it.

#5: If the neck ever needs adjustment, it's one of the easiest necks to adjust you'll find.

#6: Gibsons have laquer, Music Mans use polyeurathane (however it's spelled). What's more important than the type of finish is the thickness it's applied. I would say the Music Man's finish is thinner than a modern Gibson, but since it's laquer, it's less prone to damage.

#7: The neck on the Morse is pretty beefy. Definately not a shred neck. It's not a boatneck either. It's really comfortable.

#8: I didn't order mine new, but inquirys at the dealers in my town show that it usually takes 2-6 weeks for a new instrument to be delivered.

Hope this helped.

 

[BBD]

unless you go to the Gibson Historic line, the EBMM guitar is better in every respect IMO

 

[kbaim]

Couple of more points.

Steve Morse model comes with weird string combination.
(10,13,16,26,32,42)

Action set more on the lower side. Very comfortable neck.

You may find that the bridge toggle switch located beneath high E string between end of neck and volume knob may be in the way if you tend to strum in that location.

I got mine from a dealer and ended up lowering the bridge pickup a tad to remove some of the honk when played in combination with other pups clean. Also ended up raising the neck humbucker a tad for a bit more clarity when used by itself.

The single coils are noticeably noisier than the buckers. And among eb guitars, it's the heaviest.

It's way more versitile than 2 humbucker guitars, especially ones that don't split coils.

The dealer also was nice enough to give me 12 of each string as they don't come in any sets available. More of a mix and match thing.

It's a fine instrument. Well made, rare, and tones at the flick of a lever and a couple of switches.
KEITH

 

[route66north]

Thanks for all the info people! I ran out to the local guitar store to check out some gibsons that I was considering. I'm glad I did. The Gibson SG standard is way overpriced and too fragile looking. Even though I don't bang my stuff around.. I still feel it's too fragile!

I did get to fool around with some EBMM but they didn't have the steve morse. They had 3 others on display. All of them are built like a tank!

As for the odd strings that are stock on the morse I don't plan to use. I plan on using regular 10's. Anyone forsee a problem with that?

 

[OrangeChannel]

Nope...easy neck tweak if need be.

 

[route66north]

Can anyone explain what 'wide' frets feel like or the benefits having them? I've never had an opportunity to play any guitar with wide frets.