When was the Albert Lee guitar introduced?

[Spudmurphy]

From my very limited knowledge of EB Albert Lee guitars, I understand that the guitar was introduced in 1993.

Also I understand that it was equiped with single coil pickups designated SSS.

Can anybody tell me when the MM90's became available ? Were they a "part of the package" in '93?

Also what year was the silent circuit added?

Are there any other changes that have been made to the AL since it was introduced?

Cheers
Spud

 

[Jimi D]

Here's a couple of interesting tidbits about the Albert Lee:

First, this unusual guitar design was originally christened the "Axis". A prototype was presented to Albert Lee by Sterling Ball at a Christmas party in the mid-80s, and Albert loved the unique, trans-pink finished instrument so much that he played it religiously for more than six years prior to it ever becoming a Music Man production model. The only other person besides Mr. Lee himself to have one of these ergonomic wonders in all that time was Sir Paul McCartney, who liked Albert's guitar so much he ordered a left-handed model for himself. Anyway, by the time EVH defected the EB/MM camp, the Albert Lee model had become a reality, and the Axis name was recycled for the line based on Dudley's "Van Halen" design.

So, the Albert Lee Signature model was finally released as a production instrument in 1993, due largely to a groundswell of interest from Albert fans in America and the UK. The guitar's unique Fender-meets-Jetsons design was originally offered only in the trans-pink finish of Albert's original, but I believe you could get it in a hardtail or tremolo model right from launch.. The Silent Circuit wasn't added until 2001, however, though it had been available on other models for some time prior to that. I'm not certain when the MM90 model was introduced, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was around the same time as the Silent Circuit was added to the original design.

...and that's all I know off-hand...

 

[lenny]

Here's a couple of interesting tidbits about the Albert Lee:

First, this unusual guitar design was originally christened the "Axis". A prototype was presented to Albert Lee by Sterling Ball at a Christmas party in the mid-80s, and Albert loved the unique, trans-pink finished instrument so much that he played it religiously for more than six years prior to it ever becoming a Music Man production model. The only other person besides Mr. Lee himself to have one of these ergonomic wonders in all that time was Sir Paul McCartney, who liked Albert's guitar so much he ordered a left-handed model for himself. Anyway, by the time EVH defected the EB/MM camp, the Albert Lee model had become a reality, and the Axis name was recycled for the line based on Dudley's "Van Halen" design.

So, the Albert Lee Signature model was finally released as a production instrument in 1993, due largely to a groundswell of interest from Albert fans in America and the UK. The guitar's unique Fender-meets-Jetsons design was originally offered only in the trans-pink finish of Albert's original, but I believe you could get it in a hardtail or tremolo model right from launch.. The Silent Circuit wasn't added until 2001, however, though it had been available on other models for some time prior to that. I'm not certain when the MM90 model was introduced, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was around the same time as the Silent Circuit was added to the original design.

...and that's all I know off-hand...

Wow thats very cool i always liked the pink burst AL's when i get mine it will be a pink Burst!!!!

 

[PugNinjas]

I found this on Harmony Central but I'm not sure if this is an official press release or just an article from HC

Ernie Ball’s Albert Lee Signature Model Guitar Now Features 3 MM90 Pickup Option


February 2, 2001

Fans of Ernie Ball’s Albert Lee Signature Guitar now have more tone choices with the option of 3 MM90 vintage style "soapbar" single coil pickups or the standard 3 Seymour Duncan pickups, with or without a tremolo. All Albert Lee guitars will also feature the patented Music Man "Silent Circuit" on both types of pickups, reducing hum while still retaining true single coil sound.

"The new option was an instant hit with Albert," said Dudley Gimpel, head of research and development for Ernie Ball. "Besides looking just plain cool, the Albert Lee has always been an incredibly comfortable guitar to play, with an unmatched sweet single coil sound. Stepping up to the MM90 pickups, its tone got bigger and bolder, without losing an ounce of twang."

The Albert Lee Guitar body is made from southern ash, with a maple neck and fingerboard. It comes in dozens of Ernie Ball Music Man colors, from basics such as black and white, to translucents in gold, blue or purple. Vintage Sunburst is also available. It features Music Man Strings-thru-the-body bridge of chrome plated, hardened steel and vintage steel saddles.

Neck specs are 25 1/4" scale; 10" radius; and a 5 7/8" long headstock with an optional matching painted headstock available. The 22 frets are high profile, medium width. It comes with Schaller M6-IND locking tuners. The guitar has 250kohm volume and tone controls and a 5-way lever pickup selector.

For more information, visit their web site at www.ernieball.com.

PugNinjas

 

[Colin]

The interesting thing about that first guitar is that it wasn't capped with the flame maple it was the whole piece!

 

[Spudmurphy]

Thanks Jimi, Colin and Pug.
When I first joinned the forum Jimi was kind enough to give me info on the Albert Lee.
The remaining fact I need to pin down is when the MM90's were introduced.

I also know that Albert has one with a b bender - was this ever a commercial option?

Cheers
Spud
Edit: Hang in there Pug - not too long now !!!!

 

[Big Poppa]

The original Al was made out of super flame one piece body. It was not only beautiful but VERY light....which is quite rare and that is why we couldnt offer it as a regular production model and actually Albert preferred the ash body

 

[lenny]

The original Al was made out of super flame one piece body. It was not only beautiful but VERY light....which is quite rare and that is why we couldnt offer it as a regular production model and actually Albert preferred the ash body

another little tidbit............awesome thanx BP!

 

[Spudmurphy]

another little tidbit............awesome thanx BP!

+1

 

[PugNinjas]

Thanks for the info, BP.

That guitar is gorgeous, on one of the Albert DVD's I have you can see how flamed the guitar really is....


PugNinjas

 

[Spudmurphy]

Thanks for the info, BP.

That guitar is gorgeous, on one of the Albert DVD's I have you can see how flamed the guitar really is....


PugNinjas

What DVD is that Pug ? - I may also have it.
Spud

 

[PugNinjas]

What DVD is that Pug ? - I may also have it.
Spud

Spud,

I would have to check them out, the only one I have here at home is the Highlights DVD, that one shows off the awesome neck which looks like it is coated with a clear gloss finish
When I get the other DVD's back I will check them out and let you know

 

[Spudmurphy]

Spud,

I would have to check them out, the only one I have here at home is the Highlights DVD, that one shows off the awesome neck which looks like it is coated with a clear gloss finish
When I get the other DVD's back I will check them out and let you know

Cool.
I don't remember seeing one with"Axis" on the headstock.

Not to long to wait now then ?

 

[PugNinjas]

Spud,

My wait is a little more than half over

The dealer I ordered it from was breaking my chops because I'm so anxious for this guitar. Then, just to rub a little salt in the wound he puts on the Albert Lee Country Legend DVD and cranks it in the store. My favorite part of that one, besides Albert's playing, is the black & white clip of Chet Atkins playing "Black Mountain Rag" Chet is bad ass in this clip and he shoots a look to the camera while he's playing that is perfect, it almost says "yeah, try and learn this !!"

Pug

 

[Spudmurphy]

That's one DVD I don't have.
It's my birthday the end of the month maybe I'll treat myself !!

Man do I want an AL with MM90's. There one on E bay "buy it now" for a price in the UK that I would die for !!
Spud

 

[PugNinjas]

Hmmm, your B-Day is at the end of the month and there's a MM90 Albert just waiting for you


Definitely get that Country Legend DVD, it's worth it alone for the Chet Atkins clip, the look he shoots at the camera is amazing. I wanted to use a different phrase to describe it, but I figured I better keep it family friendly on the boards


Ya know, you could always get that other Albert and send it to me until mine finally arrives


Pug

 

[Spudmurphy]

Pug
I'm loving the Albert - it's probably due to the change in my style of playing.
I'm sure you will love it too - if ya don't I'll take it off your hands - maybe you could bring it over for me !!

I don't get to change my gear very much (just look at my sig, everything I bought was new except for the Uke and Paramount) so to say I'm gassing for another AL speaks volumes for EB gear.

I'd like to get a second hand one - maybe get one that relates to the year the MM90's were introduced (I'll post a "Bump" to try and get that info).

It won't be long now - I was so suprised when I got mine.

Beth in Customer Services actually told me that it was being shipped to the UK, a month before I was expecting it.

Trouble was it was the Xmas/New Year period and that meant I had to wait just a little bit knowing that it was with the UK distributors.
The wait goes on .......

 

[Spudmurphy]

Bump
Anybody out there know for sure when the AL had MM90's as part of customer spec.

Another one - when was the Piezo introduced on the AL ?

fangyouvarymuch !

 

[GWDavis28]

I'm pretty sure from Pug's Harmony Central info that it was 2001 for the MM90's.

Glenn |B)

 

[PugNinjas]

Harmony Central has a ton of good info and even some of the user reviews are useful but that forum can get nasty !!!