Help! Someone w/ AL SSS vs AL MM90 Comparison

[ScoobySteve]

Hey guys, I'm finally running into a position where I'm able to obtain my next ball and I would really like for it to be an Albert Lee. I would like to have single coils in my arsenal.

What I can't decide is between the MM90 and the standard SSS configuration. I checked out the MM UK videos, but I would like to get your guys' feedback and videos would be even better. I am all about establishing as much research in an instrument as possible and making the best possible informed decision, so your help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[GWDavis28]

Goto Rob's YouTube Video's

YouTube - robelinda's Channel

He has demo's of both.

Glenn |B)

 

[threeminutesboy]

I'm a MM90 guy for my Albert. I prefer them toward SSS though I like the SSS version also.

the MM90 can rock, can chime in clean and will give you that unique tone that will make most of the other guy jealous

Yesterday, I started to play something on my Axis Sport SSS (very similar to AL but yet different) try to play the same thing with Albert and was more convinced with the sound I was getting from the AL MM90)

I think Robelinda is like me but I will let him explain

on the other hand Spud prefer SSS config on the AL

My advise is that if you can try both but the AL MM90 is such an underrated instrument , I really think it deserves more love

 

[rdacey72]

Totally agree on the MM90. I have two ALs and I tend to play the MM90 more often. The tones are stunning--anywhere from an LP Jr type sound toa Str*t on steroids.

And don't get me started on the playability...

 

[mb99zz]

Steve, I don't own both but I tried both out several times and ended up with the MM90s. I guess everything is up to personal opinions. To me, the MM90s have more bass and midrange punch and were a bit less bright than the single coils. The MM90s had a better all-around sound to the single coils. Since I already owned a Silo Special SSS and a 20th Silo (HH), I found the AL with MM90s to be a really sweet compliment to those other guitars. To me the MM90s are like the love child of a one-night stand between single coils and humbuckers. Others may dissagree with that statement, but that's how my ears hear them

I would love to have an SSS AL too. I think I actually prefer the sound of the AL SSS to the Silo SSS. You can't go wrong with either config on the AL. I think an AL SSS may be more diverse from your 25th than an AL with MM90's -- if that makes any sense. So, if your goal is to get a very different sound to your arsenal, then the SSS may be the right option.

 

[ScoobySteve]

Steve, I don't own both but I tried both out several times and ended up with the MM90s. I guess everything is up to personal opinions. To me, the MM90s have more bass and midrange punch and were a bit less bright than the single coils. The MM90s had a better all-around sound to the single coils. Since I already owned a Silo Special SSS and a 20th Silo (HH), I found the AL with MM90s to be a really sweet compliment to those other guitars. To me the MM90s are like the love child of a one-night stand between single coils and humbuckers. Others may dissagree with that statement, but that's how my ears hear them

I would love to have an SSS AL too. I think I actually prefer the sound of the AL SSS to the Silo SSS. You can't go wrong with either config on the AL. I think an AL SSS may be more diverse from your 25th than an AL with MM90's -- if that makes any sense. So, if your goal is to get a very different sound to your arsenal, then the SSS may be the right option.

Thanks that's exactly what I was thinking too. But the MM90's sound to beastly. This really is a tough decision, cause I can't afford both, lol.

But like I said, I got the 25th. It can quack, and it can quack well, but I feel the only thing about the 25th is that it simply doesn't have true single coil tones. (Duh it's a humbucker guitar!)

So, as you said, to diversify my arsenal, I think I might be best suited to have the true single coils first. Then again, aren't MM90's technically single coils? Ahhhh! semantics!

 

[Coffeemug]

So, as you said, to diversify my arsenal, I think I might be best suited to have the true single coils first. Then again, aren't MM90's technically single coils? Ahhhh! semantics!

Scooby, the MM90's indeed are singlecoils...and they do not fail to deliver! I would not say I prefer them over the Duncans though, I'm leaning towards the SSS lately. I'm not 100% sure but won't singlecoils fit the MM90's routing...if so, you could always get a new loaded SSS pickguard.

 

[ScoobySteve]

Scooby, the MM90's indeed are singlecoils...and they do not fail to deliver! I would not say I prefer them over the Duncans though, I'm leaning towards the SSS lately. I'm not 100% sure but won't singlecoils fit the MM90's routing...if so, you could always get a new loaded SSS pickguard.

If i could have your honey burst bfr rw Al.. this would be easy. hehehehehehe

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Steve, I have the MM90s in the ASS and the singles in my Albert. For me, I dig in, so could not find any space with the MM90's to be happy where the singles in the SSS are no problem. Of course, the ASS only has 2 MM90's.

I use the MM90's for U2ish stuff or if I don't know what I'm going to end up playing. They're very versitile. If I absolutely, positively MUST sound like a single coil, I'll go to the Al SSS which is not even close in sound to anything else I own.

That being said, if you can work with every square milimeter under the strings being filled with pickups, the MM90 will be more versitile. However, the SSS is going to give you sounds that the 25th won't give you and I find that my Axis in coil split mode also won't give me.

Maybe call customer service to ask who might have both in stock......

 

[threeminutesboy]

Scooby, the MM90's indeed are singlecoils...and they do not fail to deliver! I would not say I prefer them over the Duncans though, I'm leaning towards the SSS lately. I'm not 100% sure but won't singlecoils fit the MM90's routing...if so, you could always get a new loaded SSS pickguard.

Swaping is not as easy as on the silo spec assuming you can fit the bridge single coil in the mm90 space. You will have to unsold the mm90 to achieve a swap (i have removed my pickguard to take some measurement for Glenn this week)

 

[Coffeemug]

^ Great piece of information...I never tried it myself but thought I read it somewhere here on the forums.

 

[Sweat]

Easy MM-90 unless you can score a BFR thats the only one that kills MM-90 but beware of the weight

 

[GWDavis28]

(I have removed my pickguard to take some measurement for Glenn this week)

The size would fit, but the MM90's and the Axis Humbuckers have different mounting patterns, so they are not a direct replacement. I was hoping, but was let down.

Glenn |B)

 

[GWDavis28]

Buy that ones that's already hacked up and mod that one!!!

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-guitars/45871-spud-i-have-job-you.html

Glenn |B)

 

[straycat113]

Well this is one that only your ears can make the decision on.What sounds best to you is the one for you.

 

[ScoobySteve]

Roooooob!!!! Where are you?!

 

[robelinda2]

No brainer, get both! No video is better than the experience of playing them both yourself. I'm in bloody Australia, i managed it! DO IT!

 

[fogman]

Lol!!!

 

[Spudmurphy]

Got here late - been away in the Lake District for a family wedding.

I'm so bad at putting things like this in writing.

I really like the SSS pickups, if I want more gain from them I use a pedal or crank up the gain on the Mesa. I love the tone I get from them and they are my favourite pickups on the Al.

when I got my AL with MM90's I was really surprised as to how clean and "chimey" they sound - the only draw back (for me) was the amount of "real estate" they take up on the guitar - I'm forever hitting them when I'm hybrid picking .. and this is coming from a guy that played a 3 pickup Les Paul for 30 years!!!

The SSS are great pickups - I love 'em. -It's all down to your own preference really

 

[mb99zz]

Spud and several others have said something I forgot to mention about the MM90's that I really love --- how wonderful the cleans are.