NGD: Albert Lee HH Turquoise Pearl (with action shots & a setup question)

[firecrasher]

Two weeks ago, I drove to a GC in another state to buy a new Turquoise Pearl Albert Lee HH for an amazing price! It has the best feeling neck I've ever played, the small body suits my small size, and the pickups are very responsive and almost transparent. It's a big change from my main stage guitars (Jaguar HH Special, FSR Paisley Sparkle Strat HSS w/DiMarzio Virtual Vintage Blues). Plus it makes a great companion for my Blue Dawn Sterling!

I have a few setup questions. The action was extremely low at the store (which made me happy), and the low E string buzzed on the 3rd fret but I didn't pay much mind to it since I'd set up the guitar at home. Unfortunately, it still buzzed when I raised the string. Also, my house is very warm and humid, and there's an AC unit blowing on the neck at the rehearsal studio (the neck didn't like that change too much), so I adjusted the truss rod after I brought it home from rehearsal, but now the action is much higher and I'm still getting the low E string buzz on the 3rd fret and now when the string is open. I normally play with 9s but the guitar sounds good with 10's, so I'd like to keep the action low.

Any suggestions on the buzzing E (other than keeping it away from the AC)?

Now for the best part - Action Shots! The guitar made its debut yesterday with my band Skydivers at Artscape in Baltimore. I played it through a Hot Rod Deluxe and when I switched to the drive channel it absolutely screamed! Plus it sparkled in the sunlight! What more could a girl ask for?

 

[decreebass]

Man, that turquoise is beautiful! Sorry you're having issues with the string buzz. It sounds like you've tried most of the viable options to end string buzz... Must be something to do with that 4th fret bass-side. May want to get a straight edge and make sure everythings kosher. Worst case scenario, send it back

I, too, normally use 9s but the AL definitely does sound good with 10s - just got mine like 4 days ago

Congrats!

 

[DrKev]

Hi Firecrasher. There are a few possibilities here but not having the guitar in front of me I really can't diagnose anything specific.

Get in touch with Music Man Customer Service. They're there to help. Give 'em a call!

 

[IslandBoy]

Congrats ! Love that color !!

 

[Movielife]

Stunning colour. I can't wait for mine to arrive.

 

[DrewH]

Sounds like a high spot on your 4th fret which is an easy fix for a good tech.

 

[DrKev]

Sure it could be a high fret. It could equally be a low third fret. Or a problem with the string. Or perhaps a pickup is simply too high. And many of us will tell you that buzzes that we think are in one place but are actually somewhere else. And sometimes we see something like this that inexplicably vanishes with a good setup and never bothers anyone again.

Let me say this again - frequently we cannot diagnose without the guitar in front of us. This is definitely one of those cases, so please don't.

There is a reason the standard refrain around here - "Call Customer Service". This is their job to deal with and exactly what they are there for. And they are the best in the business.

 

[KEOKI]

Beautiful guitar. And good advise.

 

[Geetarfreek82]

Rosewood neck? That thing looks sweet. I think an AL needs to be in my future!

 

[xjbebop]

That looks to be the GC special run with coil splits (?)
I have one of those and it's one of the most versatile guitars I own...
Absolutely worthy of whatever it takes to make it play right. ..
It's a keeper...enjoy!

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

Even though my ALHH was ordered new, it had been in the store for a while (years possibly!)

I found initially the neck took a while to settle. Here in Virginia the temperature goes up and down like crazy!

You might find that after a few adjustments it will settle - mine did.

 

[Astrofreq]

I hate to admit it, but the AL shape is growing on me.

 

[decreebass]

I hate to admit it, but the AL shape is growing on me.

YES! It took me a while too. I hate to say it, but it was Mike Einziger raving about them that cracked my mind open enough to even give it a second look. I used to think the JP/Maj guitars were the only ones worth owning.

But holy crap. Once I pulled the trigger and had that sweet sweet AL in my hands, it was true love. (Don't tell my metal-head friends this, but I haven't touched my JP guitars in a week because of this thing's ridiculous mojo.) I feel like I can speak through this guitar with my OWN voice.

Anyway, not trying to hijack TC's thread - but this guitar makes me just wanna cuss!!

Congrats again, TC

 

[KevinUK]

I hate to admit it, but the AL shape is growing on me.

With me also, I hated it, but probably as so many were sunburst which I hate, however I have just bought 2 a pacific blue SSS and a Black Sugar HH love them both, straight to the top of my "best guitars I own" box !!!

 

[Tollywood]

Awesome live photos!

 

[KEOKI]

"That looks to be the GC special run with coil splits (?)
I have one of those and it's one of the most versatile guitars I own...
Absolutely worthy of whatever it takes to make it play right. ..
It's a keeper...enjoy!"

Oh oh. Didn't know some AL HH come without coil split. I'm looking for the MM90/piezo trem guitar but wouldn't rule put the HH. But coil split in that case would be essential. At least I know to ask the question. Thanks forum members. Very helpful.

 

[beej]

Fyi, the coil split is pretty easy to wire up if you're handy. You'll need a push/pull pot.

 

[KEOKI]

Great. Thanks

 

[xjbebop]

Same thing here... the style turned me away for a long time...until the day I saw this guy hanging on the wall...

...pulled him down and played for a few minutes, and quickly realized how wrong I had been!!

Took him home and the rest is history...had to collect the full set...

...well, I don't have to tell you folks how incredible these guitars are...

SORRY about the hijack!

fwiw- the GC special run w/ coil splits came with tele style chrome knobs, rather than the standard strat style knobs, which is brilliant because you can actually pull up the tele knobs...

 

[firecrasher]

Photos are never a hijack! And yes, my guitar is the GC Special Edition with the coil tap.

Tim O'Sullivan - I bought the guitar in Fairfax, so I hear you on the humidity issue!

Update: I pulled the Little Al out of the case a few minutes ago, and the buzzing is actually spread across the third fret, it's just more noticeable on the low E, and the action is now too high for my liking. I'll call Music Man later this week after I see how the Little Al handles rehearsal... plus I'm waiting on the serial number thread to get the guitar's birthday.