Question For The AL MM90 Players

[Norrin Radd]

I have never actually played a AL before.... they never seem to carry any in the stores. From what I read, it can best be described in terms of Strat and/or Telecaster. Since I usually play blues-based hard rock, this is kind of the sound I am looking for.

Which would be better for a Hard-Rock-Blues sound Silo Spec with S-S-S, a standard AL, or an AL with MM90s? The Silo Spec I have is H-S-S which I love alot, but.... it doesn't quite get that single coil sound like the old Strat I used to have.

PS, don't get offended with all the Fender references. I am EBMM man these days, but I did cut my teeth on a Strat.

Good question. Depends a lot on what the rest of your rig looks like and if you want to be approximating HB tones as well. I sometimes play with lots & lots of distortion and sometimes more "bluesy". I have an AL in SSS, and I couple it with a Seymour Duncan pickup Booster and with that setup it literally covers everything (except death metal - and that's just by choice, not by design ).

 

[Spudmurphy]

Hey Spud! I've met so many names in the Music Biz in my career it's just silly, and yet it's funny how Albert stands out as one of the finest! I setup a guitar (an AL of course) for him and he was so kind and appreciative he signed the backplate of my Silo Special. Guess we've got to get him back for another clinic so I can another sig on the backplate of my Albert Limited...Eric

I'll be the third time for me. he was fantastic on the first two occasions.
The first time he had a great chat with me when I showed him my BCB AL.

Second time in Scotland we had a great chat too!

Messed up the dates the other week and missed him but I'm so glad I got an early chance to redeem that situation when I go to see him next week.

Watch this space for some pics from the gig!!

 

[Spudmurphy]

I have never actually played a AL before.... they never seem to carry any in the stores. From what I read, it can best be described in terms of Strat and/or Telecaster. Since I usually play blues-based hard rock, this is kind of the sound I am looking for.

Which would be better for a Hard-Rock-Blues sound Silo Spec with S-S-S, a standard AL, or an AL with MM90s? The Silo Spec I have is H-S-S which I love alot, but.... it doesn't quite get that single coil sound like the old Strat I used to have.

PS, don't get offended with all the Fender references. I am EBMM man these days, but I did cut my teeth on a Strat.

I play a lot of blues on my SSS AL and it deals with it no problem.
I'm currently on a SRV "kick" and it sounds great!!

I'm looking forward to the day I can lay my hands on an MM90 equipped AL - and that may not be too far in the future!!

 

[mbgreene]

The MM90's are very well voiced and not quite as hot as the old gibson P90's or say a Rio grande Bluesbar like I have in my Rev. So they clean up real nice as singles and are more than a one trick pup. They don't get quite as sweet as the standard AL singles, they are always a bit ballsier , but they can handle mellow single coil through blues through classic rock crunch. They are very versatile and cover a lot of territory.

There are some good reviews and descriptions in this thread.

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-guitars/8900-albert-lee-sss-v-mm90s.html