So confused, which SM is better!?

[jacobri]

Looking for help. Turning 50 this month. Looking to finally get a good guitar. I am looking for the versatility both models have to offer but here are my concerns;
1) Original model toggle switch really in the way? I don't want to modify.
2) Does newer model 'miss' the slant single?
3) At this point I am looking for cleaner to crunchier sound (aka Kenny Vaughn w/ Lucinda Williams), but need to be able to go as heavy as Steve Stevens and power chords.
4) Hands aren't that big

This is a big decision for me and all you folks seem to have good opinions and experience. So, what are real differences? Worth the money if the choice is newer model?

Peace...Jake

 

[robelinda2]

well your small hands will love the SM, either one. Kenny Vaughn's tone is very much single coils, and he has an AL, which is definitely cleaner than the SM. The Y2D can do clean great too, but not like a strat or an AL. obviously the SM does rock stuff superbly.

maybe you want an Albert Lee with MM90's? or a super sport with MM90's...

 

[GWDavis28]

Jake, I don't have a Morse or Y2D, but I've messed with them a little bit here and there. You need to try them both out and figure out which works for you. People who own the original Morse swear by it. Those that own Y2D's feel the same way, but utilmately you need to make the final call.

Try to find a dealer that has what your looking for, or maybe there is a fellow forumite that lives near you that can let you try what they have.

I have small hands and all of my EBMM's, Axis Sport, Silo Special, AL and JP are prefect in my hands.

Try as many as possible. Oh yah, welcome man.

Good luck, Glenn |B)

 

[Colin]

Looking for help. Turning 50 this month. Looking to finally get a good guitar. I am looking for the versatility both models have to offer but here are my concerns;

First of all welcome Jake. I own both models so here is my take.

1) Original model toggle switch really in the way? I don't want to modify.
2) Does newer model 'miss' the slant single?

I like the toggle in that position as I also have an EVH. But either way you learn to adjust. I'd have it on the Y2D if I could.As for the slanted single coil, I personally don't miss it or ever use it (maybe on a recording every now and then)

3) At this point I am looking for cleaner to crunchier sound (aka Kenny Vaughn w/ Lucinda Williams), but need to be able to go as heavy as Steve Stevens and power chords.
4) Hands aren't that big

Those sounds are are achievable, does depend on your playing style and amp. I don't have large hands and love both necks. (although I am lead to believe the necks are now the same on both models)

If you want an older one, check my links as I have one for sale.

 

[jacobri]

I truly appreciate all the advice. I have looked around for one to try. No luck yet. One last (?) question, can the SM do clean from all positions if needed?
Jake

 

[mark_tampa]

I haven't messed around a lot with a y2k SM, but did about a year tour playing on a cruise ship show, around 4 hours a day, 6 day's a week with an original SM...

It held up very well, neck profile, weight and balance were very good. The toggle switch didn't bother me at all. The show I played was a 70's-80's, playing many styles from Oliva Newton-John to Prince and was a workhorse that never let me down. Played 80% of the show with the SM and a few tunes with my Hamer DuoTone when I needed the vintage Duncan humbucker tone that I just couldn't pull out with the SM.

The SM never let me down, my Hamer I had to replace the pickup switch on twice during the year but I really needed both guitars for what I was playing.

 

[robelinda2]

I truly appreciate all the advice. I have looked around for one to try. No luck yet. One last (?) question, can the SM do clean from all positions if needed?
Jake

yes it could, but it depends on your amp, your technique, and your amp. the pickups arent hot, they can clean up really well.

 

[SgtThump]

I own the original version SM (hardtail) and have played a Y2D. I have no idea if this is right, but the neck and fretboard on the Y2D felt much more Fender Strat-like to me than the original version. Is the fretboard radius smaller on the Y2D? Seemed like it.

I wanted a Y2D, but I walked away liking my original version more.

Chris

 

[Colin]

I own the original version SM (hardtail) and have played a Y2D. I have no idea if this is right, but the neck and fretboard on the Y2D felt much more Fender Strat-like to me than the original version. Is the fretboard radius smaller on the Y2D? Seemed like it.

I wanted a Y2D, but I walked away liking my original version more.

Chris

Radius is still the same, although it is an exact copy of a neck that has been refretted 8 times

 

[robelinda2]

I own the original version SM (hardtail) and have played a Y2D. I have no idea if this is right, but the neck and fretboard on the Y2D felt much more Fender Strat-like to me than the original version. Is the fretboard radius smaller on the Y2D? Seemed like it.

Chris

i guess it depends on what kind of strat you are comparing it to. i have 3 strats all with 7.25 inch radius, so the Y2D is way flatter than them. the neck shape on the Y2D is probably smaller than most strats, its a thin C i guess, but not really THAT thin, like a JP. it sure aint no 50's les paul neck. the early 80's USA reissue strats had some thin necks.

 

[Colin]

i guess it depends on what kind of strat you are comparing it to. i have 3 strats all with 7.25 inch radius, so the Y2D is way flatter than them. the neck shape on the Y2D is probably smaller than most strats, its a thin C i guess, but not really THAT thin, like a JP. it sure aint no 50's les paul neck. the early 80's USA reissue strats had some thin necks.

the Morse radius is a 12 and most modern strats are 9.5 the vintage ones where 7.25. the original morse feels a bit meatier, but one thing Music Man does very well is they make a great neck

 

[robelinda2]

if anything the radius maybe too flat, i would love it if it were say a 10 inch. but i like it anyway, it certainly doesnt feel all that flat, whereas the JP feels FLAT!

 

[John Czajkowski]

...a neck that has been refretted 8 times

All I have to say to that is GO STEVE! That just awesome!

I'm a hard core mid 90's SM guy. It's my main axe. I've played a baziliion guitars, but I just haven't played any other that I like more for an all around instrument. If I did, I'd grab one. I know this may not be very helpful in the big picture, but I just had to chip in my EB SM glee. Those of us who really play them hard, love them to death!

 

[robelinda2]

i have a gig in 2 hours, and am deciding which 2 balls to take, maybe the Luke and the Y2D, seeing as Morse is on the brain today. such tough decisions!

 

[tommyindelaware]

+1....
i been playin a morse 90 standard since 90. it has about 900k miles on it.
i also got a y2d which i love......but lacks the versitility i need . i really loke having a neck humbucker & a neck single coil.
i use an albert alot too.......as an Eb geetar.
ps. john........... we have yer cd in our shop rotation. pretty scary stuff. i just heard it yesterday for the first time. KILLER !!!! y'all should really check it out !!!!!!

All I have to say to that is GO STEVE! That just awesome!

I'm a hard core mid 90's SM guy. It's my main axe. I've played a baziliion guitars, but I just haven't played any other that I like more for an all around instrument. If I did, I'd grab one. I know this may not be very helpful in the big picture, but I just had to chip in my EB SM glee. Those of us who really play them hard, love them to death!

 

[GWDavis28]

Brent is selling one.

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/297622-post7.html

Good luck, Glenn |B)

 

[Colin]

Brent is selling one.

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/297622-post7.html

Good luck, Glenn |B)

why doesn't that surprise me?

 

[beej]

All I have to say to that is GO STEVE! That just awesome!

And according to Steve (on the Y2D site videos) the reason it was only refretted 8 times was that he uses his other guitars to practice on

I'm no pro like John or Tommy, but if I could only own 1 guitar it would be the original Morse. It's a real workhorse. And the HBs split very well on this guitar- you can get some great twang out of the split bridge 'bucker.

 

[robelinda2]

8 refrets, thats insane! Mustve played to crapola out of the no 1 Morse. Ive only ever had 1 refret done, i dont envisage another any time soon!

So Brent, the Morse is out the door, thats a shame!

 

[tommyindelaware]

And the HBs split very well on this guitar- you can get some great twang out of the split bridge 'bucker.

indeed they do !!!!!!! specially the bridge !!!!!!! nice tele tone.