SBMM starter guitars...

[Soulforger]

Hello everyone,

So I've been reading about the new line of Sterling by music man "starter" guitars, the silo30 for $199, and the AX3 for $249 retail. I like both of them, but I'm leaning toward the AX3 model.

I'm curious to see if Sterling is going to release a new version of both models for 2013 that come with a fixed bridge? I'm not really into Trem systems, since I honestly don't have much experience with the guitar as far as changing strings, and setup.

All the reviews I've read on both models give them excellent marks, but a lot of the reviewers are obviously experienced players and talk about how they are "almost" perfect out of the box, but go on to talk about they lowered the action, adjusted the truss, etc.

I've seen the older AX20 models that had a fixed bridge, so any chance there will be a new model like it soon?

Thanks for any and all help.
Soul

 

[mtrejo]

Hey Soul, I can't say for certain that there are any fixed bridge (hardtail) models coming around but these bridges are super easy to change strings on, I'd say its pretty identical in most respects. From what I've heard around these parts, the dealer will set up on the spot as part of the purchase at no additional cost. Just stick around and ask the tech some questions. There's not too much you'll need to do after that except for an occasional seasonal truss rod tweak.

And yes, these are great instruments!

 

[JayDawg]

Soul,

I bought my 9 year old son a Silo 3 for Christmas. These really are great guitars. Especially for the money. On these guitars, the bridge is almost like a fixed bridge. You can only dive with the bridge but can't pull up on it using the tremolo bar. String changing is also very easy to do. If you are new to guitar playing, this will be a good guitar for you. You don't have to play it with a tremolo bar in it so it can be played like it does have a fixed bridge until you want to start expeimenting around. As far as set ups go, these things are pretty easy to do. They have the truss rod adjustment wheel like the other EBMM guitars and basses and adjusting them if need be is a breeze. If you need more tension because the strings are too high off of the fret board, you adjust the wheel clockwise in 1/4 turn increments until the guitar is back is specs or if it is too low on the fretboard, you loosen the wheel in 1/4 turn increments going counter clockwise. Really though, unless your guitar is exposed to some pretty extreme elements or abuse, it shouldn't ever go out where it needs major adjustments. If it does, it takes literally 5 seconds to fix.

 

[Soulforger]

Thanks for the responses guys! I've owned several guitars in the past (more expensive than entry level ones) and I decided to just start with something simple. G.A.S. has taken over several times over the last few years, but now it's time to really dig in and learn how to play. I've always loved EBMM guitars (and hope to own one one day) so I was happy to hear all the positive reviews about the entry lvl SBMM's.

Not sure if there are any in stock at the local GC here in Tucson, but I plan on heading down this coming weekend and checking them out. I think the last time I was there they had the AX40 in stock in pink (purple) but that is over budget for me. Hope to check out a Pacific Blue AX3, and hope it's as awesome as I've read.

Also...on a side note, do you guys have any recommendations for a beginner practice amp. Doesn't have to be loud, just has to sound decent. The amp I have now, is WAY too loud to practice with...in fact, it's way too much amp for me, but I love it...just looking for something more practical.

 

[JayDawg]

Right now I am using a Fender Mustang III. Great little practice amp for a really good value and it has tons of effects built into it as well as a tuner. The Mustang II is also a pretty decent amp with a few less options. I really like the Mustang III though. I have over 100 digital effects on it and it has been really fun to play through at my house.

 

[SBMM]

Hello everyone,

So I've been reading about the new line of Sterling by music man "starter" guitars, the silo30 for $199, and the AX3 for $249 retail. I like both of them, but I'm leaning toward the AX3 model.
Soul

Hello Soul!

I'm just going to echo what all was said by the others here that have replied.

The biggest advice that I will give is change one string at a time when you do change them (and I will suggest that you change the strings when you make your purchase, and the Ernie Ball Slinky's are what we recommend as replacement). Reason for one at a time? That way the tremolo block will not move out of the line of sight for the holes in the backplate, and you won't risk having the springs come loose if you remove all at once.

If you are concerned about tuning, don't be. The tremolos are very stable and are flush mounted, designed for only dive-bomb use. You really don't need to put the trem bar in if you don't want to as well.

I will say for certain that we are not releasing any hardtail guitars in either SUB Series or Sterling By Music Man for at least the first half of 2013, and there are no plans to release any at all in the foreseeable future.

Also, just a courtesy correction FYI: The model you are looking at for $199 is a SUB Series Silo3, not a Silo30. the Silo30 is a Sterling By Music Man model, and has a current list of $612 USD and MAP of $429.

I hope that you enjoy whichever model you choose, and be sure to join our Facebook group, "Sterling By Music Man". We have a lot of technical advice, tips, and fun giveaways on there quite often. If you do join, send me a message on there. I also run that Facebook page. You never know, you may get a T-Shirt or Hat sent your way!

Enjoy, and have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from us here at SBMM!

 

[Soulforger]

@jaydawg - I already have a Roland Cube 80XL, which as I said, is way too much amp atm for me. The Fender Mustang III looks like an amazing amp as well, but at 100 watts, I think it's still too much. I was looking for something smaller, like the Vox Mini 3, or even a Cube 20xl, Blackstar HT-1, or something along those lines, that would sound good just messing around at home with while I learn to play. lol.

@SBMM - Brian, thanks for the response! I knew I called out the wrong guitar when I typed that about the Silo30, I did mean the silo3. lol. At one point in time I owned a EBMM Silhouette in a beautiful Teal green(ish) color, and it was the best feeling / sounding guitar I've ever owned. One day, I'll get something of that caliber, but for right now....it's back to the beginning for me. If the AX3 or Silo3 feel as good as my old EBMM (because of the neck, and action) you'll have a customer for life. lol.

Thanks for the tech info on the recommended way to change strings on a trem system. Ironically all these years and I only recently changed my first set of strings on my current guitar, which wasn't too bad. I'm glad to hear that the trems are stable and the guitar stays in tune, I was a bit worried about that.

Going to head to GC tonight and see if they have any of the Sterling models in stock, so I can check them out. Thanks again for all the help. And I "liked" SBMM facebook last week!

 

[pyc]

I would recommend the blackstar HT1 or any decent low power valve amp.
I plug my S.U.B ax3 on a Vox lil night train, and the sound is incredibly good!
I also have a Vox VT40+, and honestly I am disappointed by this amp. Sound is synthetic, and you need to switch-off all the effects to get something acceptable. And you never get the quality you have with the night train.

 

[Soulforger]

@Pyc - I've really been liking the reviews for the Blackstar HT-1R, and even checked out the Vox lil nightrain head/cab combo. Both look and sound pretty sweet. I haven't played either, GC didn't have them in stock for me to check out, and they didn't have any AX3's. I did mess around with a Silo3 in black, and two AX40's. The AX40's seemed really heavy compared to other guitars, how's the weight of the AX3, lighter, or the same?

@Brian - I have like 5 sets of Ernie Ball Regular Slinky's sitting here, are those the ones you are recommending for a new string change on the Silo3 / AX3? They are .10 -.46 #2223, or would you use 9's?

Still trying to find a place in town that actually HAS an AX3 to check out. I may have to just bite the bullet and order one online. Have one more "local" shop to check out, but they usually sell a lot of high end guitars, including EBMM ASS, Silos, etc.