Question Yet another - What kind of guitar do you recommend?

[zuma]

Hey all, I am a bass player of over 20 years. This is probably my second post on this side of the pond. I have made a sort of breakthrough in my guitar playing and I am considering picking up a skinny stringer in the near future. Of course I want a MusicMan! I am particularly attracted to the compensated nut (and the possibility of not having to tune my B string flat)!

At this point I am mostly a rhythm guitar player singing and playing along to Beatles songs on my acoustic Celebrity Ovation. I'm just looking for general guidance here since I am only versed on the fat stringers. Of course, I will play a bunch and see what feels best. Here is what I would like:

I don't like V necks. I am thinking more of a flat U shape, not too thick either. I would like a neck more suited to chords than lead playing if that even exists (more curved radius?). I want the ability to have a nice clean sound like this:
Clean sample (The chorus is quite overdriven I know).

Is that a single coil sound? Not necessarily?

I have NOT looked at the Ernie Ball lineup because, knowing that I don't know jack about guitars, I don't want to form an opinion without consulting the masters. What do you all say?

 

[73h Nils]

I'd say a Silhouette (Special) or an AL, if you want a nice clean sound. The AL's cleans are unreal. I'm not familiar with the neck profiles on either, though, so I can't comment. I'm sure others here would be able to go a lot more in depth. Also, the Silhouette is one of the "cheapest" in the MM lineup, price-wise.

 

[zuma]

Thanks 73h. Now I took a peek and that Silhouette Special does look good, maybe a triple single coil. Do all the current guitars have the compensated nut just like the basses? Does it really help those first position A and D chords?

 

[threeminutesboy]

Nice track is that one of yours ?

so this king of sound I definitely recommend :

- Silo Spec SSS or HSS either could make it
- Al SSS
or AL MM90 if you need some clean and some nice crunch sound

 

[bkrumme]

Silo Spec is a good choice. You might also look into a Reflex or 25th Anniversary.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Welcome. We like fat stringers dropping in and you were wise to ask about what to buy here. Ok....my advice is to find a guitar store that has a good stock of Musicman models and try em out. Disliking the V kicks out the Luke. (Doesn't your ovation have a v neck? Mine does) From an "ease" of playing perspective, I've found the 25th/reflex to work really well. That'll also give you a huge variation of sounds. An ASS will also give you lots of variety with it's switching options. A silo or Morse gives you more pickups and thus options for sounds. So, of course, I'm going to say to just buy F'ing's BFR Al. Makes no sense? I guess that's why you really need to get to a store and do some side by side checking.

 

[zuma]

Nice track is that one of yours ?

so this king of sound I definitely recommend :

- Silo Spec SSS or HSS either could make it
- Al SSS
or AL MM90 if you need some clean and some nice crunch sound

Oh man, I wish I had written that. It's an old Duran Duran B-side from 1981.

Welcome. We like fat stringers dropping in and you were wise to ask about what to buy here. Ok....my advice is to find a guitar store that has a good stock of Musicman models and try em out. Disliking the V kicks out the Luke. (Doesn't your ovation have a v neck? Mine does) From an "ease" of playing perspective, I've found the 25th/reflex to work really well. That'll also give you a huge variation of sounds. An ASS will also give you lots of variety with it's switching options. A silo or Morse gives you more pickups and thus options for sounds. So, of course, I'm going to say to just buy F'ing's BFR Al. Makes no sense? I guess that's why you really need to get to a store and do some side by side checking.

A most astute observation, yes, that Ovation definitely has a rather pronounced V and I need to try something different. I know acoustic is harder to play period but I don't think that V is helping. By the way, what is an ASS? Sorry, I just have to ask even though I know that's just asking for PUNishment.

I see this is no different than choosing a bass. I do love it though!!!

 

[threeminutesboy]

ASS Stands for Axis Super Sport

And thanks for the Duran Duran info I really didn't recognized them

 

[andynpeters]

By the way, what is an ASS?

Axis Super Sport.....I seem to remember there was a time on here when acronyms had a blue line under them and if you clicked it there would be an explanation.....obviously no longer

 

[zuma]

Thanks folks. Looks like a trip to GC is in order tomorrow!

 

[Sweat]

Try an HH AL, if your going to a GC they might have one or two HH Al's in stock, also do check out an ASS.

 

[jbyrd]

That mp3 definitely sounded like single coil spank to me. Definitely try them all but I'd suggest making sure that you try at least one with the MM90 pickups. It's basically their version of the Gibson P90. Technically a single coil but doesn't really have that spank and is warmer. At least thats the best way I can describe them.

 

[guitfiddle]

Can't go wrong with an AL SS for that kind of tone (like the clip). Great single coil tones and the necks are a dream to play.

 

[zuma]

Thanks all...looks like either an Al SSS or Silo SSS hardtail will fit the bill. But damn that Axis shape is pretty awesome...ohhh, this never ends.

 

[zuma]

Question folks...went to GC last night and played an awesome red/wine looking Big Al in SSS config, passive. Weird thing was, it did NOT have a compensated nut. What gives? I thought the Big Al guitar model was out AFTER all the compensation started.

 

[zuma]

I just realized that was a really dumb question as there is no "Big Al" guitar. Obviously, what I meant was, are there any Albert Lee guitar's out there without a compensated nut straight from the factory. What year was the Albert Lee put out?

 

[bkrumme]

I just realized that was a really dumb question as there is no "Big Al" guitar. Obviously, what I meant was, are there any Albert Lee guitar's out there without a compensated nut straight from the factory. What year was the Albert Lee put out?

Yes there are. The Albert Lee predates the compensated nut.

 

[zuma]

Got it! Thanks. Man...that guitar looked brand new!

 

[zuma]

So...I thought since this was my first guitar and I'm a big novice any way, I should just get a really basic guitar. Nothing fancy, no frills. A real cheapie! Here is what I bought TODAY:

Seriously though, even though I was initially looking for that single coil sound, I could not resist this neck. I am a sucker for rosewood, what can I say?! The GC 15% coupon came in handy too!

Gotta run...check back later with more details!

 

[ScoobySteve]

Reflex.

Edit

That HH AL looks flat out stunning. Amazing, simple and classy! Congrats!