Was fortunate enought to work at Music Man from 87-93 and I was very impressed with their guitars even back then. So glad to see people are catching up to these quality guitars.

Sterlings punch so far above their weight class. Much like you, I spent most of my 30+ years as a guitar player not paying attention to Ernie Ball or Sterling. A couple years back, I picked up a JP150 and was blown away by the quality with respect to price. Can't believe it took me so long.

I've had my Music Man Silhouette Special for over 20 years and it is still my all time favorite guitar.

I love the intro riff. Also, that guitar is gnarly. Thanks for the video. I always look forward to your videos.

Those roasted versions are on sale often at guitar center, musicians friend, ect... for around $399 each. A good deal compared to a player plus. +100 for mentioning Leo Fender was the the original CEO of Music Man.

@lostreb

2 жыл бұрын

When I learned Leo Fender had been with Music Man is the primary reasons I checked Music Man out in the first place!!

@MusicTherapyLaz

2 жыл бұрын

Yup... got mine for $399... best value in that price range if you ask me!

@davidportnoy3237

Жыл бұрын

Those go for 699 at guitar center

@spacerangerlol

Жыл бұрын

Easily 850+USD in Europe. Somehow both Sterling and Music man guitars get enormous price bump in Europe. Music man Stingray RS is 3000 USD in US post-tax, while it’s nearly 5000 USD in Europe. It’s a shame. If it wasn’t so overpriced, I would get myself either Stingray or Cutlass long time ago.

I was looking at this guitar. Looks great. Locking tuners. 🔒 wow!

Thanks for the video, digging this guitar!

Great review as always. Thanks for the clean tones up front too. I think these are a great alternative to the usual Fender, Epiphone, PRS SE stuff. 👍

Great job as always Max. YAARRRGGGG!!!!!!!

It’s beautiful. I normally don’t really like things too offset. But this is just right. And it sounds really great!

Hey MAX. 5th place winner of your shred contest. anyways the Sterling brand of guitars are really really good. I have the JP 60 in matte black you can pick them up on sale for like $469.00, you should get one and review it they are awesome guitars 🤙 anyways just throwing it out there! nice review of that stingray I might have to buy one 😂 rock on max 👍

Will look at one with my Grandson. Musicman makes nice stuff. Seems very versatile.

How do you not have a bazillion subs yet! There is no justice in this life...

I had an OLP which was the Ernie Ball licenced guitar of the Axis and got it for $40 at a pawn shop. They didn't know what it was and sold it cheap and it turned out to be a very good guitar. That got me into looking at the different Sterling and Musicman guitars and found out they are very good. The Sterling is affordable but very playable and good quality.

I’ve had a sterling 7 string and it was really good. Would recommend

It was many, many moons ago, but shortly before buying my PRS I checked out a Music Man Axis. It was basically a continuation of the EVH signature model after his endorsement deal with Music Man ended. Very, very nice instrument, both in tone and playability. I probably would have bought it if it hadn't been so expensive (which is saying something given that I bought a PRS instead!).

I bought a sundburst SR50 model in 2018, and i love the guitar to death. And i use the bridge pickup almost exclusively.

In the same price range there’s the Cutlass HSS which I was thinking to buy (before I had a steal-deal with my Squier). Great guitars. They also have models like the mariposa and axis and ‘’low cost’’ versions of signature guitars like the Luke, JP, St-Vincent, Jared Dines… Great video as always Max. Cheers

ive always wanted to try this guitar out. surpised you weren't aware of it. has always looked and sounded good to me since i first heard it.

Dude... I finally saw one in a Guitar Center ... the Cutlass with a HSS setup... it was missing the high E... but I picked it up to play through some Fender Amps I was looking into... told the guy to put a string on it and I'll buy it... thing is AWESOME!

Literally bought that exact one and color a few weeks ago and can’t put it down! I also own a fender American deluxe hss strat and a PRS custom 24 ten top. Just fantastic for the money. It’s been my daily practice guitar since I got it.

@GuitarMAXMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Nice!! Thanks for the report.

Got the Sterling JP 100. Got it used from G center. 350 used. Best guitar I’ve ever had. Like those stingrays. Like to have a coil option though. Appreciate your vids on these budget friendly guitars. I was also surprised at the quality of Slick guitars.

I have a Music Man Cutlass that is superb quality. I bought a Sterling Valentine to get the Humbucker/Single coil set-up and I absolutely love it. Even though the Sterling cost about 1/4th the price of my Cutlass I am very impressed with how close the quality and fit & finish is. The Sterling definitely is a quality instrument and punches above it's price range. I love them both.

@allenklosowski226

7 ай бұрын

How is the neck profile of the Sterling vs your Cutlass?

@Russell_Optics

7 ай бұрын

@@allenklosowski226 The Cutlass is a bit thinner at the nut. It is an asymmetrical shape that is superbly comfortable to me. The Sterling is a slightly larger "C" shape, but not too big at all. The Cutlass neck carve is my all-time favorite, but some people ( with bigger hands ) feel it is too narrow.

@allenklosowski226

7 ай бұрын

@@Russell_Optics Super helpful, thank you. I have a 2018 Cutlass now, and I agree it's the best neck shape and feel I've ever encountered. I was originally taken back by how small it is, but then I got really used to it and I like to hook my thumb like Hendrix which I can't do on other guitars that have a wider fretboard. After getting used to the upper fret access with the Cutlass neck heel, I don't like going back to my Strat or LPs. I'm just looking for something I can play out and not worry about, and that has a roasted neck as I have major temp and humidity changes in my area. Unfortunately the American made EBMM stuff has gotten so expensive, and I don't really like the standard "C" shaped necks, so this might be a pass for me.

Wonderful played

My local store is a dealer. I've owned many Music Man's over the years. The EVH's were my main guitar for a while. I was surprised at how great the neck felt. The balance was great. The 3 Single coils didn't sound right but the Humbuckers Yeah! The EVH's had secret Ernie Ball PU's. (I was told same as the Geo. Lynch Screamin' Demons) Yeah a great guitar for the money.

that was a very nice intro playing, fellas

Max, you should check out and review the Sterling Music Man Cutlass CT50 HSS - Firemist Silver. $549. I find it much more versatile. The bridge humbucker sounds great. And with more tonal options.

I really like it and not just a Strat, LP, SG, Tele knock off. I might have to check out a Sterling sometime!

I own a JP70 and I love it, like it's insane how good these guitars are.

@fredgammon8542

Жыл бұрын

JP 60 and JP 70 are my favorite Sterling guitars. :-)

I have a Sterling JP157, an Axis ax3fm and just purchased the Sting Ray sr30. I have many other guitars by different brands but keep gravitating towards Sterling. They are great value for money, well constructed and very musical instruments. Did I mention I have a Sterling Sting Ray 5 bass? 🎸🎶

I have had my eye on the Sterling Cutlass 350 for over a year and a half, and now it looks like I've delayed until the 350 is now the Cutlass CT50. May need to add the Stingray SR50 to the list. Another great demo and review. Please keep them coming...

Oh nice. That seems great man. Nice vid.

@GuitarMAXMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

St. Vincent and the Luke flame maple top in blueberry burst would be cool to hear a review on.

I have the Sterling Sting Ray SR30. I installed a set of GraphTech locking tuners and it really smokes. Excellent instrument for the money.

I own 2 music man guitars, music man axis which is a truly great rock guitar and Music Man Luke 3 HSS which is my go to all rounder, although the neck is very narrow , 41mm at nut but is so beautifully constructed and can handle almost any music genre, the necks on Music Man guitars are something else

I need this guitar, a super reverb amp, and a bucket of Hyper Slinkys. Right. Now.

I have a few higher end guitars and one is a JP15....an incredible instrument...just try any musicman guitars and i'm sure you'll agree they make top shelf gear....very good quality control..very nice across all prices so they are available to everyone

I have the Cutlass HSS in the same beautiful color. The 5way switches aren't the best but the output jack is fine. I'm a modding fool, so I ditched the pickups for a Seymour Duncan TB-14 and two SSL-6's. The DiMarzio superswitch got the nod along with thier 500k pots and a .223 Orangedrop cap. A treble bleed curcuit was the icing on the cake! Its nestled in a Gator hardcase and has Schaller straplocks. I wouldn't part with it for a penny less than 1k. I like it for the durability and I tend to reach for it when I'm just banging around and don't wanna risk damaging my Les Pauls or other more fragile and expensive guitars. I've got it wired for (bridge,bridge+middle,bridge+neck,neck+middle,neck), when I pull up the tone pot I get 3 more single coil tones.

I would highly recommend a review of the Sterling Luke!

I've got the Jared Dines signature Sterling, which is the same guitar but with 24 frets and a kill switch. Really nice guitar.

I had a Sterling Axis type back in the day and wasn't impressed, but it looks like they've stepped their game up.

you made me want to buy it !

You should also review a Sire guitar by Larry Carlton. They are the same price point and are amazing guitars also with roasted necks, and also made in Indonesia.

You've GOT to get the new Harley Benton Fusion EMG guitars in satin black. They're the first guitars I've been tempted to buy in the last few months haha

Nice sound for the price point. $800 here in Canada. The 30 model is $500 CND

Beautiful guitar.

I play the Sterling Stingray bass. I can afford the regular Stingray, but I prefer the Sterling because it's light, doesn't have that awful tone robbing paint finish and less useless electronics, but still has an active pickup. I recommend Sterling all the time. Not sure if people are listening or not

@andrewbecker3700

2 жыл бұрын

I grabbed one in firemist silver to match my Cutlass. It's vey light and has the same smooth feel all the EB stuff does. Considering the features it has for the price ($749 for a B-stock) it's hard to knock it? I jumped on this one because it was extensively pictured and I could see exactly what I was getting. The darkness of the roast on the necks and fretboards, very quite alot.

@sagiriizumi8079

2 жыл бұрын

@@andrewbecker3700 Great deal! They are on par with Schecter, I think

@andrewbecker3700

2 жыл бұрын

@@sagiriizumi8079 That's a fair statement, as I believe they're made in the same Indonesian factory. I personally don't care for many Schecter guitars because they tend to style them for the metal crowd almost exclusively. I'm a bit old school when it comes to body shapes and colors. Pointy guitars look fragile to me.

@CFChristian

Жыл бұрын

I'm about to pull the trigger on a Sub bass this weekend. Kind of on the fence since I've never owned a bass before.

@andrewbecker3700

Жыл бұрын

@@CFChristian I recommend finding a deal on a used standard model rather than a sub series. The basic structures of the guitars are similar, but the feel has to be there. If it feels cheap you'll just struggle more. Also consider the weight.

Nice guitar really like it

That is a really nice looking guitar!

I have a Sterling by MM Cutlass CT50. Ditto all the praise you had for the Stingray on the Cutlass. You should review hat as well. Cutlass is HSS

You should check out Jered Dines Sterling Sting Ray...it's similar to the one you feature in this video, except it is a 24 fret version...and I think it also has a gain boost built into the guitar... nope, not a gain boost...a kill switch...

I've been wanting to try sterling by music man for a while. Especially the JP style with roasted neck. They seem really great.

I was deciding between this and the Cutlass. MF has the Cutlass on sale for $449. So I ordered one and then had a little bit of regret, I should have spent the extra on the Stingray. I just got the guitar and opened the box and MF sent the Stingray by mistake! I love it when a plan comes together.

Try the Sterling Cutlass SHORT SCALE!

it is very pretty. the roasted maple. good contrast. maybe harder to see the black fret dots on the darker wood? (especially on a dark stage...)

You gotta try the ct50 by sterling out it makes a perfect Frankenstein...or the valentine and the Albert Lee sterlings

I like certain thing's about this guitar but i would prefer a Strat type pickup selector by the knobs instead of the toggle way at the top. I have owned custom shop Les Paul's and even then, I prefer having the pickup switch close to my hand. For $599, I think it's okay, but let's not forget Leo Fenders last company, G&L! You can find many great model's there as well.

I'd buy that!

Don't know about MM, but you should check out the Jet guitars js400, assuming that they're available in your neck of the woods. Bloody brilliant banjos for the dough. Ta Max.

Leo know his stuff!

Must check out the Sabre model next

nice one bro! i noticed it has a "bigblock" on it...looks like aluminum....the donner dst400 has a aluminum big block on it... might be a fun experiment to do with a small magnetic "screw grabber" tool to check out that block... sweet guitar by the way!

Check out the Stephan Egerton model. Single pick up, no knobs….wired directly to the Jack. ALL the tone is in the hands. See what I did there?

I been wanting a music man for a while. Heard a guy at music store play one and it sounded so good. Yet after seeing this video not so sure I want one now. Will have to wait til I can afford a high end model. The sire Harley bentons and even epiphone sound as good or better at even lower price points

Squier contemporary has jumbo frets and baked maple neck. I’m done with medium frets.

Bought one of their Sterling Strat styles. Played awesome. Beautiful built guitar. Neck was nice. But I returned it. I hated the black side neck dots. Hard to see and should have been white.

Max would love to see you review the Sterling Cutlass CT50 HSS

Cutlass SR50, AXIS... The Sterlings are cool.

Check out the sterling CT50. It's amazing!

I have never played a Music Man guitar. But I do use Ernie Ball strings on my Squier Tele.

Please try out the Sterling by Music Man’s “Axis” model, especially the flame maple series. I own the trans-gold flame maple model and its amazing!

I remember the good ol days when Music Man was selling guitars for less than $2K new. They got way too comfortable in the upper range

@omarsmusic4316

28 күн бұрын

Nice I just got a Sterling Music man SR-30 my friend gave it to me but he bought it for about 400 dollars new.

I would also try the cutlass that is more like a HSS strat that sells for 500

Most of the Sterling models feel good and are worth checking out in person. The cutlass sometimes has a soft V shape, which I was surprised I liked

@pogoism1

Жыл бұрын

Sometimes?

@pwhite102

Жыл бұрын

@@pogoism1 I've tried a few different finish levels at my local guitar center and I remember feeling some inconsistency in the necks. One being soft v and one being round

I would love to see a fresh review of the Sterling by Music Man Albert Lee HH Electric Guitar Daphne Blue Tortoise Pickguard. It is $449.99 and what I would call a retro modern style, for some reason I always think of the cartoon The Jetsons when seeing it. Like it would be the guitar Elroy would have played if he had one. I have been reluctant to order one as can't try one out as never seen one in our local guitar shops and the reviews I have seen are mixed and old, so wonder if there were any issues and if there was, have they been worked out. I really like the style of it, just wish there was an up to date review by someone I trust.

I would like to see the steirling axis sport. The new colors.

Reminds me of the ESP EZK-1

I have the Sterling Sub silo3 bought it used for 180 €. You should try it..

The Albert Lee Signature!!

Max, I really do mean this to be a put down, I really do enjoy your content. You definitely have really good guitar chops and technique but I would work on your phrasing. This is something I’m working on as well. Try playing vocal melodies from pop songs. Again this is something I’m working on so don’t take it as a put down. Keep making grey content.

I’m seeing this color on other new guitar models like the Reverend Anniversary line…is this going to be a trendsetter color in like cars now?

Stingray is my favorite, but check out the Luke.

Music Man and G&L have some unique guitars they make that seem to go unnoticed compared to the bigger name brands. I own 5 G&L guitars and to this day i dont know why anyone buys a Fender. lol.

@ctcards2636

2 жыл бұрын

This guitar your reviewing reminds me of my 82 Nighthawk (Skyhawk in later years). G&L just reissued that guitar and id highly recommend checking that out as well.

@ctcards2636

2 жыл бұрын

Funny Music Man does 5 bolt necks and G&L at one time did 3 bolt :-P hhehe. My fav G&Ls are the 3 bolt.

Try a Mariposa or Albert Lee. Nice video

Their Steve Lukather model is awesome. Give her a spin if you can.

I would love you check the Musicman from the guitarist of punk band descendants!!! There’s no knobs at all 😂❤

I guess it's gonna sound like an LP. But it has the 50s asthetic of a hybrid Mustang, Strat, Jazzmaster. The hardware feels a bit modern. Interesting!

@ToCatchAVein

2 жыл бұрын

They play damn near identical to a fender mustang player series but I prefer these cuz almost never have glossy neck, prefer matte.

Needs a black pickguard from Afterman Guitars

I have a couple of Sterling guitars. Solid instruments for the money.

Im sold

You should check out the Sterling by Music Man Mariposa!

I've wanted a Music Man Stingray bass for ages but they're out of my price range, but the more I hear about Sterling the more I feel like I'd be satisfied with one, especially at about 20% of the price of the Music Man.

@greenmanalishi6086

2 жыл бұрын

NO. The Big 3, had a marketing strategy of pushing these shitty "Budget" guitars: Sterling, Squier, and cheap China made Epiphones - because people won't pay $5000 for EBMM or Fender - Now, Thomann & Harley Benton are blowing up the Retail stores.

@davidhall6565

2 жыл бұрын

@@greenmanalishi6086 So you're saying it's impossible to be satisfied with a $350 bass that's manufactured in China, even though they're not manufactured in China? Man, thanks, I'll go buy that Harley Benton that I didn't want and doesn't offer the specs I desire. Very useful.

@Newnodrogbob

2 жыл бұрын

@@davidhall6565 right? Green there is smoking crack. The Sterling line has had a good reputation for years and years, and the relatively recent model years with the roasted maple get rave reviews.

@charlesbolton8471

Жыл бұрын

@@Newnodrogbob Exactly, and for the most part even Squier and Epiphone are much improved on their lower end models.

Sterling Albert Lee would be a good one to go over

Try a sterling Cutlass they're nice

Satin black is cool but I guess at this price coil splitting is too much to ask .

An extra volume or kill switch would make this guitar perfect

Max: "how have I not heard/played this guitar yet?" Me: perhaps spending too much time flying planes? I am curious what quality smells like. 🤔

It looks like a Strat and a Tele had a baby together.

Sterling Mariposa and Jason Richardson signature .

Check out axis