I realize I'm coming to the "congregation" with this question, but here's the deal: I'm really gassing for an AL. I have a nice Fender Clapton with Vintage Noiseless PUs, but I'm guessing if I do pick up an AL I'll play the EC very little. Anyone out there with BOTH guitars who can compare and contrast?
- Thread starter jholcomb
- Start date
Smellybum
Well-known member
yup.
Well, I don't currently own either, but I've played the Clapton before. I don't know of anything you can do on the Clapton that you can't do on the AL. Are you set on the SSS AL? You could always go with the MM90 AL and keep the Clapton to have 2 different types of sounds.
After selling numerous guitars and having seller's remorse for many of those I sold, I say if you can buy the AL without having to sell the Clapton, then do so.
After selling numerous guitars and having seller's remorse for many of those I sold, I say if you can buy the AL without having to sell the Clapton, then do so.
grumpyoldman
Well-known member
Check here for all sorts of neck profiles, including different years of ALs..
http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-guitars/34737-i-want-knuckleheads-volunteer-neck-profile-project.html
Hopefully that will help you!
http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-guitars/34737-i-want-knuckleheads-volunteer-neck-profile-project.html
Hopefully that will help you!
DrBob
Well-known member
Does your Clapton have the mid boost ?
I know that the earlier Lace Sensor ones did but I'm not up to speed with these latest versions.
And If so do you use it much?
Because in my mind that's the only trick the Clapton has up it's sleeve over and above the AL.
Even if so you could probably get round it with a pedal.
Buy the AL
I know that the earlier Lace Sensor ones did but I'm not up to speed with these latest versions.
And If so do you use it much?
Because in my mind that's the only trick the Clapton has up it's sleeve over and above the AL.
Even if so you could probably get round it with a pedal.
Buy the AL
TheBassGuy
Well-known member
Doesn't a Clapton have a "V" shaped neck and the AL a "C" shaped one? Might be a big difference... 
Spudmurphy
Well-known member
For me, 2 and 4 on the AL are the most pleasing and I usually switch between the two.
Spudmurphy
Well-known member
They do vary in weight - same as Fenders teles vary.
7 lbs - thereabouts - played a second hand one that was light as a feather
7 lbs - thereabouts - played a second hand one that was light as a feather
aníbalsantander
Well-known member
lighter than a strat anyway
jamminjim
Well-known member
Which EC do you have? The Custom Shop or the Std Artist Series?
I've played a few $trats and have never really been that thrilled with them, however I can't remember if I played an EC Maybe it was an EJ. I've also played the new one with all the bells and whistles, the VG model, which wasn't bad and had lots of sounds on-board. The best $strat I ever played was a real early 70's with a maple neck. No newer one has ever come close.
But now an Al. I have two of them and they are both very confortable and very ergonomic; they fit like a glove. I like them much better than any $trat I have owned. They've got all the traditional $trat sounds and with the metal plate on the lead pup it has pretty good output with a little more mids than a traditional strat lead pup IMO. I really like the Duncans in them. Like Spud I certainly like the #2 and #4 postions - and find myself playing the #2 and #3 most often. The middle pup on my blue one is just really a great pickup, nice and clean and clear. I have to say that these Als come close to playing and sounding more like that early 70's than the newer strats I've played. I like the Al body style and shape better than a $trat. It's more compact and balanced. If you really like the mild V neck then the Al neck is going to be a little different, and the only way to find out if you like it is to play one. You can find used Als that aren't that expensive. Maybe you could get one and try it out prior to parting with your EC.
But, I have two hardtails on ash bodies which probably sound a bit different than an Al with a tremolo. More sustain, a little brighter maybe. I am assuming you want the trem'd Al, since it's more like the EC.
So, the best guy to ask would probably be robelinda or anyone with a trem'd Al.
BTW forumite IslandBoy has a Albert Lee 2007 LE Blue Dawn MINT! for sale in the for sale thread. And man it looks nice!
I've played a few $trats and have never really been that thrilled with them, however I can't remember if I played an EC Maybe it was an EJ. I've also played the new one with all the bells and whistles, the VG model, which wasn't bad and had lots of sounds on-board. The best $strat I ever played was a real early 70's with a maple neck. No newer one has ever come close.
But now an Al. I have two of them and they are both very confortable and very ergonomic; they fit like a glove. I like them much better than any $trat I have owned. They've got all the traditional $trat sounds and with the metal plate on the lead pup it has pretty good output with a little more mids than a traditional strat lead pup IMO. I really like the Duncans in them. Like Spud I certainly like the #2 and #4 postions - and find myself playing the #2 and #3 most often. The middle pup on my blue one is just really a great pickup, nice and clean and clear. I have to say that these Als come close to playing and sounding more like that early 70's than the newer strats I've played. I like the Al body style and shape better than a $trat. It's more compact and balanced. If you really like the mild V neck then the Al neck is going to be a little different, and the only way to find out if you like it is to play one. You can find used Als that aren't that expensive. Maybe you could get one and try it out prior to parting with your EC.
But, I have two hardtails on ash bodies which probably sound a bit different than an Al with a tremolo. More sustain, a little brighter maybe. I am assuming you want the trem'd Al, since it's more like the EC.
So, the best guy to ask would probably be robelinda or anyone with a trem'd Al.
BTW forumite IslandBoy has a Albert Lee 2007 LE Blue Dawn MINT! for sale in the for sale thread. And man it looks nice!
Last edited:
robelinda2
Well-known member
Buy the Clapton or AL? Thats like asking if should you sleep with Queen Latifah or Jessica Alba.
Spudmurphy
Well-known member
Great points made here by Jamminjim.
Both my Als have the trem - in fact Albert Lee plays a trem equipped AL nowadays.
The trem may add to the overall weight but the springs seem to give some extra resonance.
If you can't get on with the trem (which is a great unit -one of my Al's is set up floating) do as EC used to do and block it off.
The next question ya have to ask is SSS or MM90??
robelinda2
Well-known member
Cabernet Pearl would look awesome!
PugNinjas
Well-known member
paulstew64
Well-known member
I currently have 3 Clapton strats. They all have sentimental value to me but as far as playing goes they're just not used any more.
I bought a Luke over a year ago and there's no other guitar gets a play now.
With regard to your question, I've played an Al - fantastic guitar. That's not to say a Clapton isn't. But if you want the feel and amazing sound of an Al I think you'd be unlikely to play the Clapton again. In fact, you're better off getting a few EBMM guitars. The Al is a seriously under-rated guitar (I want a BFR badly).
You have to decide what tones/sounds you really want to get. If you really want that Fender strat sound then you're only really going to get it with a Fender strat.
BUt if you want an extremely brilliant sounding versatile guitar with fantastic feel and a close Fender strat/tele sound then it's the Al by a country mile.
Hope this helps.
Paul
Radiance red Luke
Next purchase - Luke BFR tobacco burst
then Al BFR
I bought a Luke over a year ago and there's no other guitar gets a play now.
With regard to your question, I've played an Al - fantastic guitar. That's not to say a Clapton isn't. But if you want the feel and amazing sound of an Al I think you'd be unlikely to play the Clapton again. In fact, you're better off getting a few EBMM guitars. The Al is a seriously under-rated guitar (I want a BFR badly).
You have to decide what tones/sounds you really want to get. If you really want that Fender strat sound then you're only really going to get it with a Fender strat.
BUt if you want an extremely brilliant sounding versatile guitar with fantastic feel and a close Fender strat/tele sound then it's the Al by a country mile.
Hope this helps.
Paul
Radiance red Luke
Next purchase - Luke BFR tobacco burst
then Al BFR
robelinda2
Well-known member
The Luke sure is a winner, I cant get over how amazing it is.
