tell me about EBMM guitars (Morse, Albert Lee, Luke)

[appar111]

Thinking of finally taking the plunge and getting an Ernie Ball/Music Man guitar. Got the permission from the wife and my spending limit is about $1800. Getting tired of strats and teles and want to try something fresh.

The ones I'm interested in are the Albert Lee model (both the HH and the SSS model), the Morse model (still love that blue one, but the purple sunset is just awesome) and possibly the Luke (the one without the EMG's in it).

So are their any big things to be concerned about? Quirks with EBMM guitars to get used to? I'm a smaller guy, so the smaller look of the EBMM guitars and the narrower nut width (I think 1 5/8" is standard on all EBMM's, right) is totally cool w/ me.

Basically I've done the whole partscaster and relic strat/tele thing for a few years and just want to settle down with an extremely solid, well built, great sounding guitar that I'll be happy with out of the gate---i.e. no pickup swaps, initial fretwork needed, setup, etc. etc.

 

[GWDavis28]

If you were in the market, I would recommend buying a used one, the market is flooded and for that kind of $$ you might be able to get 2. But that's your call.

I have an AL HH and 3MM90's, love them both, great guitars. I've had a Luke in the past with the emg's and it's another excellent guitar. I'd recommend the Silo specials, I have 2 of them and love, they are just solid guitars. The SSH model is very versatile.

Good luck with your choice. Glenn |B)

 

[coldsummer]

All great guitars but my personal favourite is the AL HH, hands down better than ANY tele or strat I've ever played. Of course, your experience may be completely different but then you already knew that.

 

[lukather101]

Al HH for me very closely followed by the Morse (blue one)

 

[guitarp77]

For me the Morse is the best.

But its like comparing different models of Ferrari...they're all awesome. You just have to pick the one you like most, knowing that you won't find better elsewhere...

MM FTW!

Welcome and don't forget to post pics when you buy the axe!!

 

[robelinda2]

AL. Nothing more to say.

 

[ScoobySteve]

its hard to say what would be a good match with no prior experience.

Id do my best to try em all in person, otherwise id say...... REFLEX!!!!!

Ot: Rooooooooooooooooooobbbbbbb!!!!!!!!!!!! Good to see ya!!!!

 

[jzeijen]

Everybody's gotta have an AL.

If you are used to singlecoils and want stick with that go sss, if you want something different go HH (rosewood neck!). If you can't make up your mind > MM90

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Glenn has a great idea and I want to advance it one further. Buying used, you will go a little over your budget, but you could get an Al HH and an Al SSS for not much over $2k. I've watched the Guitar Center used stuff and I'm sure that if you walked into your local GC and talked with guitar manager, they would have 2 shipped in for not much more than your stated budget.

Morses and Lukes are certainly around, but far less common to see used, in my experience.

 

[mikeller]

They are all great - but I must say I am really enjoying my Luke 3 HH these days more than anything else!!!!

 

[peterd79]

+1 for the used Market...

Im a Silo and Silo Spec player and have been thinking alot about the AL HH... there's just something incredible about that guitar. Tones are sooooo sweet and the thing can be a total rocker if needed...
it's quickly becoming my GAS...

 

[musikarero]

For me try a AL in ANY configuration. Unless you just prefer maple I would recommend a rosewood neck.

 

[uOpt]

As you said, if you never had one you should be aware that MM only offers narrow string spacing at the nut. Personally that drives me, well, nuts. It's a problem for my playing.

The JP model has a wider nut but the string slots are cut so that you are right back at the narrow string spacing. At least you could have somebody make a new nut.

All music man guitars I owned had excellent quality, fretwork in particular. The truss rod adjustment mechanism in particular is great. Some of the hardware isn't exactly vintage style. High-mass bridges, locking tuners, non-steel trem blocks etc are common. The DiMarzio pickups are the only option.

I had a pretty vanilla Morse that would probably still be my favorite guitar if it wasn't for the narrow nut.

 

[guitardan]

Here's a nice AL - HH...
The Gear Page

 

[dannymusic]

The AL gives you a fresh look on stage. The shape is unique yet classy. I've had the MM90 and SSS and HH, but like the HH best. The rosewood neck is a fresh idea too. I have the seafoam green and feel its a real keeper and a workhorse at a gig. Super fresh idea.

 

[coldsummer]

The AL gives you a fresh look on stage. The shape is unique yet classy. I've had the MM90 and SSS and HH, but like the HH best. The rosewood neck is a fresh idea too. I have the seafoam green and feel its a real keeper and a workhorse at a gig. Super fresh idea.

Snap!

 

[Roberto Rivera]

buy a Steve Morse, it has everything you want

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

Axis Axis Axis! My favorite guitar in the EBMM line, in Hardtail of course!

But the AL HH is an awesome guitar. I have had my eye on one for a while....