So I caved and, well, Cutlass ...

[beej]

For a while now I've been eyeing the Cutlass, trying to talk myself out of buying one. You know how it goes- you ask yourself, "Do I really need another guitar? ...", and do your best to hold off until the GAS is too strong to resist.

Anyhow- saw this one on Reverb last week and pulled the trigger. Used, but not a scratch on it. The neck is killer. Still has the plastic on the pickguard! Some quick photos-





Plays like butter, but that was to be expected. I can't say I love the humbucker though. It's not bad, but I'm itching to swap something hotter in there- I have a few Axis pickups lying around, so maybe I'll throw a covered one in there- would look good. Maybe some chrome knobs, trem tip, and switch tip. I'll live with it a while longer.

Interesting- I have an HSS LIII with the newer pickups and was wondering how it would compare. Surprisingly, I find the single coils on the Luke to be quite a bit brighter- so much so that I'm playing with adding capacitors in parallel to take the edge off, aiming to match the sound of the ones in the Cutlass. (680 pF seems like it'll do the trick.)

Edit- updated photo with some updates:

 

[racerx]

I have the Bull Head Cutlass with the Axis pickup and love it! The guitar is bizarre, you see sparkle + Axis pup and you think glam destroyer, but the singles really have some spank and punch to them too! I think I saw this one on the verb, the color combo plus that neck are fantastic!

Out of curiosity is the neck thinner on this Cutlass or more rounded? I had an HSS Cutlass prior to the Bull Head and it was a full profile, but my SSS Cutlass is a very slim V/C neck. No complaints but interesting difference!

 

[beej]

This is the only Cutlass I've plays so I'm not sure- it's slim but feels wider to me than the necks I'm used to.

Right- the Bull Head has the Axis pickup too. Interesting

 

[DrKev]

Great score, buddy!! Well done!

 

[edhalen]

Congrats Beej! Looks like a winner! Enjoy it! Oh, and like the rest here I know what you mean about the GAS . Keep talking myself out of trading in my 25th for the Cherry Punch AL. The 25th is just too good. Me thinks that Axis pup will rock in the Cutlass.

 

[TripHazard]

Great choice. It’s like the twin to my HSS - firemist silver is a great colour

 

[loocnmad]

Congrats and, if it's your first, welcome to the club! The firemist silver is my favorite for the Cutlass.

 

[mikeller]

Congrats!!! That is awesome.

 

[beej]

Thanks! It's fun guitar. Going to swap the humbucker out this weekend- I'll post an 'after' pic at some point.

 

[GWDavis28]

Wow Beej, great snag!!!!!

How many does that make now?

Congrats, Glenn |B)

 

[fogman]

Interesting- I have an HSS LIII with the newer pickups and was wondering how it would compare. Surprisingly, I find the single coils on the Luke to be quite a bit brighter- so much so that I'm playing with adding capacitors in parallel to take the edge off, aiming to match the sound of the ones in the Cutlass. (680 pF seems like it'll do the trick.)

Awesome score Beej! That's a beauty. I've been eyeing one of those for a while now.

Funny you should mention the LIII as well in comparison as I was contemplating one of those as well as I've been on the market for an HSS config.
I know each model is their own thing; but which would you say would best produce those SRV/ John Mayer tones?

 

[fogman]

I have the Bull Head Cutlass with the Axis pickup and love it! The guitar is bizarre, you see sparkle + Axis pup and you think glam destroyer, but the singles really have some spank and punch to them too! I think I saw this one on the verb, the color combo plus that neck are fantastic!

Out of curiosity is the neck thinner on this Cutlass or more rounded? I had an HSS Cutlass prior to the Bull Head and it was a full profile, but my SSS Cutlass is a very slim V/C neck. No complaints but interesting difference!

I've been on the fence about the Bulls for a while. I hated them when they were first released, but they've grown on me and can't get them out of my mind.

 

[racerx]

I've been on the fence about the Bulls for a while. I hated them when they were first released, but they've grown on me and can't get them out of my mind.

Same - I'm always lukewarm on Floyds, but its hard to deny the comfort and tone range of it. Every pickup setting is great (let alone useful) and the neck single + Axis bridge really shine. Easily covers those Texas heat things if you're after that.

 

[beej]

Glen- Two Morses, a Y2D, 25th, two Luke 3s (HH BFR & HSS), Pinkburst AL, a Sterling single H bass, and now the Cutlass

In terms of traditional strat sounds, I'd say both the Cutlass and L3 can do it. Personally I find the Luke quite a bit brighter- but I'm going to fix that.

 

[Sweat]

Congrats Beej, that one is nice!! Wish I still has that BFR Gold one, a Cutlass is sweet!

 

[QuietSpike]

+1 for the axis humbucker.

Just got the Bull Head a couple of weeks ago. Love the guitar, love the humbucker. Highly recommend the axis in this thing.

 

[dibart77]

Nice, Beej! Those Cutlass single coils with an Axis humbucker is the shit (based on the Bull Head Cutlass). I wonder if you could get new white pickup bobbins from DiMarizo and convert an Axis Zebra to white?

 

[beej]

Thanks! I have a covered set from an AL- I wired one in last night. Sounds pretty great!

 

[beej]

Ok! Covered Axis humbucker in there (from an HH AL- sounds great!), chrome knobs, switch tip, trem tip, and strap locks. Pretty happy with how this sounds.

 

[GWDavis28]

Ok! Covered Axis humbucker in there (from an HH AL- sounds great!), chrome knobs, switch tip, trem tip, and strap locks. Pretty happy with how this sounds.

View attachment 39067

Jason, looks great!!!!! What are you using for strap locks?

Glenn |B)