Sterling Albert Lee!

[kaishansiow]

Hi all, newbie here!

This guitar has really caught my attention and I'm keen on grabbing one.

I've never had an Ernie Ball Music man or Sterling guitar before, so please bear with me! If I were to change replace the tuners to locking ones, what are my options? Preferably straight swap without needing any mods.

Also, anyone reckons a P90 would suit this particular guitar?

 

[GWDavis28]

Hi all, newbie here!

This guitar has really caught my attention and I'm keen on grabbing one.

I've never had an Ernie Ball Music man or Sterling guitar before, so please bear with me! If I were to change replace the tuners to locking ones, what are my options? Preferably straight swap without needing any mods.

Also, anyone reckons a P90 would suit this particular guitar?

So this guitar is new to the Sterling line, so as far as tweaking, not a lot of people have been only a few from what I've seen. There is are some posts about the tuner replacement, so a search of the guitar forum.

The differences are significant between the EBMM and the Sterling. If you can afford the EBMM I'd say go that road. If you can't, then the Sterling the way to go. Either way I doubt you'll be disappointed. There are a lot of EBMM Albert Lee's second hand out there and sometime they pop up for a really good deal.

Best of luck, Glenn |B)

 

[kaishansiow]

So this guitar is new to the Sterling line, so as far as tweaking, not a lot of people have been only a few from what I've seen. There is are some posts about the tuner replacement, so a search of the guitar forum.

The differences are significant between the EBMM and the Sterling. If you can afford the EBMM I'd say go that road. If you can't, then the Sterling the way to go. Either way I doubt you'll be disappointed. There are a lot of EBMM Albert Lee's second hand out there and sometime they pop up for a really good deal.

Best of luck, Glenn |B)

I ended up ordering Daphne blue from Prymaxe with a 15% discount. It was pre-order though!

Had a quick look regarding locking tuners but couldn't find anything conclusive. Looks like there aren't direct replacements around. May need to be modded slightly.

Either way, it's cheap enough to do mods on it I reckon!

 

[SBMM]

Schaller M6 are a direct drop in replacement for any SBMM guitar tuning machines.

Be sure to order for a 4+2 setup (obviously..)

 

[Zuzax]

Schaller M6 are a direct drop in replacement for any SBMM guitar tuning machines.

Be sure to order for a 4+2 setup (obviously..)

Finding them for sale anywhere is the issue.

 

[TripHazard]

You might have to go direct to schaller to order the 4 over 2, but I could be wrong

 

[beej]

You can probably order them from MM directly.

 

[TonyEVH5150]

Hi all, newbie here!

This guitar has really caught my attention and I'm keen on grabbing one.

I've never had an Ernie Ball Music man or Sterling guitar before, so please bear with me! If I were to change replace the tuners to locking ones, what are my options? Preferably straight swap without needing any mods.

Also, anyone reckons a P90 would suit this particular guitar?

The stock tuners are held in place with a pin. There is no screw hole. So the good news is you can use any locking tuners you'd like. Schaller M6L tuners are the stock tuners for the USA made MM guitars. I was lucky when I replaced mine. A member here offered me a set he had laying around. Most any other replacement tuner is going to require a hole for the position screw.

Pricewise, Schallers are expensive. I've seen them on sale individually for about $20 each. I also looked at Hipshot locking tuners. I have sets of these on other guitars I own, and they work well/as well as Schallers. They cost about $12 each.

I haven't had mine long enough to make pickup recommendations. The stock pickups are decent. Give yourself some time with it and see what you think before swapping. I'm giving some thought to Pearly Gates or Duncan JB/59 sets.

In my opinion, all the SBMM needs to be better than stock is locking tuners and a better nut. I've been very happy with mine simply with those two mods.

 

[kaishansiow]

Thanks for all the replies.

Re tuner, might look into getting these Hipshot tuners. Grip-Lock™ Closed Guitar Tuning Machines – Hipshot Products

But gotta drill some holes by the looks of it.

Any idea what kinda DiMarzio pickups they use on the MusicMan Albert Lee models?

 

[TonyEVH5150]

Thanks for all the replies.

Re tuner, might look into getting these Hipshot tuners. Grip-Lock™ Closed Guitar Tuning Machines – Hipshot Products

But gotta drill some holes by the looks of it.

Any idea what kinda DiMarzio pickups they use on the MusicMan Albert Lee models?

I believe it’s the Dimarzio 36th Anniversary pickups.

Those Hipshot tuners were what I was looking for before I found a set of Schallers. I don’t think there’s a non-drill option for replacements. I have full confidence in Hipshot, as I have some on other guitars. They hold tune very well, they don’t add weight, and they’re a great option if you want to add locking tuners at a reasonable price.

 

[Flip]

Inferior Product

Well.... I see a lot of happy folks with their new Sterling Albert Lee's so far on here. I'm wondering if all of you have really checked your guitars out or if I just got the lemon? The biggest issue is the bushings for the 2 point bridge. On one side the wood has already broken away and was lodged between the tremolo back plate and the block. The other side is over drilled in diameter and is already cracking like the other. IT also appears there was some sort of glue used to piece it all back together. I have never seen holes drilled completely through into the tremolo cavity to begin with. IF you bought one of these guitars you should take a look to see if your fixing to have problems. Shorter bushings are needed for sure. The other issue is the jack plate. They didn't get it centered and one of the four screw holes is barely into the wood and will not tighten. I can't believe Music Man nor Sterling would want their names associated with this kind of work. Mine is going back and I'm not sure I will try again.

 

[beej]

Have you tried contacting Sterling to discuss this? I usually give companies a chance to rectify an issue before complaining online.

 

[Flip]

Complaining?

Have you tried contacting Sterling to discuss this? I usually give companies a chance to rectify an issue before complaining online.

Wasn’t aware I was complaining? Simply sharing what I encountered and yes I have already reached out to both those links you shared with no response yet.

Thanks for your reply though.

 

[TripHazard]

I think you definitely got a lemon. I’d send it back and ask for a replacement, but if the replacement was bad too then I’d be very concerned and be after some more answer. Good luck

 

[beej]

Wasn’t aware I was complaining? Simply sharing what I encountered and yes I have already reached out to both those links you shared with no response yet.

Sorry, "publicly venting".

Look, I'd be really upset too. But contact Sterling (not Music Man or Ernie Ball - Sterling is a separate, company that licenses the designs) and and follow that through. I've seen many stories here of them making issues right. Some guitars have issues ... no doubt. But that's what customer service department is there for.

 

[Flip]

Thanks Trapper J

Yep, it's a sorry example of craftsmanship at best. I just hope others are not going to have issues due to the design and installation of the bridge bushings, but after seeing a couple of others now it don't look good.

Flip

 

[Flip]

beej

So is that why you keep attaching both Music Man and Ernie Ball's contact info??? I just wanted to alert others out there who don't have the luther experience

 

[beej]

Hi Flip,

I have EB/MM's contact info in my signature as a reference for folks that need it (as this is the official Music Man forum). Sterling, however, is a separate company - I don't have their contact info. Someone here can probably point you in the right direction.

 

[TonyEVH5150]

Yep, it's a sorry example of craftsmanship at best. I just hope others are not going to have issues due to the design and installation of the bridge bushings, but after seeing a couple of others now it don't look good.

Flip

Home | Sterling by Music Man

Here’s a contact page with a phone number. I’m sorry your guitar isn’t as you hoped it was. Give SBMM a chance to address your issues.

 

[tbonesullivan]

Looks like at the bottom the holes are so big that they aren't supporting the bushings at all.