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mbgreene

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Sep 8, 2004
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2,556
Location
Rockland County, NY
First I want to say hi and thanks to everyone on the forum for the information and guidance that was available as I scanned this forum while dealing with my mid-life crisis.

About a year, ago a friend who I used to play with in high school (now a doctor) got together with several of his 40 something neighbors, put together a band and actually started playing out a few times at a local bar out on Long Island. After going to see him I had a need to start playing again. I started doing research because I wanted something good (I'm too old to buy c**p anymore) that would inspire me and make me play. For whatever reason I didn't want to go with the two generic big name companies and initially decided to look for an ASAT. My local music shop said they were awaiting their first G&L shipment and I stopped in every few weeks to see if they were in and play one, when the guitar that kept catching my eye turned out to be apparently the only in-stock AL within a 50 mile radius of NYC.

I finally played it with what I remebered from my rusty 70's classic rock riffs (Dixie Chicken anyone) and realized this was it. Great sound, a different look and after doing some more research, a reputable company with a dedicated, passionate and intelligent following. So I ordered one with MM90s and three weeks later saw the posting introducing Envy Green(e) and immediately went back to have them change colors. (Although I originally wanted that Special Rare Sparkle Burnt Apple :rolleyes: ). I was going to make my first post when the guitar arrived.

Now my problem. The guitar finally got here yesterday after what seems to be the typical three months. It was beautiful. The color is like a British Racing Green. But when I plugged in there was a loud buzz coming from the middle pup, including both notch positions. Neck and bridge were silent and played well. After changing amps, cables, and the silent circuit battery, I had the shop call EB/MM and it was decided to send it back. So it will be another week or two. Frustrating - yes but I can deal. I just needed to vent a little.

As I said, part of the reason I went with the EB/MM was the way the members here described the reputation and service of everyone at the company. I'm hoping that all comes through. Anyway, I have rambled enough. As mid life crises go this is cheaper than a sports car and way cheaper than a young girlfriend (which would eventually cost me half of everything). And if koogie calls this an addiction, I've just had my free sample and now am jonesing for more. :D

Thanks,

Michael

P.S - Can anyone suggest a good home use amp under $500 that will keep the guitar sounding great.
 

thindave

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Joined
Mar 17, 2004
Messages
448
Location
Manalapan, New Jersey
Michael,

Hey, welcome to the AL club - just got mine two months ago and I love it - MM90s too...

For an amp, what kind of music do you play?

Dave
 

mbgreene

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Sep 8, 2004
Messages
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Location
Rockland County, NY
Thanks Dave, I thought your color choice was great when I first saw your AL.

Music wise I'll probably stick with classic rock and blues - It's what I used to play, though I was never that great - primarily the rhythm player/singer. I'm actually going to start taking lessons when the guitar comes back to to get back into it. So amp wise I guess just a quality clean with overdrive. Nothing too dark or heavy, although I was considering a modeling amp i.e the Vox AD30VT which includes pedal effects. But I don't know if I would actually use them right off.
 

thindave

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Mar 17, 2004
Messages
448
Location
Manalapan, New Jersey
Michael - that amp is great - tried one out last week. Plus, you may find the built-in effects more convenient than adding stomp box after stomp box... You may also want to look at the Fender Cyber-Champ - same kinda deal...

Also, did you try the sunburst AL at Rockaway Music? That's the same place I went to try one out as well - only one in three states... :)
 
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kbaim

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Aug 16, 2003
Messages
4,949
Location
Red Rock Country
Hey Michael

Welcome and sorry to hear about the noisy pickups. It happens.

I'm gonna be sending/taking one of mine back as I seem to have a grounding issue with my blue dawn luke. Don't know if it's a pot, silent circuit, or what. Had it almost 2 years.

The thing about eb is that while no company is consistently perfect, eb is the guitar company that comes closest and they really take care of us when issues sometimes arise.

Just absolutely first rate people behind the name.

There's an amp thread that might give some info you're looking for.

If you don't want to spend a fortune, don't want to piss off family and neighbors, and play mostly at home, the roland micro cube amp offers a lot of bang for the buck at about $130.
KEITH
 

koogie2k

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Dec 28, 2002
Messages
5,859
Location
Moyock, NC
mbgreene....you obviously checked out our forum and saw my favorite saying to all newcomers here...heheheheh....BTW...welcome to the addiction...HA...still said it.

I never tried an AL, but have read many great things about it. Besides, it's an EBMM and that is good enough for me.

Amp....I can personally vouche for Kbaim's suggestion. That micro cube is awesome and sounds wonderful.....great practice amp with some built in effects to boot.

Post pics when you get a chance.

The Customer Service here is the BEST out of any guitar company period!

:cool:
 

Jimi D

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Feb 27, 2003
Messages
1,962
Location
Ottawa ON
Hey Michael! Welcome to Club AL! :D I've got a pair of 'em and I think they're one of the finest production guitars coming off the line today... Sorry to hear about the wiring problem, but I'm sure EBMM will have it sorted out ASAP - they do take care of us here! ;) And I know you're gonna love that AL MM90 when you get it; they're a killer axe. There've been some good amp suggestions already, but I'll throw out a couple tube amps I think go well with the Albert Lee: the Fender Blues Jr. as an excellent little tube combo in your price range. I owned one for a couple years and thought it was really nice for the price - I sold it when I picked up my Deluxe Reverb, but would have kept it otherwise... Another possibility would be something like a Mesa Subway Rocket or Studio .22+ - both decent sounding little combos that can hang with a drummer but sound good at bedroom volumes too...

aleeX2.jpg
 

PurpleSport

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Feb 8, 2004
Messages
377
Location
NYC
Congrats on the AL purchase, Michael....if I had more "green" myself, I'da ordered up an Envy too, but settled for a nearly new trans teal AL from eBay a few months ago and love it (part of my own post-divorce crisis, a reward for going years without it along with plenty of other non-musical stuff... ;))!

Mine also has the MM90s, and as folks here know, I'm hardcore into 'em...wildly versatile tones for sure. You're definitely gonna be happy with the assortment of sounds you're gonna have on tap! And that neck...wow. I thought the Axis neck was the pinnacle, but I really think I've grown to like this one just a wee bit better.

I tried that little Vox amp myself a couple days ago and thought some of the tones in it were pretty good, although I'm probably more partial to their bigger Valvetronix models (I love real AC15s and 30s, and I think their new modeling amps sound great).

Have you tried the ubiquitous Line 6 gear? I find that I plug into a Flextone III quite a bit at my local Sam Ash, it's not as complicated as their other stuff and maybe has more of the organic rootsy sounds you're looking for. Their new little Spider line is cool, albeit with more limited effects options.

Also try out the Tech21 Trademark 10 too if you're going for the smaller amps...nifty stuff born here in NYC.

I just saw that Microcube in Manny's yesterday, and although I didn't play it, it was mighty cuuuute! I play mostly through a Boss GT-6 multieffects unit myself, and if the 'Cube sounds anything like that, it's a very good thing as they share the same basic modeling, which is super.

And if ya find ya gotta have tubes, the Peavey Classic gets consistently high marks as both a great rock and country amp, and is a solid value. Tube Laney amps also fall into this category, but they're a bit harder to find nowadays...

Again, as Jimi sez, welcome to the AL club!
 

Jimi D

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Feb 27, 2003
Messages
1,962
Location
Ottawa ON
PurpleSport said:
And that neck...wow. I thought the Axis neck was the pinnacle, but I really think I've grown to like this one just a wee bit better.
:eek:


Blasphemer! Heretic! Unbeliever! Infidel!!

BURN THE HERETIC! BURN THE HERETIC!

:p
 

mbgreene

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Joined
Sep 8, 2004
Messages
2,556
Location
Rockland County, NY
OC - They played a few times at a place called Eleanor Rigbys in Mineola. Across the street from the hospital my friend is associated with. Basic old school stuff Beatles, Dead, Who, Traffic, Steely Dan etc. I haven't spoken to him in a while but I'll probably call and say I want back in 25 years later. Well maybe after re-upping the lessons :eek: .
 
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